Introduction to me

USA_All_The_Way

5-Year Member
Joined
May 11, 2010
Messages
26
Hello forum people, a little info about myself would probably assist in my goals with this board.

I'm turning 20 this June and just completed my MS1 year with the local Army ROTC detachment downtown. I am seeking to contract but I have discovered through many rough and tumble events this past year that the Army is probably not my branch (wasn't my first choice anyway, but I am still reserved to explain my reasons as to why unless I'm asked directly).

I've been all over the mid-West and never really remained stationary growing up. I feel as though, even if I am only still a "kid" in the world of today, that the majority of people around me are growing increasingly ignorant and careless. I'm a firm believer that our negligence of the rest of the world will surely lead to the downfall of this nation, despite being the best nation and most free nation in the world.

I'm pursuing a dual major in philosophy (comparative religions) and evolutionary biology (possibly using it for a medical field of some sort). I believe philosophy in particular is perhaps the best hope mankind has for survival, and it is the proper antidote to insanity.

At 16 in my sophomore year in high school my brother-in-law (a four-year veteran of the Navy) suggested I should join the military and that it would probably be a good fit. I thought he was absolutely out of his mind to suggest that someone like myself join (long story), but after thinking about it long and hard, I decided it would probably serve me best if I served my country. So here I am, in hopes that I will within the next few years be a proud member of the U.S. armed forces.
 
I'm a firm believer that our negligence of the rest of the world will surely lead to the downfall of this nation.....

:confused: Who put this idea into your head?

"Our negligence"? :confused:

You mean our failing to embrace Sharia law instead of relying on the freedoms and liberties of the US Constitution?

You mean our believing to give woman and minorities equal rights instead of using a caste system to permanently classify them?

You mean our championing an open society where communication is not restricted, people are free to assemble, redress their grievances, and petition their Govt, and vote for their own choices?

Where does this "negligence" of the "rest of the world" concern you the most?

Hasn't President Obama traveled the world and apologized enough already?
 
Luigi, you're feeling good today, aren't you? :thumb:

And don't forget, where we shouldn't demonstrate national pride at home for fear of offending the rest of the world.

God bless America!
 
Introduxtion to me

Way to go Luigi 59

Could not have said it better.

RGK
 
USA

Welcome to the forums. I think you will find that this forum will enlighten you to all different perspectives regarding the military, and the branches within the military.

I have to ask one question based on your statement:
I am seeking to contract but I have discovered through many rough and tumble events this past year that the Army is probably not my branch (wasn't my first choice anyway, but I am still reserved to explain my reasons as to why unless I'm asked directly).

Why are you seeing to contract even though in your words the Army is probably not your branch, nor your first choice?

This is a very serious commitment and the word probably sends shivers down my spine. Military life is 24/7/365, if your heart is not 100% into that branch it is probably not a good idea to contract. The Army will be what you live, eat and breathe for 5 yrs after graduation. Not only will you live, eat and breath it, but you will do so when and where they tell you to do it. The officers that I have met who hate the military are the ones that didn't enter with a burning desire to be in that branch. You can become quickly resentful of the military when they say to you, you will be stationed at Fort Drum when your 1st choice was Fort Carson. They both have Snow, but the posts are completely different and thousands of miles a part.

I understand you want to serve the country, but there are multiple branches you can serve in besides the Army. There are also multiple ways to serve the country without ever joining the military.

Best wishes in your future endeavors and welcome to the forum!
 
Sorry Pima, I've been dealing with other things so it has taken me a while to get back to ma thread here.

This is a very serious commitment and the word probably sends shivers down my spine. Military life is 24/7/365, if your heart is not 100% into that branch it is probably not a good idea to contract. The Army will be what you live, eat and breathe for 5 yrs after graduation. Not only will you live, eat and breath it, but you will do so when and where they tell you to do it. The officers that I have met who hate the military are the ones that didn't enter with a burning desire to be in that branch. You can become quickly resentful of the military when they say to you, you will be stationed at Fort Drum when your 1st choice was Fort Carson. They both have Snow, but the posts are completely different and thousands of miles a part.

Put in simple terms, I thought that going into the Army might be a good decision for me, so I tested the waters. I'm not too thrilled with what I've experienced thusfar.

As opposed to a year ago I can now understand why people often say it is a matter of personality, and what crowd you're more adapted too. It's not much of an accomplishment or a bragging right to admit to being an adequate cadet, but the Army just doesn't get me pumped like I think I should be. The emphasis is usually on infantry of course and while it's a reasonable standard to require of every soldier, infantry is not tailored towards an area I think I can apply myself the best in. And what I'm centered on is how I can apply myself in the best of my abilities.

I understand you want to serve the country, but there are multiple branches you can serve in besides the Army. There are also multiple ways to serve the country without ever joining the military.

Best wishes in your future endeavors and welcome to the forum!

Well, I've given that some consideration as well. But even though I'm not full on infantry, I'd much rather be in a position to take out the enemies of America. I'm appauled by the prominence of violence and intimidation in this world and we are now witnessing attacks (both successful and attempted) on our own soil, which makes me sick at the very least. Maybe when push comes to shove, if the military doesn't work, I'll go work for the CIA.

Thanks for your wishes. :thumb:
 
I'd much rather be in a position to take out the enemies of America.

Please take this to heart and not offensively, but the day you "TAKE OUT THE ENEMY" is the day your life changes. Nobody who has ever had a "kill" on their record does not lose a part of their soul. It actually cuts even deeper when your child asks...DADDY, did you ever kill someone? How do you explain to an 8,10, or 12 yr old that you did?

I don't know if that was bravado or not. I can just state that I have never met a soldier/airman/sailor who has been in combat that wants to ever be placed in that position again. I don't know any military member who dropped a bomb or shot a rifle who doesn't immediately realize that the enemy may have had a wife and child, just like they do.

Yes, that is war. However, soldiers typically don't have the position you are stating. I am hoping that this is youthful exuberance and just not finding the right descriptor for your emotions. These forums do not allow the face to face interaction, so it becomes difficult to interpret the posters true meaning.

It is wonderful to see your generation feel that they should step up to the table in our country's defenses. Unfortunately, too many choose to select this route for the wrong reason.

Join the military to defend, to serve, to be a part of a greater good, but don't join to "take out the enemy". The military exists not only to protect our country, but also as a deterrent from war. No military member wants to take out someone. Military members may be excited to go into battle, but they truly don't want to see our country at war. The excitement is there to protect our country, nothing less, nothing more. There is a difference between protecting our country and killing the enemy.

I truly hope that I incorrectly read your post. I hope what you meant to say is that you feel currently we are creating "soft" targets for our enemies to attack us, and you want to PROTECT these soft spots before we ever are forced to "take them out"
 
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I can't say that I truly understand what you mean by that statement, but I can respect it.

I know of several instances of where someone was asked about how it felt killing someone. An active duty Navy SEAL came to my high school and his response to this question (phrased hypothetically) is that he followed a book which says the greatest love you can have for your friend is to give your life for them, and he keeps it simple as that. I know of those who would stick their necks out and make themselves look all suave because of their military career or rank or whatever, but then the issue of killing comes up and it alters their mood fairly quickly.

One time I remember slightly going over my political views and someone (who ironically enough has a boyfriend currently in Iraq on deployment) had the nerve to call me a "warmonger" which I took offense too because of the sheer ignorance of that statement. War as a concept in and of itself, while it takes a special type of understanding or exposure to grasp the depth of it, involves the killing of innocents no matter what the percentage or frequency rate there is. Not to mention the historical outcome of war has not yielded positive results, someone, and not necessarily combatants, are going to be affected in a dramatic and tragic way.

Yes, you are correct in interpreting that statement. I'm not for the genocide of people who are perceived as threats, but I am for taking out those that are threats. Much like the al-Qaeda cleric who recently called for the butchering of all American citizens, not just those belonging to the Armed Forces. Or say Osama bin Laden (if the government ever allows his capture of course). People who will not stop. That is the focus of my statement.
 
had the nerve to call me a "warmonger"

Sadly enough most military members will be called that in their lifetime. The avg person does not understand that military members do not desire to leave their families, risk their lives and go to war. They typically cannot compute that you go because you are called to go, nothing more and nothing less.
 
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