I'm torn b\w Airforce and Navy ROTC.

Status
Not open for further replies.
This will be great practice on that I need to expect when pursuing public office.
Well to S.T.O.P., we need to break the acronym into small subdivisions. The fact that people, not only in this country are being oppressed, but people all over the world. In the sudan and other places in Africa, are being with withheld from food. Why? Because they can't afford it. Or in third world countries when they are ruled by a totalitarian gov't. Or even in America, an african american male, goes into a corner store , he is already profiled, because of the color of his skin. In this same country, determining by where you live, who your parents are or where you are from, your education is lessened to those who are "privleged". Oppression of the mind. Oppression of the soul. I stand for equality, and the coming together of mother earth. For we are held down; Why? For the love of money. Oppression politically, intellectually, etc-
All can go back to money, which needs change.

I agree 100% about the coming together of mother earth. The world has been suffering from continental drift for a billion or more years and it's time someone put a stop to it. Most of today's misunderstandings stem from that original fracture, as do kangaroos and echidnas.

In a recent election a Nevada politician running for U.S. Senate advocated a return to the barter system. The election did not turn out favorably for her, so you may want to wait until you've actually been elected before you eliminate money. You may also want to refer to a notable treatise "Money and How it Gets That Way" by Henry Miller (1938). Having read it in college, I have no recollection of what it said but the title is arresting.
 
?

How'd you know I was talking about the elimination of money, and returning to the barter system? I thought I was being very vague.
 
*But seriously now*

Look, you're young and idealistic. That's great! It really is. I'm young and idealistic too!

But here's a tip. Instead of talking about running for office, start small.

Running for president is step #49,427,234. You are on about step four. Focus on the task at hand and being the best whatever-it-is you do right now. Who knows, maybe you'll make it into office. Maybe you won't.

Plans and priorities change, so your goal right now should be figuring out the combination of things that you think will make you happy and successful. The internet can do many things, but it can't tell you that.
 
How'd you know I was talking about the elimination of money, and returning to the barter system? I thought I was being very vague.

You've hit on a big difference between the military and politics. In the military, it's essential that you are clear and direct in your communication. In politics the critical thing is to get people to think you agree with them and that you're for what they crave and against what they hate. Vagueness, misdirection and lying are tools for success. As a politician you want people to love you, but as a military leader that's the last thing you need. So be prepared to make the crossover.
 
No offense, and to keep this on track what exactly is your priorities Deshawn?

I mean this honestly, but currently I am not of the opinion it is military. I think it is political.

I will gladly eat crow...pm me and I will give you might address to prove I ate it, but I am willing to bet our DS's AFROTC UPT career you don't want to serve and defend. You want to fill a square.

For the filling a square issue, I really have an issue.
 
I have to agree with Pima's opinion on this one. Someone thinking of running for political office down the road while still in high school shows a lack of prioritizing their goals. If the poster's ultimate goal is to be a politician then choose a different career path. If you are already trying to game the system by picking a branch to feather your nest for the future then the military is probably not for you. Being a military officer is a team sport. Everyone working together to accomplish the mission. No one wants to work with someone who thinks its all about them. News flash....the majority of the folks serving in the military are very conservative by nature and I would bet not too many of our service men and woman empathize with the occupy this and that crowd.

First priority should be graduate high school, get accepted to college, complete ROTC program earn your commission. Serve with honor, complete your service obligation then do whatever you are qualified for. Maybe social work!!
 
Funny

But after after talking with the president, he said he'll keep an eye out for me and he gave me alot of good tips, and what I need to do
 
But after after talking with the president, he said he'll keep an eye out for me and he gave me alot of good tips, and what I need to do


?????????????????

I am getting a headache from reading this thread. I dare not, but what the hell.

What tips did the president give you?
 
He told me alot

It was alot that he said, but I broke it down into 3 points
1) Smile alot, and make sure you talk to alot of people, and get my name out there.
2) In college get the best grades possible, and if I do decide to go to the military, learn as much as I can, and lead well.
3) When I come to washington,make sure I have tons of connections and be prepared. Always be prepared.

I told him, I would like to run for president one day, he said take all things into consideration, and what you do will always show. Work on your communication and public speaking, and you never know; I could be visiting you you one day. He said.....


So as you can see I'm motivated.
 
It was alot that he said, but I broke it down into 3 points
1) Smile alot, and make sure you talk to alot of people, and get my name out there.
2) In college get the best grades possible, and if I do decide to go to the military, learn as much as I can, and lead well.
3) When I come to washington,make sure I have tons of connections and be prepared. Always be prepared.

I told him, I would like to run for president one day, he said take all things into consideration, and what you do will always show. Work on your communication and public speaking, and you never know; I could be visiting you you one day. He said.....


So as you can see I'm motivated.
Motivated, yes. Educated as to how things work in the world, well you've got plenty to learn...

You will hopefully learn a lot about effective leadership in the military. The military is a hierarchical organization with a clear chain of command where everyone is focused on achieving a stated mission through a planned operation. Everyone knows who to salute.

OTOH, there is the federal government where you will find little (if any) leadership. The 3 branches of government are intentionally non-hierarchical and built to effectively keep any one person from being at the top of a chain of command. Nobody salutes anybody because they all have their own mission and they all think their excrement isn't malodorous.

Being in the military (at least below the O-7 level) doesn't prepare one for dealing with the government.

The 3 pieces of advice given won't hurt you, but trust me are not nearly enough to make one successful in your stated quest.

And quite frankly, your thinking that being President will allow you to change the world is quite naive. While arguably the POTUS is the most powerful man in the world, the President has only a small percentage of the power necessary to change what you seek to do. I will argue that great social leaders (like Nelson Mandela, Ghandi, the Dahli Lama, or Lech Walesa etc.) have a greater impact on people's overcoming "oppression".

Your heart may be in the right place, but I think you confuse being president with being king. Without absolute power (which corrupts absolutely), no one person in charge can change the course of man without a great following. If you have the solution and can sell it to humanity, the office will not be necessary for implementation.
 
Thank you

Well, as many a people have said " You cant change things from the outside, looking in." So maybe I am young and niave. Maybe I have alot of growing up to so. Maybe I am truely clueless of how things really work, but that is why I have you guys, and that's why there is life. The greatest teacher of all.I except this charge, and will make sure my goals will be carried out.
 
What's the BEST thing you can do for your future political career right now? Here you go:

1) Stay out of trouble.

2) Get good grades.

3) Volunteer/intern with your local congressman or other elected officials.

If you want to serve and lead other people, there are a lot of ways to do that. You don't have to commit to the military to do it. Like I said in my last post, its not fair to the airmen or sailors you'd be working with if your heart isn't in it.

If you truly do want to be a military officer - Your question should be "How can I be a good military officer?", not "How can being a military officer make me a good politician?"
 
Last edited:
Thank you

Well that will be my next thread, "What Do I Need To Do To Become,A Great Military Officer?"
 
Deshawn,

After reading how what you thought was a simple question regarding "what should I do now to get to where I want to be later" has turned into a slightly controversial thread, please allow me to pass a few pointers and pieces of advise to get this discussion back on track and provide you some early "life lessons".

First off, I DO admire your passion in regards to wanting to make the world a better place, and your ideals and goal towards eventually getting into the highest levels in order to make those changes. Niave ideals of a young person? Certainly, and many are quick point that out. But I remind them that WE ALL were once yong and niave, and quite frankly I'd rather be niave and passionate about making a difference than jaded and disintereested in righting the world's wrongs.

Putting the cart before the horse in asking questions on what military career would best prepare you for a future in politics? While I still have reservations that you are looking at a military career simply as a square filler for a future political career, and don't fully appreciate how big a commitment a career as a military officer is (be it 5 years or 35 years), I can't say I find too much fault in asking that "what shuold I do now" question. Lots (and I mean LOTS) of potential candidates ask slightly similar questions on miltiary careers paths to get to positions such as Astronaut, Test Pilot, or (heaven forbid) maybe even to the rank of General! They'll be reminded that it's a marathon and not a sprint, and to concentrate on steps 1 - 5 first versus step 30. But there is nothing wrong with having a 30-step program! Just realize that you need to get steps 1 - 5 right to get there, and focusing on step 30 now usually only leads to trip ups in the earlier steps. You'll also be reminded that the best laid plans of today seldom come to fruition tomorrow, as life has a tendency to throw those proverbial curveballs.

Finally, I leave you with a little lesson as to "strategic communications"; something that will be very useful in both your military and political careers. Coming out of the bat and declaring "My goal is to become leader of the free world in 30 years and make everyone hold hands in a Kum-by-yah session. To do this, I need to first serve in the miltiary in some capacity; I really don't care what that capacity is, I just need to say during my campaign: Military Veteran"." comes off as slightly arrogant and niave (as many have mentioned).

Here's a better opening line:

"Hey all, I'm interested in serving my country and making a difference. I'm looking at becoming an officer in either the Navy or Air Force in order to become a better leader. I'm also interested in eventually taking that experience and continuing to serve by entering the politcal arena. I'm not really sure which career field in either branch is the best fit for my goals. Any ideas?"

See the difference? I put the "desire to serve" first, doing this in in the military as step 1 second, and my follow on goal last. You'll still get some minor "cart before horse" discussion, but not nearly as bad as the past 4 pages, and most will get your drift.

Hope this helps. And I sincerely mean this when I say: Good luck getting ALL of your dreams and goals. They are worth fighting for! :thumb:
 
Deshawn,

After reading how what you thought was a simple question regarding "what should I do now to get to where I want to be later" has turned into a slightly controversial thread, please allow me to pass a few pointers and pieces of advise to get this discussion back on track and provide you some early "life lessons".

First off, I DO admire your passion in regards to wanting to make the world a better place, and your ideals and goal towards eventually getting into the highest levels in order to make those changes. Niave ideals of a young person? Certainly, and many are quick point that out. But I remind them that WE ALL were once yong and niave, and quite frankly I'd rather be niave and passionate about making a difference than jaded and disintereested in righting the world's wrongs.

Putting the cart before the horse in asking questions on what military career would best prepare you for a future in politics? While I still have reservations that you are looking at a military career simply as a square filler for a future political career, and don't fully appreciate how big a commitment a career as a military officer is (be it 5 years or 35 years), I can't say I find too much fault in asking that "what shuold I do now" question. Lots (and I mean LOTS) of potential candidates ask slightly similar questions on miltiary careers paths to get to positions such as Astronaut, Test Pilot, or (heaven forbid) maybe even to the rank of General! They'll be reminded that it's a marathon and not a sprint, and to concentrate on steps 1 - 5 first versus step 30. But there is nothing wrong with having a 30-step program! Just realize that you need to get steps 1 - 5 right to get there, and focusing on step 30 now usually only leads to trip ups in the earlier steps. You'll also be reminded that the best laid plans of today seldom come to fruition tomorrow, as life has a tendency to throw those proverbial curveballs.

Finally, I leave you with a little lesson as to "strategic communications"; something that will be very useful in both your military and political careers. Coming out of the bat and declaring "My goal is to become leader of the free world in 30 years and make everyone hold hands in a Kum-by-yah session. To do this, I need to first serve in the miltiary in some capacity; I really don't care what that capacity is, I just need to say during my campaign: Military Veteran"." comes off as slightly arrogant and niave (as many have mentioned).

Here's a better opening line:

"Hey all, I'm interested in serving my country and making a difference. I'm looking at becoming an officer in either the Navy or Air Force in order to become a better leader. I'm also interested in eventually taking that experience and continuing to serve by entering the politcal arena. I'm not really sure which career field in either branch is the best fit for my goals. Any ideas?"

See the difference? I put the "desire to serve" first, doing this in in the military as step 1 second, and my follow on goal last. You'll still get some minor "cart before horse" discussion, but not nearly as bad as the past 4 pages, and most will get your drift.

Hope this helps. And I sincerely mean this when I say: Good luck getting ALL of your dreams and goals. They are worth fighting for! :thumb:

+1. Great post Bullet!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top