Joining the Military...

[Ken785]

in 2002, i tried to join the Marines...but after some shady tactics from my recruiter, i decided to back out. During the "moment of truth" at MEPS (where they put you in a room and you confess to all your bad things you did whether it be criminal, or if you have medical problems they should know about) so my recruiter tried to put me in a job which i didnt want to do so i decided to disqualify myself and say i had a medical problem. i got disqualified. now in 2007, i constantly keep thinking about really joining. I am doing nothing with my life right now...i have my associates degree from community college and moved down to la to pursure a bacholers at a CSU but havent even completed 1 full semester yet when im supposed to be finished already.

I keep thinking how great it would be to join the military...travel the world, leave a legacy to tell my kids, yeah i was a soldier, or marine. It will give me a feeling like a accomplished something most people fear. It will give me respect. I really want to be known and respected as a soldier or marine.

You guys think i can still get in? should i admit that i was just lying about my medical condition or will that put me in jail? What do you guys think of the military?? Are there any military people here? how is life honestly? what places can you go to? i want to go to Japan...

please no bashers..."ohh...youre going straight to iraq this, iraq that" im sure there are jobs within the military not requiring you to go to that hellhole.

 

[amnbyrd]

Im in the Air Force. To be honest theres a lot of things about being a civie that I miss-my home and everything and everyone there and all the things I used to do. Plus I hate it where I am now. But I do know its for the best. I joined right outta high school and signed up for 6 yrs(which I regret, shouldve done 4). Its not for everyone thats for sure. From the sounds of things doesnt sound like you have a clue whta youre getting yourself into.

 

[PeterNorthisawesome]

If you want to travel the world in one piece don't join the military or marines. Join the Navy! You get to travel around in a sub and every few months, you get stationed in a foreign port! You should have done ROTC in college. There are always plenty of NAVY people in Japan since they got like 3 Naval bases there, if you want to go to Japan JOIN THE NAVY. I talk from experiance... I grew up there and every friday&sat I saw Navy dudes in Roppongi cuz they get the weekend off.

 

[ChrizZ]

in 2002, i tried to join the Marines...but after some shady tactics from my recruiter, i decided to back out. During the "moment of truth" at MEPS (where they put you in a room and you confess to all your bad things you did whether it be criminal, or if you have medical problems they should know about) so my recruiter tried to put me in a job which i didnt want to do so i decided to disqualify myself and say i had a medical problem. i got disqualified. now in 2007, i constantly keep thinking about really joining. I am doing nothing with my life right now...i have my associates degree from community college and moved down to la to pursure a bacholers at a CSU but havent even completed 1 full semester yet when im supposed to be finished already.

I keep thinking how great it would be to join the military...travel the world, leave a legacy to tell my kids, yeah i was a soldier, or marine. It will give me a feeling like a accomplished something most people fear. It will give me respect. I really want to be known and respected as a soldier or marine.

You guys think i can still get in? should i admit that i was just lying about my medical condition or will that put me in jail? What do you guys think of the military?? Are there any military people here? how is life honestly? what places can you go to? i want to go to Japan...

please no bashers..."ohh...youre going straight to iraq this, iraq that" im sure there are jobs within the military not requiring you to go to that hellhole.

Sure, do it. Why not?
However your going straight to iraq and gonna cry for your mommy on the first day there...

 

[Falcon]

I'm not in the military, but if I were to join, it would be because I really want to live that kind of life. I'd have to be happy with what I was going to do in the military. I would never make a decision like that just so it would give me a better 'image' or thinking that people would respect me more if I did. I'm not trying to bash you, but if you are worried with how people will think of you or leaving a legacy for your kids, then you have greater problems that the military wont solve. Those are superficial reasons.

 

[Ken785]

how is life in the military like honestly? i dont need to go in any military site to have some 60 y/o ex-veteran or recruiter to tell me its the only way to live and how everyone and their mom needs to bow down to veterans and join the services....

how is it really like? the good and bad...

 

[Bible_Belt]

Sure, do it. Why not?
However your going straight to iraq and gonna cry for your mommy on the first day there...

lol

 

[amnbyrd]

Ok here you go-
If your going in the army or marines its pretty much a sure thing youre going to Iraq-I mean I know guys who already have a date for deployment like right when they join pretty much. Dont count on traveling-depends on ur job and all-for my job and base theres guys who've been at this base for their whole enlistment. My reason for joining was to learn a good job and use my skills when I get out doing the same job making good money. But to be honest I can't wait to get out and theres a lot of guys who feel the same way.
The good would be steady paycheck, discounts on certain things, place to stay and food n all that. I guess the bad would be missing everything you had in your civilian life and all that goes with that.

 

[Ken785]

yeah thats one of the main reasons i want to join too....job experience. i can go into almost any field i want whether its computer programming to law or business, and take that experience and use it after the military to get a good job with or without 4 year degree. and the steady tax free pay wont be bad neither. and after being in the military for 4 years im sure ill learn to be a leader and have discipline..all characteristics on how to be a man.

 

[Nighthawk]

Join the military so you can tell your kids how you shot some innocent Iraqi kids?

 

[A-Unit]

Re:

I was like you Ken.
I tried entering 3x. All the times they seemed to want me quite badly.
The closest I'd gotten was 2004. The recruiter pushed HARD. Made every promise under the sun. I believe he did so b/c I was a degreed recruit, who would be an officer and make him look better. So suffice it to say, I got as far as taking the ASVB, but not the MEPS. The meps was next for me. I envision being well-trained, shooting, fighting, and even dying for my country. When they asked me "Why do you want to enter the military?" I told them: To be a soldier. I was far and above the recruits coming in.

But then things dawned on me that I just didn't like when it came down to joining. I know recruiters don't control the WHOLE process, so if I'm banking on a FEW of his promises to make or break this, I'm screwed. Moreover, my recruiter was a cheater; he admitted to be married, and then right in front of me showing the girl he was cheating on his wife with. Next, he likened joining the military to "Playing army when we were young." Yeah sure, the military was good for THIS recruiter, b/c as long as he produced and put MORE bodies into the military, then he would stay OUT of the wars and overseas battles. All in all, I didn't respect the guy recruiting me, and since I was signing a BINDING contract, I had to see the reality through my vague notion of duty.

All the Older X soldiers and military personnel I'd spoken with said Not to go, that the military "isn't how it was." I'd had 10 clients or more from various branches who'd said the only branch they'd consider was Air Force or maybe Navy. Every other branch was a lock to be fighting. In fact, I have 3 kids close to me who joined, ALL promised no combat until they finished their training. One of them was a nurse, who said "I'll never go to IRAQ until I'm finished my training, I'm too valuable as a nurse." BS. It was just after basic they shipped him over.

MY x-gfs husband has been shipped back and forth MANY times. He was home for a week for the birth of his baby, and somehow, shipped right back. The promises made have not been kept because it is considered a time of war, and all those promises can be overridden. I'm not saying 'don't go,' but you have to see the larger reality at play here, which is MORE likely the norm.

Someone posted a picture of a good-looking kid who'd become majorly deformed by messing around with the bombs. It was a cruel post, but it server to point out that this 20 year old was wrecked, and could be anyone here. Are you prepared to chance that? If so, then go. If not, then stay. I'm one for seeing the greatest loss possible, and if I'm ok taking it, then I proceed. If not, then it isn't worth it.

And I second the poster above, if you're looking to DO something that gives you internal feelings of accomplishment, I don't think the military is directly that. I love the marketing, using Godsmack in alot of videos, but its unfair, since Godsmack is a beloved band of our generation, and definately draws kids into that allure of being badass and a hero.

It's your life, do what you want, but separate the illusion from reality, and zero in on what's there. Interview/talk to x soldiers, officers, etc. Check the news. Are they amassing troops? What's coming?



A-Unit

 

[MrS]

We do 2 years compulsory service here, I'm serving as an officer, will be discharged as a Second Lieutenant.
Makes a man of you, and definitely has had a positive affect on me.

 

[Sinistar]

I'm a ex Navy man so be warned, I'm am biased

First, finish your college degree and if you are really sure you want to join look into a ROTC or similar programs.

While you're going to school get your sh!t together across the board. If you're not in ROTC (or ROTC doesn't give you enough exposure) try to get as much experience as you can in some of the areas that will matter most. Learn to shoot well and learn to shoot and maintain military weapons (1911's, 9mm, M15, M1A, Bolt Action w/optics at distance). Join a shooting club. Get good at swimming, running, hiking, orienteering, camping, etc. Get in good shape. You can find good guidelines as to what levels of physical fitness to be in prior to applying for special forces billets. I would also recommend getting a open water scuba rating, try a parachute jump, etc.

Then when you graduate and go through OCS you'll have a big advantage over the masses of regular folk who want to "see the world" because you'll know you can outrun, outswim, outshoot, etc, etc, etc.

I have a few friends who went this route. They command great respect. They are leaders and being an officer was a big advantage to them later in their civilian careers. When they were in the military they did something that mattered.

So why not finish school, get your body and mind in shape, get comfortable with many of the skills required to go the extra distance and then join the Navy, Marines or Army. If you did everything I advised above and have no medical problems, you'd get a chance at one of the Special Forces tryouts as an officer and leader - that will change your life.

Oh yeah, and learn another language while you're going to school. Right about now Arabic or Chineese or something else Asian would be another notch in your belt.

 

[navyseal2101]

When i'm older I want to go into the military, you can probably tell as what. I think the experiences you get cant be found in any other place. You get to see the world, jump out of helicopters, swim in the ocean, blow stuff up etc. I know 3 X SEALs and they all agree it was the best job they've ever had, and would jump at an opporitunity to do it again. I see life as one chance to experience all you can before you die, not get money or physical things. Lifes short and the quickest way to see it all is in the military.

 

[mahon83050]

When i'm older I want to go into the military, you can probably tell as what. I think the experiences you get cant be found in any other place. You get to see the world, jump out of helicopters, swim in the ocean, blow stuff up etc. I know 3 X SEALs and they all agree it was the best job they've ever had, and would jump at an opporitunity to do it again. I see life as one chance to experience all you can before you die, not get money or physical things. Lifes short and the quickest way to see it all is in the military.

Well, I was never in the Miliatary, but I would not join the Marines or Army..unless you want to be killed in Iraq for an ungrateful country who does not want you there in the first place. The Marines are a little crazy and a little too gung ho I think. If you want to be a Marine, I heard you have to be prepared to eat, sleep and breathe the Corps, 24 hours a day.

I would join the Coast Guard, AirForce or Navy. As someone else posted, the Navy you probably get to travel the world. They have a cool job called "World Language Specialist". They train you in some foreign language and you get submarine duty as well. I wish I did it when I was out of high school, but my asthma probably would of disqualified me.

The one upside to the Army and Marines though is the comraderie, I am sure. I am sure the comraderie is real tight in the Marines.

 

[Teflon_Mcgee]

Ken785, take advice from those that have been there.

If you want to do it then do it. Remember, it's a young man's game and once you're no longer young then all you have to do is regret you didn't or be happy you didn't.

Remeber, once you're in, everything is attitude. Mind over matter. I spent 99% of my time being too hot, too cold, too tired, too hungry, and overall too miserable. But I look back and cherish every minute.

It didn't make me a man. I survived it because I was a man. I faced and survied the only remaining vestige of manhood. Just like the warriors that came before me. The funny thing is, it's not pride I take from this. It's the answers. I have the answers to the questions virtually every American (and atleast western) male will never know.

The best advice I can give you is don't do it. Stay away. It sucks.
But you know, if you want to do it then do it anyway. And I promise you'll remember my words (a random net stranger) some night when you're standing post in the rain after sleeping only 3 hours in the last two days and then you can think you were warned and have nobody to blame but yourself.
Then years later you'll look back on that night and smile. And wish you were there right now.

 

[mahon83050]

Still want to join the Marines?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYVBlXGuVYg&mode=related&search=

 

[Ken785]

Ok here you go-
If your going in the army or marines its pretty much a sure thing youre going to Iraq-I mean I know guys who already have a date for deployment like right when they join pretty much. Dont count on traveling-depends on ur job and all-for my job and base theres guys who've been at this base for their whole enlistment. My reason for joining was to learn a good job and use my skills when I get out doing the same job making good money. But to be honest I can't wait to get out and theres a lot of guys who feel the same way.
The good would be steady paycheck, discounts on certain things, place to stay and food n all that. I guess the bad would be missing everything you had in your civilian life and all that goes with that.

what if you dont have anything but except maybe miss your family?? i want to get out of this sh!tty town and explore what else is out there...theres no life for me here except for my family. im tired of seeing the same people around herre still stuck in this sh!tty town...i feel like they are losers and im no better since ive had to move back...(by the way im not really from SF...more like 1 HR away)

 

[speakeasy]

If you've got to ask strangers over the internet whether you should join the marines, you should not be joining the marines. Nuff said.

 

[Last Man Standing]

Military is not for adventure or for travelling or a legacy or a ego trip -- it is to fight wars and kill!!! That is what you will do - quit romanticizing!!!