Reasons To Join the Military, Script Flippin' Options

[fameONE]

The other post contradicting this one, is from two years ago. I found the excerpt from a website while randomly surfing the net and I found it interesting. I didn't know if any of it was actually true, but because I thought it was interesting, I posted it for others to debate on the subject. Mostly in hopes that someone with military experience would reasonably debate the ludicrously outlandish statements instead of take the bonehead 'red-blooded American' approach. To my disappointment, most were just as curious as to the truth as I was and the only disputers seemed to throw the darts at me. Disappointing.

Two years later, I can actually dispute that post based on facts and the little experience I have in my Marine Corps career. Throw the darts if you will since this is actually coming from someone serving. I feel as though its necessary to post this to disprove the misconceptions about the military, the service members and the lifestyle that we must live as the nation's enlisted. Perhaps some clarification will encourage others to join, or maybe it'll just be a good read. Whatever the case, I hope you take something from it.

1. Education.
Although a bit difficult with obvious time constraints, it is possible to obtain a BA in 4 years. There are a handful of collegiate institutions available on each base that offer both classroom and online courses. Guess what? Its completely free, in a sense. The Montgomery GI Bill is for use post-military career. The smart route, if you're pursuing graduate study, is to complete your BA through the use of tuition assistance, and obtain a Master's (and then some) once you get out. The ability to demonstrate positive leadership ability, combined with tangible education from a respected school (University of Maryland, for example) is a stepping stone to better employment once the military chapter of one's life is over.

2. Pay and Living.
We're not rich people. Its possible to invest and maintain an upstart business, or even work a part time job, but let's face it; two steady paychecks every single month, with benefits, and no utilities to worry about is a pretty sweet deal. The barracks I live in resemble the same dorms that are at the University of Texas- San Antonio. They aren't glamorous, but they'll be clean? Why? You clean them every Thursday; top to bottom. It seems a little asinine for an adult to be told when to clean, but the quality of life is a definite improvement from those who have lived in financial underprivileged households. And for a young man or woman, just starting out in life, this structure of pay housing is a stepping stone to living life when the military is over.

3. Community.
I don't like every Marine that I meet, nor do I respect every one of them personally, but I'll be damned if I don't recognize a Marine in some strange location, salty or green, and don't give them a casual, "Oorah." This gun club isn't the largest, but we're known for sticking together. I've met a lot of people that have lived their lives as loners and couldn't find acceptance. Sure, you'll have cliques here and there and people that still feel as though secluding themselves is the best remedy for their own sanity, but someone is always going to have their back. Esprit de Corps.

These are just a few reasons. I can tell you that, for me, the list goes on. This can be a more appropriate thread for a reasonable discussion about joining the military.

[DoubleJ]

I am actually considering joining the military. I went to military school and it was always a falback option for me.

[fameONE]

I am actually considering joining the military. I went to military school and it was always a falback option for me.

If you have your sights set on a specific branch for whatever reason, learn as much as you possibly can about that particular branch and the opportunities. Enlistment bonuses, going in with a higher rank based on your contract, having the MOS you want; all of that makes a huge difference when starting your military career.

If we could get rid of those M4's I'd consider it, I'd hate my gun to start jamming during action.

You can't attack every corner with the pedal to the ground. Learning how to manipulate the throttle of a car when cornering allows you to maintain high speeds. Don't hate on my M4 (just give the magazine a slap on the ass and eject a round, then try again). Its takes a certain touch.

[DoubleJ]

If you have your sights set on a specific branch for whatever reason, learn as much as you possibly can about that particular branch and the opportunities. Enlistment bonuses, going in with a higher rank based on your contract, having the MOS you want; all of that makes a huge difference when starting your military career.
You can't attack every corner with the pedal to the ground. Learning how to manipulate the throttle of a car when cornering allows you to maintain high speeds. Don't hate on my M4 (just give the magazine a slap on the ass and eject a round, then try again). Its takes a certain touch.

I have always thought of going into the Navy as it does involve the most traveling, and it seems as though you can learn a decent amount more from being in the navy. I have definitely done my research heavily, and my experiences of being in military school, taught me alot about what it takes to do the job.

[*CowerPointyObjects*]

I have always thought of going into the Navy as it does involve the most traveling, and it seems as though you can learn a decent amount more from being in the navy. I have definitely done my research heavily, and my experiences of being in military school, taught me alot about what it takes to do the job.

The Navy's new slogan- Iraq: It's Almost Completely Landlocked

[fameONE]

The Navy's new slogan- Iraq: It's Almost Completely Landlocked

Sailors are in Iraq. Sailors fight in Afghanistan. Where there is a Marine, there's a Corpsman (Sailor) Field Corpsman are Marine grunts with Naval insignia and medical equipment. There are make shift hospitals, dental clinics, religious support, etc. All of which are manned by the Navy.

Oh I'm not denying that, nor am I saying it's a bad thing to join the Air Force :)

I'd love to be a fighter pilot. Unfortunately, I'm too tall.

Naval Aviators > Marine Aviators > Air Force pilots

True as well. I mean from all the stories that I have heard, although people don't want to do it, they have to in order to protect their own lives.

Define innocent. An innocent child or woman can be pawned. That same innocent person can be walking around with a bomb. My friend Jessica was killed. She was an clerk in an intelligence shop and was told to search a female POW. When put in that situation, your instincts to survive and protect those you love kick in. f**k innocence. We live in a world full of bastards.

The Air Force, while still Military, are not looked upon the same as the other three branches. From what I've heard from my ROTC NSI's the Air Force personnel are looked upon as weaker and wussier. Smarter? Maybe, but not as tough/rugged/manly.

This is very, very true. "Flyboys" out here get ragged on a lot. One of my good friends is an aircraft mechanic, but in a military setting he's less respect than a Marine aircraft mechanic. He's never gone on the hikes up and down mountains with a .50 cal tripod in his pack. He's never been on 45 day field operations that simulate combat. His combat tour consists of 3 months (tops) in a secured area, working on the "birds." Airmen aren't required to go on patrols. In the Marine Corps, it doesn't matter if you're an infantryman, intel analyst, administrative clerk, or combat engineer (yut!), everyone has the "opportunity" to get some. Their rep; the lazy, unappreciative, rich kids. They aren't all like that, not at all, but that's their rep.

Uh.. What branch are you in? I am thinking about it but I also have to think about the possibility of me becoming a firefighter this year.

I REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.

Marine Corps Crash/Fire Rescue. Some of the best group of guys I've ever met.

You could say I'd want to be special forces, however from stories I heard, there's many things you'd have to do, some I wouldn't want to do (i.e. killing the children). Other than that Figher Aviation also interests me however the use of Fighter aircraft is rather seldom.

USMC Recon, or Force Recon.

Force Recon = SEAL > Recon > Special Forces