Considering Joining the US Army

[PinkFloyd]

lately, I've been considering joining the Army because ever since I was little, I've wanted to make something of myself. I want to be able to tell stories. I want to maybe be a hero. I want to be able to play Fortunate Son in a 1988 Camaro and feel good about it... If that makes any sense. :whoops:

Here's the thing though... I don't know much about the Army. Because of that, I have some questions.

What will most likely happen if I go into active duty?

What will mast likely happen if I go into the reserves?

What are the odds I'll go into combat?

How much am I putting my life on the line by joining the Army?

What are some big differences between movies and real life war? I know I won't be in Forrest Gump's shoes, but still...

Lastly, how difficult is it to learn how to shoot a large rifle as someone with very limited gun experience. ie: I've shot handguns at stand still targets and that's it.

[phuckphace]

not to sound like a dick but I would strongly recommend against joining the military. not that there's necessarily anything wrong with wanting to serve your country in military duty, it's just that under the current status quo, transnational companies are using our military as their own private militia. the military recruits teenagers with empty promises of heroism, while shipping them off to conflicts that we're involved in solely on manufactured grounds.

IMO if heroism is what you're looking for, you should become a firefighter or a doctor or some other line of work that actually involves helping your fellow citizens directly. If you joined the Army and got sent off to active duty, you'd only be risking your life for Haliburton. there are things worth dying for, but an oil company's profits are not one of them.

[PinkFloyd]

not to sound like a dick but I would strongly recommend against joining the military. not that there's necessarily anything wrong with wanting to serve your country in military duty, it's just that under the current status quo, transnational companies are using our military as their own private militia. the military recruits teenagers with empty promises of heroism, while shipping them off to conflicts that we're involved in on manufactured grounds. IMO if heroism is what you're looking for, you should become a firefighter or a doctor or some other line of work that actually involves helping your fellow citizens directly. If you joined the Army and got sent off to active duty, you'd only be risking your life for Haliburton. there are things worth dying for, but an oil company's profits are not one of them.

See, that is some valuable information I did not know and now do know. Thanks for the reply. It didn't come off douchey at all.

[ksdnfkfr]

My dad says he wishes he'd done a stint in the Air Force which almost happened, because of the veterans benefits he would have had.

[Gamma Male]

not to sound like a dick but I would strongly recommend against joining the military. not that there's necessarily anything wrong with wanting to serve your country in military duty, it's just that under the current status quo, transnational companies are using our military as their own private militia. the military recruits teenagers with empty promises of heroism, while shipping them off to conflicts that we're involved in solely on manufactured grounds.

IMO if heroism is what you're looking for, you should become a firefighter or a doctor or some other line of work that actually involves helping your fellow citizens directly. If you joined the Army and got sent off to active duty, you'd only be risking your life for Haliburton. there are things worth dying for, but an oil company's profits are not one of them.

This. If you wanna put your life on the line for somebody, do it natural disaster victims or abused housewifes, not British Petroleum or Lockheed Martin.

[phuckphace]

See, that is some valuable information I did not know and now do know. Thanks for the reply. It didn't come off douchey at all.

I really wish it wasn't that way, really. the uniforms are pretty pimpin' and dem guns doe. I would probably be tempted to join myself if the US military actually stuck to doing the things it was intended to do (protect us) but instead they just send Americans to the other side of the world to drop bombs on whichever group of brown people that happens to be on Israel's shit-list at that moment. pretty gay.

My dad says he wishes he'd done a stint in the Air Force which almost happened, because of the veterans benefits he would have had.

I've heard the Air Force referred to as the "Chair Force" (including by USAF members themselves) because apparently a lot of positions there are cushy desk jobs that pay $$$ phat stax $$$ and don't involve getting anywhere near actual combat. might be cool if you can swing it I guess.

[Hollywood]

I've heard the Air Force referred to as the "Chair Force" (including by USAF members themselves) because apparently a lot of positions there are cushy desk jobs that pay $$$ phat stax $$$ and don't involve getting anywhere near actual combat. might be cool if you can swing it I guess.

Hmm, never heard that before. My dad served 20 years and worked in the cockpit the entire time. I can't speak for the other branches but the Air Force was very good to my dad and the rest of my family, the pay was good and the benefits were excellent. I look forward to joining myself in the future.

[Body odah Man]

Congratulations. Either you're going to throw away ur life and die nameless (which would suck cuz I like you man) or you're gunna kill many people and ruin your life psychologically. Don't do the army man. Never a good thing

[Plasma]

I'm enlisted in the Navy, which I see as a much better option. I'll probably never be in combat, and even if I am, I'll be below decks. I'm not doing it because I'm some crazy patriot. I'm doing it to get ahead in life and to travel the world and enjoy my job. I don't want to spend a lifetime worth of money in college to find out I hate the job I prepared for