Ever considered the Armed Forces as a career?

[Reality]

This has been an idea for me, that recurs all the time, ever since I was 12-13 when I began learning about special ops. I wanted to join the Army's elite Special Forces unit the S.A.S., lol, but we all have our dreams.

Anyway. I don't know if I ever will, but I have to say it's quite attractive to me at the moment to spend a few years in the military, whether it's right before University or after, just as long as I have my A-Levels. I've even heard the military would sponsor me if I went to University at the same time, which is another +1 to joining it.

I've considered all services of the UK military; the Army, the Marines (technically a branch of the Navy), the RAF and the Navy itself. I'd never Enlist in the Air Force or Navy, I'd rather join as a Commissioned Officer as a fighter jet or helicopter pilot or at least other Aircrew roles.

The Army's combat/combat-related jobs appeal to me. Infantry, Artillery, Tanks, Combat Engineering and Military Police, that is. The Marines here is a Commando Infantry unit rather than a branch of its own like the U.S. Marine Corps, which the Marines here has a really long entrance course of 32 weeks, I doubt I'd hack it, but it certainly is an attractive service to join.

Has anyone else considered a military career?

[nick]

I wouldnt ever want to kill another person, so its really not an option for me. Even if I thought I could fight and kill in a just cause it seems to me that our politicians have destroyed the trust that they wont send the army out without a just cause. So the thought of going and killing, not just opposing military but also civilians, at the bidding of idiots like George Bush and Tony Blair, I just couldnt do it.

[Reality]

I wouldnt ever want to kill another person, so its really not an option for me. Even if I thought I could fight and kill in a just cause it seems to me that our politicians have destroyed the trust that they wont send the army out without a just cause. So the thought of going and killing, not just opposing military but also civilians, at the bidding of idiots like George Bush and Tony Blair, I just couldnt do it.
I get your moral reasons, but to be honest, not all of the military kill people although you're trained as a soldier and how to fire a rifle as part of Basic Training. But only jobs like the Infantry and Special Forces are in the positions to have to kill people, although some other jobs do, but it's their roles in particular.

There's plenty of other jobs in it, like medics and mechanics which never kill people as they're rear-with-the-gear type jobs, and rarely ever even see or hear a rifle getting fired.

[Strength]

I wouldnt ever want to kill another person, so its really not an option for me. Even if I thought I could fight and kill in a just cause it seems to me that our politicians have destroyed the trust that they wont send the army out without a just cause. So the thought of going and killing, not just opposing military but also civilians, at the bidding of idiots like George Bush and Tony Blair, I just couldnt do it.

Don't forget Obama!:cool: (Pakistan)

[Rutherford The Brave]

Screw that, why would I risk my life for little money when I can do it the way I am doing it now, Fishing Much better I make a year's salary in about 3 weeks hehehe.

[ShatteredWings]

I've consitered it, but the only branch i'd paticuarly like to join would be the airforce, but i can't -- you need 20/20 vision to fly a plane for the military.

might end up using it as a way to go on in school without having all the student-loan stuff

[JunkBondTrader]

Hell no. I'd never last in the military, not even sure I'm eligible.

[tripolar]

No way, If it was peace time i may as a last resort, but if i had to U.S. coast guard. Im not trying to get shot or blown up by an IED.

[Perseus]

I was going to join the AirForce and be a fighter pilot, or a bomber, but I found out that you need 20/20 vision and I was so mad. i was going to enlist right after highschool and do ROTC in college.

[Leprachaun]

Well yes. My dream is to be able to fly a plane and recently i've been thinking alot about joining the Irish Air Corps.

[Zazu]

Nope, never thought about it, never wanted to, never will.

I don't agree with most of what the army does, so I don't see any point in me being part of it.

[Rainstorm]

I don't believe in fighting, or any means of the army, so no. And I don't listen to those ads for the army. Their pointless

[Eagle1]

Ive been thinking about either the Army or Air Force leaning towards USAF i have 20/20 but if you don't if i remember correctly there is a waiver if you get lasic (sp) and i think there is another waver for glasses

[AllThatIsLeft]

I have... and if there wasnt a war i dont want any part in, i would probably join.
My grandfather was a marine from my country, and I it's an honour to carry a uniform in my family.

But due to the circumstances i opted for the Police instead of the Military

[Bougainvillea]

I considered joining the marines. But decided not to. I would probably get kicked out for back talking. :P

[ShatteredWings]

there is a waiver if you get lasic (sp) and i think there is another waver for glasses

i'm pretty sure that any lazer eye surgery is still rejected, because it's not 100% perfect ..yet..

[Hyper]

Never have.. People say I have problems with ''discipline'' and even more with being told what to do xD

[Sage]

I considered being a drill sergeant to yell at people for a living, but never seriously.

[scuba steve]

semp you'd need to be very devoted to your job to join the SAS it takes years of training, not to be taken lightly.

but yea i have given it a thought or two it really all depends on what's happening in the world really, for me if a country directly threatned the uk then chuck me an SA80 and i'll be right behind you, but i don't think i could honestly be that devoted to it in peace time. i've thought about joining the teritorial army as you'll stay at home and can still work on your own career whilst sampling the armies basis, you to should consider this before you make a drastic possibly dead end career choice.

I considered being a drill sergeant to yell at people for a living, but never seriously.

have you ever had that done to you, it's really not that fun they're all a bunch of bastards lol

sorry mods i know i double posted, accident

Merged. ~ UntamedWolf

[INFERNO]

If I were to join, then it would be working in the medical field as a surgeon most likely. But other than that, I have no interest in joining. I'm hoping to be a doctor anyways, although military isn't my ideal goal.

I wouldn't do some of the combat not because of the issue with killing but rather that both of my knees, particularly one is rather screwed so after some distance, it gets quite painful. I also don't have the required vision for some of the other jobs either.

[Reality]

I considered joining the marines. But decided not to. I would probably get kicked out for back talking. :P
Hahahahaha.
I have a tendancy to laugh when I get yelled at, so I'd get yelled at quiteee a lot for it.

Ever seen the movie, Full Metal Jacket?

semp you'd need to be very devoted to your job to join the SAS it takes years of training, not to be taken lightly.
I know. lol. When you're like 12 or 13, though, you think you can do everything. I doubt I'd even apply for selection in the SAS unless I was at my peak of physical and mental fitness.

I've read a few books by former SAS, The Nemesis Files, Bravo Two Zero (the movie as well) and Andy McNab's Boy Soldier series. Pretty good reads.

[Holding On*]

You don't actually have to killpeople to be involved in the Armed forces, you can be a doctor or mechanic etc etc, and for that reason I said yes, because I would like to be invovled but not as an actualy soldier or anything...

[scuba steve]

You don't actually have to killpeople to be involved in the Armed forces, you can be a doctor or mechanic etc etc, and for that reason I said yes, because I would like to be invovled but not as an actualy soldier or anything...

i like your style, even Queen Elizabeth herself was a mechanic in the world war:)

[Holding On*]

i like your style, even Queen Elizabeth herself was a mechanic in the world war:)

Thankyou :)

[JackOfClubs]

Nope it never crossed my mind. But if I was forced (even though an American Draft would have no effect on me) I would probably go into the Air Force.

[quartermaster]

I considered the Air Force for a little while as an intelligence officer, because I love intel gathering and the compilation of information to strengthen your position over the enemy(counter-intelligence etc). However, considering the many things I wish to achieve in my career, I don't believe this will ever happen.

[Reality]

You don't actually have to killpeople to be involved in the Armed forces, you can be a doctor or mechanic etc etc, and for that reason I said yes, because I would like to be invovled but not as an actualy soldier or anything...
Any job in the Army means you're by definition a "soldier". lol. Even cooks in the Army are trained in infantry skills (map reading, using a rifle, etc.), because of neccesity reasons. Like if you were deployed and your base was over-ran you'd be expected to grab a rifle and fight back.

The thing is, in this day and age, it would rarely happen because military bases are well secured. I've been told you have more chance of being hit by a bus on your way to school or work, than being killed in combat in the military.

Nope it never crossed my mind. But if I was forced (even though an American Draft would have no effect on me) I would probably go into the Air Force.
I think if you're a U.S. Citizen, and they enacted the draft tommorow, you'd be elegible for it.

They're strict on things like that, I've heard even students studying in the United States have to sign up for the Selective Service System, not sure if it's true or not, but it definitely applies to male Green Card holders living there anyway, meaning they're elegible to be conscripted. (This is all if you're able-bodied, 18+ and a male anyway)

[JackOfClubs]

Any job in the Army means you're by definition a "soldier". lol. Even cooks in the Army are trained in infantry skills (map reading, using a rifle, etc.), because of neccesity reasons. Like if you were deployed and your base was over-ran you'd be expected to grab a rifle and fight back.

The thing is, in this day and age, it would rarely happen because military bases are well secured. I've been told you have more chance of being hit by a bus on your way to school or work, than being killed in combat in the military.


I think if you're a U.S. Citizen, and they enacted the draft tommorow, you'd be elegible for it.

They're strict on things like that, I've heard even students studying in the United States have to sign up for the Selective Service System, not sure if it's true or not, but it definitely applies to male Green Card holders living there anyway, meaning they're elegible to be conscripted. (This is all if you're able-bodied, 18+ and a male anyway)

Sorry, but when we got Green Cards, we asked that question and they told us we wouldn't have to, as that was the main reason we aren't going to become citizens.

That was off topic, sorry, please continue :)

[sebbie]

I have considered joining the armed forces, in particular I looked into joining the Royal Marines. I am still in the process of deciding what I want to do with my future so nothing is set in stone yet as a yes / no decision about it.

In the armed forces there are 100's of jobs, some are direct combat others are behind the lines. Which path you take in the army will depend on your own ability, dedication and if you fit the criteria.

You said you wanted to join the special forces, that would take an immense amount of dedication, you might want to speak to a recruitment office to see what the best pathway to it is, usually the SAS is made from the para's regiment of the army and the SBS from the marines.

[Maverick]

Yes I did consider it back in high school. I even did ROTC for a few years and if I did enlist I would have started with a higher rank and pay grade for doing it.

[Zephyr]

No.

But once every few months ever since I turned 18, I get phone calls from the army trying to enlist me. It's rather annoying to the point that the last time they called I was like, "Sorry, can't hear you I'm trying to hop the border into Canada!". They haven't called ever since xD

[Reality]

Sorry, but when we got Green Cards, we asked that question and they told us we wouldn't have to, as that was the main reason we aren't going to become citizens.

That was off topic, sorry, please continue :)
So you were never told about the Selective Service System (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System#Who_must_register)? (If you don't trust Wikipedia check the sources)

When you're 18, GC holder or Citizen, you'll most likely be getting a letter that requires you to sign up. It doesn't mean you'll get drafted, but it means you're elegible for a U.S. military draft if there ever will be one.

[JackOfClubs]

So you were never told about the Selective Service System (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System#Who_must_register)? (If you don't trust Wikipedia check the sources)

When you're 18, GC holder or Citizen, you'll most likely be getting a letter that requires you to sign up. It doesn't mean you'll get drafted, but it means you're elegible for a U.S. military draft if there ever will be one.
Wow, I wasn't told that. Thanks :)

[sweetxnovember]

Absolutely.


I would die for my country.

[MadManWithaBox]

ive signed up for the army(go in 2011)im really looking forward to it, ive always wanted to join the army since i was a little kid, ive been in the army cadets, and i go on the obstacle course on my local army barracks, and i wish i could go now, but my mum doesn't want me to. oh well, only 24 months

[mrmcdonaldduck]

i think pl.aying cod4 has messed me up. now i want to join the army

[Patchy]

I have considered into going to every section of the armed forces except the marines.

I think serving my country would be a great honour but ever since Iraq/Afghanistan I have been put off since I do not believe we should be in those wars and I dont want to fight for something I don't believe in.

[Reality]

i think pl.aying cod4 has messed me up. now i want to join the army
Yeah, buddy. Just remember there's no glitches in Iraq and Afghanistan, no hackers and no ability to respawn if you're killed. k. ;)

[sweetxnovember]

Yeah, buddy. Just remember there's no glitches in Iraq and Afghanistan, no hackers and no ability to respawn if you're killed. k. ;)

I'd just make sure i have my juggernaut and last stand on. :)

[OneManArmy]

i think pl.aying cod4 has messed me up. now i want to join the army

lol yeah same here, it's a tool made by the Army recruitment!!! lmao

I have thought about joining the air force since being a pilot is one of my wanted jobs, but yay for my shitty ass vision, hell If I take my glasses off now the computer screen is huge massive blur, I have to move my face like to 5 inches from the screen to read the text. So yep no army or pilot for me. I was really mad at this some time ago. I have -6 prescription btw, yup that's really bad.

[Rainstorm]

All my uncles, my Dad, and my cousin were all, or are in, the army. So, i feel that I have to uphold it. But i just don't see that route for me.

[scuba steve]

be the person that actually goes places with their career and be a wall street accountant

[CairAndros]

At the present time wall street might not be the best place to go :P

I'm wanting to be a Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy.

[nachtspiegel]

I did at one point, but I'd never be allowed in.