Why do you serve?

[11Z50]

For those calgunners who are in one of the branches of the military, what prompted you to sign on the dotted line?

I have been retired for 5 years now. When I joined (back in 74) I knew it was what I was born to do. I got off active duty in '78 and went to college, became a cop, but went back on active duty in '86.

For those who are veterans, do you feel that your time in the service was worthwhile?

HELL YES


Have any of you seen combat? If so, did that change your view of military service?

Yes. No.

What advice would you give to those who are thinking of enlisting?

Do it because you love your country.

[CavTrooper]

For those calgunners who are in one of the branches of the military, what prompted you to sign on the dotted line?

War. I watched the invasion of Iraq on TV and was very upset that I wasnt there to participate.

For those who are veterans, do you feel that your time in the service was worthwhile?

So far, so good. Its changed my life in many positive ways and taught me alot about the world, people and dealing with many different types of situations.

Have any of you seen combat? If so, did that change your view of military service?

Yes. Iraq, '05. It changed the way I felt about garrison life (prefer combat), Marines, and chickens**t leadership.

What advice would you give to those who are thinking of enlisting?

Dont ever think you arent going to war, regardless of what anyone tells you.

If you arent ready to see death, dont do it.

Dont half-a** it, if youre gonna do it, do it all the way, theres time for "part-time" after active duty.

[dwa]

For those calgunners who are in one of the branches of the military, what prompted you to sign on the dotted line?

For those who are veterans, do you feel that your time in the service was worthwhile?

Have any of you seen combat? If so, did that change your view of military service?

What advice would you give to those who are thinking of enlisting?

why do you ask (not trying to be combatative just curious)

[Matt C]

Can't believe no one has put "college money" down yet. That was the #1 of most people joining when I was getting off AD (around 2004).

[nick]

Nah, it only paid for a couple of years of college

[kermit315]

well, I did mention college money in my post.....lol.

[BB63Squid]

For those calgunners who are in one of the branches of the military, what prompted you to sign on the dotted line?

For those who are veterans, do you feel that your time in the service was worthwhile?

Have any of you seen combat? If so, did that change your view of military service?

What advice would you give to those who are thinking of enlisting?

Uncharted territory for you Matich

1. Couldn't relate to my peers and the path they were taking.

2. It was for me.

3. Received combat pay. No.

4. If you are afraid of being uncomfortable, stay on the porch. If you feel you don't owe your country something, stay on the sidelines and watch. If you feel you want to prove something to yourself and see what you are really made of, step up.

[11Z50]

College money was nice, but that's not why I enlisted. I did take advantage of the GI bill and went to college for 5 years, full and part-time. When I retired, the VA offered vocational rehabilitation since the infantry has no related civilian skills. I went to several training sessions and they paid for a laptop and some other gear.

If you enlist specifically to get college money, you will find it would be much easier (and safer) to simply work hard and save money for school and apply for a grant. I know several soldiers who cited school money as a reason for joining that never went to college. I know a few that actually got a degree while in the Army for little or no expense.

If you served honorably, you should take advantage of any benefits and entitlements you are eliagble for. You earned them.

[NiteQwill]

For those calgunners who are in one of the branches of the military, what prompted you to sign on the dotted line?
Both grandparents were in WWII. Tradition I could say. Not to mention the Army let me choose a very unique and challenging MOS, only very few of us in the service (about 400 qualified) AND I received 2 licensures and a certification to practice in the civilian world.

For those who are veterans, do you feel that your time in the service was worthwhile?
Yes, for the most part. The only thing I dislike is the backstabbing politics.

Have any of you seen combat? If so, did that change your view of military service?
Yes. Depends how you would perceive a change of perception... For the most part, it makes you appreciate freedoms of those folks who have never served, my service is for them.

What advice would you give to those who are thinking of enlisting?
Go Air Force, seriously. If you want to see combat in the AF, become a PJ/CTT/CTW.

Above

[chris]

why do you ask (not trying to be combatative just curious)

i would like to the OP to state why he asked this question. i think it would be the right thing to do.

[Matt C]

i would like to the OP to state why he asked this question. i think it would be the right thing to do.

He can't just be curious?

[chris]

He can't just be curious?

i'm sure he is. but i can ask as another poster just as he has.

[Booshanky]

Hey guys, I was up in the Bay Area all weekend doing some photographic work so I didn't have a whole lot of time to be in the interwebs.

I wrote this thread because I'm curious. I'm reading a book right now about the history of American warfare and I just finished a book called "War is a force that gives us meaning" that was quite possibly the most f***ed up and heartbreaking book I've ever read. It's written by a journalist who has covered conflicts from central America to the Balkans, he also happened to be a divinity student before he became a journalist so he writes with a style that really portrays war and the effect it has on people very well.

There are many ways to look at the military. From a macro perspective that shows the effect on nations, to the effect the military has on civilians, to the way that outsiders see it. I've read a lot about the macro perspective, and the way that journalists working in war zones see it, now I want to learn about the way the people in the military see it.


I couldn't ever be in the military I don't think. My mom raised me on the phrase "because I said so" and it irritated me so much growing up that I'm pretty much incapable of following orders without knowing all the details of why I do something. And of course that just doesn't fly in the military. For a more pragmatic reason, I'm covered in tattoos so they'd have to REEEEALY lower their standards on those sorts of things to even let me in. And lastly, the wife would never let me join anyway.


Thanks for everyone who wrote. I appreciate the honesty.

-Mark

[dwa]

i would like to the OP to state why he asked this question. i think it would be the right thing to do.

i was curious, generally the vibe i get from boo is he is not very appreciative of the military so i was curious why he asked. may i ask why you asked that i asked?

[chris]

i was curious, generally the vibe i get from boo is he is not very appreciative of the military so i was curious why he asked. may i ask why you asked that i asked?

you perked my curiousity that is why. i did not think about it until i saw your post. but since he has repiled and in a polite manner as both of our requests were polite and were not in any context to be rude in asking. since i have the same feeling you have. maybe since reading the book he read he may have a deeper respect and understanding for what we do and why.