Why do you serve?

[Booshanky]

the military draws its numbers from the citizenry of the us which includes a**holes and holier than thou arts, so yes there are some. there's the other side of it too, imagine you went to this horrible place where its 120 in the day 90 at night during the summer and cold as balls in the winter, the earth literally smells of feces, the people have an average IQ of 10 and someone who outranks you always has a brilliant idea that causes you too loose sleep. you wear around 60lbs of gear everyday which seems it was designed to purposely hurt your back, all of the vehicles you ride in were designed for the residents of lilliput from Gulliver's travels and most of the natives exhibit minimal effort to be competent in anything. you were there for 15 months you get to go home for 12 and then go back. oh i forgot some of your friends died, and not just one.

I agree, that'd pretty much suck more than anything.

My personal experience though is mostly with members of the military who had not been to war zones. I grew up in Reno NV, and I knew a lot of people who joined the military after high school. I'd run into them in bars with their girlfriends and they were always the least amicable people I've met. Flaunting their uniforms and looking for fights.

And again, I also have some really good friends who are in the military. A buddy of mine just got back from Gitmo, one who did three tours in Iraq at the beginning of the war, and I've got another who is in Iraq right now. They're some of the nicest people I know.

But like I said, I think it's just one of those jobs that tends to attract the jerks because it gives them the authority they lack in their normal every day lives.

Not trying to be stereotypical or judgmental by any means, just my personal observations.

now while your on your 12 month break you hear some guy in 24 hour fitness telling some other guy about how GW faked 911 and osama was framed or some other liberal fantasy I'm sure you've at least heard of. your response to said remark could come off as sightly arrogant rude or holier than thou art. somethings you just cant understand unless you have been though them, then again you cold just have ran into a d***he.

Oh believe me, the 9/11 truthers are some of the most godawful annoying people on the face of the earth. I'm on your side there.

[dwa]

I agree, that'd pretty much suck more than anything.

My personal experience though is mostly with members of the military who had not been to war zones. I grew up in Reno NV, and I knew a lot of people who joined the military after high school. I'd run into them in bars with their girlfriends and they were always the least amicable people I've met. Flaunting their uniforms and looking for fights.

generally i don't have a high opinion of people who haven't deployed or who aren't in combat arms that think they're bad asses

And again, I also have some really good friends who are in the military. A buddy of mine just got back from Gitmo, one who did three tours in Iraq at the beginning of the war, and I've got another who is in Iraq right now. They're some of the nicest people I know.

But like I said, I think it's just one of those jobs that tends to attract the jerks because it gives them the authority they lack in their normal every day lives.

yes and no i believe your a photographer? do you meet a lot of stuck up jerks there? most the people your thinking of probably aren't well liked within the military. you don't start off with authority some of the time you have to earn it, it takes awhile to get any I'm guessing the guys you had problems with were lower enlisted which goes back to you only get whats in the pool you draw from. there was a photographer that broke down crying when we got hit with an ied that doesn't make me think all photographers would break down crying.

Not trying to be stereotypical or judgmental by any means, just my personal observations.

i didn't think you were but you are hard to figure out, you've said things that i agree with and things that make me want to choke you (figureativly) but "But like I said, I think it's just one of those jobs that tends to attract the jerks because it gives them the authority they lack in their normal every day lives." that sounds fairly judgemental to me



Oh believe me, the 9/11 truthers are some of the most godawful annoying people on the face of the earth. I'm on your side there.

the part about that was a true story i nearly lost control and had to leave after i b*tched him out, lol i still get mad thinking of it

[MrLogan]

I agree, that'd pretty much suck more than anything.

My personal experience though is mostly with members of the military who had not been to war zones. I grew up in Reno NV, and I knew a lot of people who joined the military after high school. I'd run into them in bars with their girlfriends and they were always the least amicable people I've met. Flaunting their uniforms and looking for fights.
And again, I also have some really good friends who are in the military. A buddy of mine just got back from Gitmo, one who did three tours in Iraq at the beginning of the war, and I've got another who is in Iraq right now. They're some of the nicest people I know.

But like I said, I think it's just one of those jobs that tends to attract the jerks because it gives them the authority they lack in their normal every day lives.

Not trying to be stereotypical or judgmental by any means, just my personal observations.



Oh believe me, the 9/11 truthers are some of the most godawful annoying people on the face of the earth. I'm on your side there.

This tends to be the ones who're much younger, or the ones who have never matured.

I think a lot of what comes off as arrogance is that we go through a lot of hardships and make a lot of sacrifices that most people who haven't experienced just don't fully understand. It makes it difficult to relate to civilians, as they can't relate to you.

Like in any job, we have our share of jerks. But to put it into perspective, a service member "is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel."

[goathead]

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?

that's why i will not answer... that all i will say

[Crosis]

The military isn't for everyone...

Pick a job that's reasonably transferable into civilian life... Grunt/MP = easier to join police force, EOD = Possible Bomb Squad, etc...

From what I understand MP dose not = easier to a LEO job, as the laws in the military do not translate to civilian life very well, I know it is next to imposable to join the Sacramento Sheriff's Department if you were an MP.

I know a few Marines who got out after being MP's with jobs in the NYPD and their local police departments (other states)... Maybe here in Cali its a bit harder but, in a large majority of states its not... You still have to go through Police Academy and all (according to my interview with the LAPD)... When I was getting out LAPD, CHP, and SDPD were all on base trying to get Marines interested in joining the force...

[Booshanky]

This tends to be the ones who're much younger, or the ones who have never matured.

I think a lot of what comes off as arrogance is that we go through a lot of hardships and make a lot of sacrifices that most people who haven't experienced just don't fully understand. It makes it difficult to relate to civilians, as they can't relate to you.

Like in any job, we have our share of jerks. But to put it into perspective, a service member "is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel."

True, I moved to LA when I was 21 so the guys I'm talking about were younger. And the guys I know in the military here in LA are a hell of a lot nicer than those dudes.

It could be the age thing, or it could be that anyone in Reno who joins the military is an arrogant hick. haha.

[11Z50]

Booshanky, let me give you some TR:

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt

You, as one of the protected, live in the margin of safety created by those of us who stood up and served our country. Certainly, we are flawed and often perceived as arrogant or rude by those we protect. As a veteran, I don't want to be revered or even honored by civilians. I just ask that they understand the sacrifices that have been made for them, and respect those who defend our way of life.

Booshanky, you can sit back and pick and choose what you would defend, where you would fight, and with what degree of enthusiasm. That's nice. But that's not how it works. While you are certainly entitled to your opinions, I would advise you not to spout it off in the presence of veterans. They will become annoyed, and that will not be a pleasant experience for you.

[chris]

Booshanky, let me give you some TR:

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt

You, as one of the protected, live in the margin of safety created by those of us who stood up and served our country. Certainly, we are flawed and often perceived as arrogant or rude by those we protect. As a veteran, I don't want to be revered or even honored by civilians. I just ask that they understand the sacrifices that have been made for them, and respect those who defend our way of life.

Booshanky, you can sit back and pick and choose what you would defend, where you would fight, and with what degree of enthusiasm. That's nice. But that's not how it works. While you are certainly entitled to your opinions, I would advise you not to spout it off in the presence of veterans. They will become annoyed, and that will not be a pleasant experience for you.

well said.

[MolonLabe2008]

I would like to thank all who have served. Your sacrifices and loyalty to our Nation are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

But, all who have responded to Boo's OP were baited. Boo's continued dialogue in this thread is showing his true colors, which is military bashing.

[MrSlippyFist]

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?

All my friends were doing it.

On a small scale, for the life experiences and friends I made.

Yes. No.

Do it, you pansy.

[MolonLabe2008]

Booshanky wrote:
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.

So, what you are saying is that you don't like to be told what to do? That's odd, because you are so much into big government telling everyone else how to live their lives.

Maybe if your Dad was around, you might have turned out differently.

[Matt C]

Maybe if your Dad was around, you might have turned out differently.

I don't know where you are coming from, but that comment sounds totally out of line.

[MolonLabe2008]

Blackwater OPS wrote:
I don't know where you are coming from, but that comment sounds totally out of line.

So, it is OK for him to blame his mother for the way he turned out?

[MrSlippyFist]

Nope. We'll start by not blaming yours.

[EOD3]

Booshanky, let me give you some TR:

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt

You, as one of the protected, live in the margin of safety created by those of us who stood up and served our country. Certainly, we are flawed and often perceived as arrogant or rude by those we protect. As a veteran, I don't want to be revered or even honored by civilians. I just ask that they understand the sacrifices that have been made for them, and respect those who defend our way of life.

Booshanky, you can sit back and pick and choose what you would defend, where you would fight, and with what degree of enthusiasm. That's nice. But that's not how it works. While you are certainly entitled to your opinions, I would advise you not to spout it off in the presence of veterans. They will become annoyed, and that will not be a pleasant experience for you.

Words to live by...