Military

[Asmodean]

Does marriage qualifies as military  service or it’s just considered merely a drill for it?

The opposite, I think. The military is a drill for marriage  

[Lexxvs]

The opposite, I think. The military is a drill for marriage  lol. I mean, INTO the Army. Spartans new it best.  

[OldGit]

I would love to be a Pilate in the Salvation Air Force, but I can never find their phone number.  

[MariaEvri]

here serving the military is a a law. Boys go to the army as soon as the finish highschool, for 2 years. Girls of course miss all the fun and go get trained how to take care of people. I still didnt "serve" my time cause I had an excuse I was studying.

[EvolutionCalling]

I just got out back in February.

[Jolly Sapper]

I was poor white trash convinced that I needed to go to college but had no work experience and not overly personable, who got a call from an Army recruiter when I was wondering just what the hell I was going to do after High School.

So from 2000-2004 I was an enlisted combat engineer in the army  Went to basic training expecting to be infantry with explosives, got to my first duty station and I was stuck on a very large, very old, very broken tank (did I mention that I had gotten my driver's license about three weeks before shipping to basic and had absolutely no training or experience as a mechanic?).  Oddly enough there was a bit of racism involved in the decision as to which platoon I was being assigned to, a story for another time perhaps (which turned out to be kinda pretty funny story after I heard it).  

So I went from expecting to be an infantry guy with demolitions to a half assed mechanic.  I did well enough that people gave me my instructions and left me the hell alone most of the time, so I guess it worked out.  Sent to invade Iraq in 2003   , survived a few near hits without a scratch, got out in early 2004 (YAY for having about 70 days of leave saved up).  Moved in with the missus, impressed her mother by cooking and washing dishes, started school and outlasted the IRR recall window.

[Loffler]

No, I did not serve in the military and never will. I will discourage my children from serving.  I leave military folks to their own world, which has nothing to do with mine. Everyone needs their little hobbies, I guess.

[Chimera]

I haven't. Both of my grandfathers were in the Army, my uncle was in the Navy, and my brother-in-law is Army.

I don't think I could do it

[susangail]

My grandpa served in WW2. I interviewed him for a 4th grade project... I didn't understand a thing...

I actually considered joining the army (mind you I'm 16, I've thought about everything). It stuck for while, but it's not for me. I hate war, but I have the upmost respect for those who serve.

[EvolutionCalling]

No, I did not serve in the military and never will. I will discourage my children from serving.  I leave military folks to their own world, which has nothing to do with mine. Everyone needs their little hobbies, I guess.

I personally don't encourage anybody to enlist.  You'd be surprised how many people get uber defensive when you try and tell them what they're in for.  You'd think they would want advice and experiences from people that have been there and done that.  Nope, they know everything from talking to their recruiter.  I have a friend now, just enlisted in the army and seems to think she'll be advanced to E-6 by her two year mark.  She claims that type of advancement is guaranteed in her contract.  It's bullshit, but she just gets pissed when I tell her.  My niece, the Navy paid for her college and told her she only owes them 4 years.  That's a lie.  All Officer commissions are at least 8 years active duty when they pay for your school.  More depending on what designator you choose.  Did she listen to me?  Hell no.  I definitely won't be encouraging my son.  I suffered enough while I was in, I don't want that life for him.

[Jolly Sapper]

I personally don't encourage anybody to enlist.  You'd be surprised how many people get uber defensive when you try and tell them what they're in for.  You'd think they would want advice and experiences from people that have been there and done that.  Nope, they know everything from talking to their recruiter.  I have a friend now, just enlisted in the army and seems to think she'll be advanced to E-6 by her two year mark.  She claims that type of advancement is guaranteed in her contract.  It's bullshit, but she just gets pissed when I tell her.  My niece, the Navy paid for her college and told her she only owes them 4 years.  That's a lie.  All Officer commissions are at least 8 years active duty when they pay for your school.  More depending on what designator you choose.  Did she listen to me?  Hell no.  I definitely won't be encouraging my son.  I suffered enough while I was in, I don't want that life for him.

I agree and can attest to what EvolutionCalling says.  Don't feel the need to tiptoe about with your views on the military on my account.

[Atheist Mother]

I was in the Navy.

[Loffler]

No, I did not serve in the military and never will. I will discourage my children from serving.  I leave military folks to their own world, which has nothing to do with mine. Everyone needs their little hobbies, I guess.

You'd be surprised how many people get uber defensive when you try and tell them what they're in for.

No, I wouldn't be surprised that people who thought the military was a good idea also get defensive when challenged on it. The military exploits vulnerabilities of humanity: youthful naivete and aggression, longing for adventure or redemption. Also, signing up for the military is a terrifying, potentially lethal commitment. I'd probably be defensive about being told I was duped too.

Just tell your friends "if you ever want to desert, you can hide out at my place."

[Will]

I'm curious... are there any military officers here which, for their lack of faith, were ostracized or shunned or mistreated in any way? The recent case in the news about the atheist soldier has me a bit concerned.

[McQ]

I'm curious... are there any military officers here which, for their lack of faith, were ostracized or shunned or mistreated in any way? The recent case in the news about the atheist soldier has me a bit concerned.

Nope. When I was still a military officer, I was also still a christian, so didn't have this kind of issue. I didn't personally see it happen to anyone either, but I would guess that it was a problem with some people.