Have you served in the armed forces?

US Navy. Thanks are not needed, though. I served because I wanted to and I got out because I wanted to. I think that goes for most military people…past and present. I think it was a very good thing for me and I truly believe every young person should be required to give a couple years of service. It is a great way to learn discipline, working as a team, respect, and all sorts of other things that are great life lessons you don’t normally get outside of the military.

No. Too young for Vietnam. My 18-year old draft year was the last year of the draft lottery, and my birthdate was lottery position #353 or something like that.

And by the time the Iraq stuff came up, I was way too old.

No. I most likely would have enlisted in the Navy, like my grandfather, had I been able-bodied, but being born with a heart defect kinda squashes that idea.

I haven’t although joining the Air Force is still something I am seriously considering… I’m just in college right now.

Nope, they didn’t want my bad eyes and flat feet. :)
I tried though, marched right in to the recruitment office to sign up at 18 yrs old.

HARD NO.. My prime age for military service was W making up shit to get into Iraq. I went to college instead.

Nope. Didn’t even try, kidney issues too severe. My family has a strong Navy/Marine history, and my sister was USAF, so the interest was there.

No. My dad (Marine Corp) thought as @seawulf575 does. I should’ve listened to him and enlisted.

Have I? No.
Would I if born in time of war?
Absobloodylutely!

No, but my grandfather was Sturmführer in the SS.

So most people here didn’t. But they want to appear patriotic so they spin hypothetical. Cool, gotcha. Makeshift patriots.

@KNOWITALL a female soldier………...yum.

Actually, @johnpowell, your cynicism notwithstanding, it sounds to me like most of us who might have would have done so for a number of reasons, not including the grand “patriotism” motive. At the time that I would have, we weren’t at war, the travel opportunities and benefits were excellent. It wouldn’t have been a grand gesture, it would have been a practical career choice.

@Coolhandluke I just wanted to be the best I could be. Best tag line everrrrr!

Plus serving is an honor in my area, not just for poor people trying to get a free education as I read here many years ago.

@johnpowell

In my case it’s less about wanting to appear patriotic, and more about growing up in a place with little opportunity combined with a certain (perhaps romanticized) desire to set out upon the open seas and wanting to be as much like my grandfather as I could.

@Darth_Algar that is truly admirable!

Yeah fuck patriotism!
Besides…we have staff for that :D

YES… So not patriotism.. Lack of opportunity.. Gotcha. Makeshift patriots

@KNOWITALL it was: BE…….ALL THAT YOU CAN BE……...GET AN EDGE ON LIFE…….IN THE ARMY!

@johnpowell What exactly are you trying to say? You’re not making 100% clear statements.

I’m saying that people are claiming patriotism. When in reality they just wanted a easy career.

@johnpowell
Hey, a lot of them just want to kill without legal repercussions.

Stop that, It’s silly!

@johnpowell if you didn’t serve then keep your fingers off your keyboard! You have no right to judge anyone joining the military. You think the military is easy? Dude you’ve no idea. And what if you’re right? What if they did join just to get free education or an ‘easy career’? After a year or so in there they’ve changed their way of life. They’re more respectable and know what hard work is.

So what if someone wants a career in the military?
No one I know has ever described their military service as easy.

@Coolhandluke
He has every right, and duty, to judge you and your evil deeds.

I did national service.
When I was nineteen.
Fourteen months.
That’s all.

I despise armies.

It is how I always said it is: The only difference between a soldier and a mercenary, is that the mercenary is honest about his motive.

[Mod says] Flames off, please.

I don’t know why folks get so hot and bothered about the military as a career choice. Yes some positions involve killing. Many jobs in the military however, are just average jobs. Unless you’re drafted, you have some choice as to what type of job you do.

I think, barring a draft, if you are very patriotic or just completely against the military as a whole — you should not join. Too extreme in either direction.

If you see it as a job, a way to help, learn some skills, a road to college — then do it.

My two uncles were both in the army in Korea. One came out fucked up. The other did not. They both saw action and death. They were both drafted. Neither went to college.

My dad was in the Navy on an aircraft carrier in Vietnam. Joined so he wouldn’t be drafted. Said it was a great experience. He never went to college, but it launched his carrier in aviation.

My cousin was in the marines in the 80s. Ironically on the same carrier as my father. Had a good experience and did go to college after.

My godson is currently in the navy as a medic. Nine years in, he plans to stay until retirement and is currently in college.

Me? I’m not patriotic at all and really dislike a lot of what the military does (or rather is made to do by certain leaders) — so I had zero interest in joining. That said, I do love aircraft carriers and aircraft — so I appreciate the gear at least.

Here’s the thing about joining the military. It is a commitment. It isn’t a normal job that you can quit if you don’t like it. You don’t join with the idea that you can set the rules or go on strike if you don’t like the working conditions. It is literally an all or nothing job. And for many, it can be a life or death choice as well. Did I get a good education in the military? Yep…one of the best. Did I give them years of my life? Absolutely. Some weeks I would work 120 hours. And when you are underwater for 2 months, your life revolves around (and depends on) the people and equipment in a 400 foot long pipe. I was very glad I joined. If I had not wanted a family, I would have stayed in for 20 and retired. But it takes a very special couple to stay together in a situation where one person goes away for months at a time. So I got out to start a family.

Another thing I noticed is that some of the answers here are along the lines of “if there was a war, I would be okay with enlisting”. I’m very glad not everyone has this feeling. If we wait until there is war to have people enlist, it’s too late. By the time you were trained our enemies would have done major damage. That is why having a standing army is important…to be the first line (and hopefully the only line) of defense.