A question just for veterans...

[Bucks]

Originally Posted by Scorpius

I entered the Navy in 1982, went to boot camp at Orlando, BEEP school at Orlando also, then was assigned to my first ship in Norfolk. The ships was dry docked at the time for a major overhaul. I do recall being in shock as I slowly began to get to know folks and assimilate, and it became more apparent to me that approximately 75 - 80% of the entire ships' crew smoked dope - even some officers.

By the time I had gotten out of the active military, they had whittled this down to under 10% via regular urine analysis tests and rigorous application of law to cast the dopers out.

I would have no idea what the percentages are today.

Wow. Were you in the Navy when that terrible accident occurred on a refurbed battle ship when some people were killed in a gun turret? Some blamed the accident on people smoking dope.
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[Scorpius]

I vaguely recall that event, but I am not sure what year that happened. I do seem to recall that there were a few pilots that had crashed multimillion dollar jets and helicopters, and that may have been a contributing factor to the purge. I was glad to see it happen, and know many sailors that were given the boot. I believe most of them received Less Than Honorable discharges. A few were even busted in rings or caught with large stashes, and these were sent to make little rocks out of big rocks. Marines just love to get sailors in their jails - lol.

[Tsmith2579]

The ship was the battleship U.S.S. Iowa. Gun turret #2 exploded in 1989. At first it was blamed on a a crew member who the NCIS determined was suicidal. The case was re-opened two years later and it was determined to be an accident.

Do you remember the My Lai masacre in Vietnam? The Army convicted Lieutenant William Calley for pre-meditated murder. Of the 26 men initially charged, Calley's was the only conviction. He was the lowest ranking officer (OIC)in charge.

These are two reasons why I didn't make a career of the military. In the military "Crap" rolls down hill. In each of the cases above, they tried to blame the incidents on a dead man or the lowest man on the totem pole. Sort of like the NTSB always blames airplane crashes on the DEAD pilot who can't defend his actions.

[Dacabeti]

Originally Posted by Tsmith2579

The ship was the battleship U.S.S. Iowa. Gun turret #2 exploded in 1989. At first it was blamed on a a crew member who the NCIS determined was suicidal. The case was re-opened two years later and it was determined to be an accident.

Do you remember the My Lai masacre in Vietnam? The Army convicted Lieutenant William Calley for pre-meditated murder. Of the 26 men initially charged, Calley's was the only conviction. He was the lowest ranking officer (OIC)in charge.

These are two reasons why I didn't make a career of the military. In the military "Crap" rolls down hill. In each of the cases above, they tried to blame the incidents on a dead man or the lowest man on the totem pole. Sort of like the NTSB always blames airplane crashes on the DEAD pilot who can't defend his actions.

Some times good men have to trow themselves on the sword to protect something bigger then themselves. Olly North is just 1 example of a good man throwing himself on his sword to protect something far greater then himself.

[mtemptyspace2008]

Originally Posted by Conservative Libertarian

I thought that you were your own Salvation Army (of one).

My mother and us 4 kids back in 1967 (don't quote me) were running down the street from my father. He was shooting at us with some type of rifle. I wish we had gone to the Salvation army for shelter. My mother his us at her friends house only to be found by my father. He was suffering some kind of PTS at that time and until the day he died. He died in 1971 at the age of 54. A blood clot from his leg shot traveled from his leg to his heart.
My knowledge of my father's experience in the Army was 19 years, E7, Infrantry Sergeant that started his service going into WWII. He then went into the Korean war (shot main artery in his left leg). I believe that is where he got Malaria. Then the Vietnam war. He told me horror stories when I was about 10. I was confused but this is what I remember him telling me. He hid in foxholes, tried drugs to calm him, claimed he has contact with Agent Orange.

My point is my father went Awol after his first year in Vietnam. He ended up being captured and received a medical discharge from the Army.
My mom lost benefits because he was one year short and went AWOL.

I harbored alot of resentments in my teens. Today I am proud of our Vets and support them financially from time to time. In Seattle the Vet Hospital is sad. My father went there quite a few times only coming home more depressed.

[Bucks]

Originally Posted by Dacabeti

Some times good men have to trow themselves on the sword to protect something bigger then themselves. Olly North is just 1 example of a good man throwing himself on his sword to protect something far greater then himself.

I's a damn shame what the liberals did to Olly North. That man had more guts in his little finger than all the liberals put together.
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[neocon1225]

Originally Posted by evilelvis

Would you recommend the military as a career...
If so why...

If not...

It's hard to say. It wasn't a career for me. It just wasn't the right fit for me career wise. But I can't tell you if it would be a fit for you or not. I will say this though, most people reenlist because they don't have any solid job prospects lined up for when they leave the military, don't be that guy. If you want, start lining up prospects about a year out. Hoorah.

[Shottglass628]

I recommend trying the reserves to see what you think. If it's a good fit then you can double down immediately. If not, then you have a limited commitment but get great benefits, career training, recognition, and a leg up on your peers.

I was actually lukewarm in my first few years then really started clicking as I became an NCO. I had to seperate because of cornea problems but recommend the service to any young person who does not have a full ride scholarship.

I have seen "at risk" kids propelled into the middle class and stability. I've seen slackers become responsible and even excel into leadership.

[Kellie]

Well my husband is Military. We are part time though because the one part of the lifestyle I was unsure about was moving around. I want a bit of stability for our daughter. So he joined the NG and we have the best of both worlds. I can stay in my home state near my family and he can serve our country proudly. He is deployed for his second tour in Iraq. I am so full of pride for what he does. That part is so rewarding. My husband is from Scotland and was in the British Army as a very young man , he joined at 16. He has had a green card here for years and gained so much living in America. A wife , a child, a career, etc. So he wanted to give back to the country he loves so much and now he is.

[Gordon1]

Originally Posted by Jay

No military experiance from me, but I know "the game". It is weak!!! I dont play games, or listen to "blow hards" tell me I will give them 20 or clean the head for doing my job. The military is not what it used to be . PERIOD.. Women and so forth. I know what it takes on the street to get the job done, and we would lose a-lot less soliders if we stuck to (for example) Be all you can be.........instead of an "army of one" What the hell does that mean anyway???

How the hell would you know? I'm sure the great knowledge that you have achieved about the military from watching war movies and Rambo is without doubt fathomless yet for some reason I refuse to defer to your opinion. Oh wait I know the reason! I have actually been in the military! Honor, Courage, Commitment, Loyalty and devotion to service in a cause greater than ones self are not a game. The military is not job, it is a way of life. It was not a game when I hugged my wife and two small girls goodbye 6 months ago to come to this shit hole island to guard people that would consider it a good day to stab me with a shank.

Yes I have cleaned toilets and washed dishes and swabbed decks and done countless other things that had nothing to do with my specific job. Unfortunately we usually don't have time to wait for the maid to show up and do the crap jobs for us. We are usually to busy running drills, not sleeping for days at a time, missing our families and trying to take care of the junior guys who are going through all the same things but don't have the experience to know how to deal with it all yet and who, on top of it all, are also tasked with crap jobs because senior guys are running around killing themselves trying to keep everything else running smoothly so that we can complete our mission and go home safely. Just because a job sucks does not make it a game. They are all important.

As for women being in the service I say thank God. the most inspiring and influential person I have ever worked for was Chief Petty Officer Michelle Rodriguez. Her selflessness, leadership, guidance and caring had more of an impact on me and the type of leader I want to be than anyone else in my life outside my immediate family. I would take ten woman just like her in exchange for anyone of the countless male idiots who couldn't careless any day of the week.

I would like to congratulate you on one thing however. You have officially made basing an opinion on ignorance an art form. Oh and BTW, it's just a stupid slogan that they already changed. Get over it.

[A.W.]

I know the OP has long since decided but if this helps any new possible recruit , then here it is.

I served

US Army
retired

this is my advice

search your soul, look around you at the world and the state of it.

look deep into yourself and figure out whether you can stomach the bad with the good . and know this , there will be bad to go with the good.

Talk to the people you care about, most specially God
do a gut check to see if you can handle the responsibility and the duty.

If after that you think you can, sign up for a single hitch, then see what you think after that. Make sure you pick a MOS( job and training ) that suits you and will serve you well after you get out if you decide to end your service after one or two hitches.

I would suggest OCS ( officers training if you qualify)

but being a good NCO isnt a bad thing if you do not qualify - Sergeants are the backbone of the service


If you feel like you cannot then do not and do not feel badly about yourself.
same goes with after the first hitch if you do try.

If you believe you can handle more , after the first hitch then go for another.
it is fine for some people , some people love it and stay in for retirement.

others article out of basic training (take a can't hack it discharge)
I suggest that if you decide to enlist , plan on staying for the first hitch at least and get an Honorable Discharge.

I have seen people muster out after several hitches because they get burnt out, it does happen.

It was hard work , it was dirty work, but it was REWARDING work.

Serving your country, helping others and striving to be the very best you can be.

In the end , it is you who has to decide , do not do so lightly.

no matter what choice you make , be ok with yourself about it.

If you decide not to , then that is no ill reflection on you, it just isnt your thing.

If you do , be proud of your service .


That's about all I can say.

[Taylor1]

If Navy sailors are smoking dope thats TERRIBLE.... I thought trusting some US Army guys with nations secrets in Intelligence was scary but... this. This is unacceptable if it happens. I know it happens in the off base housing but...

[ttdub]

Originally Posted by evilelvis

Would you recommend the military as a career...
If so why...

If not...

I would consider it, but I think I'm just too much of a coward. I completely hold the utmost respect for those who do serve in our military.