serious question on military service

[41mag]

One thing you can not deny, the military will definitely make an adult out of them....it will teach them respect, independence and teamwork, survival, all the good things that a teen needs to become a successful person in this world. What a person does after they come out is up to them. There is always the side of war that no parent wants to think about. It seems that we are constantly into some kind of skirmish, more now than ever.
All in all, I would support my child going in the military if they are truly head strong about it. The one thing they do need to understand clearly ( other than the dangers of getting killed in combat) is that it is a commitment that is not backed out of with the swipe of a pen.

 

[keith089]

I retired before the current regime, both of my sons are in and still love what they do. If I could still be in I would.
Military dont dopolitics, we are there to defend democracy not practice it!

 

[Benhad]

i went in and there was good and bad. i am troubled by what our military is turning into

I totally agree above.
My son is at Ft.Stewart and I can tell you it's nothing like when I was in back in 88. Their not getting the same training anymore. My son is 3rd ID, great unit but the chain of command is the younger generation.
It's just not what it used to be.

 

[DinkyDau]

You should see how it was back in 70

 

[captdave77]

I was sitting at home smoking a bowl
Nothing to do nowhere to go
When my recruiter said to me
What do you want to be
What do you want to do
I said I want to be lean mean and green
Got to be a killing machine

 

[41mag]

I totally agree above.
My son is at Ft.Stewart and I can tell you it's nothing like when I was in back in 88. Their not getting the same training anymore. My son is 3rd ID, great unit but the chain of command is the younger generation.
It's just not what it used to be.

In all reality, nothing is anymore

 

[Spridel]

I totally agree above.
My son is at Ft.Stewart and I can tell you it's nothing like when I was in back in 88. Their not getting the same training anymore. My son is 3rd ID, great unit but the chain of command is the younger generation.
It's just not what it used to be.

I was with the 101st in 88-89. The military didn't tolerate "alternative" lifestyle choices, being affiliated with a gang or give a **** about your feelings or "rights" back then. I heard they have something called "stress cards" now, WTF is that about ???

 

[Bear44]

I would encourage it. It is one of the best ways to build character and get an idea of how the real world works. I have often felt that it may have been a mistake for me to get out. I flourished in the military and have never been as happy with my life since leaving it. If I had stayed in and gone to OCS I would probably be at least a light bird or happily retired by now. Just like any other profession there is good and bad, but the good far outweighs the bad IMO. I like the clear professionalism that is exemplified by a good troop.

One of my best friends to this day is a full bird and is in line for his first star.

 

[Deleted member 39693]

my 19 year old son leaves in august for the army,i am very proud parent!

 

[akula]

My experience is that everything is different. The military my father served in was not the same as the military I served in even though we were in the submarine service. Its not just the CINC, the individual COs, XOs. JOs on down the line. Good people get crapped on. The dirt bags get paid the same as the good guys. When I was in you couldn't rise because the promotions were froze. I was poor economically.

I don't remember doing anything that was "fighting for the people at home" or for the" freedom of the U.S." it was just all political whim. The military was honorable at one time, when I was in (86-94) it had already declined to just being a job.

Now that I am in the VA medical system, I see the older vets. They are mad at the way they are not treated, and I tell you I see it the same way. I show up for an appointment, but he guy taking blood at the lab didn't show for work, so I have to take more time of from my job to come back to give a sample? That lab guy will have a better retirement that I will, yet he doesn't do squat.

I don't have a kid, but if someone asked me about serving, I would have to tell them the good and the bad. unless it was a program with direct civilian job connection, like if you want to be an air craft mechanic, then serve as that then go work for Delta, that makes sense to me to do and would be worth it. To just go in and do whatever they assign you based on your ASVAB score, not a good idea. I saw a lot of good crew members destroyed. Alcoholism, divorce (every one knew who was a "deployment widow") , broke as hell ( paid less than unemployment as an e-3), carried baggies of Motrin and other pain pills because we all had bad backs, incompetent officers and division heads. You used to never see someone relieved of their command, now you see it in the news all the time.

its all mismanaged now. its a crap shoot if the unit you get assigned to is good or not, then it may just be one change of command ceremony away from getting worse.

Serving did one thing for me. It put my brain in gear. I think better because of the level of training and job that I did. In all other matters, it probably made my life worse. So be it.