If you were me...

Space05us · November 4, 2003, 22:56

Okay, I have a very difficult decision to make right now and Im literally torn 50-50. Im thinking about joining the national guard, Im 17 right now so I would go to basic this summer and then finish high school before actually doing anything. My friends say its a dumb idea, but my family says its a great idea. The recruiter of course is talking out of his ass and sugar coating everything.

Pros
--------------------------
money for college
a life experience
It would help me to move out of my moms house
I would be helping the country
I think I would enjoy it
I will leanr a lot

Cons
--------------------------
I might be sent to a foriegn country to die for something I think is dumb.
I might end up not enjoying it, and could end up regretting it.
People seem to agree that once you've been in a service you change, you might become better, but you might become a slef rightious *****.

what would you do if you were me?

Verto · November 4, 2003, 22:59

I heard it's pretty hard to get the money for college.

MRT144 · November 4, 2003, 23:01

i faced a same choice in life and i chose the civilian life. now im where i want to be right now. if you have any artistic bones in your body dont do the military

Space05us · November 4, 2003, 23:05

im as artistic as a calculator

Space05us · November 4, 2003, 23:08

the recruiter called today and left a message on our answering machine asking me to call him. He sounded kind of uncertain of why he was calling and mentioned that he knows my dad is in the national guard in Anchorage. The only thing I can think of right now is that my dad called and 'talked' to the guy.

Sprayber · November 4, 2003, 23:11

I joined when I was 17. At times It got in the way of things but all things considered I view it as a positive thing in my life.

It's not for everyone for sure.

Tuberski · November 4, 2003, 23:20

Wait. I ended up not graduating High School because I changed my mind about joining when I was 17. 3 years later I graduated HS and joined the Navy again.

Worry about school first.

ACK!

Stuie · November 4, 2003, 23:40

Quote:

Originally posted by Space05us
Cons
--------------------------
I might be sent to a foriegn country to die for something I think is dumb.

End of discussion.

David Floyd · November 5, 2003, 00:37

Absolutely don't do it - at the very least, wait until Bush & Co. are out of office before joining up. If Howard Dean gets elected, for example, you have less to worry about.

Kuciwalker · November 5, 2003, 00:40

Quote:

Originally posted by Space05us
People seem to agree that once you've been in a service you change, you might become better, but you might become a slef rightious *****.

You might become MtG

Nubclear · November 5, 2003, 01:51

No.

Sprayber · November 5, 2003, 02:18

The first thing you need to ask yourself is why do you want to join. If you have a problem with authority then your best bet is not to join. When you join you don't get to pick and choose what missions you get to do. with the national guard, at least one of your weekends for the month will belong to them. At least once a year you will be sent to somewhere to train. I've been everywhere from Fort Polk Louisiana (armpit of the word) to Rome Italy. Ive stayed in tents and ive been put up in hotels. I have both hated and loved it all in the same week.

Don't base your opinions on some of the people here who have no idea of what they are talking about except from their own narrow point of view. After all the **** that I've seen and all the BS that goes on there day in and day out, I can say that I don't regret joining up. I get pissed at some of the stuff that goes on, but I don't regret committing myself to it. Of course some of you just won't get what I'm talking about. And that's ok. It's not for everyone...

Sprayber · November 5, 2003, 02:21

One thing I would say is that you may want to wait another year. Give yourself time to decide if this is really what you want.. Don't let the recruiter talk you into any sooner than your ready.

Q Classic · November 5, 2003, 09:45

do you really really really like individualism? the don't go, 'cause boot camp is the most horrid thing against that.

MrFun · November 5, 2003, 10:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Space05us
you might become better, but you might become a slef rightious *****.

So in other words, SlowwHand and MTG get on your nerves a lot??

(they may not have served in National Guard, but they did serve in military)

Shogun Gunner · November 5, 2003, 10:57

That's a tough call. I have a lot of friends that were, or are, in the military.

I agree with Verto's comment that the money for college has several conditions and terms that you need to fully understand and accept. It's not as easy or profitable as they advertise.

If you were faced with a life or death choice, could you live with it? Shooting someone is a horrible situation and one that you could be confronted with.

Its also possible you show up for weekend duties and it's kinda like a second job. I have some friends in the reserves that all they do is show up every other weekend and do maintenance on equipment.

Sava · November 5, 2003, 11:01

if you want to be used as a political tool... then by all means join...

Tuberski · November 5, 2003, 19:26

Quote:

Originally posted by MrFun

So in other words, SlowwHand and MTG get on your nerves a lot??

(they may not have served in National Guard, but they did serve in military)

I served in the military, have I ever gotten on your nerves?

ACK!

Spiffor · November 5, 2003, 20:51

Space:

The question is for you the most important "pro" and the most important "con"

It seems to me the thing you areexpecting the most is "money for college", as did many recruits. And the thing you're fearing the most is to die for something dumb.

The question is: are you ready to risk your life in the military, for whatever task is required of you?

If the answer is yes, you should defeinitely go.
If the answer is no, then you should definitely stay out of it.
To enlist in the military is something far more significant than a purely financial question. You can always pay college by being a Civilian (like Speer, for example). But if you are a Civilian, you're sure not to die because of orders you consider moronic or because of wars you consider dumb.