NationStates Jolt Archive

For all you civilian forum go-ers, whatever country you may live in (provided it has a military), how do you view the prospect of enlisting in your country's armed forces?

Dimly

No thanks, other plans.

I would never fight for my country.

There is a chance however that I would fight against a country that held both my country and myself as its enemies.

However, if at any point my country became my enemy, I would also fight against them.

Been there, done that. Got the t-shirt.

I would have, actually.

But apparently I could be a communist. :rolleyes:

So I work for an energy infrastructure company instead.

I'd never fight for my country. I'd fight for those I cared about, but never my country.

Mustered, as all men are supposed to do by law, was clever enough to manipulate them into not picking me.

Mustered, as all men are supposed to do by law, was clever enough to manipulate them into not picking me.
It's a good way to meet fit men.

It's a good way to meet fit men.

I could do that in much funner surroundings already.

I'd have to trust my country more before I would enlist. The US is a great country, certainly capable of changing the world for the better, but nowadays when I read the paper I just think, "I don't want to be a part of that." I do want to help make a difference, but until I see that the military will be serving the country for some positive purpose - not just serving a few men in Washington - I won't be enlisting.

The Irish Army is mostly fat old men, and young men on the way there. Yay for neutrality.

I'd like to be in the RAF but I have bad vision and wouldn't like to be shot down, as I am scared to death of dying.

Oops, bad pun!

I would have, actually.

But apparently I could be a communist. :rolleyes:

So I work for an energy infrastructure company instead.
Where you get to destroy the Infrastructure!
*Dances*:rolleyes:

USA:
I'd probably be kicked out, because believing that the commander in chief is unfit for his post means that I cannot truly respect any line of command that leads up to him. DD for insubordination, within a month.

So I'm unlikely to bother with it, during this administration. During another, assuming a competent and not derelict POTUS, I'd respond to a draft, but would not volunteer to be shot at unless there was a real chance I'd be shot at anyway. Since there hasn't been an act of war on USian soil since we were fighting ourselves, I'm really not interested in joining the military.

For all you civilian forum go-ers, whatever country you may live in (provided it has a military), how do you view the prospect of enlisting in your country's armed forces?
I would only fight for my country if it was the most effective way of fighting for my beliefs. As much of Britain's current foreign policy is contrary to my beliefs, the chance is slight.

In theory I am not opposed as theoretically there may be a war worth fighting, however I very much doubt it, so I can't imagine myself joining the military.

I'd enlist, but only to rally much of my comrades to my side and stage a coup which would put me in place as head of the new Peoples Republic of Texas.

Otherwise, meh. I don't see the point.

Planning on joining the Marines after high school.

Since there hasn't been an act of war on USian soil since we were fighting ourselves...



Uh...

Click here (http://www.militarymuseum.org/Ellwood.html) and here (http://www.militarymuseum.org/Hayfork.html).

Since there hasn't been an act of war on USian soil since we were fighting ourselves. . .
Ok, so Pearl Harbor wasn't technically "USian" at the time... nor was it soil.

But many consider 9/11 an act of war... I would have gone and fought the Taliban, if need be. Iraq has nothing to do with it though...

Uh...

Click here (http://www.militarymuseum.org/Ellwood.html) and here (http://www.militarymuseum.org/Hayfork.html).

Not to mention the invasion of the Aluetians

The thing is, we don't really fight wars that need to be fought. Not any more. The last one for the UK was the Falklands, back in 1982. I wasn't even born then, for fuck's sake. And the 1991 Gulf War doesn't count because it was a purely self-inflicted injury. It wouldn't have happened if we hadn't put Saddam Hussein in power, paid him to fight Iran and given him all the equipment he requested.

So as far as the UK goes, so far there hasn't been a worthy war in my lifetime.

Wait ... I take that back ...

I am a freedom fighter (some say insurgent, but they're dumb) in the War on Drugs.

It wouldn't have happened if we hadn't put Saddam Hussein in power, paid him to fight Iran and given him all the equipment he requested.

Perhaps you're right... or perhaps we would remember the Gulf war as a war against Iran, which would have been much worse.

Arguments like these are similar to saying "Well, we wouldn't have had to fight communism if we had helped Hitler conquer the USSR during WWII."

I've yet to be drafted, as per law (Denmark).

If I do get drafted, I'll do what I can to get into the rescue service. I somehow feel that if I am going to waste six months of my life, I might as well waste them doing something that might come in handy.

Hmm insomuch as I have conflicting beliefs concerning the military heirarchy (President Bush in particular), I have decided to become an officer in the United States military.

Hmm insomuch as I have conflicting beliefs concerning the military heirarchy (President Bush in particular), I have decided to become an officer in the United States military.

You have concerns about the heirarchy, so you're putting yourself right in the middle of it? There you'll be directly under the commander in chief's authority..

USA - I had considered joining when I was in HS for the benefits but figured I would rather travel the country getting odd jobs and enjoy myself instead, plus I didn't agree (still dont) with US foreign policy and didnt want to be in instrument of it.

I took the tests and passed, they really wanted me to join... the recruiters were very pushy which pushed me away more than anything, but after careful thought I just knew that wasn't the life for me.

ALthough the gay sex would have been awesome I bet. :D

ALthough the gay sex would have been awesome I bet. :D
You don't know the half of it...

Canada- My father and brother both serve in our military, as do many other members of my extended family. I plan on serving my country in a slightly different way: Joining the foreign service.

You don't know the half of it...


I'll take those detailed personal stories by TG if you dont mind.

I've been in the military on and off for over 11 years now. I can respect people that do some sort of service above and beyond the norm including the rescue service one poster mentioned, police, fire, and even volunteering for various public help projects (soup kitchens, etc.).

I have no respect for those that can't even be bothered to vote yet come onto forums and squeal about how bad things are.

Fighting for your country is a worn out and old-fashioned-tally-hoe-into-the-gunfire-and-death whole dulce-et-decorum-est-pro-patria-mori thing, whcih most people probably no longer care about. fighting for oyur people, your friends,family,neighbours and other complete stranegrs is the only way id join the army, i live in England and i personnaly think its one of the greatest countries ever, but its still s**t(excuse my french).

Our leaders our corrupt, war i controlled by politicans and glorified by stories, confused by the media and out of all control when the idea of a general walked into the background.

Dulce-et-decorum-est pro-patria-mori? i dont think so mates, my country is useless, my countries media makes army personnel look like thuggish neanderthal baboons who beat kids and shoot innocents and my people? god knows I hate most of the people in this country, but I would willingly die to protect my friends and family, not my country.

so yes and no at teh same time, maybe if the world shapes up and gives soldiers the repect they deserve, untill then, never.

lol neva! i would send them into battle at a moments notive though, like the british one against china to liberate taiwan and tibet.

CHINA WILL BE DESTROYED!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fighting for your country is a worn out and old-fashioned-tally-hoe-into-the-gunfire-and-death whole dulce-et-decorum-est-pro-patria-mori thing, whcih most people probably no longer care about.
Yes, it's the Age of the Common Man. Pity.

Now, I'm as disgusted with the current state of the U.S. as anybody else, but I know we haven't yet crossed the point of no return, and until we do, I will remain perfectly willing to fight, and if need be, die, to defend this country. And I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who have already taken that step.

Fighting for your country is a worn out and old-fashioned-tally-hoe-into-the-gunfire-and-death whole dulce-et-decorum-est-pro-patria-mori thing

That modifier is so overstacked that I almost don't even know what the meaning of your post is.

i manage to do that alot, confuse people, i forgot what iw was talking about half way through, guessed the next quartre and fobbed of the last bit. now ive forgottne what else i was going to speak about, darn my horrrific memory

oh yea, now i remember, it tries to say (pitifully) that i would never fight for my country, but id fight for my land and the hole ''common man, pity'' thing, i see your reasons for saying it, but i dont really have much patriotism, i car about people not land.

Im confused, my head hurts

Maybe you could spread it out over a sentence or two... and explain the Latin?

Maybe you could spread it out over a sentence or two... and explain the Latin?

"It is an honor to die for your country," or something along those lines.

Nationalist swill, deserving of evisceration - but preferably with coherence.

Maybe you could spread it out over a sentence or two... and explain the Latin?
"How sweet and proper it is to die for one's country."

The rest is the "Play the game, dear boy, play the game!" attitude of the early 20th century British society, where a man's highest duty was enthusiastic and joyful obedience.

:upyours: MOST OF YOU ON THIS THREAD ARE F***ING "PANSIES"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TeHe, you're ok, joining the marines is the best decision you'll ever make (i'm soon to become Force Recon:mp5: :D ) There is so much I want to beat into all of your skulls, unfortunately, i would be banned from this forum, nationstates, and probably arrested. TeHe, contact me if you want to learn more about the corps.

There is so much I want to beat into all of your skulls, unfortunately, i would be banned from this forum, nationstates, and probably arrested.

Send me a telegram, I'm interested.

Dulce Et Decorum Est - Wilfred Owen (http://www.english.emory.edu/LostPoets/Dulce.html)

MOST OF YOU ON THIS THREAD ARE F***ING "PANSIES"

Good, I'd hate to be anything else.

Dulce Et Decorum Est - Wilfred Owen (http://www.english.emory.edu/LostPoets/Dulce.html)



Good, I'd hate to be anything else.

Is it normal for there to be a rash of trolling nooblets this time of year?

:upyours: MOST OF YOU ON THIS THREAD ARE F***ING "PANSIES"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TeHe, you're ok, joining the marines is the best decision you'll ever make (i'm soon to become Force Recon:mp5: :D ) There is so much I want to beat into all of your skulls, unfortunately, i would be banned from this forum, nationstates, and probably arrested. TeHe, contact me if you want to learn more about the corps.
The marines need to teach you how punctuation and capital letters work.

Oh, and unless you're going to be becoming a one-man marine corps force, "i'm soon to become Force Recon" makes no sense.

Is it normal for there to be a rash of trolling nooblets this time of year?

Maybe it's the heat?

dulce-et-decorum-est-pro-patria-mori

is latin for 'It is sweet and appropriate to die for one's country
''dulce et decorum'' being it is a sweet and proper thing

hoe that clears it up
:D

I tried to take Latin in school, but not enough students signed up so the class was always canceled...

i love latin, but modern day school teaching makes us learn french, like im ever going to go to france! unless we start another war, of which judging by previous history,well win. woo! england!

i love latin, but modern day school teaching makes us learn french, like im ever going to go to france! unless we start another war, of which judging by previous history,well win. woo! england!
Like you're ever going to ancient Rome.

i found more info on the dulce et decorum est pro patria mori!

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori is a line from the Roman lyrical poet Horace's Odes (iii 2.13). The line can be rendered in English as: "It is sweet and appropriate to die for one's country," or: "It is sweet and fitting to die for the fatherland." In classical Latin it was pronounced, "dulcet decorumst pro patria mori," due to poetic elision and prodelision.

The line has been a commonplace in modern times throughout Europe. It was much quoted in reference to the British Empire in the 19th century, particularly during the Boer War. It is still quoted often today, particularly by military leaders. [citation needed] Its initial three words have appeared as a book title.

During World War I, British poet Wilfred Owen wrote a poem entitled, "Dulce Et Decorum Est," in which the phrase was described as "the old lie."

hope that helps!

i love latin, but modern day school teaching makes us learn french, like im ever going to go to france!

Are you planning on going to the Roman Empire any time soon?

Is it normal for there to be a rash of trolling nooblets this time of year?


yes; summer vacation + spoiled fat kids that don't enjoy outdoor activities or have any friends = lets go see how many people we can irritate online.

Enlist? - in the Brazilian army? - hahahahaha.

yes; summer vacation + spoiled fat kids that don't enjoy outdoor activities or have any friends = lets go see how many people we can irritate online.
Trolls do have some upsides to them. Everyone has fun proving them wrong.

i want to go to ancient rome, but the laws of time and general stuff wont allow me to go back in time, and if i did theyd kill me for knowing too much about maths and stuff, and talking funny, no-one truly knows how latin is meant to be pronounced. since no anceint romans remain, we will never know.

unless we make a giant telescope and attach it to a giant rocket and fly faster than the speed of light, liek 8x as fast far away into another part of the universe and look towards earth, there by being able to see into the past, then we would have to have a really good microphone and wait for the sound to travel towards us( which it probably wouldnt as the sound waves would not travel throught the vast vaccum of space) thereby proving, we will have to have good lip readers who know latin in a big rocket with a telescope!

ther! im an inventor!

i want to go to ancient rome, but the laws of time and general stuff wont allow me to go back in time, and if i did theyd kill me for knowing too much about maths and stuff, and talking funny, no-one truly knows how latin is meant to be pronounced. since no anceint romans remain, we will never know.

unless we make a giant telescope and attach it to a giant rocket and fly faster than the speed of light, liek 8x as fast far away into another part of the universe and look towards earth, there by being able to see into the past, then we would have to have a really good microphone and wait for the sound to travel towards us( which it probably wouldnt as the sound waves would not travel throught the vast vaccum of space) thereby proving, we will have to have good lip readers who know latin in a big rocket with a telescope!

ther! im an inventor!

Oh my god. It's just so.......oh my god.*brain implosion*

i want to go to ancient rome, but the laws of time and general stuff wont allow me to go back in time

Then wouldn't you agree that French is of much more practical usage?

Bow Down to my infinite knowledge of stuff!

french is practical, just boring

you can stop bowing now, im leaving

you can stop bowing now, im leaving

The underlings can not possibly read that message whilst bowing you fool. You will just have to stay.

For all you civilian forum go-ers, whatever country you may live in (provided it has a military), how do you view the prospect of enlisting in your country's armed forces?

Impossible. As I'm in my mid thirties, gay, and disabled (and have been the latter two since I was a child) , they wouldn't take me even if I offerd to join for free.

Impossible. As I'm in my mid thirties, gay, and disabled (and have been the latter two since I was a child) , they wouldn't take me even if I offerd to join for free.
They'll be desperate one day and you'll regret saying that.

For all you civilian forum go-ers, whatever country you may live in (provided it has a military), how do you view the prospect of enlisting in your country's armed forces?

Not going to happen. Ever. Even in nuclear war.

Enlisted at 17. Received an "Entry-level seperation" for "Failure to conform to military standards of conduct and discipline." Served six years as inactive reserve (did nothing, but would have been cannon fodder, I mean infantry, if the shit had hit the fan). Then, my discharge was reclassified as honorable.

If the US were threatened with a real invasion, I'd join a civilian militia.

However, I don't respond well to the military command structure, and I have no interest in playing world police.

They'll be desperate one day and you'll regret saying that.

I doubt it. My disability prevents me from doing civilian work. I haven't worked in several years. I can't imagine what use the military would have for me.

Nor would they take kindly to me coming on to my CO or spending so much time in the showers "observing." ;)

:upyours: MOST OF YOU ON THIS THREAD ARE F***ING "PANSIES"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TeHe, you're ok, joining the marines is the best decision you'll ever make (i'm soon to become Force Recon:mp5: :D ) There is so much I want to beat into all of your skulls, unfortunately, i would be banned from this forum, nationstates, and probably arrested. TeHe, contact me if you want to learn more about the corps.

Your post is an insult to the Corps. I know Marines. They conduct themselves with far more dignity than you have displayed here. If you ever join the Corps, you will need to remember that anything you do in uniform, anything you say while claiming to be a Marine reflects not only on you, but also your fellow Marines, the Corps, and the United States as a whole.

I might consider trying to become an officer in the United States Army, Navy, or Marines. Not the Air Force, though, because I don't have good vision. And the Coast Guard doesn't sound like something I'd go into.

I wouldn't be too fond of the draft/conscription. If you're going to fight for your country, I don't want you to bitch and moan about it. Also because I believe that only a person who believes he should defend his country should fight for it.

I doubt it. My disability prevents me from doing civilian work. I haven't worked in several years. I can't imagine what use the military would have for me.

Nor would they take kindly to me coming on to my CO or spending so much time in the showers "observing." ;)
I direct your attention to Operation Human Shield.

I direct your attention to Operation Human Shield.

*lol*

i seriously considered applying for Officer Candidate School shortly after 9/11... but i was a year into my MBA program and after I calmed down a bit, realized it would not have been the right time to get into the armed forces.

After finishing the MBA, I decided to put feelers out there. I took the ASVAB and got a 99. But I had to be honest, told the recruiter (Army) that I'd had asthma as a kid, and that was that.

it's weird though... part of me wanted to work as an officer at a military hospital, maybe (practical side of me, I suppose).

another, much darker side of me, wanted to go Special Forces. I'd had a fair amount of martial arts training (judo and jujitsu) and I am not a fan of terrorists, so I figured that would hasten the opportunity to hunt them.

In the end, I'm glad I did neither, glad that the regulations kept me out -- I'd be bored out of my gourd at a hospital, probably... and while I hate terrorism, I'm not a killer. They can probably train a person to become a ruthless killer, but I'd probably have subsonsciously fought such a mental conversion.

In the end, I'm glad I did neither, glad that the regulations kept me out -- I'd be bored out of my gourd at a hospital, probably... and while I hate terrorism, I'm not a killer. They can probably train a person to become a ruthless killer, but I'd probably have subsonsciously fought such a mental conversion.

Well, you can train a person "how" to kill another rather easily (at least the physical aspects of it - how to shoot a rifle, how to use a knife, etc.).

But no matter how much military training you get, they can't train you to "do it" as though there were some sort of Manchurian Candidate method of brainwashing people.

Being in the military is all avout having the ability to kill. Thats something your born with, you can't instill it. For that reason I'm against the draft/consciption.

Being in the military is all avout having the ability to kill. Thats something your born with, you can't instill it. For that reason I'm against the draft/consciption.
Most people, even most of those who deny it, have the ability to kill.

I want to join the RAF (and yes, I'm an anarchist...) because I want to fly. Always have, always will. Not fast jets, mind, but transports... C-130s and the like.

Going to the recruiting office tomorrow in fact. :D This said, I think they'll say "HA HA fuck off" when they find out about my allergies. :(

EDIT: I also want to get posted to Iraq, in the full knowledge that this will make me a war criminal, because I want to see what it's like out there for myself.

Most people, even most of those who deny it, have the ability to kill.

Everyone has the knoiwledge of how to kill, but do you have the ability to apply that knowledge? Thats the question

I would, in fact, i've been thinking about doing it recently.

The U.S. and the Western world (yes, even Lefty Europe) is worth fighting for, and I don't think sitting on our asses and screeching "Peace, PEACE! PEACE!" is going to stop them from trying to hit us again. Just a hunch.

That modifier is so overstacked that I almost don't even know what the meaning of your post is.

dulce et decorum est pro patria mori

Loosly tranlates as "It is sweet and right to die for your country".

See the War Poetry of Wilfred Owen MC (Born 18 March 1883, Killed In Action 4 Nov 1918)

http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/owen1.html

Read the poem, with the accompanying notes.

How I serve the people:

1] I was one of the first in boats floating along the flooded New Orleans and pulling people out of flooded homes and into safety. Sometimes that meant pulling dead, bloated bodies out of attics and comforting the bereaved. I also took many people into my home near Houston, some of whom still live with me.

2] I see a man on the side of the road with a sign that says, "Kids hungry, please help" and I don't look the other way, but I take that man to the grocery store.

3] If I have $10 in my wallet and a man asks me for spare change, I give him $5 - even if he may go buy booze with it.

I didn't need US Military training to make me want to help my fellow Americans.

Neither do you.

I didn't need US Military training to make me want to help my fellow Americans.

Neither do you.

I completely agree - but they'll teach me how to fly!

How I serve the people:

1] I was one of the first in boats floating along the flooded New Orleans and pulling people out of flooded homes and into safety. Sometimes that meant pulling dead, bloated bodies out of attics and comforting the bereaved. I also took many people into my home near Houston, some of whom still live with me.

2] I see a man on the side of the road with a sign that says, "Kids hungry, please help" and I don't look the other way, but I take that man to the grocery store.

3] If I have $10 in my wallet and a man asks me for spare change, I give him $5 - even if he may go buy booze with it.

I didn't need US Military training to make me want to help my fellow Americans.

Neither do you.

Round of applause. Helping your fellow man serves your country, not learning new and interesting ways to kill your fellow man.

Well, you can train a person "how" to kill another rather easily (at least the physical aspects of it - how to shoot a rifle, how to use a knife, etc.).

But no matter how much military training you get, they can't train you to "do it" as though there were some sort of Manchurian Candidate method of brainwashing people.

Psychologists would disagree with you. Part of the training process is to speerate the act of pulling the trigger with the act of the "target" dying. I read a study that in WW2 only 10% of US soldiers actually fired their weapons, even in Infantry units, as the soldiers were taught to shoot at rouind targets. This prompted the change to shoot at man shaped targets. Now US units fire at slightly smaller than full size plastic dummies.

The British army shoot at man shaped targets and have done so since the 1960s.

I completely agree - but they'll teach me how to fly!

So will many civilian pilot courses.

As a matter of fact, the firemen who fly over forest fires and save their fellow American homes and lives by dumping fire dampening chemicals and water over these multi-hundred acre fires are civilian trained.

Been it, seen it done it and got the various t-shirts. Served as a Private in the British Army. Selected and passed RCB, passed Sandhurst, commisioned. Served two six month tours of Bosnia.

I would never let my son join the Army now. Too often soldiers are protrayed as neanderthals by our own press and there is little or no respect from the general public.

Me, I'm now exempt all military service so it doesn't affect me.

So will many civilian pilot courses.

As a matter of fact, the firemen who fly over forest fires and save their fellow American homes and lives by dumping fire dampening chemicals and water over these multi-hundred acre fires are civilian trained.

Those cost money that I don't have.

I'm not saying I want to join the RAF to serve my nation, or balls like that, I want to join to learn to fly and be paid while doing so. Also, the uniform is cool.

Hell, I'm up to my elbows in other people's blood as a passive civilian in this nation anyway, I may as well fly supplies to the people at the sharp end - I'd still be a better man than Blair.

Fargozia, which regiment were you with?

I'm not saying I want to join the RAF to serve my nation, or balls like that, I want to join to learn to fly and be paid while doing so. Also, the uniform is cool.


Oh! RAF... not USAF ... okie knock yourself out. :D

Whee! :D

I probably will:

"Right then, mind the leading edge, it's a bit l-"
*thunk as I bounce off the wing and hit the tarmac*
"Oh for christ's sake!"

Whee! :D

I probably will:

Well I have to be sure. Anyone who joins the US Military right now automatically become "functionally retarded" in my mind.

Well I have to be sure. Anyone who joins the US Military right now automatically become "functionally retarded" in my mind.
You wouldn't be saying that as someone who went partway through basic training and got chaptered, would you?

Well I have to be sure. Anyone who joins the US Military right now automatically become "functionally retarded" in my mind.

Why do you think the British military is any better? They participated in the Iraq War as well.

You wouldn't be saying that as someone who went partway through basic training and got chaptered, would you?

Errr ... no ... I have no idea what "chaptered" means and have never in my life had any involvement with the US Military, nor would I want to.

Why do you think the British military is any better? They participated in the Iraq War as well.

Because the British came to their senses. The US has not. I can accept people making a mistake and then realising that mistake. What I cannot accept is people making a mistake and continuing that mistake under the guise of "we're sticking to our guns".

Why do you think the British military is any better? They participated in the Iraq War as well.

Yep, we're just as bad. Worse, really, as we're the US's auxiliaries... where the US goes, we trot along behind.

Anyway, I want to fly, so I'll put up with being a war criminal to do that.

I've been in the military on and off for over 11 years now. I can respect people that do some sort of service above and beyond the norm including the rescue service one poster mentioned, police, fire, and even volunteering for various public help projects (soup kitchens, etc.).

I have no respect for those that can't even be bothered to vote yet come onto forums and squeal about how bad things are.

Great post and I agree 100%. I recently retired from the military after 25 years so service to the country. I think that military experience is good for a young person, it give these people self discipline and responsibility, as well as the opportunity to further there education. I used my education benefits while I was in and received several degrees.

I find it disturbing the ones that call military people killers and other such things, what they don’t realize is that it is the very members of the armed services that have fought and died as sacrifice so they can keep the very right of free speech. I also love the ones that have all kinds of things to say about the government and the current administration, but when you ask them who they voted for they tell you they don’t/never have voted…..

I may not agree with what the government dose or where they send the troops, but I will always support the troops.
:) :)

Errr ... no ... I have no idea what "chaptered" means and have never in my life had any involvement with the US Military, nor would I want to.

Looked up "chaptered" concerning the US Military ... heard some stories ... about people who swallowed a bottle of pills or whatever and got "chaptered".

In short, in order to be "chaptered", one has to have enlisted. I never have. So, I cannot have been chaptered. Once again, you're barking up the wrong tree.

I've never even seen the inside of a recruitment office.

I'm anti-military because I choose to be, not because I was made to be.

Great post and I agree 100%. I recently retired from the military after 25 years so service to the country. I think that military experience is good for a young person, it give these people self discipline and responsibility, as well as the opportunity to further there education. I used my education benefits while I was in and received several degrees.

I find it disturbing the ones that call military people killers and other such things, what they don’t realize is that it is the very members of the armed services that have fought and died as sacrifice so they can keep the very right of free speech. I also love the ones that have all kinds of things to say about the government and the current administration, but when you ask them who they voted for they tell you they don’t/never have voted…..

I may not agree with what the government dose or where they send the troops, but I will always support the troops.
:) :)

That's amusing, as I support the troops when they shoot their officers. Hm. I think I shouldn't say that to whoever's behind the desk tomorro- later today.

That's amusing, as I support the troops when they shoot their officers. Hm. I think I shouldn't say that to whoever's behind the desk tomorro- later today.

You're going to enlist in an organization whose violent overthrow you advocate?

Are you going to participate in said violent overthrow, or are you just a hypocrite?

I will be conscripted into the Finnish Defence Force within two years (I'm 17 now), and after serving my time there's a pretty good chance I'll go to the Cadet School and make a career in the armed forces.

Finnish Defence Force/Army has - excluding the Civil War in 1918, but it wasn't technically Finnish Army just yet so (to me) it doesn't count - always fought with honour and bravery, and has never committed War Crimes or Crimes Against Humanity. If there have been changes from the times of Continuation War (WW2) those have been of positive kind. The overall spirit is less rightist and less nationalist than back then, so I see no problems in there neither.

Finnish officers aren't payed all too well though, which is propably the worst shortcoming in this plan... but then again, it's not the money that I'm holding as the most important factor when deciding about what to do with my life.

EDIT: If Finland DOESN'T join NATO, that is. If it does, I'll stay away.

That's amusing, as I support the troops when they shoot their officers. Hm. I think I shouldn't say that to whoever's behind the desk tomorro- later today.

Moron.....:sniper: :sniper:

You're going to enlist in an organization whose violent overthrow you advocate?

Are you going to participate in said violent overthrow, or are you just a hypocrite?

Well, I figure it can't hurt to spread the word of anarchism amongst the air force, and yes I am a hypocrite (it's impossible not to be). :D I. Want. To. FLY. Damn my scruples, my ideals, and everything bar the people I love - I want to fly!

EDIT:

My dear I_H8, I may be foolish, but I'm certainly not a moron. I happen to think that the revolution can only occur when the armed forces join the revolutionary and politicised working class. In order to hopefully speed up this day, I will be sure to talk about anarchism if I get into the RAF, and take advantage of as many training courses as is humanly possible ("Blindfolded bomb disposal while wearing nappies? Sign me up, Flight Lt!").

Meanwhile, the armed forces continue to do horrendous things on a daily basis which I do not support, until they shoot their officers. Mind you, a few of the Guards ones I knew probably wouldn't notice, they were that crem de la crem...

Well, I figure it can't hurt to spread the word of anarchism amongst the air force, and yes I am a hypocrite (it's impossible not to be). :D I. Want. To. FLY. Damn my scruples, my ideals, and everything bar the people I love - I want to fly!

Cool. You have my full support with that one. What line of Anarchim do you support, spesifically? Anarcho-Individualism, -Capitalizm, -Syndicalism? (I need to know so that I can decide whether to join the International Brigades when you start your rebellion :D )

Madnestan - Anarcho-communism, with a smattering of individualism and syndicalism. Anarcho-Capitalism is an oxymoron that shouldn't be thought of as anarchism IMO.

Well, I figure it can't hurt to spread the word of anarchism amongst the air force, and yes I am a hypocrite (it's impossible not to be).

You remind me of an episode Howard Zinn recounts in his autobiography You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train. While serving as a bombardier in World War II he meets a member of some Trotskyist party who tells him that the war is just an imperialist war between indistinguishably evil sides. When asked why he joined if that's the case, he replies that he did it to "talk to people like you."

It never made any sense to me.

:D I. Want. To. FLY. Damn my scruples, my ideals, and everything bar the people I love - I want to fly!

If called to serve in a war, would you do so?

If there was a draft, I'd join the military... just not the combat troops. Instead, I'd work in the Pentagon weapons labs.

Madnestan - Anarcho-communism, with a smattering of individualism and syndicalism. Anarcho-Capitalism is an oxymoron that shouldn't be thought of as anarchism IMO.
Exactly. Even though Anarcho-collectivism with some Sorelist ideas is the best way to go, you got close enough. I'll be there next to you when the bullets start to whissle. :p

You remind me of an episode Howard Zinn recounts in his autobiography You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train. While serving as a bombardier in World War II he meets a member of some Trotskyist party who tells him that the war is just an imperialist war between indistinguishably evil sides. When asked why he joined if that's the case, he replies that he did it to "talk to people like you."

It never made any sense to me.



If called to serve in a war, would you do so?

Well, depends. I'd quite like to go to Iraq to fly Herky birds there, in the full knowledge that that makes me a war criminal. Other than that, if we tried to invade anyone else (e.g. Iran...) then I'd leave, either by going AWOL or resigning. If Britain got attacked, I'd happily fight.

It's all moot though, as we all already serve in the class war. Whose side are you on... comrade?

EDIT:

Madnestan! Hurrah! Together, the two of us can convince enough people to have another crack at the Paris Commune! :D

Well, depends. I'd quite like to go to Iraq to fly Herky birds there, in the full knowledge that that makes me a war criminal. Other than that, if we tried to invade anyone else (e.g. Iran...) then I'd leave, either by going AWOL or resigning. If Britain got attacked, I'd happily fight.

Fair enough. Lots of compromises with morality there, but at least you wouldn't participate in another act of aggression.

It's all moot though, as we all already serve in the class war. Whose side are you on... comrade?

Yours.

Madnestan! Hurrah! Together, the two of us can convince enough people to have another crack at the Paris Commune! :D

Sign me up.

Well, I figure it can't hurt to spread the word of anarchism amongst the air force, and yes I am a hypocrite (it's impossible not to be). :D I. Want. To. FLY. Damn my scruples, my ideals, and everything bar the people I love - I want to fly!

EDIT:

My dear I_H8, I may be foolish, but I'm certainly not a moron. I happen to think that the revolution can only occur when the armed forces join the revolutionary and politicised working class. In order to hopefully speed up this day, I will be sure to talk about anarchism if I get into the RAF, and take advantage of as many training courses as is humanly possible ("Blindfolded bomb disposal while wearing nappies? Sign me up, Flight Lt!").

Meanwhile, the armed forces continue to do horrendous things on a daily basis which I do not support, until they shoot their officers. Mind you, a few of the Guards ones I knew probably wouldn't notice, they were that crem de la crem...

I stand by my earlier post Moron.

Three people? Excellent, soon there'll be the necessary critical mass required for the awakening of the proletariat, and then, then, boy, will we have stern words with those boss class people.

To be honest, my morality's pretty clear - all killing is wrong, regardless, so there b'aint no difference (hyuk) in sitting here in London waving my anti-war flag and spouting anti-war stuff while flying in a herky bird. Well, the main difference is that I get to see things for myself (even if that is from 30,000 feet up and jinking to avoid SAMs...).

EDIT:

Well, in that case, I_H8t_You_All, I have to say: Frankly, I don't care what you think. :P

I stand by my earlier post Moron.

Now this is something called Flaming. Never heard of it? I recommend reading the stickies about forum rules and etiquette, for you're clearly not aware of it yet. If you keep on posting shit like this, with no arguments but only silly attempts to insult someone, you'll get reported.

...all killing is wrong...
I have to somewhat disagree with that one. There are things worth killing, and dying, for.

If called to serve in a war, would you do so?

Depends ....

Is the enemy Boy Scouts? Cuz, yeah, I'd kick their pimply asses from sea to shining sea.

Flaming should only be done using a flame-thrower.

Besides, as I fail to meet either of the dictionary definitions of a moron:

1: A stupid person; a dolt.
2: Psychology. A person of mild mental retardation having a mental age of from 7 to 12 years and generally having communication and social skills enabling some degree of academic or vocational education. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive.

I think our dear friend who hates us all is wrong.

Back to topic, please...

I have to somewhat disagree with that one. There are things worth killing, and dying, for.

Double post, possibly, but hey.

All killing is wrong, but not all killing is unnecessary. I would die for many things (my love, family, friends, my cause) and I would kill for the same if necessary, but those killings would be morally wrong, even though they were necessary.

Does that make sense?

I think the problem most people are finding is that they are lookign for a direct attack by a uniformed army upon theyre soverign soil, while dismissing terror attacks by globalist terror groups as terrible, but not worth a military action. I have fought in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Terror groups have the freedom to move about without seeing political borders. Large nations can not. Nations like the US and UK can not deploy armies without representaitves of the people(senate, commons) allowing for it. national armies have to deplkoy to soverign nations to find terror groups that are not parts of soverign nations.

There are things worth killing, and dying, for.

Disagreed. Killing for? No. Dieing for? Yes.

I would die to save my fellow man.

I would not kill even to save my own life.

Such is the nature of opinions, eh?

Three people? Excellent, soon there'll be the necessary critical mass required for the awakening of the proletariat, and then, then, boy, will we have stern words with those boss class people.

From the dust, we shall be all, and all that.

To be honest, my morality's pretty clear - all killing is wrong, regardless, so there b'aint no difference (hyuk) in sitting here in London waving my anti-war flag and spouting anti-war stuff while flying in a herky bird. Well, the main difference is that I get to see things for myself (even if that is from 30,000 feet up and jinking to avoid SAMs...).

I think I would have moral problems participating in any institution engaging in violence for the bourgeois state. But do as you will.

Depends ....

Is the enemy Boy Scouts? Cuz, yeah, I'd kick theirpimply asses from sea to shining sea.

What do you have against the Boy Scouts?

What do you have against the Boy Scouts?

Except the whole "we hate de fags" mentality, nothing ....

Otherwise, I'll take 'em all on! One hand behind men back!

Except the whole "we hate de fags" mentality, nothing ....

Oh, okay. We're on the same page then.

Double post, possibly, but hey.

All killing is wrong, but not all killing is unnecessary. I would die for many things (my love, family, friends, my cause) and I would kill for the same if necessary, but those killings would be morally wrong, even though they were necessary.

Does that make sense?
In a way, it does. Atleast I got your point. Even though I don't think that shooting Hitler would've been morally wrong, no matter how you look at it.

Disagreed. Killing for? No. Dieing for? Yes.
I would die to save my fellow man.
I would not kill even to save my own life.
Such is the nature of opinions, eh?
So if you, by killing someone who is willing to take your life, your wife's life, the lives of your children and some, umm... million "innocent" lives, would be able to save them you'd still say it's not worth it?

The Scout movement is homophobic? News t'me...

I think I would have moral problems participating in any institution engaging in violence for the bourgeois state. But do as you will.

Well, given that we failed to stop the invasion of Iraq, our refusal to participate in the military machine simply handicaps us if/when the revolution happens. Furthermore, I consider the only truly innocent people in the UK to be children, the mentally ill, and Brian Haw. I'm bloodstained for not doing enough to stop the war. I may as well go and do something fun, like flying, while I continue to drown in other people's blood.

Plus, it's a great card to play in arguments:

"I'm against the invasion and occupation of Iraq"
"We must support our troops!"
"I am 'our troops'."

EDIT:

Even though I don't think that shooting Hitler would've been morally wrong, no matter how you look at it.

Glad you got my point (it seems to give a lot of people serious problems). As for shooting Hitler, was he not a human being too? Sure, had he been killed even in 1944 by the Generals' Bomb Plot it would have been better, and it was necessary for him to die... but it's morally wrong to kill him just as surely as it's morally wrong to bomb a village or gas millions of undesirables.

You can't say that person X is worth less than person Y in moral terms, as we are all living, breathing human beings who, once killed, cannot be repaired.

I am joining the Marine Corps in one year because I feel compelled to serve my country, America. I am a first generation immigrant, and if it wasn't for America, I would be in some shithole right now with no future. Also, I think I would get bored in college. Yeah, that's the reason why I'm joining.

I am joining the Marine Corps in one year because I feel compelled to serve my country, America. I am a first generation immigrant, and if it wasn't for America, I would be in some shithole right now with no future. Also, I think I would get bored in college. Yeah, that's the reason why I'm joining.
Where exactly are you from, then?

I am joining the Marine Corps in one year because I feel compelled to serve my country, America. I am a first generation immigrant, and if it wasn't for America, I would be in some shithole right now with no future. Also, I think I would get bored in college. Yeah, that's the reason why I'm joining.

Do you want to KILL? If not, I suggest joining the Army Pay Corps instead.

Where exactly are you from, then?
I was born in the Soviet Union. Right now, I'm 17, and I have 1 more year of high school before I'm on my own. I can actually join right now, but I want to finish school, and my parents would need to consent, which they would never do.

Do you want to KILL? If not, I suggest joining the Army Pay Corps instead.
I don't want to KILL anyone. And I don't want to be a clerk either.

The Scout movement is homophobic? News t'me...

You live in the UK, whhere it is, as far as I'm aware, sane on the subject. Over here, yes, it is homophobic.

Well, given that we failed to stop the invasion of Iraq, our refusal to participate in the military machine simply handicaps us if/when the revolution happens.

Nonsense. The Democratic Party in the US, for instance, has been greatly hurt by the fact that they went along with the Bush Administration in aggressing against Iraq. It means that they look like opportunistic hypocrites to the voters.

Refusing to participate in the military machine proves that we mean that we say, and when we're proven right - as we have been, to a large degree, about Iraq - we gain from that.

Furthermore, I consider the only truly innocent people in the UK to be children, the mentally ill, and Brian Haw. I'm bloodstained for not doing enough to stop the war. I may as well go and do something fun, like flying, while I continue to drown in other people's blood.

The first part of that paragraph is true, but partial complicity does not mean that we should embrace greater complicity.

Ah, a Russian? Or are you from one of the smaller 'independent' parts, like the Ukraine...

Welp, there are better ways to serve than joining the MA-RINES, but it's up to you. Personally, I think becoming a street sweeper or a sewage maintenance man would be much better and more productive to the US public good, but if you want to go and KILL then feel free.

EDIT:

Nonsense. The Democratic Party in the US, for instance, has been greatly hurt by the fact that they went along with the Bush Administration in aggressing against Iraq... Refusing to participate in the military machine proves that we mean that we say, and when we're proven right - as we have been, to a large degree, about Iraq - we gain from that.

In Britain, our main parties did the following:

Labour: "YAY INVASION!!!!" and "The few thousand [2,000,000+ actually] protestors in London and elsewhere today have the right to protest, unlike the citizens of Iraq..."
Conservatives: "YAY INVASION!!!!"
Liberal Democrats: "Boo invasion! Wait, it's started? YAY INVASION!"

The fact is that regardless of your uniform, or lack of one, if you opposed the war in Iraq, you were right (morally and factually). The occupation is horrific, immoral, and illegal, and certainly an ongoing war crime.

Regardless, I will join the RAF, take the Queen's Shilling, and fly transport - if they'll let me - because, selfishly, I want to fly. I want to fly so much that I will become a war criminal. There are other things that I can do, however, but as I feel I am already culpable for the invasion of Iraq, I may as well stop pratting about in the shallow end and swim down to the middle of the pool.

Ah, a Russian? Or are you from one of the smaller 'independent' parts, like the Ukraine...

Welp, there are better ways to serve than joining the MA-RINES, but it's up to you. Personally, I think becoming a street sweeper or a sewage maintenance man would be much better and more productive to the US public good, but if you want to go and KILL then feel free.
Yeah, Ukrainian.

Fine, you can have that opinion. I know what I want to do, and I think it's the right and upstanding thing to do. And afterwards, I plan to go to college, get a respectable job, and be a productive citizen. I think serving in the military and obtaining a higher education that can be used to contribute to our high-powered economy is the best way for me to serve America.

And I'm a liberal:eek:

I was born in the Soviet Union. Right now, I'm 17, and I have 1 more year of high school before I'm on my own. I can actually join right now, but I want to finish school, and my parents would need to consent, which they would never do.
What state? Since I'm having hard time believing that an intelligent young man would automatically have "no future" in any of post-Soviet countries that I know. But, I am naturally unable to really argue with you about this. However joining the US Marines just because of the fear of getting bored doesn't seem too good way of deciding what to do with your life... especially when you consider the fact that you'd very propably find yourself in some very distant place, fighting for something totally different than your country's security (Halliburton's profits, for example) and making some other young man to think that he has no future, in the country that you'd be occupying.

Yeah, Ukrainian.

Fine, you can have that opinion. I know what I want to do, and I think it's the right and upstanding thing to do. And afterwards, I plan to go to college, get a respectable job, and be a productive citizen. I think serving in the military and obtaining a higher education that can be used to contribute to our high-powered economy is the best way for me to serve America.

And I'm a liberal:eek:

Then, fair enough. Enjoy boot camp. :D

What state? Since I'm having hard time believing that an intelligent young man would automatically have "no future" in any of post-Soviet countries that I know. But, I am naturally unable to really argue with you about this. However joining the US Marines just because of the fear of getting bored doesn't seem too good way of deciding what to do with your life... especially when you consider the fact that you'd very propably find yourself in some very distant place, fighting for something totally different than your country's security (Halliburton's profits, for example) and making some other young men to think that he has no future, in the country that you'd be occupying.
New Jersey. But I moved around quite a bit. I lived in Kansas for a year (and loved it), and in Rhode Island for a year (took a while to get used too, but I liked it). New Jersey sucks ass, though. The post-Soviet countries generally have poor economies, and they're extremely corrupt. So I could have a future, but not anything like what I got now, and I got it good.

Actually, joining the Marines because of fear of boredom is a very good reason for me. I supported the invasion of Iraq, and I still support the war 100 percent, so I would be fighting for a worthwhile cause IMHO. Also, the situation in Iraq may be shit more or less, but the one thing they do have is hope. Under Saddam, they knew things wouldn't get better, but now, they could get better if the government gets its shit together.

The fact is that regardless of your uniform, or lack of one, if you opposed the war in Iraq, you were right (morally and factually). The occupation is horrific, immoral, and illegal, and certainly an ongoing war crime.

We agree.

Regardless, I will join the RAF, take the Queen's Shilling, and fly transport - if they'll let me - because, selfishly, I want to fly. I want to fly so much that I will become a war criminal. There are other things that I can do, however, but as I feel I am already culpable for the invasion of Iraq, I may as well stop pratting about in the shallow end and swim down to the middle of the pool.

And, in fairness, I can't criticize you for that. As you pointed out, most of us are hypocrites, and I'm no exception.

I enlisted in the Marine Corp. I felt that I owed my life to the US and to it's military, so I enlisted to help pay it back with my own life if need be. I also thought it a nice way to get through college, though I suppose I have to survive first.

Oh, okay. We're on the same page then.

Awesome... so we form an Army and take out the Boyscouts once and for all?

I have 3 pies and a tazer!

I felt that I owed my life to the US and to it's military

Mmm... nooo, you owe your life to your parents having sex... did the US DoD send the 1st Air Cav in to force your parents to copulate purely so you would be born?

Seems a silly reason to join the armed farces, but then again, aren't they all - I know mine is.

...we form an Army and take out the Boyscouts once and for all?

Only if you leave the non-homophobic ones alone, I like the Boy Scouts. :p

And, in fairness, I can't criticize you for that.

Thank you.

Considered it, but my glasses would be a liability for me in combat (unless I got those ridiculously thick rimmed glasses for combat). So what I'd like to do sometime in college is intern at a nearby arsenal under the eningeering division. Which is what one of my friends is doing this summer before going to college.

Well, besides the fact that I'd never get in (severe asthma that set in last November and atrocious eyesight. That and I don't take stupid orders, no matter who's giving them), I have no interest in joining a force that has to kill people.

I'm seriously considering the peace corp, though.

Considered it, but my glasses would be a liability for me in combat (unless I got those ridiculously thick rimmed glasses for combat). So what I'd like to do sometime in college is intern at a nearby arsenal under the eningeering division. Which is what one of my friends is doing this summer before going to college.
I have bad eyes too. Wonder if they provide you free "combat glasses"...

Or I can save up for laser-eye surgery.

I have bad eyes too. Wonder if they provide you free "combat glasses"...

Or I can save up for laser-eye surgery.

If you're that eager to fight, go abroad and enlist in a random militia... faster and cheaper to be honest.

Submarine, Strategic, Ballistic-missile, Nuclear. #626 was a.k.a. USS Daniel Webster.

I enlisted in the Navy without any hesitation about whether the choice was ethical or not.

I considered service to country to be .. altruistic.
I wanted to get Veteran's Benefits for school.
I also wanted to get some dental work done.
I also wanted to see firsthand what being homosexual and in the military was like (and to see if I could "pass".)
Most of all, I wanted the opportunity to meet and talk with hundreds - thousands - of people in a structured setting, listen to the nuances of how they spoke and thought, and learn to respond to them.

Submarine, Strategic, Ballistic-missile, Nuclear. #626 was a.k.a. USS Daniel Webster.

I enlisted in the Navy without any hesitation about whether the choice was ethical or not.

I considered service to country to be .. altruistic.
I wanted to get Veteran's Benefits for school.
I also wanted to get some dental work done.
I also wanted to see firsthand what being homosexual and in the military was like (and to see if I could "pass".)
Most of all, I wanted the opportunity to meet and talk with hundreds - thousands - of people in a structured setting, listen to the nuances of how they spoke and thought, and learn to respond to them.
So how is it going so far? Well, I hope?

So how is it going so far? Well, I hope?

I've finished my service - honorably. It was good.

Submarine, Strategic, Ballistic-missile, Nuclear. #626 was a.k.a. USS Daniel Webster.

I enlisted in the Navy without any hesitation about whether the choice was ethical or not.



Heh. Bubblehead.

What was your rating?

Quartermaster .. 2nd when I left.

Just remember, squid, that there are two kinds of naval vessels: submarines, and targets. :cool:

I've finished my service - honorably. It was good.
Have you been to many interesting places? Or in tough situations? And remember, the best navy stories always start out with "this is for real, I'm not shitting you, this one time..."

Quartermaster .. 2nd when I left.

Just remember, squid, that there are two kinds of naval vessels: submarines, and targets. :cool:
Ha, the best Marines are SUB-Marines, right?

Quartermaster, eh? I always thought that'd be the best job as you'd be least likely to be shot out of hand if captured:

"Right, scum, prepare to die!"
"No, wait, how would you like four hundredweight of socks?"
"... socks?"
"Yes, and new trousers, ooh, more webbing? Better ammunition? Don't shoot me and you can have the lot!"
"...I like the way you think. Take him away."

Quartermaster .. 2nd when I left.

Just remember, squid, that there are two kinds of naval vessels: submarines, and targets. :cool:

Every ship can be a submarine. Once.

I was an AT2 on the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63.

This is for real, I'm not shitting you:

Two or three times a week, we kicked off WWIII and blew up the world. When we were at sea, of course.

The life of a boomer sailor does not exactly pair up well with the "see the world" motto.

You spend 105 days in your home port (working a regular 8 hour day with most weekends off: training, etc.) ... Groton CT for me. You fly to your boat (one or two days), you change command, ceremoniously, from the Blue to the Gold crew, or vice versa.

For about twenty days you work non-stop to prepare the ship for tour (paint everything that was blue, gold, or vice versa, fix what they broke, etc.) Then you do sea trials.

Then you go on tour .. under the water for about 70 days. You get to see the world: through a periscope.

Then you return to port, ceremoniously change command back, and fly back to your home port. Repeat ad nauseam.

Ballistic missile subs are like the nightwatchmen of the seas .. staying undetected and invisible unless all hell breaks loose.

At sea, only two people on the boat know when you're running a drill instead of having orders to launch your missiles.

So there is a lot of gallows humor. ;)

This is for real, I'm not shitting you:

Two or three times a week, we kicked off WWIII and blew up the world. When we were at sea, of course.

The life of a boomer sailor does not exactly pair up well with the "see the world" motto.

You spend 105 days in your home port (working a regular 8 hour day with most weekends off: training, etc.) ... Groton CT for me. You fly to your boat (one or two days), you change command, ceremoniously, from the Blue to the Gold crew, or vice versa.

For about twenty days you work non-stop to prepare the ship for tour (paint everything that was blue, gold, or vice versa, fix what they broke, etc.) Then you do sea trials.

Then you go on tour .. under the water for about 70 days. You get to see the world: through a periscope.

Then you return to port, ceremoniously change command back, and fly back to your home port. Repeat ad nauseam.

Ballistic missile subs are like the nightwatchmen of the seas .. staying undetected and invisible unless all hell breaks loose.

At sea, only two people on the boat know when you're running a drill instead of having orders to launch your missiles.

So there is a lot of gallows humor. ;)
uhh...I was kind of talking about stories of stealing C-rations, and boning officers' wifes, but that was good too. Thanks.

Yes, there's plenty of counter-stereotyping in the Mil. Especially with the Marines, because they've been made to be cultural caricatures.

And homosexuality, repressed, supressed, or expressed, plays a part in a lot of it.

In the Navy, a 'Queer' is a member of the Air Force. A 'Ground pounder' is a member of the Marines .. also referred to, sotto voce, as a 'pud pounder'.

At some point you will hear someone refer longingly to "thirteen buttons" (on the old uniform jumper pants, there was a large front flap held up by 13 buttons .. in memory of the 13 colonies, I guess) and when that happens, it's likely that in the next breath you will hear that pants flap referred to as a "Marine's lunch tray." :cool:

Quartermaster, eh? I always thought that'd be the best job as you'd be least likely to be shot out of hand if captured

In the US Army, a quartermaster handles logistics and supplies. In the US Navy, navigation: we actually wound the chronometers daily at noon, even on nuclear powered ships with gyrocompass, et cetera.

New submarine captains get hazed.

Old Navy chiefs have a lot of pull ... they've helped captains become Admirals .. or saved some JO from himself and put him back on track to the Pentagon. They can, and do, put new Commanding Officers through the hoops. With all due respect, of course.

One traditional means is to remove the door to the private quarters of the new CO. The Exec, of course, plays completely dumb. The following roleplay typically lasts weeks, starting on the first day out on patrol: the CO goes up and down the ship, inspecting everywhere
everywhere he inspects, he demands things be cleaned and painted; lots of burn and turn
calls on dial phones and ship talkers keep everyone apprised of the exact location and heading of the CO
the Exec signals (or just blabs) to the chiefs the CO's intended route
while he goes aft on the lower deck, his door goes forward on the upper deck, and vice versa
the Exec helps the CO adjust -- for example, by getting a blanket hung over the doorway to the CO's cabin.
After two and a half weeks of this game, our CO got used to sailing into his cabin, walking right through the blanket.

Unfortunately, the blanket was on the outside of the doorway.

And then, one day, the door was returned. But the blanket was left in place. <EG>

***
The first day on sea trials out of Electric Boat in Groton, we took Daniel Webster down to 200 feet. There were close to forty mil and civ folks in the control center, all on phone talker circuits, when there comes a report from one of the snipe spaces that there is "water, a lot of water, under force" coming into the ship.

In other words, a hole in the wall. More gallows humor. Could ruin your whole day.

The CO strode into the control center, walking fast right in front of me at the nav station.. he was 6'4", maybe 215 lbs, and he could bellow, but he says in a clear, calm but firm voice but a sort of mechanical all-one-word "I-have-the-deck-and-the-conn-helmsman-make-your-depth-one-hundred-twenty-feet."

And the exhaling of the forty people in that room sounded like a tropical storm. We pretty decided that we liked him at that point.

I'm going to join the Army when I finish my bachelor's degree in December.

I'll be joining the US army reserves soon, but I'm afraid that the US government is misusing its power against the people's will....I dont really know if I do want to work for them...

Spent 24 years in the British Army.

I´m a wee bit too old to be called up for the Finnish Army now I think. It´s a nice country but the military is a tad ageist.

Not for me, what with the whole "being broadly pacifist" thing.