Getting shit together through military service

[Faithless]

I have actually known a couple of people that have tried to use military service to "get their shit together".

I'm wondering if that's a good way to do it.

One guy, joined the Navy a little after high school. He wasn't doing so hot with the junior college thing.

Another guy was in a military family, and wasn't doing so hot in the junior college thing either. He joined the Army.

Don't know what became of them, but have wondered why people join the military in this way.

Is it good of the military? Is it good for these type of people?

[nonamerasian]

When I was in high school, the largest reason I heard for people wanting to join the military was to get their shit together. Most common: Educational opportunities.

The most enticing thing in those recruitment fliers is the promise of the military being one’s path to getting their shit together (career & tuition).

When recruiters I’ve observed called or struck up conversations, one of the first questions was usually what were the plans for the future followed by how the Air Force, Marines, or whatever could get one there.

In that respect, the potential the military may provide is alluring. Particularly for people who don’t know which path they want to go down...Or, know which path, but don’t know how to get there…Or are looking for a path.

I think it could be good for those type of people.

(BTW, I haven’t been in the military.)

[Kuchana]

From what I've heard about it, the military seems to take care of you, taking on a paternal role, which I think is wrong being that some of the people you mentioned are dependant on them. It doesn't help when they lack self-determination or reliance for that matter.

I mean it's all good and well done since the military pays off for a lot of things but I think depending on it too much is unwise to do.

I admit, I even considered the military myself for a certain period of time after high school because I was uncertain in what I wanted to do. But it wasn't like I needed to get my sh*t together.

[Faithless]

Getting one's shit together.

Very important after highschool.

You can delay it by going to college. But if all you're doing is floundering in junior college or even wasting money at the four year college, what makes you think you're gonna fair any better in the military?

If I recall from some of those boot camp movies, the training officers loved to give a hard time to the college rejects. I can see why.

[Kuchana]

Getting one's shit together.

Very important after highschool.

You can delay it by going to college. But if all you're doing is floundering in junior college or even wasting money at the four year college, what makes you think you're gonna fair any better in the military?

If I recall from some of those boot camp movies, the training officers loved to give a hard time to the college rejects. I can see why.

I wonder if they were college rejects themselves by any chance?

[younggiftedandblack]

Picture it 1997. I was 23 years old out of high school for 5 years and didn't have shit to my name. Not a pot to piss in nor a window to throw it out of. I was broke, jobless and on the verge of becoming another statistic.

I needed structure, discipline and more importantly I needed direction in life. I found all of that in the Air Force and while it has been tough I don't regret a moment of it. People who join the military and still are fuck ups would've been fuck ups no matter what job they would've went for.

[Kuchana]

Yes there are the ones who mess up even when they're in the military. Take for example my friend who keeps getting drunk and goes to work in that condition. Sheesh.

[kboy75]

if you have nothing going for you i think th emilitary is a great option.

people have different reasons, but if they want to, more power to them. it definitley seems to change a lot of lives.

my ex gf enlisted in the army when she was 19. she loved it and it helped her get some direction at the time. she also got into tip top shape.

my college buddy didn't enlist, but got into the the marine corp ocs, he loved it and kows what he wants to do now. my other friend is doing air force ocs but his motivation (among other things) is to get military exp for his future political resume (he's a yalie and has aspirations to run for public office)

[Faithless]

Picture it 1997. I was 23 years old out of high school for 5 years and didn't have shit to my name. Not a pot to piss in nor a window to throw it out of. I was broke, jobless and on the verge of becoming another statistic.

I needed structure, discipline and more importantly I needed direction in life. I found all of that in the Air Force and while it has been tough I don't regret a moment of it. People who join the military and still are fuck ups would've been fuck ups no matter what job they would've went for.
I hear yah.

What was the initial reaction to you when you joined? Anything like the movies where they give the new, directionless enlisted, a hard time?

.
if you have nothing going for you i think th emilitary is a great option.

people have different reasons, but if they want to, more power to them. it definitley seems to change a lot of lives.

my ex gf enlisted in the army when she was 19. she loved it and it helped her get some direction at the time. she also got into tip top shape.

my college buddy didn't enlist, but got into the the marine corp ocs, he loved it and kows what he wants to do now. my other friend is doing air force ocs but his motivation (among other things) is to get military exp for his future political resume (he's a yalie and has aspirations to run for public office)
The one concern that I would have is readyness.

Granted, no one is ready from the get-go when they enlist, but shouldn't one go into a job knowing with some sort of preparation?

I wonder if it's a culture shock when directionless people join.

[bluetrianglescott]

eh, the military doesnt fare well with me. they target too many low income, people of color with sugary promises of higher education and tropes of patriotic heroism. but when you realize that they're the ones doing the dirty work and getting killed, well, what's the use of education afterwards?

Especially given the fact that Bush has proclaimed the right to declare war on any country he wants under the doctrine of "pre-emption". Chances are increasing that you'll be called on to kill and die for the big shots.

Not to mention the fact that its fuckin SAD that the main option many people have who want to get an education is to join the military. I'm not mad at people who sign up by any means, but damn. That's what you call an "economic draft".

[Faithless]

Especially given the fact that Bush has proclaimed the right to declare war on any country he wants under the doctrine of "pre-emption". Chances are increasing that you'll be called on to kill and die for the big shots.

Not to mention the fact that its fuckin SAD that the main option many people have who want to get an education is to join the military. I'm not mad at people who sign up by any means, but damn. That's what you call an "economic draft".
Which is more reason you probably want to have your shit together when you join the military.

[kboy75]

I hear yah.

I wonder if it's a culture shock when directionless people join.
my ex gf enlisted when she was 19. from what she said the army has a LOT of directionless 18 year olds. but then again, most 18 year olds are directionless.

but she has lots of stories of people freaking out, breaking down, and just crying as they realize they are commiting years of their life.

[moser]

The people who I know/know of who have considered (or are in/have been) in the military:
1) wanted to go because of educational assistance after service
2) grew up in a family where public service (in particular, military service) was a tradition (i.e. parents were in military)
3) couldn't think of other options to do in life (couldn't find a job and thought she was going to be rejected from law schools) <--- ok, so it was just one person

I guess it depends on the person if the military is good or bad for them to find direction in life. For some it just may work, while for others, as others have noted, will still mess up despite being in the military. But it's... odd... that people think that the insitution is some intense counseling service.

I think the military is much like everything else in life - you really have to know what you're getting into.

[younggiftedandblack]

ChottoMatte,

It wasn't that bad. I actually had fun in basic training. I've always said that there isn't a drill instructor alive who can yell like my mom. :biggrin: