Would you guys recommend I enlist four years from now (when I'm 18) even if the Iraqi war still is not done with?

Make sure to explain why.

Kid, before I or anyone else answers this question, I think you need to spell out exactly why you are interested in serving in the Military. I know you've said that you want to be a sniper, that it's your dream, but that's what you want to be, not why you want to join.

Now, my recommendation to you is this: Once you've read this post, before replying, log off, and take at least a day to think about the why part of "why are you joining?" Once you've done that, come back and tell us, and once we have a better feel for where you stand on your reasons for joining, then perhaps we can help you out.

giblackjack out

I took the time to think about why I want to enlist, and this is what I came up with:

- Out of every other profession I can think of, the Army is the most interesting profession to me.

- I feel it is my duty to help the U.S. remain what it is.

- I want to kill the dumba**es who actually think they can beat the U.S.

- My passions (what I'm most interested in) are things I can excel with in the military.

- Both my brother and my dad are deployed to Kuwait, same platoon, same everything (even same job) designated to return next January of 2009; which is a huge inspiration to me to be the third of the pack to enlist.

- The training and discipline I can receive in the military are skills I would love to have for my civilian life (especially the taught hand-to-hand combat skills, incase of any future hostile encounters during civilian life).

Warrior2089 even though you are only 14 yrs old sounds like you are on the right track.First finish school then when you are old enough and you still feel the same go for it.The Military if you join for the right reasons will never do you harm.Sounds like your Father is a career man.When you get a chance tell your Dad and Brother Thanks from an old Veteran.

Just dont join, the military is there for one purpose to fight Bush's war in iraq. The benifits suck and when you actually try to use the benifits they will make sure you dont get what you need,

http://electioncenter.military.com/2008/04/21st-century-gi.html?ESRC=dod.nl

So if you want to join just because your a crazy wacko and want to kill people you might want to think long and hard about it. There are a few mindless idiots on this site that talk the talk but when it comes to the hard questions all they can do is flame that in and of its self should tell you something.

quote:

Originally posted by rppearso:
Just dont join, the military is there for one purpose to fight Bush's war in iraq.

rppearso, you're really unbelievable. I don't know of a single soldier, sailor, airman or marine who joined the military "because they liked or wanted to fight for the current president". Take a look at Warrior2089's reasons. He lists personal improvement/training, a love for and devotion to country, and inspiration by family members. I'm sure most other service members would quote similar reasons.

As for this being Bush's war, I call bullshit. If my memory of history serves me right, this shit was started back in the 80's with the hijacking of the Achille Lauro, where muslim terrorists specifically sought out an american jew and killed him. How about the Beirut barracks bombing in 1983? Let's skip ahead a bit, how about the USS Cole bombing in 2000? How about the initial bombing of the WTC towers? That one was in 1993. I could go on and on, but there is one common thread in all of these incidents. They were ALL done by muslim terrorists and they happened over multiple presidencies, so calling this Bush's war is like saying you're the king of England. You can say it all you want but it doesn't make it true. These guys don't care who you are, or what you think of them or our country. They want to see you either converted to their religion or dead. Don't believe me? I dare you to go look into what the more extreme sects of Islam are promoting. Don't forget now, these are the same sects that are producing terrorists/jihadists/whatever you want to call them.

Now, if you want to just sit on your ass and do nothing, that's fine. Keep your head in the sand, but remember that there are better and braver men and women than you who through the virtue of their effort are keeping your ass free and alive, whether or not you even realize it.



Warrior2089,
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, I've been busy the last few days. In short, I agree with Sully on this one. You sound like you have your head on right and have good reasons for wanting to join. I ask you to remember this though in regards to whether to join when you get older: There will always be wars to fight, and people who hate us because of who we are or what we do. Regardless of whether we're fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other country, this country will always need strong and brave men and women who are willing to stand up and fight. Fighting will always be dangerous, no matter where we are or who we fight.

Look up the death tolls for previous wars that we've fought: Start with the revolutionary war and look at conflict length, number of men involved and number of casualties for each war. You might discover some startling statistics for each.

Good luck and stay in shape,
giblackjack

I'll agree with giblackjack. You have some good reasons to join and whether or not the current war is over is not an issue. Another war could start on the other side of the world for completely different reasons and you could end up in that war. So, if fighting in the current war is an issue for you politically (as retardo seems to think it is) or whether fighting in any war is an issue for you, maybe the military would not be a good move for you.

I joined (and excuse the history lesson here) in the 1980s in the midst of the Cold War where I looked forward to fighting the Russians (Soviets) and punishing the bad guy Shia Muslim terrorists. I ended up (during Clinton's Presidency) conducting endless humanitarian assistance missions and fighting Sunni Muslim terrorists.

Just something to think on. You've got plenty of time and options ahead of you.

If you join just make sure its not for any benifits because if you read the link I posted it will show just how wonderful the GI bill is. A co worker of my was a WW2 vet (never saw action) and he got the GI bill and at that time the GI bill payed EVERYTHING no wierd restrictions and they gave you a living stipened because you cant go to school very effectivly and work full time. If you dont care about any of the benifits and dont mind fighting a war with your hands tied behind your back while the most destructive weapons know to man kind sit in a warehouse collecting dust then join. And dont talk to me about combating terrorism if we wanted to bring down the hammer this war would have been over years and years ago and soldiers would be home enjoying a college education and grilling cheese burgers and living the life that our forfathers intended. But instead we are being a bunch of idiots so if you want to sacrafice for no reason go ahead.

Im also extremely disapointed in russia that they have not killed every last man woman and child in checnia with gas did someone cut there balls off or something.

And now you see why retardo washed out of the military. There's a handy little "ignore" feature here you can turn on. I only read his post when I fear he might be giving someone like you advice. But, here he only showed how much of an idiot he is, so no harm.