i asked myself this while spending time with some Friends. I'm currently signed up for the US Navy and leave on January 10th. My father was in the navy so was my Grandfather, and my Two uncles(one is still actively serving, the other was killed in the pentagon in the attack).so i have a decent military background, but my Friends are in their first year of college, opting out of the military option for the more fun filled college life of drinking doing drugs, going to parties and getting degrees for high paying civilian jobs, and of course like any other teenage American these days, hating the government and belittling the military, Now i feel that I'm making a great sacrifice, i could taken the easy way out and choose that life, but i gave that up and signed on for the navy thereby protecting their ability to live that life and continue belittling our fine military. does that seem wrong to anyone?
2006-12-03 15:32:47 · 13 answers · asked by Kenny S 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
No they don't, they are civilians and most want to stay that way.
As far as your friends, the hell with them. You will make plenty of new ones who understand what you are feeling right now because they are probably going through it themselves.
You are making a big sacrifice. The simple fact that you can already see what kind of sacrifice you may be making shows some impressive insight for a young person.
We need those educated idiots just as much as we need people like you to join our military. After you get out, you may also get your education, but you will have far more than they ever will, since you will have experienced the other side of life.
I think it is wrong, but it is their right to disagree that you are fighting for. Your commitment to serve is for the greater good. They may never really understand what that means since they are not willing to sacrifice their personal freedoms for anyone else.
But you will.
Bittersweet, but that's how America works.
2006-12-03 16:21:16 · answer #1 · answered by konstipashen 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was in the military myself...briefly, but long enough to get a feel for the difference not only that I'm married to an Army officer and have a lot of family in the military and if there's one thing I've learned...You don't give up partying and drinking and all that other stuff. Now that I've said that THAT STUFF IS NOT GOOD AND IT WILL GET YOU IN TROUBLE not only civilian life but military life too.
If you're worried that you're missing out on all the "action" don't worry you're not. You're going to be in a much better place then your substance abusing friends, by having experience under your belt. The important thing to remember civilian or not is keep a good head on your shoulders. There is going to be increased temptation in the military with military groupies...oh yes they exist...
As for your friends bashing the military and our government...get over them from my experience those people have no idea what they're talking about and listen way to much to what they've heard online or through the media and as we all know they NEVER tell the full story. If they did you'd hear about alot of the good that's happening in Iraq.
2006-12-03 15:52:18 · answer #2 · answered by Some Random Chick 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, civilians do not know the meaning of being in the military. My father served, my grandfather served (RET. Rear Admiral), all the men in my family have been in.
I married into the military life. Can I relate to what men and women of the armed forces life is like? No. I've never walked a day in your shoes to say that I know what you feel.
You may loose some friends by joining the military, but you will gain so many more.
Most of my family served USN and USA, and they still have friends that they served with, its a life long friendship.
There is no easy way to life either, each path that a person chooses there will be hardships.
I was raised in a military household, and two words that we all were taught was " I CHOOSE".
Its America, you can choose your future its not decided. No one will ever be able to know what it is like to be in the military unless you have served and seen it through your own eyes.
Good Luck and God Bless
2006-12-03 17:16:30 · answer #3 · answered by Barb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will notice that a lot after you've been in for awhile. I don't talk to a single friend I had before I joined the Army and now that I'm out, I find it extemely hard to find people I can get along with.
You are right that you are making a sacrifice and they are taking the easy way out. I will push for my son or daughter to join the military, even for just a few years because I think we owe it to our country to give a little back, considering how much we take from it.
It seems to be the cool thing right now to belittle the military and it's people, but just remember this. If you didn't join the military to do things that must be done, who would? Someone else? Who is that someone else? Your friends will always just assume that someone else will take their place and do things for them that they may not even know needed doing.
2006-12-03 15:47:51 · answer #4 · answered by justind_000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not think civilians understand military at all. Unless you have lived anything how do you really know about it? I was raised in the military and I married a military man. My husband is in Iraq right now. I have friends that do not understand at all and actually are being very hurtful and insensitive. I have cut a lot of them out of my life. My best friend for 13 years and I do not talk anymore because of the things she would say. You will make lots of great friends while you are in so don't worry.
2006-12-03 17:48:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct. Civilians do not get us. I joined the Army back in 97 and had some of your same feelings. Just remember we are better than them. I am currently stuck recruiting across the street from a college campus. You are doing a good thing. But on a serious note, you don't party in the Navy??? That is the best part of the Army for me. For those of you reading this, I am not talking about doing drugs. Just drinking.
2006-12-03 16:47:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most civilians don't have a clue about military life. But then again most career military dont' really understand civilians either. I'd agree with your about your average high school and college students. They are clueless about what you are doing. You will make a lot of friends in the military, they will be from all walks of life, and you will still have things in common with them.
Enjoy and have fun.
2006-12-03 15:47:18 · answer #7 · answered by jessica a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I was in the Navy from 98-04 so things were a little different than they are now.
There are so many experiences in the military that you will never have again. The friends you make...the places you see...it's amazing!
Go into the military...take it for all it's worth...go to school in your free time. You will come out a better person.
As far as the parties...HA let them party in college....you can call them while you are partying around the world!!
EDITTED TO ADD:
If you need any advice or info....please feel free to email me...
2006-12-03 15:38:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most civilians do not understand it, but they do appreciate it, and now it is a very important job. I don't understand why they don't teach this in schools. We have to learn about the different parts of the government, why not the different branches of the military?
2006-12-03 16:30:27 · answer #9 · answered by Curt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think so, many people have military in mind only when they hear the word War, otherwise they dont even think about it, they cant understand what soldiers are doing.
One day, they will notice what military does.
2006-12-03 15:47:02 · answer #10 · answered by vatolocowwems 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋