Or rather, would it make it easier if one was super-tough to survive daily life in the armed forces. I have always played with the idea of joining up, but never did because I was unsure what kind of people I would meet, whether the brotherhood is real or would I just be an outsider treated with hostility.
I really want to know-- what were your expectations and realities when you joined the armed forces? Any regrets? I don't come from a military family background, so I am new to any of this.
Thank you.
2007-01-21 19:10:07 · 12 answers · asked by Joe 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
You all have been very supportive, thank you.
2007-01-23 15:15:52 · update #1
You need to adapt to a military lifestyle.The brotherhood is real,your friend could be the one saving your life.toughness is definitely an asset,intelligence helps also.The basic requirements are the same,the different branches have different secondary requirements.
2007-01-21 19:19:17 · answer #1 · answered by Wolfman 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I once was in the same boat as you are right now...I joined the army 2 years ago when I was 24 and I thought I was goin be the old guy at boot camp...I think the average age for my platoon was 23! Some of my best friends I've ever met are from my travels so far in the military. Everyone leaves everything and everyone they know and they have to work and live with complete strangers. 95% of the people are open to new friendships. When I got to my first duty station (Hawaii) It was basically the same thing too but now some folks bring their familes if there married but I got invited to bbq's and parties all the time especially on any holiday cause all the single people could do was bum around lol. Almost everyone is cool and laid back even some of the higher-ups that have been in for 15 plus years. ALOT and I mean ALOT of military people like to drink and some of my funnest times where down in Honolulu gettin drunk with my buddies. Now I've got friends from Guam, Cali, Porto Reco (sorry I stink at spelling), AK, you name the state I've got a friend from there or stationed there. You meet all types of cool people, my best friend in the army who was my roomate back in Hawaii we were the funniest guys in the unit...the only thing that stinks is showing up to run 5 miles monday morining really hungover lol Oh and as for me I'm one of those really down to earth, don't take alot of things seriously at all guy who thought I would NEVER be in the military when I was younger lol
2007-01-21 19:23:56 · answer #2 · answered by buickbeast 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
super tough in what way? I think the most important thing is the ability to take orders. You can't ask questions or argue when told to do something. And in the Navy when out at sea you have to get up at certain time, eat a certain time, in other words you follow the plan of the day. There's little free time at sea (at least for me as a radarman). As to the good part I got to travel to a lot of places and sometimes we had fun at sea. We once had a huge water fight with hoses etc. The captain finally put a stop to it because so much water was getting inside the ship, (I guess he didn't like walking down the passageways and getting his feet wet). And it was really cool learning about radar, electronic warfare and navigation.
2007-01-22 13:23:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answer is that you need not be the baddest of the bad *** fellas. One needs to be able to cope with difficult circumstances. This is why I hated the "Army of One" slogan. It is never about the one it is about the team, the squad the platoon working together to achieve the ridiculous ummm err...stringent... standards of the CO. Sure being a tough hombre will help, but regular Joe Schmoes like me join up and make a positive contribution to the Army.
2007-01-22 05:50:54 · answer #4 · answered by DietrichVonQuint 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're serious about this talk to your parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and pastor. They're the ones that know you and care about you.
You wont lose who you are going in but you will change and grow. And, it will be fast so you have to be prepared to hit the ground running. You'll find things inside that you didn't know about. Regrets come in life no matter what. Focus on goals not regrets.
One thing about another answer here. You don't have to be fearless. If you are, good for you. If you aren't, you're just like most of us. For us, bravery means you're the only guy that knows you're scared.
2007-01-21 20:05:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I do believe you have to be a certain kind of person because if you join now more than likely you will be sent overseas and you will have to deal with bombs going off all the time shots being fired or you doing the shooting! but if you think you can deal with that I say go for it!! It could just be the best thing you ever do!! Who knows??
2007-01-21 19:23:27 · answer #6 · answered by Jess 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lol, do you think that people were born ready to be in the military? Nah, to enlist you can't be a felon, but there are people with ALL types of backgrounds and probably thousands with backgrounds just like yours. That's what boot camp is all about... to teach you how to get through the bull sh*t and to discipline you into dealing with anything.
As for the brother hood, it IS real. Everytime I see this picture, my heart melts...
http://www.geek-usa.mu.nu/remember%20their%20sacrifice.jpg
2007-01-22 18:26:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want to be in the military just go to a recruiting station; you can find them alomst everywhere in large cities. Or you can contact the branch of your choice and just tell them you want to join up. They will take it from there. You will be given a physical, pass that and you will be one your way to boot camp. Just leave the rest to the DIs. Drill Instructors. If you go Marine, screw up and they kick you ***. It takes about 3 to 4 months in boot camp with Marines, less with Army and Navy and lesser with Air Force.
2007-01-21 19:29:51 · answer #8 · answered by antonius 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I remember going for a medical before and all the doctor did was look down my pants to see if i was a fella,either that or he was checking for crabs.
Another time a gang of us had to run in one door and out the other and we all passed.
2007-01-21 22:31:38 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as long as your not a crack head, but all typesw join, your platoon will have people from all over the country, its a good time at least do one tour
2007-01-21 20:41:26 · answer #10 · answered by 7am gangster 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋