Should I go to Iraq?

Question

I'm 19 and I want to go to Iraq and here's why: I'm terse, anti-social, intelligent, and dark. I can't explain why I am the way I am, but most people think I'm a serial killer or at least "really sketchy" when they first meet me. I want to be a war veteran so they'll think Iraq is the reason I'm so dark, even though I was like that in the first place.

I know I'm mentally prepared for war because I'm smarter and darker than everyone else my age, and I don't really care if I die because I kind of want to. However, I really don't want to get crippled. What are my odds of being crippled in combat?

A lot of mixed responses, so I'll address a lot of points, here goes:

1. No I don't think there's any way we could win the Iraq war and I wouldn't be trying to do anything good. I'd be going purely for myself. No matter how many good men the military has, America has failed.

2. I don't have any mental issues. I'm just dark, aesthetically and mentally. I wouldn't be going to Iraq to change myself, simply to justify my personality. Hopefully people would believe they understand me better if I was a war vet.

3. Only a couple people mentioned that serving in war is great for a resume. Also, being in a strange war like this one sort of makes you the center of attention, because everyone wants to hear what it's like. Both of those sound good to me.

4. I heard the same statistic about being crippled: 5% injury rate. I would assume that's about 2% permanent injuries. That's very frightening to me, especially if I lose the ability to take my own life.

5.

Answer 1

I think your reasons for going are wrong, but it might be good for you anyway. If you're happy being the way you are and aren't hurting others, why care what other people think.

As for you're odds of being killed or becoming crippled, they are relatively small for a war zone (contrary to popular belief).

With about 132, 000 U.S. forces in Iraq for about 4 years, only about 3100 have died. On an annual basis, that's a death rate of 0.6% or 6 per 1000. So you're chances of survival each year are 99.4%. Incidently, the annual death rate of Americans safe at home in the United States is 8.25 per 1000...HIGHER than the death rate of troops in Iraq! Of course the military is made up of mostly young and healthy people, but think of it this way; how many people do you personally know that died this past year? If you were a soldier in Iraq, you're chances of knowing a fellow soldier that died is lower than your chances of knowing someone at home in the US that died.
As for becoming crippled. I don't know the exact answer, but about 23,000 - 24,000 military personel have been injured in Iraq in about 4 years. On an annual basis, that's about 45 per 1000 or 4.5%. I don't know how many of these injuries are life long crippling injuries. I believe injuries are officially counted when a soldier has to miss time of active duty because of an injury. If that is the case, than those injuries would be anything from sprained ankles to becoming quadrapelegic.

If your personality is a problem, I think you should get some professional help. If it's just that you like reading Edgar Allen Poe and you have nothing better to do, going to serve in Iraq isn't a bad idea in my opinion.

Answer 2

If your a tense person you don't want to go. Its all waiting for something to happen everyday and when it does it always seems out of your control. An intelligent person has great opportunities in the military. There aren't many colleges which will teach you as much and there is no better job reference than service. You have a decent chance of being crippled depending what your doing, but the VA has OK benefits. Its a gamble like anything, but it can pay off and help you find out who you are.

Answer 3

Guess what ? Haliburton is looking for a few good men and women to work in Iraq driving trucks and generally in the fueling and refueling of such. They pay VERY WELL $$$$$$!!!! So you should go for it! I understand it does have its share of risks,so to speak but you can have some fun too,if ya know what I mean

Answer 4

Joining the military might be perfect for you, it might build some character, self respect, or even confidence. However it's a decision that you have to make yourself. Will you get hurt or die? Perhaps, but think about the reason you're joining. Is it for a selfish reason, your country, or for what's right? And once you find your reason, ask yourself if its worth dying or getting hurt. If you're truely serious about joining, then it should be worth it.

Answer 5

"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding."
-Albert Einstein

The qualities you described are very useful in many high risk occupations, I suggest that you apply these qualties to a more socially constructive occupation.

I am not anti-military, I am against the abuse of our Armed Forces. I support our troops and respect them, I resent the Officials who send them off into unjust wars.

Answer 6

I think you have been watching one too manyu war movies. It seems like you just have a need to become a "hero" so that people will like you. I have friends that are in the armed forces and Iraq is no joke.

If you are in war there is a 90% chance that you might not make it home alive. Stop being a retard and stop wishing you were in the middle of a war.

Answer 7

Get a hobby,

or better yet, contact the CIA if you think you're ready for war.

Iraq is a quagmire, don't waste your talents there.

Why don't you look up how to get into intel ? You're already on the net, and complaining about having no where to put your 'dark side' to use, so get to work. You might actually like it, and i guarentee you'll find more ppl there who are just like you.

Answer 8

Check out this video on google videos called the 911 mysteries. The whole thing is about 90 minutes long. Then decide if going to Iraq is what you want to do and if you want to be a part of this lie that has been going on for so long. I say stay out of there. You are so young and have so much ahead of you. Oh and you can't be too intelligent if you want to go there in the first place. And nothing can prepare you for war.

Answer 9

There are psychological tests to weed out the weird. The armed forces need people but they are not that hard up to go for killing machines. They are looking out for honest decent people who will act with honor at all times.

Answer 10

No, you should not go. We don't need people like you there looking for excuses.
We need strong, brave and kind people to accomplish our mission there. People who want to help the Iraqis build a better country than they had before.
Someone as smart as you should know better.
You're so smart I'm surprised you don't know what to do already.
Its quite obvious.