Do they really treat you poorly in the military?

Question

I'm considering joining...some people say they treat you very poorly. Is this true? How do you know. Thanks.

Answer 1

you'll get "broken down" in basic training but after that unless you are in a combat zone the military is like a regular job with hours that are long.

Answer 2

I had two brothers in the Marine corp & two sons in the Navy.
Both of my brothers were spoiled brats when they enlisted. They made it! Basic training is the hardest, they don't mess around, you get broken down so that they can rebuild you into a team player.
Navy basic training was not as bad as the Marine, but then, unless in special forces, you don't need the same type of training. You had better make sure you can keep from being sea sick, cause if you are put on a ship, you are going to be at sea for up to 6 months @ a time.
Once you have finished basic, life gets better. You generally have a specific job that is mostly like a job on the outside. You have free time, don't have to worry about food or a bed, they have you well taken care of there. I would say that it is no worse than any other career except you don't have to worry about getting laid off or fired; unless you do something pretty bad, then look out! They won't stand for too much nonsense.
Good Luck & God Bless you.

Answer 3

The Army has always been poorly treated, except when politicians want something. I served in the 1970's and we had expensive bits of kit like Armoured Personnel Carriers unable to move because of the want for spares. we used 1937 pattern webbing, the same as my father used in the war. We lived in Hitler Barracks in Germany, they were very good and that's why we still have an army in Germany, there's no where in the UK to put them. The food in Germany at that time was dreadful. Bread rotted in stores, you had to complain to get fresh food. Never saw fruit in all the time I was there. Then we went to Belfast. Fresh everything, mostly donated by local businesses for the luxury items like soda bread and cakes, though we lived in the Short Strand Bus Station, it was fully functioning. Crowded doesn't cover it! One shower between 60 men. It's no stunt, the army is treated very badly and the pay is dreadful considering on active service we worked 18 hour days, 7 days a week with 3 days R&R in 4 months.

Answer 4

You can be treated poorly in a CIVILIAN job just as in a MILITARY job. Difference is, in the military, either YOU or the one treating you badly will be gone in 2 years. In the CIVILIAN world only way to get away from a bad supervisor is to quit.
Personally, I was treated quite well in the 20 plus years I spent in the Navy. I only had two bad supervisors..and they were both out of my way in less than 2 years.
One instance, my wife was in an accident (totaled the car)while we were stationed in Sardinia. My XO called me up, got a boat and crew ready (our ship was on an island about 1/2 hour from where we caught it the 'liberty' boat). He even had the duty driver go with me and drove me 15 miles through the mountains to my home. My division officer's wife was already at my house helping my wife with the boys. It was a Friday, so I had the weekend off and didn't have any duty to stand. I went back to work Monday and my division officer's wife came over 3 days in a row until my wife could move around more comfortably. That doesn't include the help and support of the wives of some of my other shipmates.(two of them kept my boys over night when I had duty and one stayed with my wife one night). Even some of the local Sardinian wives came over with meals! Grazie tutti!
In the military we have a saying: WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN.

Answer 5

If you understand WHY they are doing what they are doing than it is easier to accept. Yes, they do treat those in training harshly. Nothing like what they used to (so much the pity). Now the question is, WHY?

The military's job and what you train for is to go to war. War is very harsh, dangerous and stressful. The enemy is very unforgiving and will generally torture someone mercilessly. The training you receive, especially in boot camp, is designed to prepare you for war. In the stress of the bombs and bullets, you need to be able to follow orders without hesitation because the lives of your friends and your group are at stake. Do you really want to be thrown into a war if you are not trained for it?

That is what the yelling and brutish treatment is meant to accomplish. Would you rather find out you are not meant to be in the military from some drill instructor or when you step on a land mine?

I went through active duty boot camp (Navy) and have been to Iraq. I have seen the difference between someone who went through reserve boot camp and someone who did the active duty boot camp. Marines go through the full boot camp regardless of active or reserves. Marines don't get to be the baddest, most feared unit in the world for no reason. Their training is hard and brutal but it prepares them for doing their job and being the baddest, most feared unit in the world.

I would recommend you joining a branch. The training is second to none, you get to travel, you get to meet some of the most incredible, most patriotic individuals anywhere, you get money for college.

Answer 6

No. But during training they mess with you to see if you can take the heat. They also expect you to push yourself in training and if you don't, they will. Furthermore, you have to stay in reasonable shape throughout your career, if you don't they put you on a fat-boy program (profile - to get back in shape).

But military people treat each other with respect. On bases everyone is polite and they don't drive like maniacs. Once you are through Basic, they don't mess with you for no good reason. You do your job and it's actually kind of fun. But if you are not a team player, they will treat you poorly, since being a team player is the most important part of the military.

Answer 7

What is "poor treatment" is military personnel on the ground not getting the back-up they should automatically receive as sure as night follows day.

What is poor treatment is condoning the taking of amphetemines (speed) QUOTE " April 2002. Two American F-16s are flying a mission above Afghanistan. Believing themselves under attack, they go in for the kill.
They did in fact hit Canadian soldiers. Four died, eight were wounded. The US Air Force says the pilots behaved recklessly. The pilots say that their judgement may have been affected by the fact that they had taken amphetamines, amphetamines prescribed to them by the US Air Force. "

QUOTE Colonel Peter Demitry - US Air Force spokesman:
"...But it is not without side effects; the warning's there on the packet:
"Amphetamines may impair the ability to engage in potentially hazardous activities such as operating machinery or vehicles." And some experts believe its use may make accidents like friendly fire more likely. " UNQUOTE

I understand you are thinking of joining the US Navy Reserves (as seen in an earlier question you raised..).. Well, I think you should make it top priority before you sign on the dotted line to check whether the dispensing and taking of drugs is condoned by the Naval heirarchy.. I believe there are enough drug addicts on the streets of USA without laying your life on the line for your country only to finish up as a drug addict, because you can bet your bottom dollar, there will be NO COME-BACK on the Military bosses or senior officers.

Answer 8

No, not at all, i've been in the military since the age of 12, well cadets until i was able to join the reserves, it's a great experience, yes it will be physically demanding, but anybody who can run 2-3 km's is fine. the only time it would get challenging is when you get more into the specifics like marines or special forces

Answer 9

no, they shouldn't treat you poorly by commanding officers or anyone. that would be hazing; a war crime. it is true that it is vicious, stressfull, and exhausting, but thats all part of the job. Just be dedicated.

I am a Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps(NJROTC). in all jrotc programs. you are led by an ex military,reserve, or active duty personal. my teacher said it was tough(he was a marine) but you know the people back home are safe.

Answer 10

I'm glad I served, got go to a lot of neat places while in the Navy. I think my one big gripe is the working hours. We worked long hours at sea (which was necessary) and were promised time off when we can into port to make up for it. Sometimes we did get to leave early but other times we had to stay on the ship until 4:00 which I didn't think was fair. Because you don't get overtime pay I felt we should have gotten more time off when we were in port.

Answer 11

The treat you like crap in boot camp to teach you how to think in a combat situ so you don't kill some one without reasonable doubt

They teach self estem

They teach personal responsibility If your locker is not ready for inspection it's not your mamas fault, it's yours

They teach you to work as a team, because sometimes everyones life depends on the team

Sgt 16th Sig Btn Berlin Wall build up
Bro, Sis and Father also served