... about, say, the air force? I have read a real-life memoir of an ex-naval serviceman's experience in the Air Force while he was serving int he 90s, and I shared some of that knowledge with this girl who was thinking of enlisting, and then I get half a dozen air force servicemembers telling her to forget about what I have said because "the air force is the best..." etc. Is it wrong for me to be sharing what I know with this innocent girl whose life could drastically change if she doesn't know some truths about what she is getting herself into, hence doesn't make an informed decision? Why do the servicemembers always sugarcoat their info? Are they held by some contract not to tell out about what happens in boot camp etc? If this is the case, why are there real-life memoirs about ex-militarymen's personal experiences in the military? Aren't they held by the same contract? I just wish servicemembers wouldn't sugarcoat anything just to promote their military branch.
2007-02-10 18:02:18 · 12 answers · asked by xander 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Yes it is a personal choice, but that person has to have a real idea of what he/she is getting herself into, hence make a very informed decision. He/she can't just can't jump headfirst into something which is misconstrued by other servicemembers. He/she has the right to know everything that goes on because they are humans, not androids. They have feelings and limitations. They need to know the real truth.
2007-02-10 18:14:48 · update #1
entirely NOT wrong.. i think more people should be informed about what they are really getting into.. not just base camp but the training they will go through after that.. what they might have to go through if they enlist.. some people go in with no ideas of what they are signing up for then wind up having to flee the country [illegally at that] because they dont want to be redeployed because of the horrors they have seen.. and watching the news just wont do it either because the media sugarcoats the horrors a little.. but then you probably wont find a military person that will tell you what its like to see one of your team members blow up in front of your eyes either
2007-02-10 18:42:42 · answer #1 · answered by t 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's not wrong for you to give her an alternate perspective. She needs to make informed decisions and so should have all the information she can get. However, you shouldn't try to force your opinion on her, especially since you have no military experience.
People in the military have no reason to sugarcoat the life in the Air Force or any other branch (unless they're a recruiter or at their college reunion). If they say it's the best job, most fulfilling, etc then they are telling the truth as they know it. Repeat - as they know it.
The army started offering referral bonuses which may make their opinions suspect. However, I know the Air Force does not offer a referral bonus and is different in many other ways.
Keep in mind, the people in the military right now, especially those with more than 4 years in it, enjoy their life. Those that don't enjoy their military careers leave and are reintegrated into civilian life. So it's reasonable to assume that statistically speaking that if the person is in the military they enjoy their life/career choice.
Also, your job can make a difference as it can anywhere. Some people in the military work in an office environment all day while others spend all day in the mud. Some spend weeks and months in tents while others spend it in a nice building miles away. Experience varies from branch to branch, job to job, person to person, and even year to year (the military can sometimes take a long time to change but other times reacts with lightning efficiency).
A question to ask yourself is why do you assume anyone who speaks well of the military is sugarcoating it? Perhaps those that are unhappy with it are exaggerating it or just simply had a bad experience that's not typical.
You sound convinced that just because you read some guy's memoirs that anyone else with a different experience must be lying.
Try opening your mind up.
The military is a VOLUNTARY service. People wouldn't be staying in 20-30 years if it was a bad place. It isn't because they don't have options. A survey done by Military Times showed that on average service members scored higher on aptitude tests and had a higher education than the rest of the US population.
HOWEVER, the military isn't for everyone.
2007-02-10 20:30:16 · answer #2 · answered by Eric L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not wrong. Just be sure your intent is to help her to make a better decision, not steer her into where you think she should go. Usually, I will tell people about the Air Force and how it differs because that was my service. However, if they still want something else, I'm okay with that. In my mind it really doesn't matter where they serve, but THAT they serve. There are things about all services that I always tell prospective enlistees. Things like:
Remember the real military isn't like boot camp.
Enroll for the GI Bill. You never know when you'll need it.
The longer your name is unknown in basic the better.
If you're too young, don't try to sneak on base while intoxicated.
And of course, my favorite thing for potential enlistees, specially sugar-coated: other services have said if they had it to do over again, they would have went Air Force instead. But nobody from the Air Force ever says that....
2007-02-10 18:17:29 · answer #3 · answered by Thegustaffa 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The real-life memoir of an ex-naval serviceman's experience in the Air Force ???
That doesn't make sense.
Was the guy in the Air Force or in the Navy ?
Was he just working with Air Force personal?
2007-02-10 21:48:12 · answer #4 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're not sugar-coating anything. Being a member of, or the wife of, a military member is tough. And no one...especially no military member...hides that. There are some people who just can't handle the military life. It's tough. It can be brutal. It's hard on marriages. The weak write books and call the media and get lots of attention in our anti-military society. But most people in the miltary love it. They know it's hard, but being a part of such a meaningful, purposeful job makes it all worthwhile. I think it is important to educate recruits on the good and the bad. If this girl can't handle deploying and being away from her family, then she shouldn't enlist. But if she wants a job that will be life-changing, that will give her a sense of belonging and purpose, she should do it. It's her responsiblity to way the pros and cons. I love the military life and wouldn't change it for the world.
2007-02-10 18:16:03 · answer #5 · answered by tangy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Is this true about housing ? Nasty conditions? Trailer parks and projects? Yep! Kids running into the streets while the parents are watching t.v. No working out ever on any day? Of course. Obesity everwhere! Read this.. and tell me the truth>>> First of all... The civvie (not all) doesn't pay all that well (when you are broke... peole with education and personal responsiblity make considerably more - with 4 year degrees)... Your paycheck when you are an uneducated is MAYBE $800 per month... Which I guess is a lot (@ 18) when you don't have to pay for housing or food. (& that Bonus disappears like water!) BUT you will have to live in a tore up building with your parents - think summer camp, but 100 times worse. You may share a room & bathroom with someone who is (pick one or all) loud, rude, smelly, doesn't clean up after themselves and it goes on & on called your brother or sister or husband or wife. Plus the other people you live with aren't exactly considerate called in-laws and kids After high school (which is no picnic either), your day will consist of -sitting aound for hours (@ 930 to watch Price is Right), Breakfast, t.v., Lunch, Checking the mail for that check, More t.v.? (Depending on if the bills are paid, yeah right), Dinner, Then Possibly More t.v.. This is EVERY day... Rain, Snow, Hail, Sun... You don't get sick days, you will get 'reduced celulite - unless you are hospitalized or may contaminate others, then you may get to stay in your room. You may or may not get weekends or evenings without drama. Keep in mind while all your friends are at college having a good time, your azz should be at least be working! You can tell her the following... When you sit at home social service - in any county- you are committing to 8 years that you will be available for the payments to they catch you for cheating on social services. For example, many people join the Job Corp for 4 years of Duty - then the remaining 4 years they spend in the lockup in County. But, if the Army needs you, can pass a drug test anyway, so you ain't going. Ha Ha. 10 months - they can recall you to do a involuntarily drug test and you will be required to serve the additional term (however long they need you for) if you fail. DO NOT believe everything the job recruiters tell you! They LIE! If you are being promised anything, do your research & get it in writing (if its not written down in your contract - you aren't going to get it!). But do talk to more than oneFast Food branch - you may decide that X is better than Y for your personal situation. Yes... The inital money at McDonalds is better, but Burger King has a WAY better quality of life! Also, no matter what anyone tells you - YES, you are probably going to be a loser (especially if you do meth). Depending on your weight & looks will depend on exactly where, when & for how long - but pretty much everyone, no matter what their worth is now. (Prostitutes typically do one rotation (2-3 yrs.) in a hospital & one rotation in a half way house... Pimps LIE!) If she still REALLY stop being a lowlife... Suggest that she go to rehab & join a program. It is a way to see how the clean folks work without the long term commitment. Plus either way she will have a chance that will get her a better job in the long run! Also, just as an FYI... Female dirtbags who post flamed up stuff about things they don't know about aren't treated very well overall (I see it PERSONALLY every day!). I don't care what anyone says - I wouldn't be a worthless civvie- its definitely a 'men are the best' type of environment. (I personally witness this behavior - I'm not trying to be mean, it is just the way it is.) An Army Soldier & An Army Protector Of Free Speech...
2016-05-25 09:32:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is definitely not wrong to share what you read. Service members need a certain type of person. If you can't handle the hard times there will never be any good times. The military tries to 'sugarcoat' things because they need members. Hope that helped.
2007-02-10 18:12:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
the thing is, everything you've read is opinion based (i'm guessing). and anyone who says "af is the best" is stating their opinion as well. i'll just as readily say the navy/marine corps is the best. she should look for facts and then decide for herself if military life is for her and which branch suits her best.
servicemembers don't always sugarcoat. sometimes it's their pride talking. i know somepeople who've been in the military for a bit and have nothing good to say about it. now if you ask why recruiters sugarcoat, there are different reasons: 1) they actually do love their job. 2)they have quotas to meet and will do anything to recruit. not every recruiter will do this. my recruiter started off by telling me military wasn't for everyone and wanted me to understand that it was his JOB to recruit.
contract in bootcamp? there are somethings that the DIs or RTCs will tell you not to tell any other future recruit. for example, in the navy you verbally agree not to tell anyone what you do in battle stations. not allowed to tell deppers or future recruits what you do in battle stations. they do it anyways though... but most of the things in bootcamp are straight forward. they tell you what's coming.and they actually want you to be ready and prepared for it.
2007-02-10 18:17:58 · answer #8 · answered by LuvingMBLAQ 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only thing they're not allowed to talk or write about is anything that falls under a security clearance, if they had one. Boot camp (called basic training in the Air Force) would not fall in that category. Go ahead and tell her what you know. She needs to go in with her eyes open. It's a lot tougher than most people realize.
2007-02-10 18:17:09 · answer #9 · answered by Terisu 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Entering the military is a choice of a person no matter what she read. It is a personal decision and normally, the applicant expects the intricacies of being a soldier.
2007-02-10 18:06:43 · answer #10 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋