Is joining the military the ONLY way one can serve the country?

Question

Listening to those who are in or have been in the military one would have the tendency to believe that there were no other ways to be of service to this country than being in the military. I can't agree with that. How about you?

Wingshooter: There is no guilt here. I have served two full assignments in the Peace Corps, Worked 8 years as an EMT ambulance as a volunteer, Worked on different community boards etc.etc. much of my life for no remuneration.

Wingshooter: There is no guilt here. I have served two full assignments in the Peace Corps, Worked 8 years as an EMT ambulance as a volunteer, Worked on different community boards etc.etc. much of my life for no remuneration.

Answer 1

I am a former military member having proudly served, but you are correct there are many other ways to serve this nation than just militarily. The first thing one must decide is what manner of service is conducive to one's unique talents and interests. Then I suppose it makes sense to decide whether you want to serve at the local, state or federal level. However and whereever you decide to serve, opportunities are virtually endless. Just to cite two examples, the Peace Corps offers opportunities to help our nation's efforts to render aid in various countries around the globe. They often advertise service in the Corps as "the toughest job you'll ever love". Or, there's the Civil Service which has positions that are as varied and several as the military without the militaristic component associated with it. (Like the military, there is a rank structure...either GS or WG depending upon the occupation...but it tends to be less rigid than within the uniformed services.) Postal workers are Civil Servants, and there are far more things to choose from than even I am aware....just look for them; they're everywhere. Good luck to you. And this side note to Wingshooter08...Semper Fi, Devil Dog! (USMC)

Answer 2

you were allowed to consent to to die for the government before you were allowed to consent to sex? I didnt know you could join the military at 17. Learn something new every day. This makes the arrests of 19 year old guys with 17 year old girlfiends look even more like a Crime against humanty the UN should investigate.. There are many ways you can serve the country. You can serve in the army. You can serve as a police officer or fireman. You can serve as a prosecutor or judge. You can serve dinner as a faithful housewife and help preserve the fabric of american society. The word "serve" can mean anything you want it to mean. Saying women "serve" in the army is a lie until they fight along side males on the front lines as foot soldiers. If women are as strong and independent as they claim.... they can handle the enemy face to face. Bayonet to bayonet . Child solidiers in the middle east and africa do it all the time, bravely.

Answer 3

I do not agree with that either. I, myself, am not technically in the military, but my husband is and I would like to think that although I don't serve my country directly, I support a soldier who does while staying back to take care of our household, raise our children, and serve as a volunteer with our unit's FRG (Family Readiness Group).

For those who are not in the military or not "married to the military", I think there are many ways to serve our country by doing things that support our military, our government, and our local communities. Volunteering is a great way to do that. Just as our troops volunteer to serve and defend our country and just as our Politians volunteer to run for office, we as citizens can volunteer our services too. Volunteer your time at your local voting center during the next election, at a local school or nursing home, donate blood, help others in need, the list goes on and on.

My husband is in the Army and very recently deployed to Iraq for 15 months (he left Saturday 9 June) and on his flight out there they had a layover at the Bangor International Airport in Maine. As the soldiers disembarked the airplane they were greeted by a whole group of volunteers of all ages. Some were veterans and others were not. These volunteers wanted to ensure that these soldiers knew how much their service meant to them and to our country. This was the last stop in the states on their long journey to war. The volunteers shook the hands of each soldier that walked off the plane; they were given care packages that contained phone cards so they could call their loved ones. They offered words of support and encouragement. They also took numerous photos of the soldiers and sent an email with a link to their website and the photos of our soldiers to our FRG Leader for her to forward to all of us. It was so comforting to see our soldiers in high spirits. Not to mention that our soldiers were touched by the out pour of support. If that is not a form of serving your country I don't know what is.

For those that are interested, the links to websites of the volunteers in Maine are below:

http://mainetroopgreeters.com/Site/Home-1.html

http://www.freeportflagladies.com/

Answer 4

You can serve your country working for AmeriCorps. There are many different opportunities such as tutoring kids, teaching people to read, disaster preparedness, building houses, cleaning up parks, and managing after school programs. Go to www.americorps.org for all the information.

Answer 5

not at all.. there is Job Corps, the American red Cross, any public service job such as Police or Firefighter. there is FEMA, CDC, working for public works. Even Teachers and Doctors serve their nation.

Answer 6

N O, Join the Peace Corps!!!

Answer 7

Here are some other ways you can serve your country:

-- Obey the law
-- Pay your taxes (they fund our troops)
-- Get involved in your community
-- Be a mentor for a child
-- Support the troops, even if you don't support a war
-- Vote

Answer 8

Oddly enough civilian contractors are providing more and more for the military and the country as a whole.

The most prevalent is KBR (Kellogg Brown and Root)

Answer 9

Not sure why you got that impressioin (guilt?), but I have served in the military and there are Many ways to serve your country other than that. So pick one and good luck to you!

USMC Vietnam 68

Answer 10

No- you serve our country by being here and working, by paying your taxes, by contributing to our growing economy, by voting, by being a good citizen, by not committing crimes.

Your tax dollars pay for so much more than just the building of cities, welfare, our government and so much more. You are definitely "serving" your country. that's just my opinion.