I was recently talking to a friend of mine online (I don't know him in real life, but I met him playing a videogame online) and he was telling me about how he doesn't have any real-life friends and that it's hard for him to make friends because he's so self-conscious about how he looks and all that (he's like your standard case of the videogame geek with acne).
Anyway, he went on to tell me more about how he hasn't really done anything with his life after high school, and he's just going to a community college not knowing what he wants to do in life, still living at home with mom, and all sorts of other depressing things. He spends almost all of his time at home in his room playing this online video game and thinks his life is really dreary and that there's no purpose (though I don't know if he is suicidal or not: I hope not) and that he might just sign his life away to the Army to be a part of something and not feel so lonely all the time.
I'm no therapist: what should I tell him?
2007-06-27 22:19:26 · 19 answers · asked by Marisa 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
All the reasons you said;
Lack of purpose
No money
Low self esteem
Are all reasons people join the military, but, with all do respect, he sounds like a whiner, he better get that under control before he joins. The army will give him a good direction to go in, if he can handle it.
Additionally, if he has a face full of acne and does nothing but play video games, have him try for the Air Force, he'd fit right in.
Oh and I'm no therapist, but being self-conscious is easy to get over, I did it (albeit with the help of the military) but I think anyone can get over it on their own if they try.
"high sexual activity in bases and not faithful at all I mean multiple partners it's a big freak fest over there."
... umm just so I know, which bases in particular?
2007-06-27 22:52:26 · answer #1 · answered by Jon 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being in the Army myself I would tell him to go ahead and do it. You get to meet all kinds of interesting people from all over the world. There is always room for advancement. And yes, they have jobs for people like him the real nerdy type. He could do something like Military Intelligence. That field is loaded with geeks. And one of the things that I like about the Army is if I don't like my boss, I can either pass him up by getting promoted, or just wait two maybe three years tops till he leaves. Unlike in the civilian side you could be stuck with your boss that you don't like for 20 years. I would also say that the pay really isn't that bad. As a Sergeant I make almost $3,000 a month, and all my basic needs are all paid for. So other than the inconvenience of war, it really isn't that bad. Hell I have done three deployments in my time in and I still have all my limbs. Hope this knowledge will help your friend
2007-06-27 22:45:30 · answer #2 · answered by Senator Anderson 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Be supportive of his idea. I mean, it's a plan. And this guy sounds like he really needs for his life to change NOW. Because he's right. As it stands, his life has no purpose. That's not just the depression talking--that's reality. Even if he doesn't like the military, just the leaving home and the becoming independent part will do wonders for his self-esteem.
He won't literally be signing away his life, you know. After a few years, if he doesn't like it, he can go off and do something else. He just needs to jump-start his life at this point.
2007-06-28 02:00:42 · answer #3 · answered by lestolet 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
tell him dont join, teach him social skills and help him feel better about life.
teach him how to get girls, and have fun be his MTV made coach
he can also join a team to feel like part of something.
joining the army is not gonna be beneficial for him thats just what people in the military will tell u.
also its the last place i would get a girlfriend from! they have lost all hope of being faithful in the military i met countless soldiers that are cheating on their bf/husband. and i have been told that there is very hi sexual activity in bases and not faithful at all i mean multiple partners its a big freak fest over there.
so if you want your friend to meet a nice girl forget the army right now please.
2007-06-28 08:10:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I was in the ARMY. It was the best thing I have ever accomplished in my life. It gives you a sense of pride. Its was hard work, and all worth it. I was good at my job and didn't mind the long hours. I loved the Range, learning how to operate different vehicles. You are rewarded for your success in the military. It feels good. Before I went in, I was depressed and thought I had no purpose in life. The military took care of that.
2007-06-27 23:37:11 · answer #5 · answered by kim d 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The military will belittle him in order to brainwash him, so he'll end up having the exact same feeling. It may sound bad but maybe he is suicidal, and wants to join, but not be killed by his own hand. As long as he doesn't see the battle *crosses fingers* he should be okay, those guys come back with some major PTSD, guys I used to know, all gone.
Some benefits would be growing up in a way, they will pay for him to finish college if he serves, he'll get a great body, new friends to bond with.
Personally I would tell him no, just because I don't support the killing of our citizens, it's going to be Vietnam all over again, in my opinion anyways.
2007-06-27 22:32:50 · answer #6 · answered by Ashleigh 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Life in the military is great...but if he wants friends and a good life-tell him not to join the Army. Join either the Air Force or Navy.
2007-06-27 22:24:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
tell him that you're his friend, and that he shouldn't join the army because you care about him and don't want something to happen to him. and tell him this random girl on Yahoo answers (me) will be sad if he joins the army cuz that'll just mean he has a better chance of dying then if he were to stay at home and play his video games all day. maybe, he could go to college to design video games or become a video game tester. tell him to check it out and try not to get sad, and always look at the bright side of things even though it seems like there isn't one...there always is....
2007-06-27 22:26:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Tell him to do it. This sounds almost verbatim like my life (sad to say...), but the Army's given me a whole lot. It gave me a huge boost in my self-image, self-worth, and interpersonal skills, as well as life-long friends. I bought a brand new car at the age of 20, am a member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers...There's lots and lots of opportunities for him. Encourage him to look at something besides infantry, though.
2007-06-28 00:23:27 · answer #9 · answered by Nathan 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tell him that if he doesn't stop what he's doing, he is going to become a 40 year old virgin and still live with his mommy.
Joining the USMC is not too bad either. I heard Boot Camp is also good for you. It makes you tougher and handle life more.
2007-06-27 22:24:29 · answer #10 · answered by Agent319.007 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋