The military.?

Question

I honestly dont understand why people.. Specially parents fear there children joining the military. The Military isnt like, what you see on Hollywood. The Military molds boys and girls into Men & Women. When I first joined my father.. Him being a veteran, E-5 Sergeant during Vietnam was terrified that I joined. Now my Father is proud of me then he ever was. Unlike a lot of my friends I grew up with I became something out of myself. It taught me discipline, good work ethics, and most of all being a outstanding citizen. Of course it doesnt work for everyone, but the military can always make something out of you. Just enlisting doesnt automatically mean you are going to be throwned out in the front line of combat and get harmed, although it does happen. Insteading of being a drugged out, jobless citizen like a lot of my friends were, I became something.

Answer 1

No. It isn't like Hollywood. But, Hollywood and the daily TV news listing each death like it was some sort of macabre tote board is what many of those parents are exposed to. Forget that the death rate among military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan is less than 2%. Forget that this death rate is a fraction of the death rate by accident, homicide and suicide in the 18-25 years of age civilian population. The TV news and the motion pictures produce a visceral emotion in the viewer. That's what it's designed to do. It doesn't even have to be based on the real world. The classic example is "Rambo". Staff Sergeant Arthur John Rambo was a real life soldier from Montana, who served with the 11th Armored Cavalry (Blackhorse). He died at Tay Ninh, South Vietnam on November 26, 1969 from being burned to death while rescuing his fellow soldiers from harm.
But, the visual distortions will go on. Lots of video footage of another IED going off inside Baghdad's Green Zone. Not one mention of the re-birth of a famed street in Baghdad outside the Green Zone, led by a civil affairs group. The list goes on. Thank you for stepping up and joining the military. To your father I say "Welcome Home".

Answer 2

You're absolutely right Triple B. You have a good concept of what the Military can do for you. But, you know how people are. They tend to over-simplify things towards the negative when they don't fully understand the issue. But you have a realistic grasp of the benefits and the character building attributes the Military can instill in a person. You went in a boy, and came back a responsible and wiser man. By the way, on behalf of America, thank you for what you did.

Answer 3

I agree with everything you said. Also, as a mother myself, can relate to the fears some parents may have. Just like you were nervous on your child's first day of school, you will be nervous if they join the military. Maybe so nervous that you discourage it in favor of working in your city or college. But honestly with all the problems (like binge drinking, parties, drugs, STDs, etc..) I would be afraid if my child went to college just about as much if they joined the military.

Answer 4

I think it's bush they fear not the military.

He doesn't really seem to care for them only his friends with money.