why do people enlist in the military when it means risking their lives?

Answer 1

Service to country, service to community. A chance to make a difference. Travel. Experience. Chance to garner responsibility and the ability to lead.

Answer 2

Joining the military does not necessarily mean you will be killed. During peacetime it's no different than any other job and during wartime only the combat arms occupations face any real chance of dieing, an infantryman may see combat, but a machinist mate on a ship in the Gulf may never even see an Iraqi let alone combat. With today's technology the average American police officer has a better chance of dieing on the job than a serviceman ( why do people become firefighters and police officers when they know they are risking their lives?).

As for reasons, everyone has their own. Some join for opportunity, some join out of a call for duty, some join because they need a job, some have a misguided idea it's a path to glory. I joined the army at seventeen just to get out of the house and on my own.

Truth is the military as a whole is not any more dangerous than any other occupation. Different jobs have a higher risk, but generally, no different than a civilian job.

I grew up in the military during the Vietnam war, everyone we knew was military and I can only remember six that died over there. I know of about ten people that had no connection to the military that died of other causes.

Answer 3

Well I joined the Guard in 1991 during the first middle east incident. I wasn't deployed. Not everyone in the military is automatically deployed to the middle east. They are also deployed to places in the states and abroad. Also, the military (special forces) have been assigned to complete dangerous missions way before 9/11. Do you honestly think that they were just sitting around eating MREs collecting cobwebs until 9/11. The only difference is that now civilians are hearing of such missions. Your comfy livelihood has been protected for years. If you will consider the military the MIG (Men in Green).

Actually I joined the military because I wanted to do something different. Plus at the time it sound patriotic. I am guessing that many people sign up now for that reason. Well after being around the work ethic, the comradity, and the teamwork.. Seeing how a black or Mexican teen who could of been hanging out in the hood can be in charge of a squad. Seeing how SHARP and respectful a young military person is (civilians even have to stop and say WOW!!!). Why wouldn't people be in the military (I'm about to shed a tear).

Answer 4

I joined the Army to better my own life because after I failed at college, I was not doing anything but wasting my life. I was becoming lazy, too dependent on my parents, overweight and depressed. Now I am in good shape, I have gained a whole new sense of self independence, I am able to honor my Country and my family; and finally I just started onliny school while deployed. Yes, we risk our lives. But death is a part of life so I am not going to fear it. It is better to acknowledge its existance so you can live life to the fullest doing what you love to do instead of living in fear. The military has its ups and downs like everything else in life but when I lay my head down, I am glad at my decision. Joining the Army has taught me many things I would not have learned or thought I was capable of doing everyday. Plus, I get to help so many people all the way. I know I have done some good and some bad while being in the military and I just started a long journey. But if risking my life is what it takes to gain the oppurtunities the military has provided me, then so be it.

Answer 5

Watch a "Jackass" video. They risk their lives, or at the very least their limbs and neck. Why?

If you really have to ask, then you have no clue as to what the military is, what they do, why they serve. I don't know if you are one who bemoans "sending our boys off to die" but let me fill you in. They are not Girl Scouts, they aren't even Boy Scouts. They are volunteers who serve their country in the most dangerous job there is for less money than your average school teacher makes (and teachers complain constantly that they aren't paid enough). They do it because they want to. Ask 50 soldiers why they joined and you get fifty different answers. Ask them why they re-up, and you get only 2 or 3 different answers. The main one? To serve. I really feel kind of sorry for the person who does not see anything in this country worth fighting for. I am not saying they have to fight, but they can respect those who fight for them. I see too many politicians and individuals who have no respect for the military. They work under the false assumption that it is manned by the uneducated and poor. That the military targets them for their dirty work. That is a lie. Our forces are from every walk of life, every race, every social class. They are, all-in-all, the best of our young men and women and should be held in much higher esteem than they are getting right now.

Answer 6

I enlisted in the Navy in 1985 because I'd run out of money from college... I'd also grown up surrounded by US Naval Aviators near NAS Moffett Field, loved aviation, and had my commercial pilots license at 19.

I went into a rating that was guaranteed to make me "Naval Aircrew" qualified, and then flew as a helicopter Sensor Operator / Rescue Swimmer for 6 years, went to Shore Duty as an instructor, finished my BA and MA, and got a commission, and then did my last 6 years as an Air Ops Officer (LDO).

Aircrew & Rescue Swimmer School motivated me PAST just the "college money" attitude... the Rescue Swimmer motto is "So Others May Live". In fact our instructors looked at the graduating class of 12 and promised us that the statistics meant that 2 of us would be dead in 5 years, and 4 of us would crash. 2 died, and 6 of us crashed.

Yes, I was WELL aware of the risks... in fact, 24 of my FRIENDS died on active-duty in training accidents during my 15 yrs of service.

We do it for any number of reasons...

Answer 7

People risk their lives on a daily basis. How many people speed to work, run red lights, or drive drunk? They are willing to risk their lives or others lives so they aren't five minutes late to work or so they can skip out on a $10 cab ride home from the bars.

I know that I risk my life for the greater good of my country and if I should have to make the ultimate sacrafice, I know that I will be remembered for what I have done.

My hat goes off to William B. I couldn't have said it better myself if I wanted to.

Answer 8

Some people are very patriotic for America. Others use it as a path for a career and college money, and take the risk that they might be called forth to serve. Their's a reason why every job application asks if you've been in the military: it's because it turns you into a quality person and a worthwhile member of society.

Answer 9

People join for different reasons.. I can tell you that my husband joined for a different reason. When he was in his twenties he became concerned that his younger brouther (11 yrs his junior) could one day be drafted. My husband felt if he joined it would protect his brother. But, today he has a totally different attitude. He has re enlisted several times because he WANTED to. He will tell you he is in the military because he believes in what he is doing. He will have his twenty years in on January 24 2008, but is already planning on signing up again. It is because of men and women like him, we are able to enjoy the freedom we have in our country.

Answer 10

I did it because I felt I had an obligation to my country. All my grandparents served including one at Pearl Harbor. I felt that I was carrying on a legacy and making myself better. I would not change my experience for all the money in the world. Also if you think of it this way, it kind of makes sense. Did you know you have a better chance of dying in a car crash in the states than dying in the war? If you knew you would die tomorrow, what would you rather do? Die in a crash or Die in the heat of battle. It is a little morbid, but does help me to clarify things a bit lol.

Answer 11

To serve and defend. For Duty, Honor and Country. These aren't just words thrown out with no real meaning but the very core of the reason most who serve do so. Even those who don't articulate it well!

Of course there are those who see it as a lucrative way to college, or need the benefits but usually they don't stay in long.