Why would anyone be daft enough to go and join the Army?

Question

Why, seriously, would anyone be daft enough to join the army? I will tell you why - as their is a serious lack of job opportunity in the UK for young men nowadays. Little or no prospect of an apprenticeship and gaining a real trade. Plus, going to a phony war over there. They need their nuts looked at and dont give me queen and country crap. not having that. that was 80 years ago.

Listen, guys and gals. not for one minute am I criticising any people who have fought in wars previously,e g. WWI and WWII etc but what I am talking about is the down in the dirty, trench fighting soldiers. They only join in the UK as there is limited opportunity for them to and gain employment doing anything else. Thats why they recruit them that young - as they dont know any better, probably not politically aware of what they are going for and the real reasons behind it all. Only real reasons for fighting nowadays is money, oil and water. Now, national service might be a different option as it might straighten out some of the unsavoury characters we have roaming the streets in the UK now. but national service is totally different go go and fighting in somebody elses' war, e.g. bush and blair. incidentally, i am not lazy and i do work. on holiday just now.

yeh, thank god for dumb asses keeping me safe. cheers big ears.

Conranger - are you some sort of stalker. proud to fight for their country. you have been brainwashed, if you were in your early teens now or early twenties would you honestly consider going to the army. you couldnt even answer that question as you brain couldnt stretch to it. fair enough to the boys as someone has to do it. but the hell it wont be me. sounded like john wayne there. and anyway, the rinky dinks will soon sort out the yanks shortly, guaranteed, as the mud on your boots.

Answer 1

What do you remember about 7 July 2005? Do you really want to tell the terrorists that it was fine for them to kill 52 innocents on their way to work...and injure another 700? You, as a citizen of the UK, should want to ensure that not another of your countrymen and countrywomen die at the hands of terrorists or terrorist supporting countries.

The military is there to deter people and countries from doing stupid things like the terrorist acts we see around the world. Countries understand that when you kill our citizens, we will bring our military might to you.

Most people believe in military might as a way of telling the world.... we will protect our own. If you don't agree...so be it. The UK is also a volunteer based military system. Don't join. Sit on your butt and let others protect you.

The fact that you don't believe in supporting your country, your leaders, AND YOUR NEIGHBORS, is something you must justify to yourself.

Semper Fi,
Z
Capt. USMC Ret.

Answer 2

Some people love their country and thats not a bad thing - personally i wouldn't join the British army cos they aren't doing it for Britain the are doing it for the US
Some people dream of joining because its what they wanted to do since they were 7, and they think it would be fun and exciting like one of those retarded video games where if you get shot in the head you lose 20 pts health and can still fight
some people have no choice cos running around is the only thing they are good at

Answer 3

Who do people perform community service when it does not directly effect them? Why do people pull over and help someone out with a flat tire? And why do others just ignore the problem and push on?

Everyone is different and so are the reasons they serve their country. For some people, its a fresh start in life, others to serve their country, and some even do it to see the world. The military offers a great deal of opportunities for those that enlist or commission in it.

While this may not fit in your ideals of a good life, for others its exactly what they were looking for. Its no different then saying red is a better color then blue. Its a matter of personal opinion.

Answer 4

From the way you asked your question and your apparent point of view, I don't think you are either willing to understand the answer, or that you are not capable of understanding the answer due to your viewpoint. Your point of view seem's very selfish, "Whats in it for me," kind of attitude.

Do you ask the same thing of a firefighter? Do you ask the same thing of a police officer. Probably not since you see a benifit to youself in those jobs.

The reason is, that you become part of something bigger then yourself. You become someone who contributes to history and doens't just collect things for themselves on the sideline. The military is not the only ones who do this. Why do charity workers do what they do for harldy anything? Same reason. To contribute to instead of leech.

Edit,
I am American, but the British Soldiers I work with don't sound like they were left with no choice in life. You show you have no understanding of the military. Someone is feeding you information that is false and you are just as, to use your own word, "brainwashed" as you claim some of us Soldiers are. After all, what is brainwashing? Being fed information to a point you believe it, just as you are currently doing.

Answer 5

No mate I think you've got it wrong.
The forces appeal to various sorts of people and can be an excellent life where you can learn life skills and get a good trade as well as travel. Yes it can be a way of getting out of a rut, but in general it usually sets you up for the future.
Unfortunately the tosspots who Govern us have done the armed forces a lot of damage. I spent 10 enjoyable years in the Army and I would have previously been happy for my sons to join, until the Iraq fiasco that is.
Now I no longer trust Govenrment and for one man to take us to war namely Blair is unacceptable.
I no longer trust Government to, not only look after our Armed forces carefully, but they also appear to have a bit of a gung-ho attitude with getting involved with everyone elses war. We are no longer a world power we once were, but I think some of our politician are still dremaing of the past and looking towards their own lagacy..

Answer 6

Unlike many that you feel you could antagonize I will not be antagonized. I have served my country in more ways than you could ever imagine. One by serving in the military and one by being married to a career military man. I have also worked for the Dept of Defense in several capacities. I have raised all of my children while serving or married to a serviceman. We have sacrificed our lives to giving others the freedoms of better opportunities. I did not come from a poor or unfortunate background. But rather a successful and well educated background. I did not come from a family of "career veterans" but did come from a long line of veterans my forefathers served our country since its birth. I understand more about freedom and sacrifice than those who have never served or those who do not understand the need or desire to serve. You call us daft. I would have to differ on that opinion and say that WE are the truly free and grateful for what we have.

Answer 7

Why ask a question then say 'Ill tell you why'?.It is obvious that you have no clear idea of what you are ranting about.People have joined armies since recorded history for various reasons and the current state of your country today has little to do with it.Recruiting figures are very low compared to past times of economic stability and fuller employment.

Answer 8

Yes there is no way someone could join becuase they feel it is the right thing to do.

Some people have a sense of giving back for what they have.

I joined the military becuase I beleive I am very lucky to live where I live and to have what I have and I realize that it didnt just happen one day. That people served and gave their lives so that we could have what we have.

As for the person who said the recruiters come onto campus and act like predetors, You have that campus becuase they do their job and get people to join to defend the freedom you enjoy.

Some people beleive in the bigger picture while some beleive in the what is in it for me. I let you guess which one you are.

The sad thing is you will never get to know what it is like to have a mother come up to you with tears in her eyes and thank you for helping them. Contrary to the news reports I was thanked countless times for being there.

When I was shot an iraqi woman actually risked her life to bring towels (some kind of rags or something) over to stop the bleeding.

You should learn to shut your mouth or just say thank you to those in your country who are willing to serve to keep the freedoms your country enjoys.

Answer 9

A few years ago I would have said it was a good career move and that I would be all for it - but that was before the English army was used to help fight America's battles which were none of our business.

I understand why we are in Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Afghanistan and support this but would I join the army or be happy for my daughter to join to fight someone else's illegal war? No Way!

Answer 10

You answered your own question,be careful you are not violated for it.Things are getting very tight on here,the violations seem to be flying thick and fast for very borderline things.Most of those i have talked to agree with your view,they joined because it was a job,and never expected to fight.That is not now strictly true,there are lots of lads who think of the opportunity to prove ,or blood ,themselves as being heroic and manly.The men who have been there see a different picture and come away changed for ever,you find you have very little in common with your civvy street friends when you come out of the forces,you have moved to a different plane of understanding,you are more complete,also more aware.