Do only poor people join the military?

Question

I think that if one cannot afford college, either entering the job market or joining the military are both options. What do you think? Why would a rich white kid from Orange County join the Army?

Answer 1

"Only" is too absolute, i doubt whether guys like Pat Tillman can be considered poor....

Answer 2

Not too many rich guys banging at that door
I spent many years in the military, and I came from a very poor family, a single parent (mom) with 4 kids. I remember the chow hall food and how much it was a step up from lack of. I saw a doctor and a dentist, which I never had before the military, I went from 3 brothers in a small room to one roommate in a good size dorm room. The military for me was a great improvement, in all aspects of my life, overall I would have to say I am far better off now than if I hadn't joined. So.. do I think only the poor people join the military? I'd have to say that more than 50% are from lower income families, not too many rich people for sure but yes, a lot of poor.

Answer 3

I'm from a well off family and I've been serving for 9 years. True for a lot of people military service provides a way for them to move up in class in society, but there are so many other motivating factors that come into play that "doing it for the money" is for the most part inconsequential. A soldier serves for honor, brotherhood, and love of their country.

I am an enlisted soldier, and I have a college education. I could make more money in the civilian world, but I choose to serve because that is what my heart demands. If your considering joining the military for money, take some time to reassess your thoughts and see if you can't find a deeper purpose or reason. If not, the military is most likely not for you.

Answer 4

I could have went to college right after high school and my parents could have afforded it. I didn't even think about a pay check when I enlisted in the Marine Corps. I wanted to do something for my country just like millions of others have done. I served my country and then went to college. I now have a engineering degree. I would give my degree back before I would ever take back the time I served. I didn't look at the military as a job. I looked at it as a way to give back to my country. I have more pride in knowing that I served my than in anything else I have ever done.

Answer 5

although, joining the military is a way to get an education threw the G.I. bill, it is not the only reason to join. In my family, we were raised that as a male, it is our privilege to join the military, and as far as my father and grandfather was concerned, not even an option. I grew up lower middle class, and white, and I joined the Navy, spent 10 years in special opps, was released after 5 purple hearts, the last one put me out of commission for 18 months, My father spent 7 years as a P.O.W. in Vietnam, and served 2 consecitive runs in Kerea, my grand father recieved 2 purple hearts, and a bronze star in WW2. We all are proud that we had the oppertunity to serve our country. Now I have 4 sons in Irac. I am very proud of them. Remember that freedom isn't free, and this the greatedt country in the world, needs devoted men and women to keep it that way. But the idea of only the poor, and the non-white should join, is a bunch of crap. Only a bigget or commie would think that. Maybe you need to join and see what a true American does to keep this country free.

Answer 6

I joined the Army and I'm not poor i joined because there was nothing for me in my home town in NY so i figured I'd get away and do something new i didn't go in for the money or the college money that was a givin...i went in to the military for the experience and let me tell you it is an experience plenty of discipline and mental challenges. You end up becoming physically and mentally tough trained and proficient in you warrior tasks and skills.I'm an American Soldier and that's all there is to it.

Answer 7

Heck no! Most people join out of a sense of duty or service and a desire to live the military lifestyle... although some idiots join solely for university subsidization or housing, food and money.

Most people who join are from the average middle class, with under-representation from the upper and working classes.

I'll admit that while pay in the Australian Army far exceeds that in the US Military, there are far better ways for me to go out and make some good dollars.

Answer 8

Uh, buds, that is a really idiotic statement. Some people do use the military to pay for college, or to enter the job market, but most serving members will tell you that they joined because of love of country, or they believe in the causes that their country is defending or fighting for.

Think before you speak.

Answer 9

I think that people, from better financial backgrounds, have more choices. If they are patriotic and want to join, they join. If they want to go to college, they can go.
On the other hand, if you come from some trailer park in the middle of nowhere, what other choice is there than to join the army? The choice is between having a life, but with the risk of being killed (and worse, killing others and your own soul), and not having a life (being grateful of landing a job at McDonalds).

Answer 10

Well all the Medical Officers (doctors) in the military are volunteers, I think they have a lot of options and aren't poor (according to the Democrats, the amount of money earned by the average doctor qualifies them as rich, since they are subject to the AMT). I know an enlisted female MP from a VERY rich suburb of Philly (her family's houses are worth about $7 Million), I think she had a lot of options. A lot of the people I know in the military are middle to upper middle class to begin with, so not just poor people.

Answer 11

For the AF, it is going to truly be a situation. The AF takes monetary duty very, very heavily. between the 1st issues they do with potential enlistees is to run a credit verify. They specifically seem for late, can charge-offs, collections, judgments and that they seem for a debt to new AF earnings ration of no greater advantageous than 30%. IF there are any late quantities, can charge-off, collections or judgments, they'd require him to touch each creditor and artwork out a cost plan. he will might desire to jot down the creditor, volume due, touch guy or woman at creditor, telephone huge type and value plans info for each account to his recruiter. The recruiter will might desire to submit that with the waiver request because of the fact he will want a monetary waiver. He then might desire to make particular that he follows up and could pay each bill as time table because of the fact the AF does make particular that's achieved. The AF will kick human beings out for monetary irresponsibility. he will additionally be very not straightforward pressed to get any pastime with a protection clearance until eventually his staggering costs are so as.