Do you feel military advertising is deceitful?

Question

Exspecially for Reservists. I feel sorry for the young and clueless who sign up thinking that they are going to obtain a great education in a timely manner and not miss 2 more weeks in school. The commercial always make it seem like its a good idea to join to help pay for education. I seem so many young join for this reason and get upset when it comes time to miss school. Misleading advertising or bad decision making skills? what do you think?

Answer 1

The Military isn't about providing a college education. It trains men and women to go to war and kill. If you are lucky enough to get something that doesn't require combat then that's good. People who sign up in the reserves just to go to college are foolish to think they were getting a free ride without the chance of going to war..especially now days.

Answer 2

Hardly. The military is still a good option for some people, and can provide training and experience you can't easily get elsewhere, or at all. If you're willing to delay your gratification--that is, plan further down the road than next week, and plan 5-10-15 years down the road--it's still a viable option, including for school. I have about 3 years' worth of free tuition waiting for me at my leisure, when I decide I'd like to take some additional schooling and add to the qualifications I already have which got me the job I already have... a job I wouldn't have likely been able to get without the experience I had in the Army.

Advertising is advertising; if you're mislead into buying thousands of dollars of furniture during an advertised sale and putting off all payments until next year, don't whine about the debt and interest rates when it comes time for that first bill. No one in their right mind thinks that military life is a cakewalk; if they do, they've no business enlisting. The military is only for people with the strength of inner character to put up with other people's BS in service of their country and set aside many of their constitutional rights for several years, and are capable of stepping outside the cushy bubble most other Americans exist within for their whole lives. That said--it's obviously not for everybody. Just for those who are genuinely selfless and strong.

Answer 3

I don't find the advertising misleading at all. I joined the National Guard and had all 4 years paid for and never missed a day of school because of the military.

It's true- a lot of people are being called up to serve their country, but people are stupid to think that it won't happen to them when they sign up for the military just to get their school paid for. What do you think the purpose of the military is for? If people join just for that- then it's their own fault if they feel like they can't finish school as quick as others etc.

Answer 4

I work with people that are just coming into the guard, and I think we're very honest with them. Let me just show you how this works...

Soldiers are absolutely non-deployable till after they finish job training. Now, they can come in on the split option - that's where they do basic one summer & job trng the following summer. They have fully done, getting paid the whole time.

Secondly, they can come in on the college first option. That says they are legally non-deployable for the first two-years so that they can go to college.

Then after that, if they still don't want to be deployable but are willing to stay in the guard longer, then they can enter the ROTC-SMP program, which makes them non-deployable till they graduate. And that's while getting 1200 per month, & free tuition, & 800/sem for books.

So yeah, absolutely if you join the guard/reserve you are for sure going to have to spend at least some time in a deployable status, but that can pushed out to 4-5 years in the future, and can for certain be a very small part of your service obligation.

Yes, the service sometimes interferes with your life, but not that often, and mostly they are happy to work with you. You're probably not going to be able to take classes in the first half of the summer, but will be able to during the second half if you want, and all your classes during the year will be covered.

As far as deployments, yeah they happen, but you should be able to finish your degree first if that's what you want, and you will almost always have years of notice and years off between deployments to make arrangements. You may also be a bit misinformed about this. Yes the Army is stretched in some places, and yes the guard/res do deploy, BUT there are thousands of guard/reserve units and it's avery tiny percentage that's gone at once. I know a lot of soldiers that've been in for 18-25 years, in combat arms jobs, and have volunteered every time & repeatedly to go, yet still have not served a day in combat. On the other hand, some people land in units that go real quick - and it's not like oyu can't figure out when the unit is scheduled to deploy before you enlist into it.

Really, I don't know what commercials you've been watching, cause everything I've seen seems to embrace the idea of us being a combat army, they're about patriotism & serivce in time of war, not come get free benefits & never have to earn them. The benefits really are rarely mentioned anymore.

I think we're being quite honest in fact. I don't think people need to be joining the military thinking they can avoid deploying or that the benefits are not going to be earned. I don't think they should join thinking we're going to give them free job training that'll lead to guranteed success on the outside. I think we offer a whole lot to our soldiers & care a whole lot about getting them educated so they can better serve with us. Yeah, I don't see where we're misleading anyone. I think maybe some people in the public may have some misconceptions or misinformation about what's really going on, but that's really a personal problem isn't it.

Answer 5

I was reservist during my time as an undergraduate and still am while I am in graduate school. The only time I missed classes occured when I took a class last summer. I did miss two weeks of class and still got an A by working during my off time.

I always do my annual training in the summer and never miss classes. When I was a teacher, I only ever missed three days of school for reserve duties.

Are you trying to deceive people with false information?

Answer 6

well if you look at the stats the military has a higher percentage of educated people than the civilians, especially the higher up the ranks you go. They also have a higher level of employment once they leave the military than civilians.

I also know 4 people who joined up, all but one payed maybe 100 bucks for books and supplies and got a degree out of it. The one who didnt get a degree got another job were he used his skills he got in the infantry. So he didnt need it.

If your stupid and you join, you will probably get nothing out of it.You just gotta have some common sense.

Answer 7

No I don't find it deceitful. It is up to the individual to look into the service before signing up. Of course the commercials our going to present a great deal and it is.
The majority of the time the soldiers are to blame. They don't take advantages of many of the services available to them.
I served 8 years on active and got a degree. I am now currently going back into the reserves.

Answer 8

No I've met many solders and used to work on a military base and none of them believe they were deceived. They knew what they were getting into and made the informed decision to do so.

Answer 9

while a commercial for 5 hour potential lied and reported that 4 out of 5 docs in united states of america advise 5 hour potential to sty wakeful,all human beings is conscious of they lied.in no way purchase from agencies who declare their products provide you potential.using fact they are assholes.

Answer 10

Just like any other commercial add.. they are always going to spin it in a positive light.. for some it is.. for others it isn't. its your job to do your homework on it because it is a huge decision to make.