Would you enlist?

Question

If not, what is stopping you?

My reason: I had planned on joining the Navy once I graduated (7 months!), but when I was a sophmore I was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. The military dosen't accept diabetics into service, so I can't join.

Personally, I don't agree with the war or this administration, but I love America, I am proud of our country and would be proud to serve. It would have given me a chance to travel and also pay for college. I seriously had it all planned, I wanted to be a journalist and be career military. But life happens and you don't get what you want, so I will forever be a civillian.

Massive Mann -

How was this a simply minded question? That's kind of offensive don't you think?

Answer 1

I'm torn on the question. Now that I'm reduced to being a semi-retired teacher the idea of joining up has a lot of appeal. Being a widower, with my kids now adults and on their own makes the idea of being a soldier or marine attractive. Many years ago, I did 'join up' and served in the US Navy for ten years as both an enlisted man and later as an officer. Oddly, I still weigh exactly the same as the day I seperated from the service and twenty years of 'running and 'pumping iron' has put me in better shape than in 1968 when I left the service. If they would take me in some capacity, I'd go back in a heartbeat. I truely believe that this war as they say, 'totally sucks,' and that George Bush and the rest of his junta should be tarred, feathered and rode out'a town on a rail.....but that doesn't detract from my belief in duty, honor and country. Actually I don't know why they don't take older guys.....I'm certain I can physically out do most women and high school dropouts.....so what's the hangup? Uncle Sam...give me a call!

Answer 2

No, and this is based on principle.

I never believe that I should put my life on the line for any government. As an individualist, I am looking out for #1. There is simply no real purpose in taking up arms to settle the petty disputes of quarreling old men. "Fighting them over there so you don't have to fight them here" is a foolish mentality. You are in unfamiliar territory in which you are at a disadvantage. (This is primarily the reason why the US is so bogged down in quagmires when engaging in foreign conflicts.) I am illustrating this to highlight the fact that the American military is hardly ever used for truly defensive purposes but rather for "preemptive" and offensive measures to exert its might and protect primarily economic interests, not to "defend freedom." The last time the US was in a truly defensive mode was in WW2. (I do not even consider the reaction to the 9-11-01 attacks as defensive, since the Taliban of Aghanistan were not the orchestrators, just the harborers of al-Qaeda that actually were responsible.)

The notion of "serving your country" is a misleading one as it can apply to just about any service that gives a direct benefit to better the well-being of society. Anyone can serve their country in a variety of ways, either in government or volunteer organizations, not just through military service.

Answer 3

I did. Monday, August 22, 1983 (USAF) but I made sure I only did 4 years and never left the USA because deep down at heart I am a coward. When they started talking about re-enlisting and maybe serving overseas that's when I got out, I mean it was hard being at Offut Air Base, the winters WERE tough, we had to wear long johns. Now I am a rent-a-cop. pretend to be a policeman, only for some reasons its not working no one believes me.

Answer 4

"Since liberals think america should be focusing on Afghanistan, why aren't they enlisting to to fight in Afghanistan ?

Why didn't they enlist to go to Bosnia, Haiti, Kosovo, Serbia back when Clinton was President ?"

Well said Jeeper Peeper, do you ever get these weiner boys who never left the USA asking why you are not serving in Iraq, when they never left the US themselves under Clintons period, I mean why did'nt lilberals who are also mouthing off about Bush go and serve in the countries Slick Willy Clinton got the US involved in. It's funny how the little weiners who mouth of about old soldiers not being in Iraq, NEVER left the US once on active service, strange eh. Cowards springs to mind

Answer 5

I enlisted in 1972 and served in uniform for over 20 years. I support my Country and always will.

Answer 6

third time coming in just after the new year. *** Cha-Ching ***

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Jeepers, I'm not questioning you comment on the "armchair quarterbacking," but I as a CONSERVATIVE believe we should turn our attentions back to AF as well. The Taliban is coming back into power. Hell, its so bad the Marine Commandant wants to pull his troops out of Iraq to restate them in Afghanistan (later retracted).

We need a NEW surge, because hell Bushey is just playing the shell game w/ our troops.

Answer 7

Been There, Done That
Now I am in the desert after volunteering for my 3rd deployment... I'll come back next year too more than likely. AND I am convincing my wife to enlist and come with me

Answer 8

Now that was a simply minded question. Being a 53 year old vietnam vet, I would love to re-enlist, but I am now considered too old...Many other people will have the same answer....so what about you? What's your story?

Answer 9

I tried when I was 18...months after 9/11. They didn't want me because I had a history of depression. So what if I'm nuts??? ::cries::

Answer 10

Because I would want to "take care of business" the old way, not the new way.