Should U.S. military recruiters have tell recruiters that they may have to be on gun trucks when they deploy?

Question

U.S. soiders sign up to do a certain job. Some have to do gun trucks or foot patrols. Even though they did not realize what they truely signed up for. Sould recruters have to tell them this may happen. So they will not be blind sided.

Answer 1

It's all Part and Parcel of Being a Soldier Boyo...


Whether you signed up as a Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne, or a Supply Clerk you are trained and have to be ready to fight if Needed.

I recall My Recruiter succintly putting it thusly:

Every Dogface is there no matter the job to Kill the Enemies of Our Country.

Anyone who is serving now who thinks they shouldnt have to Man up and grab a rifle to fight, is a thief of his pay and a Traitor to his/her comrades & the Country

Answer 2

No one in the military signs up to do one thing and one thing only with the possible exception of medics/corpsman and that being they cannot be forced to carry arms while wearing medical identification. They could be told to do other non-combat duties such as help unload supplies or take something some where. When you join the military you are guaranteed a job skill or school but it is not a guarantee that you will do nothing besides that certain job while you are in. Maybe a recruiter should explain that better but as a Marine it is understood that every Marine is trained as a rifleman first and can be called on to fill that role if the need arises. Not knowing what service you are in could make that a moot point but in the Corps that is a given and well explained. Other services might not provide the extra training for that role or explain it well but you have joined the American armed forces and it should be exp;ained that the needs of the service and country comes first; the contract should be kept and you trained in the job you were promised but it is not a promise of "and nothing else" and that should be explained also. Recruiters should explain that and the people joining should understand that; Marines do.

Answer 3

Well, in that case, why does a recruit even have to learn to fire a rifle if they are not supposed to be in combat?

You will be on a gun truck just to get around Iraq.

This question reminds me of a mother that called while I was working in basic training explaining that she told her daughter to go AWOL because we were training with real bullets. I mean, what did she think her daughter was joing, the Girl Scouts?

Or the guy that was suprised to hear he joined the Army in a time of war.

If you are joining the Army, you will be expected to fight. If a person was blindsided by that, then there are probably other things to worry about.

The problem is that only about 3% if this country serves. 90% of this country probably has no connection to the military at all other then CNN, so there is just a plain ignorance of the military in general.

Answer 4

No in the military you are required to do a lot of jobs that is not your MOS. I'm a water treatment specialist, and I drive ride in a gun truck. air mobile and a lot more. Being in a Gun Truck is not an MOS its a job that is need to keep the convoys safe while on the road. If you think that you you are being blind sided then look for another job. A Great man once said Ask not what your country can do for you But what you can do for your country. I hear a lot of people crying about why do I have to go out the wire I been out for 11 hrs. doing it again because its may job.

Answer 5

Recruiters give the very best briefing possible to new soldiers when they enlist. Actually, they give them all sorts of info before they sign any paperwork. All soldiers, regardless of career field are subject to hazardous duty. Just because you are a pencil pusher does not mean you will be indoors in a safe and secure location all day. People have to conduct administrative missions which may require them to ride on a military vehicle and all vehicles in a combat zone are subject to be shot at or hit by an IED. There is a soldier creed, a warrior creed and specific skills all soldiers must be familair with, such as operation of an assault rifle, machine guns, employing grenades, applying first aid to yourself and others. The skills are training never end, it continues through a career. So, it is not about whether a recruiter should inform a new joe but is the new joe listening to the info provided. Remember one thing, no one is forced into the military, it is all volunteer and some guys are double and triple volunteers depending on assigment. If you want to enlist, visit your local recruiter, even if you do not, visit them anyway, they will provide you with a ton of information without pulling your teeth or making up some bs.

Answer 6

These recruits never saw a movie about war?! Hasn't their been enough talk about the true nature of the military life for everyone to know?

I think this is a left wing self serving question intended to make people think the big bad military is dooping poor innocent kids into being killers. You are unAmerican.


They are told in Basic Training they are a soldier first and a (insert specialty here) second. These people know damn well what their job is.

Answer 7

Definatley not. The military isnt just some other option ANYONE can take. Its not like "hey well i could be a doctor ...BUT i want to be a doctor in the military!". When you sign up for the armed forces YOU are signing YOUR life for OUR country. When you decide to recruit into the military under whatever job, you are basically saying "i want to serve and protect my country." I understand your state of confusion....Why do people that sign up to be shot givers on base end up in iraq????.....well let me help answer this....
Going into life ALL jobs are available in the public life and ALL jobs are available in the military life. Those "shot givers" had the option of choosing to be a "shot giver" in the public life OR the military life.......what would they expect to be the difference if it is the same job???? HELLLLLOOOO! its quite simple. And when you ask us these questions be more specific .....what did these recruiters specifically sign up for and suddenly got put on foot patrol????? name them. Give us your sources rather than assumption.
so in conclusion....
signing up for the military a.k.a THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES you might get deployed. When you say you want to work for the military you are saying you would give your life for your country AND hey? if you dont want to then go be a engineer or nurse for the government NOT the military.

Answer 8

I suppose this is why I joined the Marine Corps. Every Marine is a gun carrying grunt, and some have special training to do something, like cooking or driving a truck. Push comes to shove, every Marine knows they will carry a gun one time or another.

Solidiers should try and understand the same thing. A truck can be shot at (and trucks have drivers). Every soldier, airman and sailor should know that they run the risk of being shot. No just shot at, but shot. This is why we all learn the Code of Conduct.

Article I
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Article II
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

Article III
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

Answer 9

Yes, recruiters should tell them. But all the recruiters would be able to say is that regardless of what a soldier signs up for, if the military needs them in some other job more, that is where they will go.

Answer 10

Wow, I totally saw the standard "all recruiters lie" BS coming from a mile away, but congrats to whipsnchains for somehow managing to relate this Bush!
Now, to answer your question. I guess the recruiters could tell them, but every soldier/Marine should be smart enough, in boot camp, to draw the conclusion when they are being taught how to fire weapons and all that stuff that "hey! maybe someday I'll end up doing this for real...". Just a thought.