I am attempting to join the ARMY.

[CFH]

When topics like this come up, I think it's important to recognize that we all have different perspectives on contentious issues.

No Contest is a long-time member of the site and it's obvious that this is something he's thought about for a while prior to making his decision. Calling each other names and ridiculing each others beliefs/careers etc. doesn't do anything other than get people upset and it's sure as shit not going to change anyone's opinions, least of all the guy who's already decided to join the military. I think the best thing we can do is wish No Contest good luck and success in his new career.

[CFH]

When topics like this come up, I think it's important to recognize that we all have different perspectives on contentious issues.

No Contest is a long-time member of the site and it's obvious that this is something he's thought about for a while prior to making his decision. Calling each other names and ridiculing each others beliefs/careers etc. doesn't do anything other than get people upset and it's sure as shit not going to change anyone's opinions, least of all the guy who's already decided to join the military. I think the best thing we can do is wish No Contest good luck and success in his new career.

I just want to add that, in the past, I have been guilty of saying some pretty assholish things on these sorts of topics as well, so I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to assume a position of moral superiority here because that is not my intention.

While my position on certain subjects has changed a bit over time, I still feel that we can all get together and share our opinions on whatever issues we're discussing, but I think we should try to do so in as respectful a manner as possible, especially when it's regarding the personal lives of our members. I've learned that that is the only real way any meaningful dialogue takes place.

[/sanctimonious rant]

[No Contest]

I look at the quality of life for most Americans, and then I look at the quality of life in some of these other countries and I dont think America is that tyranical. Just look at the amount of illegal immigrants trying to get into our country from Mexico. Is that because they want to be oppressed? I have the freedom to say all kinds of bullshit(i.e. hornfinger) and thats my right as an American. Do you think people in countries with dictatorships can do that?

[Gandalf]

When topics like this come up, I think it's important to recognize that we all have different perspectives on contentious issues.

No Contest is a long-time member of the site and it's obvious that this is something he's thought about for a while prior to making his decision. Calling each other names and ridiculing each others beliefs/careers etc. doesn't do anything other than get people upset and it's sure as shit not going to change anyone's opinions, least of all the guy who's already decided to join the military. I think the best thing we can do is wish No Contest good luck and success in his new career.

Yes, I kind of think the same way these days.

Of course, I totally agree with Hornfingers arguments and that is one of the reasons I abstained from this thread. Diz started a thread like this a while back and I wasn't very nice about the military and I don't really want to rain on another persons parade again. I also started a thread a while back asking if the army was only for idiots. In the later thread I had every right to stomp my views all over the place as it was my thread and I had fire in my belly, so in this thread I think it right to stay cool.

I would certainly never pursue the work that No Contest is for obvious political, moral and ideological reasons, but each man to their own. I like the chap and wish him well in life. I'm sure I will rail against the military at some point in the future, but not now.

As for America being a great country, I happen to think so too in many regards. But though it doesn't impose tyranny at home (economic tyranny is currently expanding), it certainly has imposed both military and economic tyranny upon far too many nations world wide. It isn't wise to stick ones head in the sand about the many and obvious wrongs commited by the US government/military. I always get labelled an American hater and I can see where that view comes from and in some of my more outspoken moments I have been particularly harsh, but my concerns are valid. I am going to leave it at that though. If I have a bee in my bonnet I will start my own threads like I have always done. I seem to have lost all my fire though, I am just feeling far too nice these days. Must be the lack of friends.

[Andre]

Sniper check

[VictorCharlie]

I think there some perceptions of Soldiers on here that aren't necessarily true. Most of the Soldiers I know didn't join or stay in b/c they endorse the current or past nation's foreign policy. Most people I know joined b/c they wanted money for college, job training, they wanted to get out of the ghetto/backwoods town they grew up in or they simply didn't know what they wanted to do in life and figured the military would give them some life skills. Very few Soldiers have or will every use deadly force. I'd guess less than 15% of current active duty have ever needed to pull the trigger and spend most of their time genuinely helping their fellow man. For most military service is just a job that they happen to wear a uniform to. I'm sure I come across as an alpha male type a personality and cowboy American and while lots of Infantryman fit that mold most Soldiers are very regular family folks that simply aren't that informed about American foreign policy. They do their job and deploy when and where they are told. I joined out of a desire to serve but I stayed b/c I was good at my job and most importantly I truly love training, leading, mentoring and generally just hanging out with Soldiers. It is not a career for everyone but for certain people it will be a very rewarding 4, 10, 20 or 30 years.