Nevermind. It's pointless. Just answer gpatmac's question.

 

Yeah, nevermind is right.

It's like talking to a computer screen.

 

Well, since you are clearly halucinating on almost every single thing you mentioned in your previous posts I'm going to go ahead and correct you and ask that you do a little more research before you go running off at the mouth about how you know everything. First off, I never said anything about being a better person than anyone for any reason WHATSOEVER. I said I can criticize things only because of what I have done. Does that mean no one else can? Of course not. I can criticize things, for instance the use of the military, just a little better than a normal civilian because I know more than the average Joe does. I'm there everyday so it gives me that right.

About enlisting being your "easier route" depending on what you do would def. change that preception. I know that the challenges the Army has presented me with could not even be compared to in a normal civilian occupation.

In reference to your mom being given CPT rank when she enlisted I never disputed that. In fact I have a friend who is in Tulane Med. School right now that will enter as a CPT. Something you need to know is that when he goes active he will not have any enlisted subordinates and will complete his day to day job with little to no enlisted interaction. THAT IS NOT LEADERSHIP. They give Army Doctors rank because it is an important position that warrants that kind of reward due to their schooling. They do not, however, have many if any people under their command. They are doctors.

Lastly I would like to refute your statements about your ability to lead based solely off your schooling. I have an associates degree and I am working on my bachelors degree now. I will be the first to admit that it sounds like you have been in school much longer than myself. In all your studies how much have you gone over how to complete a movement to contact or call a fire mission? How many times have you gone over how to call in a Medevac or counsel your troops? Have you done anything challenging enough to earn the respect of your troops? Have you done anything they have that they can relate to? I'm going to assume for the time being that you haven't done any of this just because you have never been in the military. Until you have been a soldier yourself how do you expect to give them orders? More importantly, how do you expect them to follow you as a leader when you have nothing in common with them?

 

after reading this thread I just had one comment...

service to our country comes in many different shapes and sizes. janitors at public schools certainly conmtribute to the greater good, as do footsoldiers in the military. i appreciate that some of you are in the armed forces. however, dont call out someone else's patriotism because they either didnt serve in the military or cause they believe that peace is more effective than war

(where's that droppping pants smiley when you need 'em?)

 

That is another common misconception people have about people in the military. 99% of people in the military do NOT want war any more than a pacifist. I never said people in the civilian sector don't contribute to their country. I do believe however, that someone in a combat zone getting shot at and dodging IEDs everyday gives a little more though. Call me wrong if you want.

 

How about cops in bad areas that aren't even sure if they're gonna get shot at, let alone by whom. Or firemen who rush into buildings that everyone knows is gonna fall. Or teachers who COULD be making money in the private sector but give up that life to make 40k a year to teach underprivilaged children. Or doctors who work in free clinics making way less than they should just to make sure there's not a massive outbreak of some kind.

All of these types of people have changed their entire lives just for the better of our country and the world. While soldiers, in their time as soldiers, face more extreme obstacles they also get to retire relatively early from combat (if they choose of course) and most go on to live reletively normal lives that aren't as hindered by the public as some of the jobs I mentioned.

I respect soldiers a lot, as my grandfather and several of my uncles are soldiers. However, I believe that there are several occupations in non-military areas that require just as much of a personal sacrafice.

I'm not calling you wrong, I just wanted to voice the opinion that while soldiers are neccesary and very much respect-worthy, I don't believe being a soldier is a bigger contribution to America than every single other job out there.

 

I didn't say it wasn't as big a contribution. I just feel that soldiers face a problem when it comes to enlistment. They sign up for a job that many people never survive until retirement. Sure fireman and policeman die doing their jobs. Just not as often. This is really a useless conversation as all people who serve their country in any manner deserve a great deal of respect.

 

word

 

I agree. They all serve their country and should be respected for doing so. But there's that misconception 1reguL8NSTi pointed out about dub2w's post. The major difference is that soldiers are almost always attributed to their life-taking purpose rather than peacekeeping or saving lives. It's that misguided "kill'em all" label for people that otherwise do a lot of good. These same people that will care for an Iraq child like it was their own innocent baby.

Whether it's taking juvenile delinquents to the PRC course and picnic, deployed on peacekeeping missions or helping victims of a flood or hurricane, it all gets drowned out by the more aggressive roles they carry as a soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen

 

Some of the most rewarding missions I have ever done were ones that I didn't even need to carry a weapon on. The stereotype that soldiers are these war loving, combat breed killers is probably the worst one I have ever seen. I'd rather be seen as someone who will go to war if asked to but is always willing to help another person in a time of need, American or not. That's how most people serving in America's military are.

 

^^ well said for both you guys. i will give you the benefit of the doubt on this one

(where's the camo smiley with the peace sign when you need him?)

:banana:

 

Damn, we really need to get a camo smiley. If we can have a TIA one, why not a camo?

 

Can we get one with a guy in camo turning the TIA one into swiss cheese with a Browning?


Edit: this was meant as an insult to the TIA smiley, which I hate, and not meant to further the stereotype that was discussed earlier in this thread.

 

haha Yeah, that'd be awesome.

 

OK, have to chime in again. First of all, if your mother came in as an officer, she didn't enlist. She was commisioned. Second, that was the Army. Try and call an AF recruiter in your area. Tell them you have a masters in Physical Therapy or whatever you have, and tell them you want to come in as a Capt. or Maj. Make sure you turn the volume down on your phone first tho, because the laughing will be quite loud.They DO allow some people to come in as a Capt. It is usually the Medical jobs that require ALOT of schooling. (Like the ones listed on the page I posted earlier) Physical Therapy and nursing ARE NOT one of them.
Now on to the other part of your post. Why don't you try and call a 1SGT little to his face. While you are geting your dental work rearranged, he will explain to you that you and that little piece of metal on your shoulder mean NOTHING to him. Let me tell you something bub, NCOs RUN the military! And 1SGT run the NCOs. Do some research and tell me what the average lifespan of a LT in combat is. VERY short! Why? Because they think that little piece of metal on their shoulder makes them special. If you have not EARNED the respect of your NCOs, that rank means NOTHING. I have personally seen 1SGTs break Capts down to tears. It happens daily. You **** off that 1SGT/platoon SGT, and you will have no control over your people at all.
Lastly, I agree with you that losts of other people contribute to this country. But, if the janitor doesn't do his job correctly, the floors don't get clean. If the physical therapist doesn't do his job correctly, someone' knee stays sore another day. And if the doctor doesn't do his job correctly, someone might die. but if the soldier/airman/marine/sailor doesn't do their job correctly, even once, thousands of people could die in seconds, and the security of this nation could be threatened. The actions of 1 soldier (or reporter) can comprimise an entire war, and in turn, comprimise an entire country's way of life. There is no other job in America, that has that much at stake.
But, you are right. You are better off not joining the military. In just that one post you were reiching with fear just talking about war. (if you live, I might die, etc) Hey, if you're scared, say you're scared!!