Military, anyone?

[Lenticular_J]

Lenticular_J, sorry to burst your bubble, but with eye problems the chance of becoming a pilot is pretty slim. If you join the AF, there is a good chance that you can be a navigator in some of the bigger planes, or maybe even a pilot if your eyes aren't super bad.

 

Yeah, I know. Even though it's really only my left eye. It's the reason I wear contacts. I've thought of getting laser eye surgery, but I dunno ...

 

 

 

Kriegs, I actually want to fly V-22s. They're SWEET.

[Barihawk]

You can fly with eye problems but expect to be flying cargo planes for a living. Glasses or Lasik only.

[Chaise]

I also have pretty bad eyes. Turns out my vision is about 20/100, with my left eye being really bad. I failed the depth perception test so I lost my first job choice which was intelligence applications. =/

[Laura]

I was thinking about joining the military. I graduated a Cadet Colonel in JROTC and I was set about joining the Army and attending the West Point Military Academy, as that was where my parents were stationed to the year after highschool. But I reevaluated why I wanted to join and I figured it was only for college benefits. So, since it wasn't what I was going to do; I dismissed the idea. I am extremely glad that my father was in the Army though. I actually liked being an Army brat, we earned a good income, and my father enjoyed his career as a Family Practitioner. I just don't think I'm cut out for it. I did recently learn that I am getting $48,000 from my father's GI bill. The Army is an amazing program if you're cut out for it. And it also effects your children, as I just cut nearly $50,000 from my college tuition and I'm not even in the Army.

[osutampa]

The military is actually something that I considered very seriously. Since I'm a senior in high school right now, at the beginning of the year I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. So I went and talked to the Army, Marines, and Air Force. The Air Force said I couldn't fly because of my vision and height (I'm 6' 4"). The Marines and Army both wanted me and asked if I had taken the ASVAB. I took that my sophmore year in high school just to get out of class for a few hours. So the next day I come back to talk to them. The Marine recruiter, Army recruiter, my friend who had already signed with the Army, and me are all sitting in this room. I pull this paper out of my pocket and set it on the table and all 3 of them just went nuts. I had no idea what the hell was going on. Turns out I had gotten a 98 on the ASVAB as a 15 yr old sophmore, meaning I could literally do anything I wanted to in the armed forces (or that's what they told me at least).

 

 

 

What followed were a few of the most annoying weeks of my life. That particular test score had actually expired literally 4 days before I went to talk to the recruiters. So they wanted to take me out to MEPS to retake the test. I did it, mostly just because they got me out of school for the whole day. I re-took the test and got 100% in all of the academic sections (i.e. math, english, science) and a 99 overall. So on the half hour drive back to school these two recruiters and my friend were up my [wagon] about joining the armed forces. The Marine recruiter offered me 10 grand to join straight up or full college tuition to go to college for four years then come out as an officer. The Army basically did the same thing, except 15 grand. I said I needed to think about it. So for the next two weeks they called me basically every day, until I decided I didn't want to do it. Even now they still call me every now and then though, its actually really annoying. I still might join after college, depending on the economy and stuff like that.

[Chaise]

Osutampa, it's total [cabbage] when they say you can do anything you want with a perfect score on the ASVAB. I only got a 72 on it and I qualified for everything with room to spare. Since you said you have bad eyes, that takes away a few jobs and I don't know how muscular you are, but if you have a similar build to me, some more jobs are taken out. By the sounds of it, you didn't experience the full MEPS trip, so that is one thing they left out I suppose.

[Lenin64]

That reminds me, what is the ASVAB like?

[Lenticular_J]

I was thinking about joining the military. I graduated a Cadet Colonel in JROTC and I was set about joining the Army and attending the West Point Military Academy, as that was where my parents were stationed to the year after highschool. But I reevaluated why I wanted to join and I figured it was only for college benefits. So, since it wasn't what I was going to do; I dismissed the idea. I am extremely glad that my father was in the Army though. I actually liked being an Army brat, we earned a good income, and my father enjoyed his career as a Family Practitioner. I just don't think I'm cut out for it. I did recently learn that I am getting $48,000 from my father's GI bill. The Army is an amazing program if you're cut out for it. And it also effects your children, as I just cut nearly $50,000 from my college tuition and I'm not even in the Army.

 

I need to see if my dad got anything about that. I doubt it, because he just took his honorable discharge and headed out, but that would cover me for college easily, as long as I grab as much in the way of scholarships that I can.

[Faux]

*takes a look at the Canadian army*

 

 

 

*walks away*

[Zimbu]

BlueLancer, I believe that mandatory military service is a great idea. People are exposed to proper discipline and life skills that will definitely help them in the future (at least in American military). The times that a Finnish men have to serve are a bit low compared to us. Here, you have to serve at least 4 years of active duty and an additional 4 years of reserve, which is when they can call you back to active duty anytime they want.

 

You have to keep in mind that we can't choose how long we serve. The officers make the decision for us in the end. Twelve months between the ages of 19 and 29 is a long time for people like professional athletes. Even the minimum of six months can be a problem in some sports like tennis because of the ranking systems. Four years would be absurd.

 

 

 

Also, taking all men and some women away from their jobs and places of study for 8.3 months on average is very expensive to society. Don't get me wrong, I like the Finnish military. Going away from a mandatory service would mean a loss in the amount of talented or otherwise needed people in the military. As long as the tuition in universities is free, very few medical doctors are going to volunteer. A paid service would mean that people in upper and upper middle class would nearly disappear from the military. I don't want the people making decisions on the use of military force to be going "Well, it won't affect anyone I know."

 

 

 

This discussion is making me very jealous by the way. The pay in Finnish military service ranges between 3.8 and 9 euros per day. :lol:

[ember3579]

Kreig, do you know how wanted someone whose going to college for a robotics field is in the various American branches? I haven't been answered on that yet.

[OldJoe]

Suecia!

 

I could have chosen to join the army, they basically asked me "do you want to join, yes or no?".

 

I said no, simply because i wouldn't have motivation for doing the infantry service.

 

Since the age of 6-7, i've always been fascinated by fighter-air planes. Perhaps due to two reasons, there is a airforce-base 10km from where i live, and, my country produces their own aircrafts (SAAB).

 

I've always wanted to be a pilot, always dreamt about it, and i think i will do til the day i die.

 

The problem is, aside from my grades and fitness i am not allowed. Simply because i don't got good enough vision, and you aren't allowed to laser-correct it either.

 

Now, i could do the military service and then asked to be placed at an airforce-base for ground-service (serving aircrafts or whatever), but you still have to have atleast 1.0 eyevision for that. And mine is 0.4/0.7. They do allow laser-correction for the ground-service, but that would cost me 3400. So, i said no.

 

 

 

And our defence is a joke.

 

The reduce the budget for it all the time as "there's no threat". No threat you say? Right.

 

Russia is increasing their budget for their army immensly. And just look what happend last year, invasion!

[Chaise]

I've always wanted to pilot a transport helicopter, I have good eyes and I'm pretty fit. I don't know what I want to do with my life though, really. I like creative writing :)

 

 

 

That reminds me, what is the ASVAB like?

 

More importantly, what's it stand for?

 

 

 

@Lenin, the ASVAB is a fairly easy test and can be lengthy depending on where you take it. If you take it in HS, it's about 3 hours, but only half that if it is taken at MEPS.

 

@Roccodog - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

 

 

 

Zimbu, I suppose you're right that a mandatory military service would make it harder for atheltes, but I've never been a sports person so I can't really go with ya on that. :P

 

 

 

OldJoe, you should've at least been able to pilot the bigger planes out there. But it must be different for your country.

[Quoi_Tu]

Hooah!

 

 

 

I know quite a few in the military (mostly the Army or Marines), but it is definitely not my thing.

[Zierro]

I wanted to a while ago, I don't think I would get along with the authority. I have a hard enough time with teachers and administrators at my school.

[Chaise]

I wanted to a while ago, I don't think I would get along with the authority. I have a hard enough time with teachers and administrators at my school.

 

 

 

I know a lot of people like that. I, for one, like the system of hierarchy and earning your way up in the "food-chain" if you will. I've been in AFJROTC for 4 years now and have attained a staff position in my corps after years of working for it. I respect the rank of people who have earned and expect the same treatment from those below me, and above me for that matter.

[deathdrow]

I wanted to a while ago, I don't think I would get along with the authority. I have a hard enough time with teachers and administrators at my school.

 

I would not do well in the military at all now that I think about it. I have terrible issues with authority. I get it from my dad.

[Zierro]

I wanted to a while ago, I don't think I would get along with the authority. I have a hard enough time with teachers and administrators at my school.

 

I would not do well in the military at all now that I think about it. I have terrible issues with authority. I get it from my dad.

 

 

 

Me too. It might just be a phase though. He used to be a little rascal when he was my age, but now he's a businessman. :|

[BlueLancer]

It's not the same, I also had trouble listening to teachers and various authorities, in the military it's different. You have the knowledge that some of those older men (and a few women) have been in service for years, maybe got cadet academy training, maybe even have combat experience; You see them in a different light. Every man from Lance Corporal to Captain earned his rights for those collar and sleeve tags.

 

 

 

If you just follow the simple guidelines (tip: If something is in the army, it means it's so dumb anyone could do it) that recruits & privates must obey, the first phases will be a breeze. A commanding officer/NCO can't punish or correct you for mistakes you didn't make.

 

 

 

Remember proper saluting manners; Heels together at all times and only talk after lowering your hand. Don't leave shoelaces in sight. Wear the equipment that your unit is ordered to, complete the daily training, and you should have no issue with authority (unless some idiot petty officer starts abusing power/ordering attention & at ease dozens of times in a row, in which case you can file a report to the unit's chief officer)

[deathdrow]

I wanted to a while ago, I don't think I would get along with the authority. I have a hard enough time with teachers and administrators at my school.

 

I would not do well in the military at all now that I think about it. I have terrible issues with authority. I get it from my dad.

 

 

 

Me too. It might just be a phase though. He used to be a little rascal when he was my age, but now he's a businessman. :|

 

He's still not good with authority. He had anger issues for a while too. I also inherited that. And his problems with depression.

 

I got suspended 9 times last year because of my not being good with authority. I'm learning to handle it better though.

[Zierro]

It's not the same, I also had trouble listening to teachers and various authorities, in the military it's different. You have the knowledge that some of those older men (and a few women) have been in service for years, maybe got cadet academy training, maybe even have combat experience; You see them in a different light. Every man from Lance Corporal to Captain earned his rights for those collar and sleeve tags.

 

 

 

Are you saying school employees didn't really earn their right to boss kids around?

[rushrock]

I've been thinking of a career in the Army/Marines, but I still have a lot of thinking to do about it.

[ember3579]

It's not the same, I also had trouble listening to teachers and various authorities, in the military it's different. You have the knowledge that some of those older men (and a few women) have been in service for years, maybe got cadet academy training, maybe even have combat experience; You see them in a different light. Every man from Lance Corporal to Captain earned his rights for those collar and sleeve tags.

 

 

 

Are you saying school employees didn't really earn their right to boss kids around?

 

 

 

 

 

He's not, but I'm willing to say that for about half of them. Just because they got a diploma in their hand does NOT mean they should be allowed to teach. If you'll forgive the out-there comparison, there's quite more people like Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter character) than you think.

 

 

 

EDIT: Oh, I forgot. Probably the biggest difference between a civilian authority figure and a military authority figure is in how they became one. With civilian jobs, it's for the most part luck of the draw; also, people who hire don't pay much attention to the character of the person if they can kiss [wagon] good enough. However, the military is precisely the opposite. People whose main qualifications are polishing their superiors' knobs and being a complete jerk to their subordinates do NOT survive long. Mainly because military authority has to ante up a lot more often.

[Lenticular_J]

Are you saying school employees didn't really earn their right to boss kids around?

 

People are likely to respect someone who went through college less than someone who's been shot at, though.

 

 

 

Soldiers would make good teachers ...

 

 

 

I've been thinking of a career in the Army/Marines, but I still have a lot of thinking to do about it.

 

Depends. My dad's CO was planning to court-martial his entire platoon because of the flood that destroyed all their equipment.

 

 

 

EDIT: Ah, Kriegs, my dad's told me such horror stories about Parris and his DIs. His friend clogged up a toilet once and had to clean it with his bare hands.

[Kriegsmier]

Kreig, do you know how wanted someone whose going to college for a robotics field is in the various American branches? I haven't been answered on that yet.

 

 

 

Not sure i understand the question. Could possibly be on reserve status? That allows them to go to school while in the military.

 

 

 

BTW, in a lot of cases the Military will foot the bill fully for Lasik eye surgery.

 

 

 

As for the authority yes sometimes its tough, and sometimes its total BS and you know its BS. I think the authority problem mainly comes through Bootcamp/Basic Training. You gotta suck it up and just let them chew you out. Its really not that bad. You learn not to mess up and you learn how to do things efficiently. You won't get the yelling if you are doing your job plain and simple. For all those with "problems with authority", i guarantee you a couple of hours with a Marine Corps Drill Instructor and you will realize you will have no problems with authority. He will straighten you out quick. I invite anyone to spend a night on Parris Island. :) I've seen a Sgt punch a PFC in the stomach because he wasn't standing at parade rest while speaking to him. Needless to say that PFC was always at Parade Rest while talking to Sgt from then on out. I have one of my drill instructors on myspace lol, he's a year older then me and seeing him still sends shivers down my spine.

 

 

 

Anyone going Navy Officer will get to meet a USMC DI. ;) It all really isn't that bad. Its just a routine you gotta get into. After a while you don't hear the yelling you know what you have to do.