Thinking about dropping out and joining the army?

[soccerguy315]

<p>yea… I found info on some more huge military losers</p>

<p>

*MONSOOR, MICHAEL, A.</p>

<p>Rank and Organization: Master-At-Arms Second Class (Sea, Air And Land), United States Navy
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as automatic weapons gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army Sniper Overwatch Element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element’s position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy’s initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

</p>

<p>

*MURPHY, MICHAEL P.</p>

<p>Rank and Organization: Lieutenant, United States Navy
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy’s team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his Headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

</p>

[soccerguy315]

<p>

With few exceptions, the Army serves as a glorified receptacle for our country’s waste.

</p>

<p>riiiiight.</p>

<p>

*SMITH, PAUL R.</p>

<p>Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

</p>

<p>

*McGINNIS, ROSS A.</p>

<p>Rank and Organization: Private First Class, United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006.</p>

<p>That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner’s hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled “grenade,” allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade’s blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner’s hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.</p>

<p>Private McGinnis’ gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis’ extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

</p>

[BurghStudent]

<p>LeviG, I find some merit in your argument and presentation and welcome the spark in conversation but I feel your delivery may have been a bit bold.</p>

<p>Now it is true that not the entire military nor a majority, nor even a large fraction is like the man you presented.And you admit to that. But I do agree that such acts are unwarranted in any manner and in any circumstances. To those arguing to understand the life od a soldier, well I guess very few of us can. But as an outsider and your own personal conviction of humanity and rights, do you at all believe, even a little bit, that rape and murder of innocents is at all acceptable? I am sure not. So lets separate the milk from the water.</p>

<p>And in regards to other responses to LeviG. I remember reading that the military is fighting for our very rights to sit here and share our feelings and thoughts. I cannot find any sense in that at all. Let us face reality as I am sure many of us have. The War in Iraq was not to protect our freedom. No one was threatening our freedom and lifestyle, except of course, our good old boogeyman Osama. And he is Saudi as were most of the terrorists (I won’t go into the conspiracy of 9/11) and we end up in Iraq… to save our liberty. Not making a lot of sense. Do not get e wrong, I am not discrediting the military and their bravery- for that I do have respect. I am questioning the higher authority here. Question yourself as to what the motives really were.</p>

<p>Secondly, yes it seems to us that LeviG is presenting a biased argument that is on the brink of falsity. But what are we presented with every day? Or at least in 2003 and later? Constant propaganda and a fear campaign to have our American families send their sons for war. To join the army, advertisement on how much respect echoes in the ranks, to an extent of near heroism. You were not told of past cases like LeviG showed. You were told ‘the army is great, but you will likely never be the same and will at times associate with some lowly people (at times mind you)’. So who is really biased here? Is LeviG biased, or have we been so accustomed to our media’s image of the army that a mere peek under the rug send us miles into the depths of defensiveness?</p>

<p>Again, I mean no disrespect to anyone in the military, or related to.</p>

[LeviG]

<p>soccerguy, all those people died trying to kill as many people as possible.</p>

[rebelution]

<p>[Andrew</a> Baldwin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lt._Andy_Baldwin]Andrew”>Andrew Baldwin - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>oh wait, he’s in the navy he’s whacko.</p>

[silence_kit]

<p>

With few exceptions, the Army serves as a glorified receptacle for our country’s waste.

</p>

<p>Yikes. This is harsh, and pretty hateful. But there is a tiny bit of truth to it–the military is lowering its standards during wartime . . .</p>

<p>

Andrew Baldwin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>

<p>oh wait, he’s in the navy he’s whacko.

</p>

<p>lol . . . the bachelor . . . I think you are missing the point.</p>

[hyakku]

<p>Har har, I’m so funny. Thinking about going to Virginia Tech? Don’t do that you’ll be surrounded by crazy asian assassins.</p>

<p>Don’t go to an Ivy league, you’ll become depressed and start planning bombs.</p>

<p>Proportionally for the amount of people in the Army compared to those at colleges I guarantee there are far higher rates of crime including sexual assault on women. </p>

<p>Disregarding this, some of the ignorance and hypocrisy of a fool who hasn’t seen the horrors of war and death isn’t even laughable, it’s lower and grittier than pathetic. Inside that small mind of yours which lacks the capacity to understand many things outside of your fantasy world, I know there must be some type of intelligence there.</p>

<p>

No one should have to work alongside people like this. Until the army tightens its admissions standards to prevent these people from getting in, it’s not something I’d recommend joining.

</p>

<p>What are you talking about? YOU probably work next to someone with **<strong><em>ed up thoughts like this. There are a lot of *</em></strong>ed up people out there. There have been something like 11 or 12 rapes in the past month or two here, and they are pretty certain the MO fits a guy who goes to work, has a family, etc etc. Green river killer? He had a family, went to church etc.</p>

<p>Your own bias shines through clearly and foolishly.</p>

<p>

There’s no agenda besides providing this information to people thinking about the army. Fairness and balance.

</p>

<p>…you aren’t cute trying to backpedal and be impartial when you are on the internet and can be quoted.</p>

<p>

You seem to think that I have some larger agenda. I’m just telling people on the internet not to join the military.

</p>

<p>What’s funnier is that you say in that very sentence that you don’t have an agenda then tell people not to join the military because they will be surrounded by people who are crazy. An agenda means having a goal and acting towards it. Your goal is to get people to b e dissuaded from joining the army. You are acting on it by posting this information.</p>

<p>Logos ftw?</p>

<p>

Also why do you need to defend the military so much? What have they done for you?

</p>

<p>Risked their *<strong><em>ING LIVES? What the *</em></strong> is wrong with stupid people like you? Because of your crippling fear of death and therefore your crippling fear of actually living, you cannot understand why a man would want to lay down his life for his country, family, or even honor. Most people join the army because they lack direction, focus, and actually love their country. Very few people join the army going, “Nice I’m gonna get this gun and halo some fools up!”</p>

<p>Whether you agree with the war they are fighting or for what cause, that doesn’t change the fact that the SOLDIERS reason is for their family, country or honor, something any real man can respect, but then again I’m talking to someone who was “thinking about joining the army until I read some stories.” Lol, no you weren’t.</p>

<p>By the way I was thinking of going to an ivy league but then I read some stories of suicides and unabombers and decided to go to a community college.</p>

<p>

Secondly, yes it seems to us that LeviG is presenting a biased argument that is on the brink of falsity. But what are we presented with every day? Or at least in 2003 and later? Constant propaganda and a fear campaign to have our American families send their sons for war. To join the army, advertisement on how much respect echoes in the ranks, to an extent of near heroism. You were not told of past cases like LeviG showed. You were told ‘the army is great, but you will likely never be the same and will at times associate with some lowly people (at times mind you)’. So who is really biased here? Is LeviG biased, or have we been so accustomed to our media’s image of the army that a mere peek under the rug send us miles into the depths of defensiveness?

</p>

<p>…great advertisement there. </p>

<p>“Hey although 97% of our soldiers are in excellent health and work hard for their country, let’s focus this ad on the 3% that are ****ed in the head, which, ironically enough, is still a lower percentage than the CIVILIAN population. Also, let us tell you how in boot camp you won’t have the respect of a soldier because you’re NOT a soldier.”</p>

<p>Listen, anyone joining the army SHOULD know the dangers, which is why they aren’t out there advertising it. Besides the marines, the army has the first people in firefights so of course you will see combat and death. If you didn’t want to join the air force or navy as an officer if you can, otherwise DON’T JOIN THE ARMY. </p>

<p>And for every ONE story you all find negatively Ill find five positive ones for our soldiers, just because I have friends over there risking their lives thinking they are doing people like you a favor. F*ucking ■■■■■■.</p>

[silence_kit]

<p>

Har har, I’m so funny. Thinking about going to Virginia Tech? Don’t do that you’ll be surrounded by crazy asian assassins.</p>

<p>Don’t go to an Ivy league, you’ll become depressed and start planning bombs.</p>

<p>Proportionally for the amount of people in the Army compared to those at colleges I guarantee there are far higher rates of crime including sexual assault on women.

</p>

<p>Why do you find it so hard to believe that some people sign up for the army to be able to kill people?</p>

[silence_kit]

<p>

Whether you agree with the war they are fighting or for what cause, that doesn’t change the fact that the SOLDIERS reason is for their family, country or honor, something any real man can respect, but then again I’m talking to someone who was “thinking about joining the army until I read some stories.” Lol, no you weren’t.

</p>

<p>This is misleading as well. To say that everybody in the military signed up to “fight for honor” is not true. A lot sign up because they have nothing going on in their lives. Quite a few do it for the money.</p>

[PurdueEE]

<p>Some people join the military to kill people. Some because it’s better money than working at McDonalds. Some to get money for college. Some to escape dire conditions at home. Some join because they want to serve their country. There are a lot of reasons why people join the military.</p>

[bartleby]

<p>It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.</p>

<p>It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.</p>

<p>It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.</p>

<p>It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.</p>

<p>It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.</p>

<p>It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.</p>

<p>It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.</p>

[LeviG]

<p>I’m less safe because of our troops in Iraq. If they weren’t out there committing war crimes there might just be a few fewer people who hate us, no?</p>

[aforautumn]

<p>loltenchars</p>

[BurghStudent]

<p>Hyakku, of course that would be a bad advertisement. But comparing to how much media we see on the ‘good side’ of the army, yes that will be 97%, nearing 100%. The case presented here about some crazed soldiers is not nearly 3%. But at least it is being mentioned somewhere, and is input for some of us, so we do get the full idea.</p>

[PurdueEE]

<p>If you’re so worried about being unsafe because of terrorists you could always move to another country. I’m sure you wouldn’t be missed.</p>

[LeviG]

<p>Or I could vote against politicians who support wars of aggression.</p>

[PurdueEE]

<p>Ron Paul won’t ever be elected to anything more than he already has, sorry. Also, you never really know what you’re going to get with politicians. GWB initially ran on a more humble foreign policy… and look how that turned out.</p>

[LeviG]

<p>Ron Paul shouldn’t even be in the house, his foreign policy positions are commendable but I wouldn’t want him in the White House at all.</p>

[tbolts856]

<p>

Ron Paul shouldn’t even be in the house, his foreign policy positions are commendable but I wouldn’t want him in the White House at all.

</p>

<p>Let me guess, you support Kucinich?</p>

[LeviG]

<p>I liked Obama before he did nothing differently from Bush.</p>