Would any of you guys ever consider joining the military?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
101

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<p>Absolutely, but only in addition to its offensive role. I feel that the military and the government have abused the “defensive role” of the military and that, given the sheer size of the military, the role extends far beyond defense.</p>

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<p>Yes. However, given the way the world has developed, it is unlikely that this situation will happen. There’s a huge difference between having dominance and exerting it.</p>

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<p>I don’t think becoming the dominant force is part of the mission statement, but would you say that we are NOT the dominant force on the seas? In that sense, we are doing much more than protecting against hostile forces.</p>

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<p>I want to state very clearly that I am not directing this at you whatsoever, Tents. But, this is part of the problem. No one really knows what’s going on in the Middle East. It’s a difficult thing to decipher for the people who WANT to know, much less the people who prefer preconceived notions or just don’t care. This is the same for many military campaigns. As a result, it often seems like we’re doing something for the sake of national defense, when - at a closer look - that is not the case. In fact, I agree completely with this:</p>

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<p>I really think ignorance is the core of this. Even though I’m proud of my country and I’m happy to live here, I’m not going to agree with everything that it does. And yeah, that means I vehemently oppose basically everything the military is doing and what it stands for (“don’t ask, don’t tell” anyone? - that’s a different idea here, though). Therefore, anyone is welcome to consider me “ignorant” (I’m assuming they mean the colloquial use) because I disagree with the government and feel that there are considerably better uses for talent than the military.</p>

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<p>This is interesting - now that I think about it, I’m surprised this didn’t come up earlier. On the one hand, I don’t think anyone (well, a particularly large number of people) would consider it disgusting if I disagreed with certain wars. Yet, when I disagree with the people who sign up to continue the very military campaigns I oppose, it’s suddenly FAIL. I mean, I get it. I support the people who sign up for the military to protect me. I don’t support people who sign up for the military to continue campaigns that aren’t really protecting anyone. That is THEIR choice to do something I do not feel is a service, and may even be a disservice. If 20 years from now the military is supporting some kind of campaign for our protection that I felt was reasonable, I’d all but bow to the people who signed up to get shot at (or direct the other people getting shot at, or build the things to shoot with, or to rebuild cities after they’ve been shot down, etc.).</p>

102

<p>I guess it’s unfortunate that the military has to take an “ends justifies the means” approach. But the point I’m trying to get through is that, they are trying to get to the “ends” at least.</p>

103

<p>Applicannot, I do not consider you ignorant at all for saying you do not agree with the military. I really, respect you and your stand on this.</p>

<p>However, I found it offensive and ignorant that you said “joining the military is a waste of talent” even though I respect your right to say so.</p>

<p>EDIT: I see why applicannot disagrees with the military. However, joining the military is not a waste of talent nor is it a waste of talent for applicannot’s friend with the impressive states to choose to go to West Point. West Point offers many programs and opportunities that traditional colleges do not. As well as the military in general, the military can hone a person’s talents as well as mature them. In my opinion, of course.</p>

104

<p>Okay, well I see where you’re coming from Applicannot. I prefer to stay away from the morality debate about the Military’s offensive goals at the moment.
Furthermore, like you, I feel that the possibility of stability without a major power is almost null.</p>

105

<p>Okay, cross-posted.</p>

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<p>I agree, which is why I stated that I’d never join the military. However, that doesn’t mean I’ll readily approve of other people doing it. I’d never join the NRA or the KKK or the Earth Liberation Front or the Democratic OR Republican Party (as a senator or something) or the educational system or whatever, because I disagree with the platforms of those groups, and I’d never encourage or become particularly tickled when my friends joined, either.</p>

<p>Here is where we disagree probably beyond any form of discussion:</p>

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<p>I don’t particularly believe any of that is true, particularly the last part. But then, I have a hard time considering any institution that OPENLY, BLATANTLY, and WITHOUT REGRET discriminates against certain protected classes - and as a part of the government which put those protections in place, no less - honorable or respectable, much less the other faults of the military.</p>

106

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<p>Completely fair. And sorry about the ignorant thing, I was referring to whichever poster said that was the most “ignorant” post (s)he had ever seen.</p>

107

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<p>Explain, please?</p>

108

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<p>But that’s what most military members do, and if they don’t then they assist the people shooting the guns.
If you want to help people and don’t want to be involved in war then why not join Americorps?</p>

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<p>No, that’s incorrect, see the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan or the Vietnam war, “terrorizing the terrorists” usually just inspires more civilians to become terrorists.</p>

109

<p>LogicWarrior, I have done my homework. Shooting guns is not what a majority of the military does.</p>

<p>[Enlisted</a> Careers - Opportunities in the United States Air Force - AirForce.com](<a href=“http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/enlisted/careers/]Enlisted”>http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/enlisted/careers/)
[GoArmy.com</a> > Careers & Jobs > Browse Career & Job Categories](<a href=“Career Match: Find Your Career in the US Army | goarmy.com”>Career Match: Find Your Career in the US Army | goarmy.com)
[Careers</a> & Jobs: Navy](<a href=“http://www.navy.com/careers/]Careers”>Find Careers in the U.S. Navy | Navy.com)</p>

<p>And the coast guard site was a little confusing, but has my point got across?</p>

110

<p>WRT to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: interestingly, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently testified that ending DADT would the the right thing to do. (He does not have the power to change it, as the Unifrom Code of Military Justice is controlled by Congress.)
Internally, there is a divide amongst military members over the idea (similar to divisions over GLBT subjects in the rest of American society).
Of course, the military will uphold the law, however it turns out.</p>

<p>WRT terrorism: usually the best way to “win” against terrorism is to undercut the aims of the terrorists. Take away their reason to fight, and they stop fighting.</p>

111

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<p>The military openly discriminates against homosexual members.</p>

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<p>You missed the other part of LogicWarrior and my comments. You might not shoot guns, but you are either directing, assisting, cleaning up after, building for, or preparing with the people who do shoot guns.</p>

112

<p>I suggest you write to your congressmen and ask them to repeal DADT.
The military must abide by the law, until such laws change.</p>