<p>“the sound of the vacuums annoy the shyt out of me”</p>
<p>You could buy some ear plugs.</p>
<p>The person who suggested that ROTC should be banned nationwide isn’t worth responding to; that’s one of the most ignorant comments that I’ve seen on here in a long time.</p>
<p>Anyways, those that think that soldiers aren’t protecting our freedom obviously haven’t been following the news lately. There’s a reason why we haven’t suffered from a major terrorist attack in this country since 9/11. Our troops are and have been risking life and limb day in and day out since that fateful day in order to keep Americans at home safe and free. They’ve done a hell of a good job of it too.</p>
<p>As far as pay goes, the military actually compensates people (particularly officers) quite well. If you decide to be an officer and do ROTC, there is a great chance that you’ll go to college essentially for free and will receive a monthly stipend on top. Once you are commissioned, you’ll be making a modest amount of money, but keep in mind that the military pays for your housing, all of your benefits (there are tons), gives you a meal stipend, childcare, etc. Basically, almost every paycheck that you get is 90% full of disposable income. Plus, if you are sent overseas to a combat zone, all of your pay while you are there is tax-free. Stay in long enough and you’ll find yourself making six-figures. Enlisted is another story, however.</p>
<p>In today’s economy, I can’t fault anyone for joining the military on a financial basis. Everyone has to pay the bills. In order to earn their pay these people risk their necks day in and day out, though. They earn every bit they get and then some. People in the military are some of the most selfless people that you’ll ever meet.</p>
<p>“Anyways, those that think that soldiers aren’t protecting our freedom obviously haven’t been following the news lately. There’s a reason why we haven’t suffered from a major terrorist attack in this country since 9/11.”</p>
<p>News from whom? And how do you know this as fact - the news? The “truth” depends strongly on the source that provides it. There is a lot of security theater in America. I follow the news, but I certainly don’t watch Fox/CNN/MSNBC/etc any longer.</p>
<p>It’s not nearly as black and white as “all soldiers are good, and are absolutely fighting for our freedom.” You haven’t really stated anything other than your opinion, but that’s fine. Personally, I don’t really fault soldiers that much, but rather the government behind them.</p>
<p>“As far as pay goes, the military actually compensates people (particularly officers) quite well. If you decide to be an officer and do ROTC, there is a great chance that you’ll go to college essentially for free and will receive a monthly stipend on top. Once you are commissioned, you’ll be making a modest amount of money, but keep in mind that the military pays for your housing, all of your benefits (there are tons), gives you a meal stipend, childcare, etc. Basically, almost every paycheck that you get is 90% full of disposable income. Plus, if you are sent overseas to a combat zone, all of your pay while you are there is tax-free. Stay in long enough and you’ll find yourself making six-figures. Enlisted is another story, however.”</p>
<p>How long do you have to wait until you can make six-figures? What are the benefits? Also I thought people who were risking lives and limbs were those in the Army and the Marines, and if you join the Navy etc you are pretty much safe?</p>
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<p>Do you think it is a coincidence? It certainly hasn’t been a lack of trying. We’ve just been able to kill them before they’ve been able to kill us. </p>
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<p>Fair enough.</p>
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<p>How do you follow the news then?</p>
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<p>Ten to fifteen years, maybe a bit sooner if you are in certain occupations.</p>
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<p>In ROTC, free tuition and room & board plus a monthly stipend. Once you are commissioned, the benefits are endless. Free healthcare and dental care for you and your family, free housing on base (or subsidized housing if you choose to live off-post), free or extremely cheap travel on military flights (space-A), meal stipends, discounts on things like insurance and banking, plus a host of other freebies on-post (gyms, childcare, libraries, etc). </p>
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<p>You’re right to an extent. Army and Marines, particularly infantry and special operations, have it rough. Still, few jobs are completely safe. There are plenty of jobs in the Navy that are dangerous on a day-to-day basis. Submarine crews, naval aviators, ordinance handlers, carrier deck crews, etc. all operate with very little margin for error. Probably the same amount of danger that your local cop or fireman faces every day, but dangerous nonetheless.</p>
<p>Edit…sorry for the double post.</p>
<p>a little off topic here, but I’d just like to point that that Renewed = tentai. :)</p>
<p>Absolutely disgusting. A soldier goes out there and risks death on behalf of his country. Whether he did it for pay or not is immaterial. Do you do your job just for the heck of it? Would you still do your job if you had to do it under fire?</p>
<p>Sounds like these hecklers could do with a tour in Afghanistan.</p>