Asymmetric Military

I like the points you make, many fine details that should help young people make the right move for there life. However I can't agree with a few of the thngs you said, first i hated the fact that you think middle class should work instead of joining, yea that would make myself happy to find a good or even any job. But from my lacation in the united states that's harder said then done. my family can't toss me money for college. second the guy/girl rates are true indeed. but heres something you forgot. When you get shipped out you have loads of time when you are able to see new places and meet let's say (new people) for that reason you don't have to meet someone inside the army to have those rates change.I like your view. this is my personal view too.

The money can be a nice bonus, but only if you're inclined to like the military in the first place. The money is not worth it if you're disinclined to like military structure with all of its rules and limits on personal freedoms.

please help me. im deciding whether or not i should join the army and i need to speak to someone who has been in the army before. i have spoken to recruiters before, but i dont know if they're lying to me. i want to speak with someone who isn't going to tell me what i want to hear just so that they can get paid for bringing someone into the army~! please help me....

Your article about who should join the Army makes as much sense as asking a nun.. "What's it like to be a porno star?"

If you have never served in the US Armed Forces and have not "been there - done that" and you are giving out advice this advice to your students, then you are simply "misguiding them."

I know it’s not easy for some people (like yourself) who are against wars and have never served in the military to understand.. You don’t just join the Army simply to learn how to kill people and fight wars but to help others in need. Both, back here at home in America and abroad to make their lives better including your own too.

Now I know there’s a book called “10 Excellent Reasons Not To Join The Military” that was written by Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg with an introduction from Cindy Sheehan, an anti-war activist mother who lost her son, Spc/E4 Casey A. Sheehan in Iraq on April 4th 2004. And just as the title suggest, it gives you 10 reason why you shouldn’t join the military.

Now although this author is entitled to her own opinions and free to write a book about whatever she wants even though she has “never served, been there and done that.” But ANYONE can come up with 10 excellent reasons for not joining something, but where would Amercia be today if people came up with…

10 Excellent Reasons Not To Be A Police Officer - There would be no law & order but instead anarchy & lawlessness
10 Excellent Reasons Not To Be A Fire Fighter - There would be no one to put out fires and save lives & property
10 Excellent Reasons Not To Be A Priest or Nun - There would be no religious guidance but instead sinners & satanism
10 Excellent Reasons Not To Be A School Teacher - There would no one to teach your kids history, english, math, etc
10 Excellent Reasons Not To Be A Doctor or Nurse - There would be no one around to care for and save peoples lives
10 Excellent Reasons Not To Be A Lawyer - There would be no one to defend the innocent & prosecute the guilty
10 Excellent Reasons Not To Be A Sanitation Worker - There would be no one to pick up garbage, clean streets, etc.
10 Excellent Reasons Not To Work For Home Land Security - There would be a lot more terrorist attacks going on today.
10 Excellent Reasons Not To Go Into Politics - There would be no one to lead our towns, states or country.

And most importantly, where would we be today if our forefathers came up with “10 Excellent Reasons Why We Don’t Need a Constitution or a Bill of Rights?”

The bottom line, the draft has been done away with since 1973. Today people are NOT forced to go into the military and
to do something they don’t want to do or believe in, it’s an all volunter Army. Remember?

If one of your students would have asked you should they think about becoming surgeon would your answer be "if you like to play around in blood & guts, then sure go ahead and become a surgeon." The hell with telling them about all the good things they'll be doing in saving lives, right?

If you're really a teacher then I give you an "F" for failing to encourage our youths to seek the answers themselves by asking someone who has served in the military and has "been there - done that."

Yours truly,

"Ranger Rick" F. Tscherne

US Army, Retired (1972-93)
Author, The Ranger Digest Series I-IX
Developer, SOS Survival Kits
Owner, http://www.survivaloutdoorskills.com/index-main.htm

To: rangerrick,

Thank you for your service. I must confess your time would of been better spent learning to develop an effective argument. Your examples of "10 things why you should not do X career" is not equivalent to the decision of joining the military. Furthermore you must look at the bad and the good of every career. Therefore, it would be wise to read the 10 reasons not to do those jobs and especially the military. Shouldn't one be well informed before joining? Watch the TV commercials for the ARMY, they are so off the mark, appealing to every 17 year old boys fantasy of war they've experienced through paint ball, Movies and video games.
Bottom line: Knowledge Is Power - think critically before joining.

you have some good points but i dont really get why i should not join the army? It seems fun and I would fight for the innocent lives who die every year for no reason at all. I am still considering joining the army..

Note: This is in response to the comment from "Mac" [Visitor] listed above.

He wrote: Bottom line, knowledge Is Power - think critically before joining.

My reply: I agree, "knowledge is power," but if you have "never been there - done that and served in the US Armed Forces, then you'll never know the facts and truth in what it's like to serve in US Army and Armed Forces."

To learn more about "Why You Should Think About Joining The US Army," got to www.SurvivalOutdoorSkills.com and then click on the Uncle Sam immage on the left of the screen or click on the "Latest Articles & News" page at the top of the home page screen.

The bottom line... been there, done that, served my country, HAVE YOU MAC??? Until you have, your "negative knowledge" in what you think you know about the Army or the US Armed Forces holds no weight or ground.

Again, to learn more, go to www.SurvivalOutdoorSkills.com and click on the Uncle Sam immage to learn more why you should and why those who don't want to join the US Army.

"Army Ranger Rick"

US Army, Retired 1972-93
Love &

good points. You would have to be crazy to join for points 2 and 3. But, i think some of the other reasons are really legitimate reasons to join the army. Especially the college funds. There are some people that really do not have any other way to get the funds.

If you have some questions on joining the Army I would be happy to answer any thing you have to ask. I am an Army recruiter. First, I would like to say that we do not get a commission if you join. I get paid eitherway a flat salary. Second, it is because of what i do for the past 17 yrs to provide the freedoms that you all have, to just say what you want and take for granted all the things in your current life standards. Did you know that I make up less than 1% of the population of the USA. I have been tasked to protect and defend the other 99% by my own choice and not because I had to , or low income, or trouble with the law. Did you know that most of the people that I talk to are disqualified because they have issues, and can't even pass my practice math/eng test that is on a 10th grade level. Many even have their col. degrees and still can't pass. Last, I would like to leave with a thought. If you see someone in uniform thank them for all the hard work and dedication that we do, even if you don't have what it takes to walk a single day in my shoes. I will still be there for you and your family and will always be a soldier.!!!!!!

Thank You SFC Papia US ARMY

I just wanted to comment that I appreciate your input about the decision of joining the military.
I'm a college grad with over a year of service in the human services field, I work for a non-profit org that serves and treats troubled/delinquent youth. Joining the military is not a decision to take lightly and I understand this more clearly thanks to the position and experiences I have had for the past year.
Joining the military is a lifestyle change. That alone makes it pertinent to research if the fit is right, from both sides. The job I currently have is one I took for both necessity (main priority) and as a hopeful "foot in the door" to a career path I'm look towards. I have, however, become aware that it is not the right fit. I have bittersweet feelings on this but the bottom line in my situation is...It is not getting me anywhere and does not seem to have the capability to take me anywhere.
I knew a lot about the job when I took it. I talked to a close friend, she shared a lot of experiences she had had with me and everything she told me had truth to it. I appreciated her unabated honesty.
Thus I am grateful for the unabated honesty I find from military service personnel who feel secure enough to share that bittersweet about the military. It may just help myself or others from making an informed decision. This is the US and in my Government class we discussed the importance of informed voters as to the influence, direction and trust of a nation. Being able to identify downfalls along with the mountain peaks nurtures more trust, respect and reliability of the source of information.

I appreciate all of your comments. I am in a situation where I really want to Join, however I have many pressing reasons why I shouldnt i.e. I have 2 kids, Im 35, I make over 90,000.00 per year and an established career.. Reasons I want to join; Server a higher purpose, learn more disapline, get Military specific expeirence, adventure and help the cause.
I cant seem to make up my mind as my biggist issue is my wife telling me Ill get killed while money is also a huge concern, I would take a huge pay cut, but my thought was that I would be able to start out as an E3, then in about a year put in as a W1 Warrant Officer. I would be in the reserves and thought I could get a job with either Government Agencies or work as a civilian for the Army.
Anyone have any thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

That's a tough choice. It's going to take a while to get up to W-1. You'll have to go through basic and AIT. On the other hand, some men regret never having served, when they're older. It's a tough one.

Also, your employer has to keep your job for you.