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General Category => General Talk => Topic started by: Evangel on February 19, 2009, 05:35:13 am

Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 19, 2009, 05:35:13 am
SO, tomorrow I leave for MEPS (military processing for the U.S.) for the Navy.  I'm totally prepared to start up a career in the Electronics Technician field, even though most of my close friends are begging me not to leave.  This is something I've pondered and considered and reconsidered for the past 4 months, and I'm ready to set a date for boot camp.  I've made the effort to keep myself chemically clean for the past couple months, and it's not been hard now that I have some personal incentive to do so.

For me, this decision has been about finally growing up and taking serious responsibilities instead of working minimum wage jobs and blowing money trying to decide what I'd like to do in college.  It's also about jumping out of this cocoon of a small, backwards town which has left me with little to no ambitions.  I've never left the country, and I've never personally seen 90% of my own country.

I understand the United States' military is not the most popular organization around the world  :welp:​, but I do feel that we are moving in a better direction.  I also feel that it is one of the best programs for any young man/woman to join for the best discipline, motivation, and relevant education (depending on your field) the world has to offer.  And this is not just some mumbo-jumbo I've heard from a recruiter.  The U.S. Navy is over-capacity right now and my recruiter is less than enthusiastic about really enlisting anyone at the moment.

SOOO, has anyone served their country for any length of time?  I know there are at least a couple of Swedes here who have mandatory military duties, and at least a few others that have served their respective countries voluntarily.  How do you feel about that?  How do you feel about obligatory service (drafts)?  Pretty much anything anyone has to say about any form of military I'd like to hear (though I expect many negative comments about the U.S.).  However, I'd really like to hear from anyone with firsthand experience with military service.
Title: Military
Post by: the_hoodie on February 19, 2009, 05:42:58 am
I would personally never join the military in any form. However, that doesn't mean I condemn people who do. In fact, I admire them for having the courage to go out and put their lives in danger to defend their respective countries.

On a similar note, I have a bunch of friends (like 5) who all graduated high school last year and have now joined the military. I commend them, just as I commend you.
Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 19, 2009, 05:51:49 am
There's really not much to commend about a typical job like this in the Navy (unless we were to enter WW3 against the ruskies), it's just an atypical setting where you get deployed once every 1.5 years.  I do have 5 or 6 friends that are in either the Army or Marines, which, right now are into some much heavier shit than I will ever see. 

I'm really glad to see that we GTFO of Iraq and focus on Afghanistan, thought it could be just as futile as when the Soviets campaigned out there.  I wouldn't be surprised if our higher enemies were underhandedly supporting the Islamic militants out there.
Title: Military
Post by: Artis Leon Ivey Jr on February 19, 2009, 06:39:51 am
Quote from: the_hoodie on February 19, 2009, 05:42:58 am
In fact, I admire them for having the courage to go out and put their lives in danger to defend their respective countries.

i too am a fan of the taliban and the hitler youth.
Title: Military
Post by: headphonics on February 19, 2009, 07:05:13 am
peo :rolleyes:
Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 19, 2009, 07:19:52 am
the professional employer organization?
Title: Military
Post by: Farren on February 19, 2009, 08:01:14 am
just don't let them change the way you think.

its going to take a lot of willpower to stop it. Everyone I've known thats joined has changed their outlook on the war, but if you see it first hand and try to keep your mind stable without some asshole trying to drill some bullshit into your brain. Then you should be ok.
Title: Military
Post by: BlackRaven on February 19, 2009, 10:34:09 am
I did one years military service here in Sweden as a squad leader / communications specialist. One of the best decisions I've made (conscription is pretty much voluntary in Sweden now due to low volumes of conscripts and politics). Gave me a lot of experience in both being responsible and being a leader. I mean, sure it was hard work, but having routines was nice. Going on international service is voluntary in Sweden though, so I wasn't under any sort of risk of being sent into battle (except if, you know, the Russians got more crazy). So yeah, I'm for conscription in Sweden. I wouldn't have this experience if it didn't, it's pretty culturally accepted (been around for a hundred years now), we're a very sparsely populated country (defending it all would be hard with a small amount of soldiers) and the defense was generally run better when we had full conscription as opposed to the professional army we're going towards now. So yeah, ask me anything you want to know. =]
Title: Military
Post by: Dissonance on February 19, 2009, 04:10:04 pm
Quote from: Coxswain on February 19, 2009, 08:01:14 am
just don't let them change the way you think.

its going to take a lot of willpower to stop it. Everyone I've known thats joined has changed their outlook on the war, but if you see it first hand and try to keep your mind stable without some asshole trying to drill some bullshit into your brain. Then you should be ok.

This is pretty much my response.

I knew a guy who signed up and concerning the general middle east issue he went from "it's horrible how we are continuously exploiting these people" to "let's just nuke em all and take their shit they're not human anyway" it's kind of disturbing.

Also I can't see myself signing up for the military because I don't want to assist - however small of an assist it would be - the current war effort.
Title: Military
Post by: Kaworu on February 19, 2009, 04:15:48 pm
leaving the dream, killing arabs.
Title: Military
Post by: Dulcinea on February 19, 2009, 04:31:10 pm
I don't agree with the war, but I respect you for making the decision, and for doing something that might make people far away (eventually) have a better life... be safe.
Title: Military
Post by: Rajew on February 19, 2009, 05:22:22 pm
Quote from: Magical Negro on February 19, 2009, 06:39:51 am
i too am a fan of the taliban and the hitler youth.
but those are the forces of evil!! We're the forces of g...good...
it's completely different
Title: Military
Post by: Rajew on February 19, 2009, 05:23:52 pm
steel thinks all the worlds countries should abandon their militaries so there will be world peace.
until terrorist organizations kill all of us.

my adept use of ad hominem makes you my bitch
Title: Military
Post by: Bled on February 19, 2009, 06:33:09 pm
I just hope you have a decent head on your shoulders, as a none-too-bright buddy of mine joined the Navy with great aspirations and now he's basically a janitor. 

Granted he's a janitor on a NAVY SHIP, but he's still just swabbin' floors. 

Also I don't have any firsthand experience with the military, but my little brother joined up a couple of years back and he's loving it.  He's part of the 82nd Airborne in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and he's already had a seven month tour in Iraq.  Oddly enough he's actually ENJOYING the experience and can't wait to get shipped to Afghanistan later this year.
Title: Military
Post by: Kaworu on February 19, 2009, 06:42:15 pm
you're dumb reggie
Title: Military
Post by: Barack Obama on February 19, 2009, 08:04:21 pm
There are much better career paths and ways to becoming a responsible, well-travelled adult than the military.

I guess you could do worse than the navy, but it really isn't your best option.
Title: Military
Post by: Frisky SKeleton on February 19, 2009, 09:38:39 pm
i think the military is amazing but it also sucks
Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 20, 2009, 01:19:44 am
Well, right now I'm waiting at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans for the physical portion of processing that goes on tomorrow.  Pretty nice hotel, so YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK AMERICANS.  I'm pretty excited to get started, to be honest.  I'm ready to go to boot camp.  The general consensus is that you NEVER ADMIT TO ANY HEALTH PROBLEM ever during the physical MEPS examination, no matter how miniscule, and no matter how much they threaten to imprison or fine you for fraud.  Otherwise, pretty much anyone can be disqualified (no one has ever been charged for such a thing).
Title: Military
Post by: Marcus on February 20, 2009, 01:42:24 am
Quote from: DietCoke on February 19, 2009, 08:04:21 pm
There are much better career paths and ways to becoming a responsible, well-travelled adult than the military.

I guess you could do worse than the navy, but it really isn't your best option.

just out of curiosity, what do you have in mind for, let's say, someone fresh out of high school with absolutely no work experience and a part time job?  take out a massive loan and try to work through college?  approach a job with a degree and zero work experience in your field and expect to get hired?

the biggest thing the military provides is a stepping stone into your career of choice since you're literally on the clock 24/7.  i got a journeyman's license in audio/visual repair from the department of labor in less than a year while getting paid.  i couldn't have done the same thing in the civilian world.

that's not to say the military doesn't have its ups and downs as the organization is literally a frat house in the way it works.  first off, anyone thinking about the army or marines is stupid (brave, but stupid) as there's about 2 rates that pertain to any stable job on the market.  the navy and airforce are pretty much 90% technical related jobs.  i'm an electrician but i'm doing information technician work i could get a job at microsoft right now making 60K a year and i don't even have a degree in the respective field.

the important thing, evangel, is to keep a good head on your shoulders.  the military is first and foremost A JOB which means it's your responsible to take initiative.  even though it'll be drilled into your head at boot camp, you have to forget about the policy "Navy first" and think "ME FIRST, Navy second."  if you see an opportunity, mother fucker you better hop on it because there will be 100 other guys clawing at your feet.  connections are important; as an ET, you'll be doing a lot of mission critical things like repairing radios and maintaining communications.  even as a seaman bitch boy, you hold a lot of sway in how the ship is run.  make friends, keep friends, use your friends to get ahead.

just don't lose hope midway through and try to do stupid shit to get out.  if you fuck up, the military will take your money.  if you try something stupid to get out (like attempting suicide or doing drugs) the military will take your money before booting you out with an itinerary back home and a black mark on your record.  as an ET, you have a pretty slow advancement rate (you'll make 3rd class quick but good luck after that!) but ET's are RARE in reserves.  i've seen ET's get 60K sign on bonuses for reenlistment and reserves!

MARCUS' TIPS FOR SUCCESS

*SIGN UP FOR THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IMMEDIATELY!  I waited a year before signing up and I missed a fucking journeymans certificate because of it.  in some civilian technical positions a certificate from the dept of labor carries more weight than a fucking bachelors.

*SIGN UP FOR THE GI BILL.  You'll get an option in boot camp to spend 100$ a month on the GI bill.  DO THIS.  the navy will pay 3/4 of your tuition and give you MONEY FOR A HOUSE based on the MOST EXPENSIVE SCHOOL IN THE STATE.  i could go to some crappy university in Massachusetts and the navy will pay me as if i'm renting an apartment in boston.

*DON'T FUCK UP IN A SCHOOL.  as an ET, you have one of the longest schools.  if you jack off and neglect your studies, they'll kick you out and make you a deck seaman.  a deck seaman is literally a janitor that handles lines.  fuck that.

*USE YOUR TUITION ASSISTANCE!  unlike the GI bill, the navy will FULLY PAY YOUR TUITION while you're still enlisted.  I also neglected this on my first sea tour and missed out on a fucking associates (I was 7 credits away SEVEN CREDITS AWAY AND ALL I DID WAS COMPLETE BOOT CAMP AND IC 'A' SCHOOL).  now i'm working on my bachelors which i could have had a year ago.  fucking stupid.

*DON'T BE A RETARD.  there's a clause in the UCMJ that's basically a catch-all meaning "if you fuck up in any way we deem inappropriate we will pinch you by the balls until they turn blue."  if you do something stupid and get sent to captain's mast you will lose so much money and hate life.  i guarantee this.

*ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.  if you get put on an aircraft carrier or small-boy then fuuuuuuck you will see so many ports.  my first cruise we went to dubai, singapore, taiwan, hong kong, osaka, australia...  don't be that jackass who sits in his rack playing gameboy.  you will see places some people won't in their entire lives.

basically, treat the military as a JOB because it is one.  as a sailor, you won't see any action except maybe a drunk loony who thinks he can taunt you while you're standing a gun watch.  just do your work, swallow your pride, say "yes sir/chief, no sir/chief" and don't be fucking stupid.  take advantage of the fact that you're getting paid 24/7.  understand that the reason the navy gives sailors so much fucking money for school is because literally a small percentage actually takes advantage of it.  i think i read somewhere that 10% of sailors actually use their GI bill or Tuition Assistance that's fucking 200K in schooling down the drain.
Title: Military
Post by: Marcus on February 20, 2009, 01:50:49 am
oh last tip

*if the navy isn't for you get the fuck out.  my opinion is that the military is fucking stupid and draconic.  i've got less than 2 years left.  i'm pretty much bleeding this place dry; getting as much money and education as i can before my 6 years are up and i'm never looking back. 

don't be that douche that keeps reenlisting then complains about how much his life sucks.  nobody forces you to put pen to the paper and sign your name on the dotted line
Title: Military
Post by: Artis Leon Ivey Jr on February 20, 2009, 01:55:32 am
Quote
just out of curiosity, what do you have in mind for, let's say, someone fresh out of high school with absolutely no work experience and a part time job?

1. dietcoke is the last person you can really say HEH THE MILITARY'S ALL YA GOT
2. how about anything else, man? I mean none of those options you listed were beyond the pale or uncommon.
Title: Military
Post by: Barack Obama on February 20, 2009, 01:57:06 am
Quote from: Marcus on February 20, 2009, 01:42:24 am
just out of curiosity, what do you have in mind for, let's say, someone fresh out of high school with absolutely no work experience and a part time job?  take out a massive loan and try to work through college?  approach a job with a degree and zero work experience in your field and expect to get hired?

Well, I busted ass and used financial aid to work my way through community college and transferred to a university, and took advantage of internships available to build a resume.

 :welp: worked alright for me and i learned how to take care of myself better than most people i know
Title: Military
Post by: Boulvae on February 20, 2009, 02:04:36 am
Marcus, how the hell do you find the time to come on here if it's how you describe it.
Title: Military
Post by: Barack Obama on February 20, 2009, 02:07:10 am
honestly though out of all the branches of the military to join Navy would be the one to go for IMO
Title: Military
Post by: Marcus on February 20, 2009, 02:12:24 am
Quote from: Magical Negro on February 20, 2009, 01:55:32 am
1. dietcoke is the last person you can really say HEH THE MILITARY'S ALL YA GOT
2. how about anything else, man? I mean none of those options you listed were beyond the pale or uncommon.

Quote
Well, I busted ass and used financial aid to work my way through community college and transferred to a university, and took advantage of internships available to build a resume.

my response wasn't an attack against you, i was just using myself as an example to get my point across.  i did in the navy everything i could have in a community college within a year and i still have money in my pocket as a result.  no debts, no loans, no financial assistance, nothing came out of my pocket.  different strokes for different folks; i don't expect everyone in the world to be able to handle this because some of it (boot camp especially) does some major psychological damage.  it's horrible how draconic and stupid things get but you have to be one of those guys with tough skin to brush it off and those are the guys who walk away with everything.

fuck the gub'ment, but god damn they're just throwing money away.  for an 18 year old kid out of high school with zero cash and no scholarships, this is a gold mine IF you know how to work the system.  like any job it's about climbing the corporate ladder.

Quote
Marcus, how the hell do you find the time to come on here if it's how you describe it.

you're not literally working 24/7.  i work maybe 4-6 hour days then fuck off for the entire day.  when you're underway (IE on the water) you work 8 hour days (unless you're on a carrier then it's 12 hour shifts) but it's not like shit's happening every waking moment unless you work in air department in that case, well, you chose the wrong rate bucko! 

right now i'm on duty which means i'm at work 24/7 monitoring the ship's network.  it's not like the network is going to spontaneously combust if i post on g-dubya
Title: Military
Post by: Summoner on February 20, 2009, 03:41:11 am
I'm in the air force and while it is different than the navy I actually have a little bit of experience with them because my job is joint force taught and I had marines and navy in my class (I'm doing meteorology).

but yeah, everything Marcus said is pretty much true and let me add that for the love of god don't let them get into your brain, if you come out of boot camp still being yourself then the military is a great thing, just do what your told and you'll be alright.  dont try and fight the system, because in the end the military will get its way.  Just be who you are and take advantage of what the goverment has to offer.
Title: Military
Post by: Farren on February 20, 2009, 03:51:15 am
He's really getting into it for the discipline and work experience from what he told me.

I tried to talk to him about it and I tried to get him to look into the merchant marines so he could do practically the same shit and keep his solidarity but its something that he really wants to do. He is right though, there really is nothing in this town and even the nearby colleges are really shitty.

I'm hoping I can get out again soon but even if not, the military just isn't something I don't think I could ever commit to.

Thanks for even saying bye to me you fucking asshole
Title: Military
Post by: Kaworu on February 20, 2009, 08:56:22 am
It's better to kill people than trying and improve yourself through education.
Title: Military
Post by: Barack Obama on February 20, 2009, 09:04:43 am
what do you do in the merchant marine? that sounds like an adventure right there
Title: Military
Post by: Farren on February 20, 2009, 10:07:57 am
Maintain/steer/feed/navigate the ship and crew you're working on/with. Basically do any and everything to keep the ship going on its destined course, set its course keep the crew fed, stocks full and any emergency situations that might happen, under control. Any US ships carrying goods, cars, and fuel. Most US Navy support/surveillance ships. Tugboats, ferries, and cruise liners are manned by Merchant Mariners.


I'm hopefully getting with a company working in the gulf soon. My buddies uncle has some connections with a guy who works for said company and he says they're going to be hiring in march because homeland security are requiring additional identification IDs called TWIC cards. And that a bunch of the people working there don't have them, plus the company is going to set out 15 more boats/ships so they're going to need more crew anyways.

I'm not sad about leaving my union for awhile though because the motherfuckers just screwed me out of a job last month when they threw away my security clearance forms for some bullshit reason and fucked me out of a job which was coincidentally the same ship my buddy who I got into it with during highschool was working on.

Its just kind of odd how stupid ironic shit like that happens sometimes but hopefully shit will work out soon for the better because I'll be a mate like 10x faster if I get with a good company that desperately needs them.
Title: Military
Post by: Jude on February 20, 2009, 11:57:44 am
Should've done the Air Force.  You don't have to live on a boat and still get to deploy all over the world... well, depending on your job.  I've been to England, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Ghana, Qatar, Afghanistan, and now Denver, Colorado.  Plus, the Navy has too many uniforms.
Title: Military
Post by: Rajew on February 20, 2009, 02:19:11 pm
Quote from: The Octave Doctor on February 20, 2009, 08:56:22 am
It's better to kill people than trying and improve yourself through education.
oh cool let's ignore the fact that marcus pretty much explicitly stated that in the Navy they will see zero action (no killing??) AND that they ARE improving themselves through education, they're just getting paid to do it and they sail around the world and see all kinds of cool shit.
way to ignore the topic

Title: Military
Post by: Barack Obama on February 20, 2009, 02:26:38 pm
yeah I'm not the biggest fan of the US military, but getting an education and joining the military is not mutually exclusive. A lot of people join for the opportunity to get an education or learn a trade. Blaming the people isn't really the right approach to addressing any problems you have with THE MACHINE.
Title: Military
Post by: Kaworu on February 20, 2009, 02:27:31 pm
Hmm I want to study the liberal arts *signs up for navy*
Title: Military
Post by: Barack Obama on February 20, 2009, 02:28:41 pm
Quote from: The Octave Doctor on February 20, 2009, 02:27:31 pm
Hmm I want to study the liberal arts *signs up for navy*
they have language and music programs :)
Title: Military
Post by: Barack Obama on February 20, 2009, 02:30:35 pm
you're right tho, people looking to do creative stuff as a career should probably steer clear of the military
Title: Military
Post by: big ass skelly on February 20, 2009, 02:32:23 pm
You can earn a lot of money coming up with creative new ways to kill babby though
Title: Military
Post by: Barack Obama on February 20, 2009, 02:38:08 pm
hate babby
Title: Military
Post by: Marcus on February 20, 2009, 03:21:07 pm
Quote from: Rajew on February 20, 2009, 02:19:11 pm
oh cool let's ignore the fact that marcus pretty much explicitly stated that in the Navy they will see zero action (no killing??) AND that they ARE improving themselves through education, they're just getting paid to do it and they sail around the world and see all kinds of cool shit.
way to ignore the topic



you're not directly killing anyone but don't think for a minute you're not involved in action.  2007 was the world's largest naval operation where pretty much every developed country allied with the US dropped bombs in afghanistan for 9 months and put pressure on iran to stop being dicks (then they kidnapped those british marines).  you personally will never touch the trigger of a gun or launch missiles or anything but you are onboard a floating killing vessel that usually IS launching missiles (unless you're onboard a tender or refueling vessel in which case you're supporting a floating war machine).

Quote
Plus, the Navy has too many uniforms.

they're cutting back.  by the time evangel gets out of boot they'll have the dress blues, cammies will replace like 10 uniforms (working blues, working whites, coverals, and utilities), and every enlisted will have a khaki uniform.

Quote
Hmm I want to study the liberal arts *signs up for navy*

sure why not? if you're on shore rotation you can go to college.  i'm not talking online courses, i mean if there's a campus nearby you can go to classes and they even pay for instructors to come and teach onboard.

you know the CLEP test?  normally costs 70$. 

free.  take them as many times as you want it's all free.

Quote
they have language and music programs Smile

you can join as a musician in the navy band.  you instantly get promoted to 2nd class and your job consists of traveling the world and spending your time in high class hotels in countries most people have never heard of.

the whole sarcasm about military != education is pretty lost on me because it's not true.  the whole education programs started as an incentive to get people to join after 9/11 but everyone is too dumb or timid to take advantage of it.  every year the government increases the funding for education in the military because there's still this 5% turnout of people who actually take advantage of it so the money keeps piling up.  my lieutenant is about to get his masters in law and legal studies and he has plans for his doctorate before he retires at 38.
Title: Military
Post by: Artis Leon Ivey Jr on February 20, 2009, 05:22:50 pm
marcus is definitely part of one of the least awful parts of the military but he's still greasin the wheels...of war.

however the chances that what you do greasing the wheels of something awful anyways are pretty fucking high. I still wouldn't advocate a military career for anyone though, but if you gotta do one doing the marcus route of just sitting on a ship doing nothing might not appeal to those of you who are all THEY...ARE THE BLANKET UNDER WHICH WE SLEEP but it's pretty good otherwise.

i mean look at that guy. he dont do nothing. he's a little...shiftless if you know what i mean *pokes coxswain in the side* heh? eh? ah you're a good kid go play.
Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 21, 2009, 03:55:02 am
Wow, finally through with that whole bullshit process.  I swear I was asked my mother's maiden name like 50 times throughout the day.

My recruiter signed me on as Caucasian / "American Indian/Alaskan Native" (unbeknown to me) because  he doesn't believe in the whole racial preference thing (where jobs get filled by less qualified minorities, just to fill a quota).  And every American is probably at least 1% Native American.

Quote from: Marcus on February 20, 2009, 01:42:24 am

MARCUS' TIPS FOR SUCCESS


Thanks for the heads up.  Just going through MEPS and talking to my recruiter through the 4 hour drive really did open my eyes a bit more to how things work.  A frat house really does describe the system in place.  You can go through qualifications, paperwork, clearances blah blah blah, but it really comes down to who you know.  My recruiter is a YN1 so he can get anyone pretty much anything they want within reason.

I like your attitude as far as the whole system being pretty damn stupid, but the opportunities are just there for the taking.  My government is hemorrhaging money into pointless projects, I might as well take what I can while I'm young and have a better future later on.  I think once I tough it out in boot camp, I'll have a good time with this.  And I surely won't miss a single port of call for anything.  I can't fathom someone sitting back and playing vidya games when they're basically on a short vacation in Asia, Australia, or Europe.
Title: Military
Post by: Barack Obama on February 21, 2009, 04:07:27 am
Quote from: Evangel on February 21, 2009, 03:55:02 am
My recruiter signed me on as Caucasian / "American Indian/Alaskan Native" (unbeknown to me) because  he doesn't believe in the whole racial preference thing (where jobs get filled by less qualified minorities, just to fill a quota)
Your recruiter is an idiot
Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 22, 2009, 04:01:48 pm
Quote from: DietCoke on February 21, 2009, 04:07:27 am
Your recruiter is an idiot

Like I said, he's a Yeoman, basically someone whose life revolves around paperwork  He gets paid to play around with the system.

Marcus, where are you currently stationed?
Title: Military
Post by: Marcus on February 22, 2009, 09:51:08 pm
Quote from: Evangel on February 22, 2009, 04:01:48 pm
Like I said, he's a Yeoman, basically someone whose life revolves around paperwork  He gets paid to play around with the system.

Marcus, where are you currently stationed?

bremerton on the uss emory s land, finest rust bucket in the navy.  it's a sub tender that's being converted to half msc and we'll be heading to guam next year to support civilian ships or something

and i thought you'd be on the bus to boot camp.  when is your swear in date?
Title: Military
Post by: Farren on February 22, 2009, 10:00:20 pm
ooohhhh you might be working with that fleet thats around the yellow sea

thats cool I guess more recon shit I'm guessing the civilian ships will be like the half MSC/company shit I was with. I don't see why they would have a tender like that working with tankers/container ships unless if would be part of some kind of defense patrol thingy.
Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 22, 2009, 10:19:39 pm
Quote from: Marcus on February 22, 2009, 09:51:08 pm
bremerton on the uss emory s land, finest rust bucket in the navy.  it's a sub tender that's being converted to half msc and we'll be heading to guam next year to support civilian ships or something

and i thought you'd be on the bus to boot camp.  when is your swear in date?

naw, i'm already sworn in and have my contract for the ET field, but the soonest opening for the school will put me in boot camp in october (holy shit).  however, i'm going DAR which will let me take the place of any aspiring ET who can't ship out when they're expected to (death in family, injury, etc).  navy is at capacity or over capacity right now, so they're not "sailorizing" as fast as they used to i guess.  Shit, if i had enlisted a month earlier i'd have that $10k bonus and would be well on my way to basic.
Title: Military
Post by: Marcus on February 22, 2009, 10:28:26 pm
oh yeah, i mentioned this in the inauguration topic but once obama was sworn in he basically stamped a paper that said "CUT EVERY MILITARY ORGANIZATION IN HALF"

edit: well actually he's continuing with bush's downsizing except extending it to the army and marines.  once operation kill the brown people started, bush raised the requirements to join any branch that didn't have you firing a gun on a daily basis.
Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 25, 2009, 08:15:38 am
I really don't see the appeal in joining a force that will basically make you infantry and little or nothing else.  I guess American culture somehow glorifies that, when in reality you can expect to see your bros or yourself shot or blown up.  It's not pretty at all.  You see those photos/videos of dudes who survived IEDs and their faces are all fucking melted and shit. 

I guess somebody has to do it, but somehow I think all these young guys are misled into it.
Title: Military
Post by: Farren on February 25, 2009, 08:18:32 am
I WAN TO BE A BADDASSS

HTEY CALL ME: BILLY BADASS
Title: Military
Post by: Barack Obama on February 25, 2009, 08:21:40 am
GHOST THOSE HAJIS FUCK YEAH
Title: Military
Post by: Farren on February 25, 2009, 08:30:43 am
HORNET TO BEES HIVE, WE'VE TOASTED THEM BROWNIES
Title: Military
Post by: Marcus on February 25, 2009, 08:39:45 am
ironically more people in the armed forces die from accidents than the enemy. 

you actually have to fear the guy with the gun behind you than the moslom spraying ak fire everywhere.
Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 25, 2009, 08:44:44 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezu7QzY1f80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY-ykaDeHow
97 surgeries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWNrXvVG1dU
Title: Military
Post by: Farren on February 25, 2009, 08:43:37 am
man now you're making me feel like an asshole
Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 25, 2009, 09:13:40 am
i'm just saying, that's what is happening on the ground right now.  it's not some glorious battle, its american military overstepping their means, pissed-off iraqis doing their thing, mainly IED's and guerrilla tacics, both sides suffer.  The respective powers try to say its an affront to freedom or a religious thing, but it's all stupid politics.  It never had anything to do with religion or ideology.  Both sides have been hypocritical. 
Title: Military
Post by: Farren on February 25, 2009, 09:37:57 am
Oh yeah I know that.

but I can't help but feel really badly when I see those fucked up faces. Its just like looking at the pictures of the gaza strip bombing victims, you can't help but look at it and be like "awwww fuck :(​". And I'm not saying its the same situation, I get the same wrench in my gut.
Title: Military
Post by: Marcus on February 25, 2009, 07:13:36 pm
a common phrase in the armed forces is "no one held a gun up to your head" in regards to signing the contract.  we all knew what we were getting into when we signed up.  no one is 100% safe regardless of branch.  there have been attacks against ships by eco terrorists in the past 10 years.
Title: Military
Post by: Evangel on February 25, 2009, 07:32:31 pm
Quote from: Marcus on February 25, 2009, 07:13:36 pm
a common phrase in the armed forces is "no one held a gun up to your head" in regards to signing the contract.  we all knew what we were getting into when we signed up.  no one is 100% safe regardless of branch.  there have been attacks against ships by eco terrorists in the past 10 years.

I'd heard of Green Peace getting a wild hair up their ass, but nothing serious as far as ecoterrorism.  You mean like violent attacks?  It's kind of ironic because I've heard that Navy ships are pretty ecologically sound when compared to cruise liners or any other commercial vessel.
Title: Military
Post by: Marcus on February 25, 2009, 07:39:48 pm
er, no enlisted person (the ones actually on the front lines) believe in a higher cause and those that do change their minds the moment they're in the field.  people join because A) they're bored B) money/education, or C) experience.

this is a necessary evil; not because we're fighting "evil men" but because if there weren't volunteers then service would be mandatory.  

dulce et decorum pro paganus mori quod mori momento.

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I'd heard of Green Peace getting a wild hair up their ass, but nothing serious as far as ecoterrorism.  You mean like violent attacks?  It's kind of ironic because I've heard that Navy ships are pretty ecologically sound when compared to cruise liners or any other commercial vessel.

there are hundreds of strict rules on ecology that we have to follow but there have been times the ship was stalked by green peace or other crazies in boats, violent attacks against sailors out in town, and whenever they protest sometimes (rarely but there's always a chance) they'll toss rocks, harass people going in and out of gates, and vandalize shit.  In general, protestors keep things civilized but whenever booze is involved...

The same can't be said for international organizations.  There have been accounts of riots on piers in foreign countries.
Title: Military
Post by: Farren on February 26, 2009, 05:27:27 am
I've never heard of that

Like I've seen the annual reports for mishaps at sea or whatever (its online somewhere) and I never saw anything about that. I guess they just mainly fuck with the navy fleet but I could def be wrong about that.

They don't fuck with no merchant marines we'll straight up hose their asses

but thats about it.....

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The same can't be said for international organizations.  There have been accounts of riots on piers in foreign countries.

I def believe and have heard about this though. When some idiot marine kidnapped an underage japanese girl in Okinawa (I'm pretty sure thats where it was) they wouldn't let us ashore for a few weeks because the japanese people were protesting (power to them) about the US bases over there and them doing dumb shit, everyone was afraid of exactly what you're talking about...