Poll: Your kids in the armed forces?

[Forever_frost]

Wow, so fuck you too. I did not realize you had to be stupid to serve and smart people cannot gain anything from a 3-6 year stint in the military.

I find you "opinion" insulting. Look out if some kid joins some branch for a few years, gets some great experiences, learns hardships and gets out appreciating somethings a little more than others. They just wasted their fucking lives!

Democrat [John] Kerry said Monday, "You know education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well, and if you don’t you get stuck in Iraq.”

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2006/10/tony_snow_reads/

Edit: Most infantrymen I know blew their ASVAB scores out of the water.

[naynay]

You say this and then start arguing with those giving you feedback. A libtard is whata libtard does...

great post. i will read it again!

[naynay]

I wouldn't want anyone that I care about to join. My dad was navy during Vietnam and my grandad was an army medic in Korea. Neither one ever had a good thing to say.

and for once i agree with this child

[naynay]

Democrat [John] Kerry said Monday, "You know education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well, and if you don’t you get stuck in Iraq.”

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2006/10/tony_snow_reads/

Edit: Most infantrymen I know blew their ASVAB scores out of the water.

sounds like pappenfuss, but he was a gun nut. we need to get dohctr to join!!!

[95ragtop]

Been in 8 years, no kids yet. But they can do whatever they want when they grow up as long as it doesn't involve a Bachelor of Arts degree.

[Chili]

Incidentally, my son was born while I was in the Army, on post, in an Army hospital.

He is a Junior in high school now and within the last year he told me he wants to go into the Navy after graduation. Prior to him expressing that interest I had not encouraged nor even broached the subject, as I felt it was something he was free to decide to explore on his own. Now that he has expressed interest we have discussed it a lot, but still just mostly me giving him what insight I can about the general military experience. As of right now that is his plan, but I would not bother me if he ultimately reconsidered and decided against it. That is a decision only he should make, IMO.

I chose to serve partially because of interest / curiosity, and the desire to experience things that many others would not, but mostly out of a sense of duty to my country and fellow citizens. I had one brother in the Army before me, and my Grandfather served in WWII, but otherwise nobody else I knew in the family had served. I never had anything close to someone suggesting it, and came to the decision 100% on my own. I wanted to ensure he had the same opportunity to choose for himself.

Having served, and seeing some of the shitbags in uniform (albeit very few) I very quickly realized some people just were not a good fit. Some of those shitbags were pressured into serving, either by family or a lack of other options, and all involved would have been far better off not joining. Whether it was their immaturity, inability to hack, unwillingness to commit to their choice or a variety of other things, they clearly did not belong and I would have had more respect for them had they stayed out.

I have the utmost respect for fellow service members but at the same time, hold no ill will, nor think any less of those who choose not to. Ultimately, if they chose not to, it was probably for all the right reasons, which is far better than joining for all the wrong reasons.

I know I am pontificating a bit and on a slight tangent, but sincerely hope that nobody pressures or expects their children to serve. Talking to them about their options, sharing the benefits that they can reap, and being frank about the ugly sides are great conversations to have. I would even say that encouraging their consideration is a positive, assuming you can objectively consider if it would be right for them, but beyond that, leaving the decision to them and supporting them either way is where my opinion falls.

I will always value my experience, and can clearly see how that time made me a better person, bit it can just as easily ruin others.

I will admit, and this is no slight on the Navy, I was a bit relieved when he expressed interest in the Navy vs Army or Marines. But that is just my selfishness. While I understand that there is danger and risk in all branches of the service, especially with how things are today, I know I would be more worried should have chosen, or should decide to choose otherwise.

I will be proud of him regardless, as long as his choice is based on careful consideration, and not just on a whim, or for the "wrong" reasons.

[naynay]

Been in 8 years, no kids yet. But they can do whatever they want when they grow up as long as it doesn't involve a Bachelor of Arts degree.

lmao @ BA, i have a friend getting a masters from SMU in "theater design, i shake my head every time i see him

[naynay]

Incidentally, my son was born while I was in the Army, on post, in an Army hospital.

/redheaded tangent

solid post man, i actually copied, pasted and emailed it to myself and my wife.

[Chili]

Edit: Most infantrymen I know blew their ASVAB scores out of the water.

To add.. While I was not personally in a combat arms MOS, I served in a light infantry air assault battalion, and an armored cavalry squadron, and some of the smartest, well rounded and enlightened dudes I encountered while serving were in combat arms roles. Straight leg grunts, scouts, tankers, etc..

To suggest that "smart" kids shouldn't join, or that it is somehow a waste, is absolute nonsense. They will benefit from their time as much, or sometimes even more than others will.

I learned an un-quantifiable amount about myself, the world, and others as a result of my service. I won't go so far as to say that I would have failed in life had I not served, and who knows, given the drastic variables life throws at us all, may even be doing "better" now had I not, but I certainly recognize and rely on the things I learned, on a daily basis.

[Chili]

solid post man, i actually copied, pasted and emailed it to myself and my wife.

Haha, thanks. Please feel free to correct some of my grammatical and spelling errors before showing it to anyone though. I would here, but am too lazy.

[Chili]

BTW, I should also say that I also think no less of those that serve for tradition, or as a legacy. Or even those who may choose to outright discourage their children from serving. What I stated above are just my opinions on the subject and I am not bull-headed enough to assume I am right, in the absolute.

I sincerely hope that those opinions do not offend others who think differently. This is one of those areas where there really is no clear-cut right or wrong answer.

[Chili]

Should I feel bad that I often seem to be a thread killer? I was hoping to see more opinions and thoughts on this thread. Particularly by other veterans and / or parents.

[jdgregory84]

Wow, so fuck you too. I did not realize you had to be stupid to serve and smart people cannot gain anything from a 3-6 year stint in the military.

I find you "opinion" insulting. Look out if some kid joins some branch for a few years, gets some great experiences, learns hardships and gets out appreciating somethings a little more than others. They just wasted their fucking lives!

Are you just ignoring other posts? That was in reply to somebody saying he would FORCE his kid into military service.

I'm glad that I offended you though.

...pussy.

[ceyko]

Are you just ignoring other posts? That was in reply to somebody saying he would FORCE his kid into military service.

I'm glad that I offended you though.

...pussy.

haha, oh snap! Bitch ass called me a pussy. I give a shit what your response is to - it's your wording.

Anyway, what the hell is the difference between (your words) forcing some kid to some college as a family tradition and forcing a kit to attend some college?

I do not see much difference. I personally won't force my kids to do anything from a military point of view - but I certain understand parents that do. In fact, several folks probably should have been more forcefully encouraged to enlist - that I know.

For the record, you're coming off as the military life is beneath you or people. If you feel too good for the service, you're never going to get a long with me on this one. I personally feel no one is too good for the military. Honestly, I think a lot of snob'ed up kids these days could use a little humility and understanding of what happens in the world. Not just from a combat point of view, but to travel a little, see crazy shit and overall get out of their comfort zone a little bit.

[jdgregory84]

haha, oh snap! Bitch ass called me a pussy. I give a shit what your response is to - it's your wording.

Anyway, what the hell is the difference between (your words) forcing some kid to some college as a family tradition and forcing a kit to attend some college?

I do not see much difference. I personally won't force my kids to do anything from a military point of view - but I certain understand parents that do. In fact, several folks probably should have been more forcefully encouraged to enlist - that I know.

For the record, you're coming off as the military life is beneath you or people. If you feel too good for the service, you're never going to get a long with me on this one. I personally feel no one is too good for the military. Honestly, I think a lot of snob'ed up kids these days could use a little humility and understanding of what happens in the world. Not just from a combat point of view, but to travel a little, see crazy shit and overall get out of their comfort zone a little bit.

You'll have to show me where I said I would force my kid to go to college.