Hi, I read a question about a guy who is reenlisting in the Army. What is it like to be in the military at the present time.in  my country we don't have conscription, it must be tough, especially in America. Ithink all you people in the services are very brave
138909
The military is a combination of the most tedious boring waiting around, moments of absolute terror, major life-altering choices made for you, being treated like a semi-retarded child, ridiculous pointless manditory training, paperwork that inevitably gets lost when you need it to do the most simple things, and inconvience beyond your wildest dreams.  I kind of like it, though. \n\nI've seen the same people try to get out of the military, the next week beg to stay in.  I've seen others go to military prison for what would not even be a crime in the civilian world.   I did get to see places all over the world I would never have seen otherwise (some I'd never want to see again, others I wish I was there right now.)  I've had some jobs and some supervisors that made it an absolute gut renching horror to go into work everyday. \n\nThe uniform turns a lot of ok guys into total bastards.  I've learned what my limits are...physically, mentally, emotionally...it's kind of interesting to see who you really are when put under pressure.
550775
I was in the Army from 1991-1998 and I miss it.  Even with the War in Iraq still raging, I miss it.  A person can leave the Army, but the Army never leaves the person.
277851
It feels great to be called US Marine.  That's why I joined.  And I've met three former Army girls in my battalion who had the guts to join up as well.  Obviously I'm not the only one who knows where the best are supposed to be.  Semper Fi.
670246
I'm a former Military wife and daughter. My brother is in the army, my brother in laws are both in the Marine corps, my husband was a marine and my father just got out in March. Choosing the road of a military man, is a long rough and proud road. Many, who do not serve (as myself) will not understand the brotherhood and pride that each marine feels. But don't get me wrong, there are jerks in the Marine Corps too. Usually they are the young and foolhearted ones, with great intentions but poor follow through.  Being a military wife, is a lonely job that takes a lot of great friends and patience. But it's not a job I would've traded for anything. Tell your friend I said thanks and OOHRAH DEVIL DOG!
83666
It really is amazing how many people you find in the Army that are willing to go out of their way for you, I guess that is why `they joined up. It is one of the biggest things I miss about being in. And rizzo822002, thank you and keep your head down.
89860
Ok after reading the other responces i felt that i had to chime in.\n\nIf the army would take you for a combat arm position.\nI am afraid that they would not, But the army needs good americans for civilan positions. The postings a civie can have are alot of fun and help our soldiers in their fight. \n\nPostings are open all over the world.\n\nIf you look at www.cpol.army.mil it will show all of the open jobs with the army. If you would like to work for the government in an other capacity then check out www.usajobs.gov . \n\nAs far as the army screwing up your life i beg to differ.\n\nI am a vet. I work for the army. The army has given me everything good in my life. They got me off drugs and out of a voilent place in my life. They gave me pride and purpose. they gave me an idea of what i could be if i pushed myself. They showed me the world and paid me for it. They let me shoot stuff and basicly run around like life was a video game. They taught me to be safe and to look out for my buddy at all times. They gave me my brothers and sisters who are closer to me than family. They introduced me to my wonderful wife and have moved me to europe twice.\n\nI have to say that military service will give any young man or woman character and values that they need to truely grow up. \n\nIt's not just a job or an adventure but it is a family. Brothers and sisters in arms.\n\nIf this interests you then please check out the website. Call and talk to the recruiters and get your life started out right.
143005
I'm in Iraq right now. Me being on here should give you an idea of what I'M doing...nothing. What's it like? HOT! Alot of people do have it pretty rough over here though, but I wouldn't say the majority have it all that bad. It just sucks being away from home for so long. I don't think it's really getting better. They're gonna fight us as long as we're here.
129800
That is SO wonderful.  THANK YOU!  This country needs more people to step up and be proud enough of their country that they are willing to fight for our rights.  That's what this country was made of.  People volunteering to protect and serve.  Thank You, you are doing a huge service to us all!!!
11780
As a former soldier i can agree with parts of the letter. I dont think that it is fair, or safe to assume that most young people who join the military are naive,I joined after Sept. 11, so i knew what was to come. i wasnt in a dead-end town, i didnt need the college money. i joined because after Sept. 11 happend i felt that it was what i was supposed to do, my dad, my grandfather serviced this country, so it was a questioin of "if they did it then why shouldnt i". i admit that it was hard to conform to what they wanted, to change my way of thinking and adpot theirs(i dont think i ever did). i wanted to speak out, and say i didnt agree with this, or i didnt agree with that. In the begining i was afraid, i didnt want my follow soldiers to think that i was different from them. so i didnt speak my mind, i was always the quite one, but as time went on and my military career grew i realized that i was going about it all wrong. the reason the military is what it is today is because we have soldiers who speak their minds, who arent afraid to say things, who are not afraid of change. the military needs this, if we just had robots then no one could lead when they needed them to, no one could step up and take charge in a deadly situation. i dont agree with the war, i never have and never will, but to me, its not a question of if you agree with the war or not as a soldier. its who will protect my family,the freedoms that i take advantage of as an American,its will you support, will you protect your follow soldier who has gone through basic training, who has been through all the bull**** that you have, that soldier who stands by you, even the "disgruntaled soldiers", its about the bond that you and your follow soldiers have and no one else can understand. no civilan can understand what a soldier goes thourgh, what they have been though, thats a secert shared by only the soldiers and no one can take that away from them.i may not agree with everyting the letter says, but as i follow soldier i understand it and i can respect it. i say bravo to J.D. Englehart for writing this letter, for saying what is on is mind and so many other soldiers. to me this is what American needs, to hear different truths and realize even as a soldier you do have an opinion.
141581
Many do not understand that, like you do.  I'm actually in the military now, serving in the Army and stationed in Afghanistan for the next year.  It's great to hear about your support for the military >^.^<
219864
Go talk to a recruiter and see what options you have.  Just be prepared that recruiters are trying to make quotas and will say lots of things to get you to join.  Make sure this is something you really want to do, it's not like a job you can just quit.  The Army can get you off to a good future, unless you get killed in action.  There is the GI Bill, and you can take classes while you are in the Army, tuition is often cheaper and often times it's waved, and there are several colleges that offer classes on-line.  You won't get rich in the Army, but you can gain a lot of experience and maturity.  Think hard of what you might like to do.  Also, take the ASVAB and see what MOS (job) you can go into, the higher your score the more choices you will have, so it wouldn't hurt to buy a study guide, there are lots of them out there, like ASVAB for Dummies.  (You will have to take the ASVAB anyway to join the Army.)
82495
I'm in the Army...have been for over 15 years now.  I love what I do and wish more young men and women would do the same (doesn't matter which branch!).\n\nThanks for supporting the troops.....there should be more people out there like you.  We don't hear that often enough.\n\nThank you.
300796
Military Recruitment has always been low.  This is nothing new.\n\nThink about it.  The pay sucks, the working hours suck, the mental and physical demands are enormous.  You spend years away from home, in some of the worse places in the world.\n\nWhen most of your friends live in a house or apartment, you live in a barracks with 2-20 other people.  WHen your friends talk about going on vacation to Mexico or Bahamas, you get to tromp through the jungles of Panama.  Your friends all work Mon-Fri 8-5.  You often work 5-7 days a week, sometimes 48 hours straight.\n\nThe military attracts the rare person, the one who wants to serve their country.  We do it out of a sense of duty.  In much the same way as people who go into Law Enforcement.\n\nAnd just like Law Enforcement, there is a strict requirement in order to join.  A High School Diploma is required.  A clean criminal backgrouns is required.  Drug use is not allowed.  And there is a test that you must pass.  People who fall below the 30 percentile are not accepted.\n\nAnd here is a shock, almost 50% of the people in the military are Democrats.  And the recruitment numbers are roughly the same today as they were under President Clinton.\n\nYou are talking about a career that does not appeal to everybody.  And not just anybody is accepted.  And to be honest, there are a lot of people I would not want to see in the military.  People who whine and propagandize are not welcome, because they do not know how to do anything, they only know how to whine.
489338
Deployment is what we do. If you join the Army and don't think you will deploy you are wrong. You will but don't worry so much about it. I am in the Infantry and I love it. We are doing something that less than 2% of the American population ever will do. We are the elite whether you are Infantry or a cook. You are an important asset to the military and you services are needed where the fight is. I wish people would realize that we must deploy. If we didn't our wars would be fought at home and our children would be subject to unimaginable things. You should be proud of the choice you have made and relish the thouht of deployment. Yes it is dangerous but that is what we do. It's the Army. Close with and destroy the enemy.
20578
I feel very strongly and joined the Air Force in 2002.  This is a great country and this is a very important time in history.  There is nothing wrong with the reserves. I have friends in the Air force reserve and they do a lot for this country. Go for it and be proud.
330624
I came back to the world in 1973. It wasn't until 1999 that somebody actually thanked me for my service. No war is ever popular, but the guys on the front lines aren't the ones that started it, they are just doing their duty as American Servicemen and women. The don't want to be there, we would all chose peace over war, but sometimes it takes the jawbone of an ass to stay safe. To those who say 'thanks', a sincere 'you're welcome'. To the others that served, thanks from me too. To those that are serving now, thank you, stay safe, keep your head down.
163063
I don't keep numbers of this sort, but I do read the newspaper, daily.  Two days ago, the army indicated that it had surpassed it's last recruiting quota.  All of the other services have had no trouble meeting quota.  The army has always had the biggest challenge because of it's size,  I believe the army may have relaxed some of its criteria for recruitment.  This certainly would have helped it to achieve its numbers.  No, this isn't a guess, unless the newspapers are getting bad info.