Are army recruiters are selling their soul by convincing kids to join, all in the name of a christmas bonus?!?
961969
A Christmas Bonus and Eternal Damnation....where have I been all I ever got was a few extra bucks a month
711792
It's become a lot happier since having kids.  Before, it really dragged on me to feel obligated to be "merry" and "jolly" and "forgiving", etc., when I just wanted to get through as I would any other time of year.  But my two young boys are royally jacked for Christmas, and their enthusiasm fires up mine.  But yes, we'll really take it on the chin come the January credit card bills.  Yet to see them happy and enjoy things I didn't as a child, will make up for it in many ways.
1029130
I disagree with one of your responders. I personally think you are writing this to vent...more or less. And I hate to bring reality into this light, but most people don't do things out of the 'goodness of their own hearts' most people do stuff for various reasons..self gratification, tax reasons, in order to receive scholarships......\n\nOkay, now that that's off my chest. I understand your frustration. And yes you have done quite a bit all you want is some gratitude. I expect the brother and wife are so used to handouts that they just assume everyone is willing. They look like the type everyone would feel empathy for so everyone breaks their back to help them. They are happy with scraping the bottle of the barrel you know.\n\nAnd I don't care what anyone says, when you buy a present for someone (I don't care what the occasion) you expect a bit of gratitude from the recipient. If that were not the case thank you cards wouldn't exist.
711889
Yes! My church does this every year. It's such a great ministry. These kids have nothing compared to us. It's a wonderful opportunity to be involved in something like this.
740919
it's got to be those darn hazing rituals for the elf college again, they go on that panty raid every year.  geesh give an elf a few hienys and jello shots and look out!!  but Santa will make it all good come Christmas.
1138289
They are probably scared. The thing is you will have to soul search. Alot of young kids join the military today for college, but ulitmately it's still the military, if you are called to duty you must go. It's not just a free ride and never has been, and you shouldn't go in with that mindframe. You join the military to serve your country for a certain amount of time. I joined the Airforce when I was 18 years old and I knew what it entailed. They didn't have the great big enlistment bonus's they offer to the new recruits today when I joined 14 years ago, and they only paid a certain amount for college then too so that wasn't my reason for joining. Alot of my reasoning to join was to get out from under my parents thumb...which is funny since being in the military you are just getting a whole new set of rules , lol. I enjoyed my time in and then got out, I'm proud to say that I served my country and I am still married to a wonderful Airforce sergeant today, it's a good life honestly and we love the traveling!! I wouldn't discourage my daughters from joining, I'd be proud! Good luck, only you can make that descision for your life, do youre research on all the branches and make sure they give you the job you really want, even if you have to wait, dont let them talk you into doing something you'll hate!
55507
The military is not an institution made for the purpose of allowing the "less fortunate" gain an education.\nThe brave men and women that are joining right now are not doing it for the free education, or to make a lot of money.  They are joining the military to protect and serve their country. You are exactly right when you say that they know full well that there is a good chance that they could be sent to Iraq.  They know this and they are signing up anyway, because they believe in what we are doing, and that it is right. \n\nIt is easy to see by the wording of your question, that you just don't get it.
196217
I am a soldier, I just turned 20 in January. I think that a lot of america's young people (kids) are serving in the military right now and I thank them for all that they do. I advise everyone that asks about them to do the same. These guys are giving up their golden youths so that everyone in America can live and enjoy theirs happily. Some of them give up the rest of their lives as well. They do it because they know that if we didn't fight the insurgencies on their own soil, we'd be fighting them on ours!
807518
$240 from your parents? geeze do they want to adopt me?  I don't get anything because we have bills we have to pay.  I spend maybe 50 dollars on each one of our kids.  It isn't how much you get it is how much of yourself you give that is what christmas is about.
799115
good question and the answer is yes\n\nthis from a former army recruiter / active army
625463
This is one source of this story http://www.oregonlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/1146882329307730.xml&coll=\n\nThe army only investigated after this story was in the newspaper. The parents contacted the recruiter and were told, " He is a man, he doesn't need his mommy making his decisions." They offered to bring his medical and school records as proof of disability and were blown off. The newspaper article was their only recourse to keep their disabled son safe. Shame on the this recruiter! I hope he is dicharged and severely reprimanded.\n\n\n\n**** As for holding jobs YES an adult with autism IF CAPABLE should hold a job to have some sense of accomplishment, to have something they can be proud of. The military is NOT the place for adults with autism. There are laws that prevent the disabled from being harassed by recruiters for a reason. There is a BIG difference between Xbox games showing military ops and the real deal. Severe anxiety, sensory issues, communication delay's and social delay's are just a few symptoms of autism and make it impossible for an adult with autism to serve in the military.
764524
I wouldnt rekomend that. Children needs its parents all of the time. The younger the more they need them. If youre interested in the military, maybe there is some jobs for civilians in your country? Johan
967300
I grew up an Air Force "brat" and am now an Air Force wife, so I guess I'd be considered biased, but I see NO reason why the military should be kept out.\n\nOur Armed Forces are entirely volunteer. When a recruiter goes to a school, he is not forcing kids into signing up. In fact, to sign up on delayed enlistment while under the age of 18 you have to have a parent permission, so it's not like anyone is being duped.\n\nMilitary service provides great opportunities and is also necessary for our country's survival. I don't believe the argument that only the poor and uneducated get railroaded into service. My husband and his brother grew up in a middle class home and are both college educated and are enlisted.\n\nTo keep the military out of schools is to do our students a great disservice. Let them make up their own minds as to whether or not the program is right for them. To do otherwise is to assume they cannot think for themselves.
221104
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.
954327
MLM's make 90% of their money through turn-over.  Constantly repeating a cycle of recruiting, training, selling and quitting.\n\nMost people will join, sell what they can to friends and family, then quit.  \n\nIt's only an opportunity for those willing to recruit and train.  Problem is, once you realize you are selling overpriced crap to your friends and family, most people won't be able to recruit anyone if they don't believe in the product they are selling.\n\nBottom line, MLM's are tough for most people to make any real money at, unless you stick through it long enough to recruit lots of people below you, where you make money on their sales.  \n\nAnd of course no one wants to show you their books or really look at hard figures, because it's all pie in the sky.
735017
This is the fourteenth year I have chaired a neighborhood "Spirit of Christmas".  Friends, family, neighbors and co-workers donate money and we "adopt" children less fortunate than ours.  We purchase clothing, books and toys - wrap and deliver them before Christmas from Santa's Elves. This year we are shopping for 35 moms and their children.  The mom's are doing everything they can to graduate and make a better life for themselves and their children.
11363
People have many different expectations for Christmas and how it is observed.  It is common in many families to concentrate on the kids rather than the adults, but other folks are firmly in the "everybody gets something" camp.  Either way is fine so long as everyone is working from the same understanding.  If the arrangement is that you only buy for kids and someone goes and gets all the adults something as well, that can make the other adults who didn't buy gifts feel bad, which is not what the holidays are supposed to be about.  Conversely, you probably wouldn't feel too good if everyone else bought you something and you arrived with nothing for them.  The key is working out the expectations in advance, rather than operating in the dark.