Honestly how bad is the Army?

Ghost of Tom Joad

Things are alot more complex than you described. The army is all about holding ground, the marines are about quick surgical strike. The army is several times larger than any other military branch, and has the most variety of jobs that need to be filled.

To say that they are all bullet catchers is ignoring the fact that alot of people join the army with no intention to fire their weapons outside of the firing range (although they may be required to at some point anyway). The army may stay the longest in deployments, but also build the biggest bases and some soldiers never have to leave base during their deployment (although they can still be in danger from mortar rounds).

If you are weak, you won't make it through basic training and won't get send over. The army is good at preventing people most likely to break physically and mentally from making into dangerous situations like Iraq where they can endanger others.

Things were undoubtly somewhat different in your grandfather's day. There is a big difference between a volunteer army and a drafted army, and soldiers now-a-days take on alot more responsibility than they did in the past.

The most dangerous jobs is something both army and marine personnel do, and that's going out on patrol and trying to maintain order. The lack of overall plan to bring order in Iraq really prevents any real progress of the military in the region though.

And they don't take just anyone. Anyone with medical problems such as diabetes are automatically out. Serious criminals are also barred, although minor crimes you can get waivers for. You have to take a intelligence/skill test called the asvab, and if you aren't very bright, you aren't going to get into the better jobs (or might not be able to get in at all). But relatively speaking, it is easier to get into the army than other branches just because they have such a greater need of personnel (and they often offer very good bonuses to sweeten the deal). Usually you also need a high school diploma, although might be waiverable as well.

thenightscribe

No stupid answers?! What if the question is stupid...and detestable?

barbie

It's...not. This is stupid question. These people are putting their life on the line for the sake of your country. Where the hell do you get off disrespecting them?

Stupid answers? This is one of the STUPIDEST questions I've seen in a while.

Imjez A

You sound like a very poorly informed troll. Keep your 10 points.

tugg7

I dunno, i'm fairly new to the Army after growing up in a Navy family. And truth be told, I have been impressed. Yeah its hard, but it is the Army and we are at war. But there has never been a better time to be a soldier. We are in Iraq and Afghanistan rebuilding the country, and that requires us to be there for longer periods of time. Marines come in and do some heavy lifting and shooting for us (and we do appreciate most of it). But if you want to be part of something greater than yourself that is actually doing some thing in the world (The other branches support us but usually with bullets and missiles). Check out Army Civil Affairs (MOS 38B). It changed the way I looked at life.

scottlac

I have been in the Army for 15 years. I have been to Iraq. Guess what. I have no extra holes in my body. I am not a homicidal manic. I am not a quivering pile of jello. I am a rational, disciplined, thinking human being who is proud of what I do.

The Army protects you from raging lunatics that hate you simply for being different. They hate YOU. Can you understand that? There you are sitting in your room surfing the net and living your clueless life, and they hate you. Please stop insulting me while I keep them from dragging you into the street as sawing off your head.

I would appreciate it. Keep your 10 points.

Jenn K

honestly i think its good. like my aunt is in it and she loves it and says its a good experience. like u need that type of stuff in life and they wouldnt send u if u wernt ready, liek they`ll train u up to a point for example u have to pass tests testing u physically and mentally, if u arnt in the shape for the army they`d tell u or work with u more. people just say all that negative stuff like bullet sheilds to give them an excuse not to join because they arnt brave enough. joining the army takes guts and if ur friend joined then i think thats awsome and that u should support them for doing what so many others are afraid to do.

texanweazel

Well, it matters on the job and the person wearing the uniform. Infantry has a high rate of both training and war time deaths, however their job is..well...dangerous.

"on Leave for years at a time"...I'm going to take a leap and take it you didn't mean vacation (as that is what "leave" is in the military). Once again, it depends on the job and the assignment in that job. If you are with a unit that deploys (leaves their permanent duty station for months at a time) then, yes, they will be gone up to 18 months at a time now, normally 6 months at a time.

Marines are doing about a year in Iraq as well, with some deployments lasting longer than that (had a friend that went for 6 months, upped to 8 months, then finally ended at 13 months). I have NEVER heard of a Marine Unit being there less than 6-8 months.

No, the U.S. Army doesn't take "just about anyone". They still have to pass the ASVAB and a medical exam. They train all soldiers the same way and the "weak and small" or medium or out of shape don't leave basic that way...and they are kept trained and in shape throughout their time as a soldier.

What are you implying, that the U.S. Army picks them up off the street, puts them in a uniform and sends them to Iraq? That soldier goes through MASSIVE amounts of training.

I wish that you would investigate your thoughts BEFORE making these absurd accusations....I'm not trying to be mean...just saying.

K moon

The army does most of the work so don't insult it.

chris c

The death rate is the highest because its the largest branch, its simple math. I loved being in the army, best times of my life. Marines serve less in Iraq because they have their own rules. And they do not take just anyone they have standards just like any other branch. They train every soldier the same, and no matter how big or strong you are taught to kill and survive just as good as anyone else.

Penguino

The Army is not bad.

What is totally jacked up is civilians who do not have a clue talking trash about the men and women who preserve your rights on a daily basis.
The Army has pretty high standards for the people it recruits. During times of conflict the standards are slightly relaxed to insure we have enough manpower to accomplish the mission. People just looking for college money are looking elsewhere. The people stepping up to the plate today are making very good Soldiers.
Soldiers have aright to gripe. I am sure your Grandfather also had some good things to say. Maybe about the places he visited, or the friends he made, ask him. And thank him for his service to our country.

Never forget, that the Soldier is just a reflection of our society!

supercharged96stang

well, the army has some really good people, its just the marines and the navy really train their soldiers a hell of a lot harder. the army kind of lacks leadership, and they dont labor markmanship as much as the other branches. the army is good, but people try to compare them to the marines, and thats how the bad opinions come in. one reason they have the highest death rate is because they dont train as hard as the marines. the funny thing is, navy seals, marines, and other special forces (including army special forces) go through harder, more dangerous missions than regular army infantry, but the training regular army infantry lack is what causes their death rate to be so high. and marines are usually assigned 6 months, but they end up staying 8,9 or in some cases 10 months.
once again the army isnt bad, its just the other branches of military make them look bad.

ettubozo

Don't listen to bitter old Nam Vets:)
(even more bitter if they were DRAFTED)
don't argue with them either.

I did ten years USCG....
the mission appealed to me....
the smaller units appealed to me....
etc etc

you gotta look at your own "tendencies"...
what appeals to YOU....

I was not in Nam but I suspect there were a number of officers who saw Nam as thier big chance to get a few medals and some combat experience on thier resumes......
that a bunch of 19-20 year old conscripts did not share these ambitions must have been source of tension.....

"Fragging" and "Combat Refusals"
in Vietnam
http://home.mweb.co.za/re/redcap/vietcrim.htm

so there is truth in what them old guys said.

Big difference between conscript army and volunteer army.

If you don't want to be stuck in IRAQ on extended deployment don't choose infantry MOS......

re "take anybody"....
they are allowing waivers for minor felonies...
maybe waive GED requirements....
not sure if they have done that yet......
but
this is not all bad.

In the "old days" if young guy went before judge on some minor beef the judge just might give him option of "The service or jail".

Military recruiters would show up on court date .....in uniform....sign up papers in hand....

ask the old timers about THAT.

try posting on
http://www.military.com
at least check out boot camp tips.

Old timers will tell you some boot camp tale about
square needle in left nut(or variation of)

Billie V

there are no stupid answers. only stupid questions.

spc.

if you're a man you can take it.

you go knowing people will die, you will see death and you can be one of the ones that dies or loses limbs. that's the risk you take. you know what to expect, it is better.

some people get shocked and can't handle it.

i personally have no qualms about it. there are several soldiers and marines too that have absolutely no problem doing their job.

its the people that wanted to sort of get in, use the benefits and get out. those are the ones that get shaken.

people die everyday. like i said, you do your job and don't worry about it.

Meng-Tzu

It's the backbone of our military. We can't scare anyone from coming over here causing trouble if they weren't the best trained and most well armed in the world.

As far as being in the Army, being in the military at all, save the coast guard is like being a slave. It does give you a very real and adult perspective on life. One that people who've never been in it cannot understand.

gunsrfunmg

to the dude who posted the US army video thats the british army idiot... we dont use SA80s.... and before u leave u get training and the army isnt for everyone the ppl who join should know that theyre gonna b there for a year and if they dont theyre stupid....and they have the highest death because they have the highest amount of ppl and r the least trained. ppl could join the marines, rangers, or snipers if they dont wanna join the army. and yes they take pretty much everyone who doesnt have diseases or is really out of shape and i also agree with scottlac and ghost

George S

the army is good it will pay for collage
teach you responsibility
you get to serve your countrie

you could die
you might have some kind of problems for the rest of you life like
back problems you can lose limbs.
the government will probably screw you over

Ali

um yea..its bad...you see things you dont ever want 2 see, you meet people then you see them die, its something really crazy it really effects your life in so many ways. alot of soldiers cant take it, they feel paranoid after they come back ,they cant sleep it just really messes w/ you. you have to be strong mentally and physically.its a big deal

Fiersteh

People Could Die from anything, even by stress.......The army is not for everybody to handle......When people come back from that place called hell.....they come back all screwed up in the head....

Kara

a lot of ppl i no like my grandpa doesnt like 2 talk about it. He doesnt like to think or remember anything about it. I'm sure there are a few ppl that think the war is okay, but i think most of the people who went got horrible images of friends dying and just war in there heads and that wont go away.

rcabletn

D U is bad enough, and our vets are treated like mangy dogs. please check out link below.

WUTT?

This is what the u.s army has become
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvMLREePkyY

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: