Why does one join the military?

TruthSeeker, US American

(1) For the benefits
(2) Some to stay out of jail
(3) For love of country
(4) to blow sh*t up

mattinhoustontx

There are some people who think about others before themselves.

Doofus B

I did due to the fact I was not ready for college and I could not pay for college. Then again here I am still in almost 17 years later. Now I am in due to the fact I like it and I will get a retirement check in about 3 years for the rest of my life.

Civilians do not understand why we do things mainly because when you join the military you lose rights that a private citizen has. The military is a hierarchy that protects democracy.

Spider2099

I joined the Army because I couldn't stand the idea of not helping America defeat it's enemies. I honestly think most people join because they need a job and they have no ambition.

bumpocooper

I don't think we are despised. I think we are respected by most except people who are the lowest of the low.

PATRICK

to rid the world of terrorist scum

TONY B

who despises the military i don't are you trying to wind up the families of the military. why join money esprit de corps, wish to serve your country, a pride in yourself and the task you are sent to do. learning of self discipline, the comradeship, the occasional adrenaline rush.

Jasna

bc they love there country.

simon_sainteclaire

I dont believe todays service people are despised , I believe they are well respected and apprecitaed.

I do agree that our returning Vietnam war servicement where very badly treated but I also think a lot has been done to rectify that in both public and private arenas.

Just last year the Vietnam veterans lead the Anzac day parades in every capital city and now that people have a clearer history of Vietnam people have a better understanding of their sacrifice as well.

I have always held the depest respect for Vietnam veterans , being one myself.

I do believe that if we are not vigilant the politicians will try and blame the Iraqi veterans like they did the vietnam veterans but I think people today are a bit more savvy with what the politicians tell them.

My father was Navy, my sister airforce, me Army and my youngest son is Navy, wouldnt have it anyother way

tot tot

its a different reason for everyone....i know some people that are just cut out to be a soldier...its like thier calling, they want to be in the military...some for college..some for money...some for no where else to go or do

human_we_are

Well to defend the greatest country in the world! because they love there country,its people,there way of living, OK well that's a great reason but today my opinion is that many join so they can get an education i think that all American citizens should have to join after high school and when i say all that goes for the silver spooners too rich and poor should be in the military to earn a better respect for what the men and women go though on a daily basis, I also feel that any Elected person President or other wise should have a military history, too many people in the united states take for granted there county and what it stands for they get to involved in the media and not the real truth behind what we stand for most that feel our country is not great have not seen the rest of the world and the struggles that Americans do not have to face on a daily basis , that is why we are hated because we stand for freedom and will not give it away for free I can not serve the military because of health but I am so very proud of any American that defends this great country my father did , grandfather did, and even way back in the revolutionary war i have family that was in the military. So thank you to the men& women who defend this country because I know when I put my child down to sleep at night there are fine men&women defending this great country! God Bless America!

JOHN B

I think your premise is incorrect. I don't think they are despised. Most people are too concerned with their own, day to day, lives to give a damn, one way or the other.

matt f

I did because i was blessed with many freedoms and i want to preserve those freedoms for our future generations to have. And no i'm not doing it for the money or the benefits(don't get me wrong, there good and all) but its more of a feeling That someone gets letting them know that that is where they belong and that that is what their meant to do. Igot that feeling and have made a couple trips to a local Air Base and i can tell you that being there and walking aroud i felt right at home. Really, the citizens that dispute the military can't see the real picture, only one who is in the military can see it for all it is. Ask someone you know who is in the military and they will tell you what i'm talking about.

the reasons are plentiful and range from a lack of options to a desire to do service for ones countryman and all sorts of things in between. The thing I think most fail to see is this. You need to be able to get your head around the fact that your main purpose in life for the next several years is to make sure we can break things and kill people better than "they" can. Yes I can hear it now, the low rumble of "that's not what I do in the military." Take it from a 10 year Vet. The end result of WHATEVER your job in the military is, is to make sure we can break things and kill people better than they do. If your OK with that; Go.

johnstrangey

lets put it this way i could walk leave the navy tomorrow and walk into a 40 to 50 grand a year job and since when have service men and women been dispised by the civilian public i have had nothing but respect

Sassy

Because one doesn't give a kitty what those who despise the military thinks of them, and feel a sense of duty to their country and its future.

gunslinger915@sbcglobal.net

I don't know about "despised by the public". I spent 24 years in the Army. Four and a half years in Vietnam. I never thought it was anyones fault, just something I wanted to do. I did get out one time, 1971, I think. But after being in the war, just felt lost, didn't know what the hell I was supposed to do. So I went back. On 911, my Son and I were watching the events on TV. He had tears in his eyes and told me "Dad there is a storm coming and I got to go". He spent 2 years in Iraq only 7 months apart. That was the longest 2 years of my life. The military isn't for everybody, but it is for some people.

Blood&Wine

Simple:
Idealism
Romancisism
and Discipline.

But then many realize that these arent the reasons they should have joined for.

rowdy

To put something back, instead of scrounging off the state.

wilma p

i surpose it could be to have a good carear??/and travel

oddball

those who join the military will risk their lives for someone else who the don't even know, they think of someone else before themselves!. Also to serve their country.

K. Marx iii

They are misguided by the saying , "What have you done for your country" or such. But the real deal is , "What has your country done for you?"

TheHumbleOne

Because they realize that God blessed us with the best country on the planet and they are humbled and grateful for it, and are willing to fight to keep it. They realize that our way of life is endangered by people who want us dead because we do not think or believe as they. The radicals want to control our bodies and minds. They do not believe in "live and let live."

God bless our wonderful military.

bellyman

1) to fight for they country..
2) to get training for a better job when they leave the army..
3) and the one about in runs in the family..

could be a few more as well..

roan

for money

Shortie545

To serve queen and country

Lisa T

Largely because one's Daddy did....

The Main Event

I don't know if I would say those that serve are hated by the public in civilian life (in fact, i would call it a sort of somber respect that the people around me display veterans of any type of service; combat or not).

My top 5;

1) Nation- there are people that have a high sense of statehood and want to serve their country. Patriots

2) Legacy- often times military service is handed down in the family.

3) Money- the military is a way for some to achieve things like med-school.

4) Stability- there are more than enough cases with people who join the military to escape chaotic situations at home (violence, drugs, etc..)

5) Tricked- I put these under the category of those that recruiters get to and give many, many promises (but never put it in writing..interesting?) to the recruit but never come through on them. The people join thinking it's like a video game, or that everything the commercials or recruiter said will happen and find themselves in a harsh reality.

mikeh_frog

at one time it was because they wanted to serve thier country------but lately it;s because there;s no jobs and they are mostly-get the idea that they can just go in and draw a check for nothing---sume it up --most ----not all are to damned sorry to go out and work---get a real job---so they go for the lies the government spreads around---only to find out it;s all just another damned lie from uncle sam

The mad scientist

So that they can travel around the world, meet people and shoot them

dlgfdg

A lot of people join because they don't have or can't get money for college. Very few join for the pride. If you were to invetigate, you would find that most are from middle class and poorer families.l

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