Did you serve in the armed forces of your country?

[Pica Pica]

Never have. Never will.
The last person the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wants defending it's shores is me.

[lacitychick21]

I served proudly.

I'll die to maintain the freedoms my family and friends enjoy.
Post Merge: February 15, 2009, 11:34:37 PM

This comment will be on the border line, and most likely should be moved to the political site, but please do not take it as a personal attack but do consider that it is a comment on my view of the thoughts of a much younger generation. 

First, few of those of us that have served in the various militaries did it for the fun, excitement, or pleasure that we got from serving, but instead many of us did it because it was something that we believed in. 

Those of you that have traveled around the US and or the world, and have lived with and or worked with people from different cultures may better understand my belief that while I did not especially like the military, I did and do consider it an honor to serve and or to have served my country.  While I may not agree with every thing that it does, please show me one that is doing a better job of being a world leader, but please also document your ideas with factual references as to why it is better.

I have lived in former communist countries and have seen first hand the bankrupt government and social systems that were left over; I pray nightly that something like that never happens here.  I spent the month of September in a foreign country when 9-11 took place and felt the apprehension of wondering if and how I would ever get back to the US, but I also experienced the pleasure of watching people in that country rally around us and they often went well out of their way to show their support for us as Americans and especially for the US. 

I am proud to have served my country and I did not consider boot camp to be any more than a mild discomfort and no DI was ever that much of a problem.  I found them to be Men doing their jobs in a well thought out program, to stay out of trouble all that was necessary was to use your head and think.

A response to this message will not reach me as I will be off line for some time traveling to Australia for a vacation and maybe hopefully some skiing.

QFT

[cindybc]

Tried to join the Army when I was 16, I was in recruiting for a week in Toronto when they kicked me out just saying I was to small. Well just as well because I don't think I would have lasted long especially in combat conditions.

Quite agree with Emily's post;

We have freedom of speech here, right?

I would honestly rather die then fight for this country. I have many reasons to that.

First of all I have trouble following orders like you do in the army. Do not ask me how I can do marching band, because I don't know. Perhaps it's that I don't really care about fighting!

Secondly I do not like fighting or killing, both are no good and there's no logical reason for either. If I ever killed someone I couldn't live with myself anymore, I can barely live with myself as it is, but I'd HATE killing others, and I mean it. It is one of the worst things you could ever do.

Also I do not like what's going on in this country, and why were fighting. There may NEVER be a logical reason for fighting.. however this is one of the stupidest. I would not fight for an idiot like Bush, EVER.

Lastly, but definately not least... Gender discrimination. I don't know how I could do it... I don't know how I could take being called a "sir" and being forced to use a male's bathroom... and so many other things... I just couldn't do it. I would probably end up killing myself if I was drafted. (it's true.)

Okay I'm sorry, this probably had nothing to do with the topic, but I was bored and needed somewhere to post.

Cindy

[cindybc]

I have thought about that and how have I thought about it. I think the worst thing that could happen to a troop is one of their men loosing it and then jepordizing their live s in order to save your sorry butt. I still suffer from what they call shell shock from the environment where I worked in in a dynamite factory 34 years ago, and abusive situations in later years as well. I believe that some of us would do much better helping the war effort from the homeland.

Cindy

[SomeMTF]

No. I had a clear feeling of female identity when I was 18 years old. The hole idea seemed to extremely unnatural for me. I had even  serious difficulties to be with guys in P.E. classes. And now they are going to put me prison for that.

[Sephirah]

Yeah, I did serve. In the Navy.

[NicholeW.]

The dela has beem canceled.
Regardless of whether I complite surgery or not I will be charged in the first week of 2010.

SMTF, try to recall that the thread is not about your personal situation at the present time. It's about people who have served in the armed forces of their countries.

I'm sorry for your struggle, but that is not on-topic and should be placed in a different thread about not serving in the armed forces, please.

Nichole

[Steph]

Wow I' started this thread in 2006 - kinda neat that it's been re-activated.

Steph

[cindybc]

Funny how these old threads get revived, What is interesting as well is to read about peoples thoughts and feeling on different things two and three years ago. Some that I knew that have left the forums which makes me feel sad some.

As I have said, I don't believe there is any reasons for any wars or violence and suffering if it can be avoided in any way possible. But if there must be a war like in defending the homeland I would not hesitate to serve the cause from the home front, or if I was younger even as a medic in the neutral zones.

Cindy

[Wendy C]

Sorry Steph, missed it. Yes, 4 years active and a Viet Nam Vet, 2 years active reserves, all US Army. It was a struggle, and while I liked the jobs I had, the internal conflicts did cause a measure of trouble.

Wendy

[mina.magpie]

I won't say never, but not in a very, very, very long time.

Mina.

[Jay]

Wanted to join the RAF when I was younger and nearly got signed at 18. However chickened out as I fell in love.. wish I done it now. However couldn't go in as "female". Would have really enjoyed the experience.

[sd]

I did four and a half years in the Air Force.
It's certainly not for everyone.

[tekla]

It's certainly not for everyone.

No, perhaps not, oddly though you will meet just about everyone while your in, its one of the better parts of it in a way, you meet and have to work with such a wide range of people with skills ranging from none to the smartest people from the best schools ever (west point to mit) day in and day out.  Its one of the best things that the military does, and people who have not done that, there is a difference.

[sd]

It's certainly not for everyone.

No, perhaps not, oddly though you will meet just about everyone while your in, its one of the better parts of it in a way, you meet and have to work with such a wide range of people with skills ranging from none to the smartest people from the best schools ever (west point to mit) day in and day out.  Its one of the best things that the military does, and people who have not done that, there is a difference.

Actually the people, are the best part of serving.
I don't regret doing it, I just would not do it again.

[tekla]

I think so too, its the learning to work with a wide range of people that is a pretty good thing to know.

[Hypatia]

HELL no, I didn't go.

[Linus]

A long time ago I was in the Canadian Reserves for about 3 months. Many times I wish I could go back and join up again. It was a great experience for me.

[Miniar]

I'm Icelandic. We do not have any military of any kind what so ever.

[Pica Pica]

that's good, wouldn't have much money to pay for one at the moment anyway.