Should i join the military?

[Acala]

It can be a positive thing. Some here will voice 100% against it. Knowing that many young people are going to join regardless, I would prefer to see liberty lovers in the military. You will have opportunities to spread the message of liberty while you are there.

It sounds like you have given it some good thought. If you are looking at the Navy I would suggest talking to current and former sailors to make sure you are getting what you expect.

Yes. It can be a positive thing. It can also ruin your life. Take a look at the rates of severe emotional problems plaguing combat vets. You may think that it won't happen to you, but those guys that ended up killing themselves due to PTSD thought the same thing.

[Agorism]

If you feel like you have to join, why not the coast guard then?

[RonPaulCult]

With complete respect given....WHERE IS YOUR HEAD?

You say you are against our foreign policy. And you are considering joining the front lines of these wars? Putting your financial situation aside for a moment, could we ask if what you are doing is moral?

Are you really willing to go to a far away land and kill people? That's what you will be doing. That's what you will be paid to do. Are you willing? Are you able to kill the innocent so that you have something to put on your resume?

[specialkornflake]

No, not in a million years join the military.

[SWATH]

The SEAL program is a gamble because the type of person that would gravitate towards the SEAL program would also be MISERABLE in the conventional fleet in the very likely event that you fail screening, INDOC, BUD/S, etc.

[Philhelm]

First, I wouldn't plan on being a SEAL, as there is a high failure rate. Also, your girlfriend's dad being a former SEAL would likely have no bearing on whether or not you're accepted (at least, I'd hope not). I can understand that feeling of wanting to join the military, regardless of current opinions of the government, but keep in mind that it's boring as hell. And I mean mind-numbingly boring. Then there's the problem of some dipshit officer coming up with a bad idea, and having that bad idea roll right down the chain of command down to you.

In any case, I'm not going to tell you not to join. I don't regret my involvement with the military, but am glad that it's over. I guess the most important bit of advice I would give you is that you probably shouldn't join unless you intend to make a career out of it. If you only decide to serve for a few years, it would have only hurt you in the private sector when you try to find new employment. Also, with the issue of PTSD being tossed around by the media, in conjunction with the fact that the requirements for being diagnosed with PTSD are less strict (which necessarily means a higher rate of PTSD), it's pretty clear that the new generation of veterans with get the Vietnam treatment of the crazy war vet. Some employers might be wary of hiring a veteran based on this stereotype.

Finally, of course your woman is upset about it. Duh! I don't know what your relationship is like, but is kicking the desert sand chasing ghosts more important than making love to your woman?

[Jordan]

Do what you want to do, not what other people want you to do.

[tremendoustie]

Absolutely not. Why on earth would you want to go kill people at the behest of politicians?

I would rather be thrown in jail or even shot than join the military as it exists today.

[WilliamShrugged]

With complete respect given....WHERE IS YOUR HEAD?

You say you are against our foreign policy. And you are considering joining the front lines of these wars? Putting your financial situation aside for a moment, could we ask if what you are doing is moral?

Are you really willing to go to a far away land and kill people? That's what you will be doing. That's what you will be paid to do. Are you willing? Are you able to kill the innocent so that you have something to put on your resume?

I don't disagree with anything you said. And that is one of the main things that i honestly haven't thought about when i really think about it. Too be honest shooting people shooting at me probably(idk) wouldn't bother me, but yes killing someone that wasn't shoot at me or my unit, friends, etc i would never forget.

[Agorism]

Coast guard is least evil branch.