What made you join the Military?

Question

Life’s been a rough go for me, yes and others. I should be living in a tent smoking bad stuff and ripping people off.
But I have an honest full time job, I rent, no roommates, living pay-check to pay-check like most of us. I don’t do drugs and I do not drink. I study after making dinner, for upgrading some courses so that I qualify. I didn’t finish school, only got to grade 7 when I was younger. My reason for that is home life was so chaotic I couldn’t focus on my work and then mom got sick and I took care of stuff for a bit til she got a bit better and I took off to figure sh*t out on my own because home wasn’t working and I've always had a desire to better myself despite my home.
That’s not even the gyst of things but my point is I’d love to have a purpose and belong to a place where I can retire. Show my kids it’s never too late to accomplish something they truly want.

Yes our past is hard to face but try not to be afraid of it. It’s not afraid of you

236color · Accepted Answer

Sorry to be discouraging but if you're thinking of joining the U. S. military, you're probably not going to be accepted. They tend to prefer younger people and having kids is going to be a big problem. I joined because I needed a job, had no idea what I would want to study in school and yes wanted the hell away from my family. From your use of the term "grade 7" I think you might be from the UK or some Commonwealth country. I have no 1st hand knowledge about their enlistment policies.

That said, somethings to keep in mind about ANY military. #1 It's physically demanding. Basic training was challenging when I was 19. I doubt I could have done it at 36. #2 The military doesn't exist for you or to solve your problems. It might work out for you, but if it doesn't, they don't care. #3 This is why #2 is what it is. The purpose of the military is to kill people and break things. If you're in the military you are either one of the killers, or one that supports them. I don't say this to disparage members of the military, we need them, but that's what they do. #4 Once you're in, they give you orders. Your choices are obey or go to jail. They can order to a war zone where you may die or be seriously injured. #5 Sometimes, often in the case of the US military, the rationale for engaging in a war is dubious at best, sometimes out right immoral. I understand why this seems like an answer, sometimes I miss the Navy, but my time for that is past.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Ha! My father was in the military during World War II.

I turned 18 a couple of years before the end of the Vietnam war and was getting ready to join. I just thought it was cool to be so tough and to defend my country. And the chances were I was going to be drafted anyway.

My parents said that if joined or was drafted, they would have me kidnapped and sent to Canada (which is where some Americans were going to escape the draft at that time).

So I ended up not joining and wasn't drafted. It's interesting since my father was so proud of his service. Even after his successful career in medicine, his service in the military was still his proudest accomplishment. Yet he didn't want me to have to go through that.

I'm sure that like most Americans he believed that Vietnam was a mistake and a war America never should have been involved in and that was his reason. It's a shame that 55,000 Americans were killed including people I knew and so many were injured for life during that war. War is a terrible thing and should not be taken lightly.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I'm not in the military. I would be tempted by the stories my older sister told about her deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. She hooked up all the time with super hot guys, sometimes 3 at time. Guys over there would do anything for her as women were outnumbered 10-1 sometimes 20-1. She could litteraly pick and choose.

jazzy34 · Accepted Answer

I’m sorry that that is your life situation, but unfortunately, you may be too old for the military. Nonetheless, go to your local recruiting office and find out. Either way, best wishes to you and I hope things get better for you and your kids. 🙏🏽❤️

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

Joining the military can indeed provide a sense of purpose, belonging, and stability. Your story is a testament to resilience and determination. The structure and discipline of military life, along with the opportunities for career advancement, education, and personal growth, can be a transformative experience. By pursuing this path, you would not only be setting an example for your kids but also embracing a new chapter filled with potential and the pursuit of goals. Your past may be challenging, but it certainly does not define your future. Wishing you strength and success in your journey.

bobby_bush_eater · Answer

I'm a vet but I joined the guard for the state tuition and fee waiver and a 20k bonus, legit nothing else. I ended up attached to a unit on active duty orders for 4 years (first and last years in the guard traditionally so 6 total).

I got so much more out of the military than I expected. It gave me a purpose, training, discipline, and skills that I will have the rest of my life.

I'll only ever join again as an officer (have a degree, starting my master's now plus I was e5 before) and only should there be a large war for the USA that I agree with (bar the draft, but I ain't dying for Israel).

V_Injector · Answer

My free ride was coming to an end (was living on my own with financial assistance from age 16) and I had nowhere to go, no family, and...

I was already fit from boxing... no drugs... I got my High School degree... at the time my drinking was minimal and it looked like my only option to move forward. I mean my other option was to join a gang, hope I get killed and rely on the prison system and crime to survive.

That's it... that was my story of why I joined.

Zack-Bann · Answer

My mom served for 30 years. Made me swear I would never follow in her footsteps

Right now Im in peak physical condition and tick all the boxes of a prime candidate for officer school

Ngl the thought is very tempting

I have a job and get by fine but i feel useless. A corporate drone adding nothing to the world

I would love to do something that actually saves lives I just don’t know if it’s the military for me or not

Gospeedracer · Answer

My family fought and they watched their friends die on battlefields so their people would have a safe place to live only to watch it be invaded by immigrants. Why fight for a country that others will just give away anyway?

Pterodon · Answer

Tbh I really didn’t have much of a choice. I was getting in trouble and needed to grow up

Sevenpointfive · Answer

where else can you be surrounded by so much straight dick for 4 years that they turn gay?

Anonymous · Answer

Reason I’m seeking to join. I’m looking to step out of my current zone a bit, and I’m looking for self reevaluation while doing something useful.

Anonymous · Answer

That song. "Be all that you can be. Get a f***ed up life and an ugly wife in the ah-ha-ha-harmy"!

Jmmmfi4 · Answer

I ALMOST JOINED THE MARINESS AT 19... BUT I CHICKENED OUT

Apple1996 · Answer

I would have joined if I didn't have kids

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

I didn't but I wanted to.

Bilboes · Answer

I don't think I'm cut out for military..

Fuentes · Answer

Cause I was tryna escape poverty

eagle1951 · Answer

English Teacher in 10th grade was an ass hole

Pete671 · Answer

The money,,,

What made you join the Military?

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