Should I join the Army Reserve???

[LeighAnn]

I'm thinking really hard about joining the service before it's too late (I'll be 39 in January). My friends and family are roundly against it and think I'm crazy, buy hey? What's a person supposed to do?

What really is bugging me is that what I've heard from a lot of the troops that are over there and that are coming home is that they hate war protesters and I'm a war protester, so I figure that if I actually serve my country then maybe that will give me some credibility when I yell my head off about Bush being a war criminal.

Plus I could keep a blog and write a book. And if I got killed my family would get a lot of money (does your regular insurance policy get cancelled if you go to war??? I'll have to read the rider more closely). I'm not in bad shape, and I like adventures. I just wouldn't kill anybody, though. If it looked like I was going to have to kill people I'd go ahead and desert, face the prison time.

Sorry, just thinking out loud. Any support here?

[kittenpants]

1. do you have kids? If so, don't do it.

You don't need to have fought a war to know when one is wrong.

[LeighAnn]

5. Just a grown up

He's 20, I wouldn't want him going (he wouldn't) and he doesn't want me to either.

Yeah, and I think this war is completely wrong, it's hard to justify wanting to go. I just keep thinking about it though.

[ewagner]

2. Insurance policies

usually have a "war clause" or exception in them...

You're 39? What kind of physical shape are you in? It's rough and designed for 18-19 year-olds.....

[LeighAnn]

10. Pretty Good Shape

I'll need to step up the exercise regimen before basics, but I figure they're pretty desperate now... maybe they'll go easy on the old broad. Plus I want to take the ASVAB. The big downside I don't know if I could live with the vaccinations they'd want to force on me.

[Shrubhater]

3. I can answer your first question easily!

Helllllll no! Your making a terrible mistake!

[LeighAnn]

15. LOL :) eom

[Shrubhater]

47. I'm serious!

[MrScorpio]

4. I served in the Air Force for over twenty years

My answer is no.

[LeighAnn]

17. OUCH

Thank you very much for the reply

:0)

[WI_DEM]

6. I don't think so

Serving in the military doesn't make you a more presausive protester. I certainly wouldn't volunteer to be in a war I didn't support. There are enough damn chicken hawks who support the war but are sitting in their easy chairs or bar stools supporting it rather than enlisting.

If you want adventure climb a mountain, go on a hike in the wilds of Alaska but you don't need to go to war.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

7. If the ONLY reason is to have "credibility" protesting, that's stupid.

Why would you give up so much time, freedom, and put yourself at risk, and be made to serve such an unjust end as the Iraq conquest, for some kind of "cred" for protesting.

If you have some other, better, reason for joining the military, let's hear it.

By the way, in case you haven't been reading the news, you'd better ASSUME that if you joined the Army reserve, you WILL be made active for at least a year and probably sent to Iraq. Anyone who thinks otherwise is the world's biggest idiot and hasn't been paying attention to anything.

15 year Naval officer vet...

[LeighAnn]

13. Want to serve my country

Don't know why, I never had this inclination when it was more realistic. I guess it was that "Live from Iraq" video and the comments of some of the people on that website.

Plus I saw this episode of Overhaulin' the other night where this kid came back from Iraq and they overhauled his ride, and I got to thinking maybe I'm not doing enough to help these people.

[gmoney]

48. How is killing Iraqis considered "serving your country"?

Apart from the cliche, there's a WHOLE lot more useful ways to get involved. Go to work for Amnesty International or the Peace Corps... or even become a police officer and take a little compassion into the force.

Or join CIVIC Worldwide and try to fill the shoes of the late Marla Ruzicka... http://www.civicworldwide.org/

Remember, killing for peace is like fucking for virginity.

[Heidi]

63. Excellent point.

I've never understood the concept of killing or dying for what one believes in. Seems to me that it's more productive to _live_ for what one believes in.

[uppityperson]

51. You can figure out another way to serve your country

And I don't see how joining the war will give you credibility in protesting it. This seems backwards to me.

There are other ways and other organizations that could use help and/or money for positive reasons. Wanting to help is noble, but figure out a positive way to do it and get credibility opposing the war by doing good and not by joining it.

[babylonsister]

8. I'll add my 'absolutely no' to the chorus. nt

[LaurenG]

9. No

My husband says you have no clue what you are considering doing. It's a really bad idea unless you like the idea of being owned by the US Army for the next few years. He was regular Army in the first gulf war.

[matcom]

11. ABSOLUTELY!!! DO IT!!!

we need fewer of you here on earth. you're a burden. DON'T WAIT!! JOIN NOW!!

:eyes:

[MichiganVote]

20. I agree with Matcom. You sound nutty.

[LeighAnn]

24. Love you too

You're sweet

[matcom]

25. no really! we here at DU are 100% BEHIND YOU!!!

JOIN!! JOIN!!!!!!!

i'm serious.

DO IT TODAY!!!!!

[greatauntoftriplets]

28. Exactly!!!!

Getting one's arse shot at is so damn much fun. Not that I know, but I have been told.

[matcom]

33. i'm a VET honey. you put FATIGUES on that gal NOW!!

and a SPEARHEAD patch would make me proud!

[NoSheep]

65. We have a winner!!!!!!

:yourock:

[Orsino]

12. You would be ignored by the MSM...

...just like every other vet of this "war." Your service would buy you no credibility in the eye of anyone who isn't already programmed to love the Administration.

If you're going to join up, do it out of solidarity with your brothers and sisters driven into service by lean economic times. And know that not all of them will appreciate your pointing out the Emperor's nudity.

I didn't reenlist in part because of anti-gay policies in place.

[LeighAnn]

27. That's too bad

I'm glad you didn't reinlist. Yeah, I probably won't do it, but I think I will tape record a phone call to the recruiter, sharing my age and vaccination concerns, see what he says. It might make for something funny to post on the internet.

[Orsino]

31. That would be doing your country a greater service, IMO.

Though the Medical Corps could also be a worthy effort.

[Sanity Claws]

14. Please don't

Your life has value. This administration does not recognize that. It will put you in harm's way and not give a rat's ass. Please don't join.

[LeighAnn]

30. Gracias, bless your heart, EOM

[ikojo]

16. Speaking as someone who has worked in the health insurance

industry for many years....injuries as a result of war are generally NOT covered. I assume it would be the same for life insurance, especially if you chose to enlist. I know with most life insurance policies there is a two year waiting period...so if you take out life insurance prior to enlisting and enlist and then (god forbid) are killed before the two year waiting period there MAY not be any benefits.

I would not suggest anyone enlist in the military. One need not have served in the military to know war is not a positive thing.

[LeighAnn]

39. Thank you for your reply EOM

[Ignoramus]

18. You will be an international terrorist and enemy of the world

if you serve to justify crimes against peace and war crimes by the US.

[LeighAnn]

36. Feel like I already am by virtue of nationality

What can you do?

[DS1]

19. No. No support. You're a fucking moron. Wait. Full support. Sign up

right now! Serve your country, so when you protest the war EVERYONE will know you really didn't get those fatigues at the local Army/Navy store.

Hmm, I wonder why vets sell their old cammies... Gee. Can't imagine why...

[matcom]

21. i got a couple pair i could sell him

2 pair BDU's

how does $1,000.00 sound?

:rofl:

[DS1]

26. That's a fucking steal!

You know the government would never make us wear stuff made in China. I asked my First Sergeant that once, he said, and I quote "What the fuck are you talking about, and why the fuck are you in the SNCO club?", which I later translated in my AMERICAN made Battlefield Manual as "Please rescue me, I'm at grid coordinates 600234" which unfortunately narrowed him down to the East side of the Pacific Ocean.

Never heard from him again. Poor bastard. Good thing he left a good supply of cammies for me to sell.

[Historic NY]

22. once they got you they don't want to give you up.....

my niece is going through it a 6 yr commitment has now turned into 8 yrs.

[LeighAnn]

37. Blessings to your Neice EOM

[greatauntoftriplets]

23. Is this a serious question???

You won't gain any credibility whatsoever as a war protestor. And, while serving with your unit, yelling your "head off about Bush being a war criminal" won't win any hearts and minds.

You do what you are told in the Army. I think lacking credibility as a war protestor would be far better than serving a long period of time in a military prison. And, as a deserter, you would.

[LeighAnn]

34. Yeah, I'd probably get thrown out

Edited to remove incriminating joke

[MrSlayer]

29. LOL!

Pretty funny.

[leetrisck]

32. And you would get other military people

killed. You sound as if you are making fun of our military. Stay where you are - please

[LeighAnn]

35. Not making fun, just want to help

I'm pretty talented in my own right, I feel like there's something I could do. I would do no harm, I'm dedicated and I'm a tough broad. And I build good websites. That's the capacity I would try to work in.

Oh well, we'll see.

[matcom]

38. YES!!! they NEED good websites in Iraq!!

They are DESPERATE for FLASH!!!

GO! GO! GO! NOW!!!

[Kerrytravelers]

40. Since this is posted in the Lounge, I guess it's suppose to be funny.

:spray: :rofl:

Ok, there you go. :eyes:

[TreasonousBastard]

41. You're nuts, but...

a few years ago I might have said follow you heart on that one. Most people join the reserves because it is really a form of service that the regular forces can't match. You might actually have the chance to do good stuff.

But now? No way! You're just more cannon fodder.

Don't give the bastards any more lives to throw away in useless wars.

Don't give them your life.

[BikeWriter]

42. Been to war, got a fuckin T-shirt. It ain't worth it.

[DS1]

43. listen to this guy

.

[BikeWriter]

49. Thanks, Pard.

[LeighAnn]

58. Yeah, thanks

For all you do

[BikeWriter]

60. Thank you, Ma'am.

[SmileyBoy]

44. If you like the nightlife of downtown Baghdad, then by all means, go.

Cause the FIRST thing they'll do after you complete basic is ship you off to Iraq.

[leftydad]

45. Not a good time...

Leftymom told me about your post, and asked me to check it out as a former Army Reservist.

After reading the thread, I have to agree with the people who say "it's not a good time". The only thing you'd accomplish is giving yourself heartache, because your NCO's would find out about your stand on the war and make your life miserable. Take it from me, they WOULD find out, and they're just the kind of sick, sadistic bastards that would take full advantage of it. Do you want to spend hours pushing the soil downward (push-ups) while being called stuff like "unamerican", "coward", "crybaby", and things far too vile to post? And that's just in Basic Training. If you got activated, you'd be watched like a hawk as soon as the other soldiers find out you're anti-war. And I can guarantee that if you did end up deserting, you'd spend a very, very long time in military prison for deserting under fire. Assuming they didn't just shoot you in the field.
Mind you, these are worst-case scenarios, and it is possible that you'd never see action. I was activated for the first gulf war, and spent it in Kentucky (thank the Goddess!) keeping the base warm for the 101st. However, since Shrub seems to think that he'll win if he throws every soldier he can get into a meat grinder, I wouldn't count on it.
And don't forget that messy "stop-loss" program, where a soldier's ETS (End-Term-of-Service) date is pushed back or outright denied, turning a standard tour into a double or triple (or more!) enlistment. That alone would be enough to make me run the other way. I was ecstatic to be offered an early transfer to Inactive status, 6 months before my tour was up.
As far as increasing your credibility, I don't think enlisting would be the best way to do so-War Protesters would think you were a hypocrite for signing up, and war supporters would think so too...after all, if you volunteered, you can't be THAT sincere about your protests.
And remember: non-combat positions aren't much safer in this war than combat positions, because there IS NO clear "front-line" to stay away from. In a lot of ways, this mess reminds me of what I've heard about Vietnam...i.e. no way of knowing if the apparent civilian driving down the street is actually a civilian, or if his car/truck/handcart/etc. is loaded with dynamite or C-4 under the cabbages!
Ultimately, of course, it's your decision, and your life to spend as you see fit. However, before you do anything...ah...irrevocable (and take it from one who's been there-once you ship out, it's effectively irrevocable), think long and hard about your loved ones, and how they'd feel if you caught a bullet, or got yourself blown in half by a car-bomb, trying to "increase your credibility".

As ever, the above is merely my opinion based on my experiences, and I'm in no way trying to make anybody do anything except THINK, QUESTION and ANALYZE before acting.

LeftyDad

[LeighAnn]

55. Wow, thank you so much

I appreciate your post. What a bummer. I guess I just wasn't taking the irrevokablity seriously. I just figured if I was completely inadaptable they'd throw me out or let me quit. But I thought I might be able to "do it".

After I finished reading this thread a while ago I figured I'd just quit thinking about it, then I saw something on TV that made me start thinking about it again, now I read your post and think maybe it's not such a good idea.

Just the biological clock ticking I guess, plus I just found out today that my favorite shrink, Dr. Hemant Thakur, is being shipped out to Iraq in the middle of July. I feel really rotten about it. His job here at home is to counsel returning vets and vets with PTSD and they really love him. These vets are real divided about the Iraq war, but even amongst the war supporters there is a definate sadness that Dr. Thakur is going to Iraq.

Anyway, thanks again.

[Joey Liberal]

46. Go ahead and join!

Go ahead and join. You will hate yourself for it as soon as you meet the Drill Sergeants:)......Have fun in the Army of One (literally)!

[mitchum]

50. NO

No jokes...no sardonic commments from me
Please, don't do it

[LeighAnn]

57. Peace

That's the prettiest peace sign I could find.

[Floogeldy]

52. Are you out of your fucking mind?

}(

[reformedrepub]

53. Stay out

Please do not make the mistake so many did. I served Honorably for eight years, I would lie my body down in front of a moving vehicle to stop you. We just had a guy out here I played high school baseball against, get killed after being in Iraq four days. He was the father of four and a High School science teacher. He was asleep in his rack when his bunker was hit by a mortar shell and he was killed. You want to make a difference? Do whatever you can to help bring the troops home.

[LeighAnn]

56. :(

Wow, so sorry for that guy and everyone else effected by this blasted government. It's pretty depressing.

:0(

[libodem]

54. waddya nutz?

[elperromagico]

59. Serving this country in uniform won't earn you respect as a protester.

Ask John Kerry.

[NMMNG]

61. In a word,

NO!

You don't need to become a soldier, risk getting killed, risk having to kill others (possibly innocents) just to try to prove something to people.

One does not have to ingest toxic chemicals to be a credible witness to the fact that the chemicals are toxic to humans.

One does not have to be mentally ill to understand the effects mental illness can have upon a person.

And one does not have to join the military to know that Bush is a war criminal. Some of his biggest sycophants are men and women in uniform.

[Robeson]

62. No, you shouldn't.....

...and you should encourage every Repug you know, to not only join the Reserves, but the Army and Marines. Its their war, they wanted it, and they should fight it.

Under no circumstance should you give your life for this corporate war.

[NoSheep]

64. You can't be serious! You wouldn't be "serving your country",

you would be serving liars, killers, and thieves! Haven't you figured out what this "war" is all about. Let THOSE bastards enlist! Let them fight their own war for greed. Shhesh!:spank:

[El Fuego]

66. Sounds like you only want to do it for self-serving reasons

You want to write a book, become a famous wartime blogger. Saying you want to "serve your country" is only a pretense.

So do it, but be honest with yourself about the reasons. But don't go over there to protest the war. If you do, you might become a victim of "friendly fire" who comes home in a flag-draped coffin.

[Dukkha]

67. Join up now if you want...

to be stuck in Iraq LONG after you were told you'd be there

Have fun in the sun - 100+ temperatures in full fatigues

Serve your country by protecting Halliburton executives

Enjoy the thrill of being shot at or bombed by insurgents

take the risk of capture and assured death by beheading since your government will never negotiate for your life

Learn a low pittance wage and benefits cut by your conservative congress while war profiteers enjoy an orgy of wealth

Have your mental health eroded away as you witness the horrors of war inflicted daily on your fellow soldiers, the enemy, and innocent civilians.

Take out yuour frustrations on imprisoned civilians with creative torture orderd by higher-ups who will deny it and make you take the heat

Finally be a true Patriot, participate in the illegal immoral, and unjust occupation of a soverign nation that did not want you there, never had WMDs, and no terrorist connections, that is until the US showed up and opened the flood gates for Al Qaeda.