Military members of RIU..

[TheMan13]

What else. Is there to do on a ship full of dudes buit drink..play cards n fight

With the recent change in UCMJ laws, possibly an orgy

[video=youtube;Qt0_oPPK6eA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt0_oPPK6eA[/video]

 

[TheMan13]

BTW I did an honorable and decorated decade in the Army as a 95 ... something a couple decades back.

At that time, I learned a hatred of the politics I truly never understood

I also learned of suffering experienced by cultures all around this planet and took that to heart.

 

[ChesusRice]

Long story short though is you're responsible for your own actions.
Show up late or in a cop car for being in a bar brawl - You fucked up & take your medicine.
I spent more than one night in the brig in Gitmo & still managed to get out with an honorable.

How in the hell did you get in trouble in GITMO
EM club or did you cross the minefield?

 

[GreatwhiteNorth]

How in the hell did you get in trouble in GITMO
EM club or did you cross the minefield?

The minefield I got in trouble in was the Windjammer and the mines were Squids & Grunts.
There were a million of those fuckers (not to mention the Navy MP's lined up along the bulkheads) - fuck, everybody just wanted to fight & then drink more.
My head still hurts when I think of it.

 

[Moses Mobetta]

Ships go into port all the time, you get liberty in ports. Usually get drunk and have a taste of the local women. You don't get to see the world when you are stuck on some shitty base.

Were you on a ship ? I spent over 9 months on a ship with no ports . We went from Norfolk to A-stan the only land I stepped on was after we arrived and the same going back only it was around 10 weeks and we almost had a port on the way back . At least there was talk about one . I hated being at sea , I was sea sick the entire time . See the world or really just the states on a military hop was more convenient for me . I flew into bases all over the US for free and was very content with that . The two carriers I was on were no fun at all . I understand that a lot of guys had a different experience and saw many ports , that was all they talked about , how much fun they had and how much it sucked to have to be on this tour with no ports for all that time . When we came back to Norfolk so many guys got drunk , into trouble and tossed in the brig it was a record or something .

 

[ChesusRice]

Were you on a ship ? I spent over 9 months on a ship with no ports . We went from Norfolk to A-stan the only land I stepped on was after we arrived and the same going back only it was around 10 weeks and we almost had a port on the way back . At least there was talk about one . I hated being at sea , I was sea sick the entire time . See the world or really just the states on a military hop was more convenient for me . I flew into bases all over the US for free and was very content with that . The two carriers I was on were no fun at all . I understand that a lot of guys had a different experience and saw many ports , that was all they talked about , how much fun they had and how much it sucked to have to be on this tour with no ports for all that time . When we came back to Norfolk so many guys got drunk , into trouble and tossed in the brig it was a record or something .

-aircraft carriers suck
-Norfolk really sucks
My first ship never went anywhere
My second ship was almost never home port

 

[abandonconflict]

Were you on a ship ? I spent over 9 months on a ship with no ports . We went from Norfolk to A-stan the only land I stepped on was after we arrived and the same going back only it was around 10 weeks and we almost had a port on the way back . At least there was talk about one . I hated being at sea , I was sea sick the entire time . See the world or really just the states on a military hop was more convenient for me . I flew into bases all over the US for free and was very content with that . The two carriers I was on were no fun at all . I understand that a lot of guys had a different experience and saw many ports , that was all they talked about , how much fun they had and how much it sucked to have to be on this tour with no ports for all that time . When we came back to Norfolk so many guys got drunk , into trouble and tossed in the brig it was a record or something .

Pretty sure A-stan is landlocked.

 

[Moses Mobetta]

Pretty sure A-stan is landlocked.

What's your point ? We flew in from the ship .

 

[abandonconflict]

What's your point ? We flew in from the ship .

well, that changes things

I was just saying, you can't sail from Norfolk to A-stan lol. Did you fly on a cargo helicopter from a carrier? I didn't even know carriers could do that, I've never even boarded a military sea vessel.

 

[Moses Mobetta]

well, that changes things

I was just saying, you can't sail from Norfolk to A-stan lol. Did you fly on a cargo helicopter from a carrier? I didn't even know carriers could do that, I've never even boarded a military sea vessel.

That's it . The CH-53 can refuel during flight also . Some times they loaded them into a C-5 and flew them in but this time they didn't . I was on that ship the whole time until we got there and I promise you there was nothing about it that was exciting .

 

[Padawanbater2]

I apologize in advance, I forgot which branches you two fella's are from, would you mind reminding me? If not I can go back in the thread, I'm sure it's there..

In any case.. What did you like most about your tour? Least?

What do you wish you would have known before you signed on the dotted line?

What do you want to tell me, a person who has never been in the military, the most? What do you feel is the most valuable lesson, instruction, information I can have before I decide to join?

How do you feel about enlisted men, about officers?

How do you feel about the men who taught you to be soldiers/sailors? Drill instructors?

How do you feel about rank, enlistment, and the people you work/worked side by side with?

Do you feel civilian life would have been as fulfilling or as important?

Did you pursue secondary education while you were in? Why/why not?

 

[Moses Mobetta]

USMC . We worked our asses off . It's part of the Navy which I did not know . If you get stuck around dickheads they can really screw you and you can't get away from them . Cover your own ass . Way better to be an officer than enlisted . Couldnt go to college when I was in no time for it . I was going to make a career out of it until I saw the things we do as something I could no longer support . I loved the brotherhood we shared and some of the guys I served with , theres nothing like it anywhere else . I had really good instructors , top notch . I can't say whether or not I'd do it again . Make sure you have a career / A school set in advance - mos - job specialty in writing . Make sure it's something you can do after you get out and make money at . Air traffic controller was a good job , they had all the hot chicks plus the pay on the outside is great .

 

[doublejj]

I was a gung-ho 18 year old when I volunteered for the Army in 1969. I felt it was my duty & and honor to serve my country. I also come from a long line of military veterans. So much so, my family fought on both sides during the civil war, 'dough'!
Good luck young man.

 

[desert dude]

USMC . We worked our asses off . It's part of the Navy which I did not know . If you get stuck around dickheads they can really screw you and you can't get away from them . Cover your own ass . Way better to be an officer than enlisted . Couldnt go to college when I was in no time for it . I was going to make a career out of it until I saw the things we do as something I could no longer support . I loved the brotherhood we shared and some of the guys I served with , theres nothing like it anywhere else . I had really good instructors , top notch . I can't say whether or not I'd do it again . Make sure you have a career / A school set in advance - mos - job specialty in writing . Make sure it's something you can do after you get out and make money at . Air traffic controller was a good job , they had all the hot chicks plus the pay on the outside is great .

I completely agree with this. That is my most lasting impression of the whole military experience.

Your advise to get training applicable to civilian life is spot on as well.

 

[abandonconflict]

I can't afford college

Did you join?

I have been hearing this phrase thrown around by some friends in anti-war groups, "economic draft". The concept being conveyed by it is that absent all other socioeconomic upward mobility, a young person aspiring to better their self is attracted to the military. Although, there is an intentional element of "no other option" being conveyed along with that, obviously. I disagree, there are options, but admit, they are few and becoming fewer.

 

[cannabineer]

An interesting concept, abandon, and given more relief by the fact that careers are being displaced by just jobs. Military is one of the diminishing number of career-track occupations available to folks without postgraduate degrees. cn

 

[Padawanbater2]

Not yet, I need to lose a little bit of weight first.

I agree with that idea. An 'economic draft' is exactly what it feels like to me

 

[GreatwhiteNorth]

Economic draft or not, you can learn a skill that will carry you through life.
I did and many of my friends did as well.
Good luck bro.

 

[abandonconflict]

Not yet, I need to lose a little bit of weight first.

I agree with that idea. An 'economic draft' is exactly what it feels like to me

It is supposed to feel like that to you. You're at an intersection trying to pick the best route to your destination and you see one that is paved and with legible signs. But you will see, as every young man does (I'm only a few years older than you) that it either doesn't take you where you want to go, or that you harbor a latent desire to see where indeed it leads. I'm certainly not criticizing you, I am only offering a perspective. No matter what you think now, it will change when you join. You will conform to a certain way of thinking, or you will be sent home. If you are sent home, those other options will begin to seem more viable. I know you're a smart guy with a complex philosophy but those drill sergeants have a tried and tested scientific approach to breaking egos down in order to remold young men. In fact, it is the guys like you who end up being the best soldiers. They will either figure you out and indoctrinate you, or they will send you back to exactly where you are now.

It is my opinion, that society is better off with skeptics like you than with conformists. So that is where I'm coming from. Your other options simply require more work, are more complicated and will tax your self control in order to stick with them. When you join, my advice is to be what they demand. Adopt the facile nature of the alpha male hierarchy and follow orders. Ignore complexities intrinsic to basically everything and don't be sensitive. My guess is you'll make a fine ass-kicker. Sad though, I think you would be even better at waging peace. You won't forget you though, it will come back, cannabis cures indoctrination.

 

[desert dude]

Not yet, I need to lose a little bit of weight first.

I agree with that idea. An 'economic draft' is exactly what it feels like to me

Are you still looking at the Coast Guard?