If you have a "void", that usually cannot be solved from some external thing you hope can fill it. It might keep you busy, but so can many things. Personally, I would support mandatory military service for all at 18 yrs old. But it's not like that. And you are over 30 and established, it seems. Just being in the Army, more than likely may not fill your void, and then you'd be stuck in a worse way, as you'd be contractually bound. But yeah, don't rush into anything.
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I might be a little crazy, for sure, but aren't all math teachers a little bit whacked out? I have no heroic delusions, I just want to help. I know I can be a Big Brother, or do some Kung Fu, or clean up garbage in the park; and while those are all admirable things to pursue it just isn't what I want. If any of you read the article at the bottom of page one, you'll see the words "Have no regrets."
I don't exactly believe this is a selfish thing to do to my wife. And I didn't exactly wake up yesterday with this on my mind. I've had these thoughts my whole life, and as long as we've been married she's been supportive of whatever I might have to do. None of you have ever met her, but if you did you would know that she's very outspoken. She doesn't hide behind an apron and pearls, and say "of course I support you, honey" to everything I say. She is a real in your face "you don't ****in know me" woman. If she didn't like the idea, she'd make that known very quickly, and I wouldn't dare try it. She will be well taken care of, the bills WILL be paid, and there will always be food on the table for her. If need be, she can live on base, but after I ran the books I found we, providing the house doesn't float away, shouldn't run into trouble.
Still, I want to give this plenty of time, and I've begun beefing up my exercise routine to prepare, if need be, for training. If I don't end up joining, I'll still be in great shape physically and that's always a plus.Comment
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It's definitely more wussified. My brother was ship's company on the Constellation; he was expecting to get his ass beat when he became a shellback......but all they really did was make him do things that were gross, like swim through food scraps and get sloshed with colored paint. It's like Fear Factor now or something. :?Originally posted by tom502
What happened to the good old days when you got clocked with canes and had to crawl around on the flight deck non-skid on your hands and knees?Comment
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Uh... sounds like that belongs in the communism realm...Originally posted by tom502
No Thanks...Comment
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Compulsory military service works well in countries that don't have beef with the entire world like Sweden or Germany.Originally posted by dEFinitionofEPICComment
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I don't get one thing here. As bad as teacher pay is, you're sayin that military pay is *WORSE*?!?Comment
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Oh hell yes it is. Do you know how little enlisted members make? Sure you get free housing, meals, and good insurance, but your salary is pretty scant. I'm talking less than $15,000 here.Originally posted by heppycatComment
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yeah id be pretty alright with mandatory service in a more peaceful nation. i actually threw away my selective service letter back in my more punk, more rebellious youth. im really surprised i havent gotten into any shit for it yet.Originally posted by Snusophile
i still say snusophile, do it up man. what good is a life of comfort anyway really? and how long would you even be serving? a year or 2? i dont really know, but im sure itd be over before you know it, youll be back to teaching, glad that you actually followed through with it. no regrets man. be the change you want to see.Comment
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Why not do both ?
Maybe it is not an either or situation.
Join the reserves or the national guard.
Relocate if necessary after your teaching
contract to an outfit and area that you and
your wife could enjoy.
Play soldier on the weekends and in the summer.
If you like it, stay in for 20 years and retire with
good bennies and a lifelong check.
Don't quit your day
job!Comment
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When I was in the Air Force, the Army used to have what they called "Try One's". It was for a one year commitment. I dont know if they still have them. I dont keep up with Army shit.Comment
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If it were still possible, I would do that, but these days the Reserves and National Guard are very active and most of them will deploy just as well as an active duty unit would. I've been looking into MOS and 35M appeals to me. (Human Intelligence).Originally posted by hummer
Condor: As far as I know all contracts are 8 years (2, 4, 6, or 8 on active duty), so it would be 1 year Active Duty and 7 years inactive reserves, but with a war going on I bet you that year would turn into 3 or 4. Plus they might screw you over with your MOS because why should they train you in HUMINT for thousands of dollars and then let you walk away after a year? My ASVAB score qualifies me for MOS 35M and other counter intelligence positions. I would love to do infantry but I'm just a wee bit scared with Afghanistan starting to heat up. Of course you're a soldier before your MOS but counterintelligence isn't likely to do much else, although in 35M you may find yourself out in the field with infantry or beyond the wire collecting info. While in garrison you're schlepping binders and making powerpoint presentations, but that MOS will have the CIA and private intel corporations scouting for you once you get out, and it also requires a TOP SECRET clearance.Comment
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Just a little update on my situation for you guys, since I made mention of it in a different post today, I thought it would be good to fill you in. After a lot of soul searching in the woods and come to Jesus talks with my wife, and a lot of whiskey and rye in my Chevy by the levee, I came to the conclusion that my heart has made up its mind. I went down to the local Navy recruiter (just barely fit the age requirement) and talked to him about signing up. Because I'm completing my graduates degree, and have a contract to teach another year, I've entered the enlistment process as a DEP (Delayed Entry Program). What this means is I have up to a year to report to basic, while I sort my affairs, get in shape, and in my case serve out my commitment to teaching. I don't have a definite date for MEPS yet, and while I'm pretty well set on doing this, I *can* technically attrite from my contract, or revise my contract, before reporting for duty without any implications if a change of heart occurs.
I've been hitting the gym and busting my ass in shape, though I think it's safe to say I could run laps around a majority of the 18-23 year old recruits just coming in. With my college degrees, and a solid record I qualify for OCS (officer candidate school) upon graduation from basic, which is probably my best option considering I have a wife at home and a mortgage. So, that's the news up to this point. I'm liking the idea more with each day, and want to thank all of you folks at SnusOn for giving me advice, and a great person and military servicemember (mjfst) who I've been corresponding with here at SnusOn.
Cheers, guys!Comment
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Congratulations. I think you made the right choice :^)Comment
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Not something I could do, but I wish you all the best luck.Comment
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Congrats and good luck man! Thanks for the service.Comment
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