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I'm asking about the experiences of board members who've served in the military. Did you like it? Did you hate it? Will you recommend your friends and relatives to join?

Please include details on which nation's military, and which branch, you served in.

As for me, my experiences in the US Army were overwhelmingly negative-- check my many rants in the Hall of Shame for details.

My experinences in the Marine Corps. infantry were mostly positive. Sure, I could point to any number of bullshit that either happened to me or around me, but it balances out in other areas that actually helped me be a better person.

If some one asked whether or not they should join, it would depend on the person. Honestly, some people have no buisness going near the military (let alone the Corps.) and would have a miserable time in it. Mostly an attitude thing, seen them out of the military, seen them in the military.

But for the most part, for all of those broke, no direction, starting out their life teenagers out there, it is a good decision.

Knife wrote:My experinences in the Marine Corps. infantry <snip>

I'm assuming you mean the US Marine Corps, but I thought you served in the US Navy?

ROC Military. Army and Armed Forces Reserve Command.

My experience is mostly positive. From the "Summer Camp" college training to my actual conscription service. In Taiwan many boys such as me who graduated from college/graduate school don't experience much of a real life. The military is a good place for a wake-up call.

All of my Taiwanese friends studying here in the States mention a lot on how they quickly adapted because of their years in the military. They also have more sense in helping the newcomers compared to some people who left TW before they served. That speaks much.

Although my experience is mostly positive, I'd think twice before suggesting people to join. In Taiwan you could always sign for a career after you're drafted and experienced the highs and lows. There are some problems going around in the ROC Military so I'm not sure anyone full of hopes and ideals could accept some shitty things going on related to the system itself.

Due to the fact that aborginine teenagers are losing their job opportunities I'd strongly suggest them to join. Most of them are physically fit and they could recieve decent education at the academies.

I served 6 1/2 years in the Canadian Forces Communications and Electronics Branch as a Radio Operator. Experiance was mostly positive, although I was ultimately medically released for injuries sustained in '99 when I was electrocuted but most of you know that story so I won't go into it. Personally I recommend that all Canadian youth who are able join up. It pays well and it provides some much needed life experiance that you can't get by going to university or college.

Even though I sustained injuries that will stay with me the rest of my life, I'd do it over in a second and my only regret is that I never got to serve overseas, served on two active duty operations in Canada though.

In the Navy right now. Had more than a few bad experiences, but a few good ones too. I *highly* doubt I'll re-enlist, but I'm glad I did it. There's something tangible about helping Tsunami victims and catching Bad Men off the Horn of Africa that gives me a warm and fuzzy.

In the Army and just got promoted to E5 yay. Its not bad alot of tedius B.S. but lots of beneifts. THey paid off my college and are now paying my Masters. Only problem I've had is I have been a shift worker for over three years now. While shift work ain't bad, keeps me away from the command. It can be a pain when you get off at 0800 and they expect you to stay all day for some stupid class room training that has no usefull application, such as sexual harassment. For the most part if I had to do it again I would.

There's been good and there's been bad. But I'm a better person for it.

United States Army Reserve, still there. Did a year on Ft Bragg, and a month in the kids' sandbox, but that's it for drama.

I could do without the running though.

My incredibly brief stint with the Canadian Armed Forces started in June, 1989 and ended in August, 1989. In other words, I didn't make it out of Basic Officer Training. I got out because I felt that it wasn't for me, and the army agreed wholeheartedly.

I still voted "yes", if only because I can't say that the whole organization sucks just because my experience was negative. I wouldn't do it over again, though.

Sidewinder wrote: I'm assuming you mean the US Marine Corps, but I thought you served in the US Navy?

It’s actually possible to do both, since all USMC medical personal are from the US Navy though they use marine uniforms. I don’t think Knife was a corpsman or doctor though.

Sea Skimmer wrote: It’s actually possible to do both, since all USMC medical personal are from the US Navy though they use marine uniforms. I don’t think Knife was a corpsman or doctor though.

No he was an infantryman.

Cpl Kendall wrote:

Sea Skimmer wrote: It’s actually possible to do both, since all USMC medical personal are from the US Navy though they use marine uniforms. I don’t think Knife was a corpsman or doctor though.

No he was an infantryman.

He might be being confused with Tsyroc in this instance.

consequences wrote: He might be being confused with Tsyroc in this instance.

Wasn't Tysroc on a carrier? The Saratoga IIRC.

*Edit:Wait, was Tsyroc a Marine posted on a carrier?*

Sidewinder wrote:

Knife wrote:My experinences in the Marine Corps. infantry <snip>

I'm assuming you mean the US Marine Corps, but I thought you served in the US Navy?

With all due respect to the squids around here, what the hell makes you think that?

Seaskimmer wrote:It’s actually possible to do both, since all USMC medical personal are from the US Navy though they use marine uniforms. I don’t think Knife was a corpsman or doctor though.

No it's not. They serve right next to Marines, partake in the training and such, but they are not Marines, they're squids (or if they are cool enough, Devil Docs).

Although technically, since the Corps. is still part of the Department of the Navy, .........meh.

Cpl Kendall wrote:

consequences wrote: He might be being confused with Tsyroc in this instance.

Wasn't Tysroc on a carrier? The Saratoga IIRC.

*Edit:Wait, was Tsyroc a Marine posted on a carrier?*

Nope, he was an electronics tech (EW IIRC) on the carrier. All Navy.

EDIT: While I'm here, I'll add my bit. I'm currently working towards the gold bar. Started off in the Navy ROTC but they decided they didn't need any more people for my yeargroup, so now I'm in the Army. I obviously enjoy it and want to do it, or I would never have made the switch.

Would I recommend it? That depends entirely on the person. But overall yes I would.

Still in, and in fact my end of obligated drill is next month but I'll probably keep drilling into non-ob time, and I'd do it again in an instant. There have been some damn negative experiences not counting the bullshit so I certianly would never wish the horror of having good friends die in combat on anyone but still...I guess what I want to say is the people I've met and gotten close to have enriched my life in a way I never would have thought possible and even though I lost a few really good friends I still treasure having the opportunity to work with them. When people talk about the Corps being like a big family they are being serious and in the Reserves its even more pronounced because you really never switch units, the guys you train with for 5, 6, or 10 years are the guys you go on deployement with and they become a second family one that you would die to protect. So yeah that closeness with other people is definately worth the bullshit.

Knife wrote:

Sidewinder wrote:

Knife wrote:My experinences in the Marine Corps. infantry <snip>

I'm assuming you mean the US Marine Corps, but I thought you served in the US Navy?

With all due respect to the squids around here, what the hell makes you think that?

Sorry, I may have misinterpreted one of your earlier posts, or mistaken you for someone else. Hey, I'm human-- humans make mistakes, and those that say they don't are liars.

<delete whining>

Sidewinder wrote:
Sorry, I may have misinterpreted one of your earlier posts, or mistaken you for someone else. Hey, I'm human-- humans make mistakes, and those that say they don't are liars.

By the way, here's my advice to members of the US Army:
NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE TRANSFERRED TO FORT CAMPBELL!!!

After a few months there, I ended up in a mental hospital because of a desire to build a terror bomb and kill my section sergeant-- Ft Campbell is that f***ed up. Again,
NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE TRANSFERRED TO FORT CAMPBELL!!!

You know your constant whining and woe is me about the Army is really anoying. I realise you had a bad time but give it a rest. Try making a plan to get your life back in order instead of complaining about the past.

Sidewinder wrote:

Knife wrote:

Sidewinder wrote: I'm assuming you mean the US Marine Corps, but I thought you served in the US Navy?

With all due respect to the squids around here, what the hell makes you think that?

Sorry, I may have misinterpreted one of your earlier posts, or mistaken you for someone else. Hey, I'm human-- humans make mistakes, and those that say they don't are liars.

By the way, here's my advice to members of the US Army:
NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE TRANSFERRED TO FORT CAMPBELL!!!

After a few months there, I ended up in a mental hospital because of a desire to build a terror bomb and kill my section sergeant-- Ft Campbell is that f***ed up. Again,
NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE TRANSFERRED TO FORT CAMPBELL!!!

To an outside observer. Seriously shut the fuck up. Every time you or someone brings up military experiences, you bring this thing up and proceed to bitch, whine, and gnash like a five year old.

The first time it was understandable, but when this runs nearly fucking clockwork, it not only becomes pointless, it just annoys people that you are this much of a fucking whiner. Hell, you detailed what happened...you were dealt a bad hand...and you think you're special in that respect?

I was in the US Army for a whopping three months. I was discharged for failure to adapt. I wouldn't say I hated it; I actually rather enjoyed it, it's just that I wasn't up to their strength standards. My biggest problem is that while it only took them three weeks to decide they didn't want me, it took an addtional two months to get rid of me. It was totally my fault though, and I might try again (after adequate preparation) if it weren't for my now open bisexuality.

I couldn't in good conscience recommend it to anyone though. Especially in today's geopolitical climate.

Sidewinder wrote:NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE TRANSFERRED TO FORT CAMPBELL!!!

Dude. I remember that you actually listed badge punching in that big HoS list of yours.

Take a look at these guys crawling on coral and getting poured by seawater, not to mention their Sgts and seniors telling them to do this and do that. In the finish line there's a tub of dirty seawater waiting to clean up the sand and wounds on their bodies. Ow. Oh and did I mention that they all got their chevrons punched on them?

Move on, and whatever shit you went through should strengthen you, not keep on hurting you.

The sense of purpose and comraderie are nearly inexplicable to those who have not had the priviledge to serve in the military. The good has outweighed the bad, in my experience. Still, the military isn't for everyone, and frankly only about five in 45 folks are qualified to enlist.

Grand Moff Yenchin wrote:Move on, and whatever shit you went through should strengthen you, not keep on hurting you.

Thanks for the advice, although it's somewhat difficult to apply.

<delete whining>

Sidewinder wrote:Note to self:
SEE A PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELOR AND A PSYCHIATRIST. YOU STILL WANT TO BUILD A TERROR BOMB AND KILL YOUR FORMER SECTION SERGEANT-- YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY IN NEED OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC HELP.

Stop being such a fucking attention whore fishing for sympathy, you God damn wretch.

You seriously need to stop going on and on about this shit. Son of a bitch, just shut up...

Sidewinder:

Grow a pair.