Military Service

[Cylarn]

Well I've just told my mother about my decision over dinner, that parts over.
Now I just need to have a doctor look at my back and see if anything needs to be done so I can pass my physical.

The APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) is tough, but it's passable. I suggest running at least 2 miles a day and working on your pushups and situps.

[Kronstadtia]

I on't know about the US national guard, but I spent a full year in the Finnish Defence Force. Yes, we sill have conscription and yes, I think it was good for me. I was 19 when I went in, and after the basic training they made me a squad leaer. 362 dys of sillynity, the parade&marhing drill made me feel like a trained chimp, but as an experience I think it served me well.

That, and we still have Russia as a neighbour, so...

[Avarnica]

What do you think of the military? It's the only reason China hasn't invaded us yet.
Do you know anyone who's in it? My cousin is, I've had other relatives in it, and my Uncle was in the Green Berets.
Are YOU in it? Sadly, no.
What were some of your experiences?
And what should people like myself who are considering joining expect? Depends on the branch, on duty you'll find the most disciplined and well-trained soldiers on this God-forsaken planet, off duty you'll find foul-mouthed, horny, and free spirited men who will act like total idiots sometimes.

[NFA Rulz]

I could see myself working for the CIA, but I don't know if that counts as military.

It doesn't.

On the other hand, join the military in some Intelligence Branch (Good Luck there) will help you land a job in the CIA.

[Bafuria]

What do you think of the military?

Iceland does not have a military.
Although I am Icelandic and thus eligible for military service in Norway and Denmark, my fellow countrymen have a strong dislike of anything related to a military.
If I did decide to join the Norwegian armed forces, I would in the best case scenario be called an imperialist puppet and in the worst case scenario be disowned by my family.

There is a remote chance that I'll join the Icelandic coast guard one day, though.

[Souseiseki]

Well I've just told my mother about my decision over dinner, that parts over.
Now I just need to have a doctor look at my back and see if anything needs to be done so I can pass my physical.

but really

aren't you like a flithy pinko lefty

[Northern Dominus]

Well I've just told my mother about my decision over dinner, that parts over.
Now I just need to have a doctor look at my back and see if anything needs to be done so I can pass my physical.

Is it a nerve or muscle issue?

[Hippostania]

Well I've just told my mother about my decision over dinner, that parts over.
Now I just need to have a doctor look at my back and see if anything needs to be done so I can pass my physical.

but really

aren't you like a flithy pinko lefty

He is D:

I hope he'd apply for the Air National Guard instead, the chair force never does anything

[Northern Dominus]

but really

aren't you like a flithy pinko lefty

He is D:

I hope he'd apply for the Air National Guard instead, the chair force never does anything

I could call up a couple of USAF Pararescue operators that could tell you otherwise. Oh, and there's this whole thing about drones.

Also, if I were somebody intent on slithering off and ducking my obligation to serve my country rather than owning up and making the sacrifice that other braver individuals make, I wouldn't be so gleefully willing to poke fun of other military branches.

[Hippostania]

He is D:

I hope he'd apply for the Air National Guard instead, the chair force never does anything

I could call up a couple of USAF Pararescue operators that could tell you otherwise. Oh, and there's this whole thing about drones.

Also, if I were somebody intent on slithering off and ducking my obligation to serve my country rather than owning up and making the sacrifice that other braver individuals make, I wouldn't be so gleefully willing to poke fun of other military branches.

Why should I have any obligation to serve my country, when the government has clearly shown that it doesn't wish to protect Finnish sovereignty by joining NATO? As long as the government isn't doing its part to protect Finland, I sure as hell won't either.

[Immoren]

I could call up a couple of USAF Pararescue operators that could tell you otherwise. Oh, and there's this whole thing about drones.

Also, if I were somebody intent on slithering off and ducking my obligation to serve my country rather than owning up and making the sacrifice that other braver individuals make, I wouldn't be so gleefully willing to poke fun of other military branches.

Why should I have any obligation to serve my country, when the government has clearly shown that it doesn't wish to protect Finnish sovereignty by joining NATO? As long as the government isn't doing its part to protect Finland, I sure as hell won't either.

Because most of population is against joining NATO?

[Renegade Island]

The Military is the embodiment of everything that's wrong with the world.

Its existence is a testament to the failure of humans to effectively communicate and solve conflicts with logic and reason.

It teaches people to follow orders without question, preaches racism and hatred in order to desensitize soldiers from the reality of their situation (that they are paid killers,) teaches that authority is the truth rather than truth is authority, and is often co-opted by international corporations in order to protect their overseas interests (see BP in Libya for a recent example.)

[Hippostania]

Why should I have any obligation to serve my country, when the government has clearly shown that it doesn't wish to protect Finnish sovereignty by joining NATO? As long as the government isn't doing its part to protect Finland, I sure as hell won't either.

Because most of population is against joining NATO?

I have no intention of protecting a country in that case; if a majority of Finns are such idiots that they do not see the necessity of joining NATO, I'm not going fight, let alone die for this depressing arctic hellhole. Finns can use their winter war-era tactics and fail miserably when and if Russia decides to attack; I won't be here by then.

I just cannot comprehend why Finns want to be the only European country that borders Russia besides Belarus and Ukraine that doesn't want to join NATO. Estonia is in a similar situation as we are, and they joined NATO as well.

[Cylarn]

The Military is the embodiment of everything that's wrong with the world.

Its existence is a testament to the failure of humans to effectively communicate and solve conflicts with logic and reason.

It teaches people to follow orders without question, preaches racism and hatred in order to desensitize soldiers from the reality of their situation (that they are paid killers,) teaches that authority is the truth rather than truth is authority, and is often co-opted by international corporations in order to protect their overseas interests (see BP in Libya for a recent example.)

And?

[Immoren]

Because most of population is against joining NATO?

I have no intention of protecting a country in that case; if a majority of Finns are such idiots that they do not see the necessity of joining NATO, I'm not going fight, let alone die for this depressing arctic hellhole. Finns can use their winter war-era tactics and fail miserably when and if Russia decides to attack; I won't be here by then.

I just cannot comprehend why Finns want to be the only European country that borders Russia besides Belarus and Ukraine that doesn't want to join NATO. Estonia is in a similar situation as we are, and they joined NATO as well.

1)Because Cold War.
2)You are wrong about tactics. They have been uprade several times after WWII.
3)We would be fucked regardless of whether we were in NATO or not. And there wouldn't be any guarantees that NATO would have any troops to spare here.
4)Because of fear that we would be dragged into USA's wars.
But enough about OT.

[Metal Root ball island]

I am not in the American military. I fly a MiG-31 in the RAF. (Russian Airforce)

i like the Russian's and American's military but i got with Marine Corp of American and the Russian spetsnaz. so i cant pick between them to

[Immoren]

desensitize soldiers from the reality of their situation (that they are paid killers,)

Slander! I am not some mercenary! D:<

[Napkiraly]

I've always thought about it, it'd be interesting. If I was I'd try going into a combat role (combat engineer or just infantry, though recon would be cool) as an officer. If I can get into proper shape within the next 4-5 years, I might even try getting into the Royal Marines. After that, I dunno what I'd do. Maybe go into the foreign service or go to med school.

[Hippostania]

1)Because Cold War.

Hopefully that mentality will die out with the baby boomers.

2)You are wrong about tactics. They have been uprade several times after WWII.

Equipment, maybe. The tactics are still almost the same.

3)We would be fucked regardless of whether we were in NATO or not. And there wouldn't be any guarantees that NATO would have any troops to spare here.

No, we wouldn't. NATO members are required to come to our help if a war breaks out.

4)Because of fear that we would be dragged into USA's wars.

Good! The West must stand united, they're not just the US's wars; they're ours too.

[Morrdh]

2)You are wrong about tactics. They have been uprade several times after WWII.

Equipment, maybe. The tactics are still almost the same.

3)We would be fucked regardless of whether we were in NATO or not. And there wouldn't be any guarantees that NATO would have any troops to spare here.

No, we wouldn't. NATO members are required to come to our help if a war breaks out.

4)Because of fear that we would be dragged into USA's wars.

Good! The West must stand united, they're not just the US's wars; they're ours too.

1. Any links you can provide regarding the whole 'tactics' thing please?

2. Immoren's right here considering most NATO are downsizing (Britain's especially cursed Tories! *shakes fist*), plus by the time any great number of NATO reinforcements actually arrived Russian probably would've overrun half of Finland. Plus there is the question whether NATO actually wants to risk a much larger conflict with Russia.

3. To be brutally honest I'd rather Tony Blair had a backbone and not gotten Britain into Afghanistan and Iraq.

[Souseiseki]

but really

aren't you like a flithy pinko lefty

He is D:

I hope he'd apply for the Air National Guard instead, the chair force never does anything

well, the chair force are in chairs in planes fighting. you're just in a chair, posting on the internet.

so hey couldn't you join the U.S. army (THE BEST ARMY, ARMY OF DEMOCRACY) now?

[Svalbar]

I so not support The norwegian military before norway will change, and that The royal family is removed from norway.

[Genivaria]

Well I've just told my mother about my decision over dinner, that parts over.
Now I just need to have a doctor look at my back and see if anything needs to be done so I can pass my physical.

The APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) is tough, but it's passable. I suggest running at least 2 miles a day and working on your pushups and situps.

I'll do that thanks.

Well I've just told my mother about my decision over dinner, that parts over.
Now I just need to have a doctor look at my back and see if anything needs to be done so I can pass my physical.

Is it a nerve or muscle issue?

Don't know, I was in an Auto accident a few months ago, got rear-ended by a bigass truck goin 65 mph.
My back still hurts and I want to make sure there's no permanent damage.

[Northern Dominus]

The APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) is tough, but it's passable. I suggest running at least 2 miles a day and working on your pushups and situps.

I'll do that thanks.

Is it a nerve or muscle issue?

Don't know, I was in an Auto accident a few months ago, got rear-ended by a bigass truck goin 65 mph.
My back still hurts and I want to make sure there's no permanent damage.

Oooh, ouch. Yeah you might want to see if you can consult a neurologist as well, that could be a pinched nerve somewhere thanks to coup-countracoup (whiplash to everyone else).

[Greed and Death]

I think there are too much incentives to join the military and I view that as a bad thing because I view war in a negative light because hippy. I know many who are in the military on a real life basis as well. My thoughts are that pensions shouldn't start 20 years after service but instead be based on combat tours served. Medical and education and jobs assistance I can agree with, though.

20 years is reasonable retirement, even in peace time the lifestyle is too hard to maintain for the typical 30 years for federal retirement. Moving every 2 years, exercise, exercise, exercise to the point of injury. It is not something everyone can do.

Wartime service is match with greater promotion potential and better after service medical care. One of the reasons I am looking to swap to the Marines, because they are not so good at reading Army records and tend to view my service in Korea as a deployment and hence giving me greater promotion potential.