Bring back draft

Free ride? Not paying taxes would be a free ride. I expect to be in the military for 5 years. I don't think I'm doing much of a service to my country (I doubt my contributions to the military will vere become important). I think they'd waste their money on me.

Asherman

I agree with everything you've said---good of you to whip this out of your archive and post it---you wrote it of course but you surely didn't sit down just now and bang it out))))))) If you did I am in even greater awe of your writing ability.

In my opinion--had the Anti-Federalists been able to forsee the nightmarish dangers facing the world today, there is not a doubt in my mind that they also would be very proud of our military.

Craven

May I inquire what job strikes your fancy in the military?

Perception,

My last post re. the Draft, was written this afternoon. I think it took about two hours, but I was called away a few times so that might not be completely accurate.

Asherman

Awesome--nicely crafted.

Craven

This seems like an appropriate place for me to personally wish you the very best. I have, since the first time I bumped into you on an abuzz thread, thought you a particularly exceptional fellow. That opinion has only increased here (though I should add that you do nothing for me physically). Stay well.

Very interesting and persuasive, Asherman. Well done! I also agree with Rangel in many ways. And I do find the idea of national service of some kind quite attractive. Support for the draft may spring from the frustration of many with Congress which we feel has not been doing its job.... for quite a long time. I'm very wary of a presidency which is set on enlarging the powers of the executive, don't see much strength or integrity in Congress of late. Using a debate over a draft to force examination of the reasons for going to war isn't a bad move.

Craven:

I can't believe someone as talented as you would join the miltary. My personal view is the military is for those who can't do anything else. Yea, I've heard how good they're suppose to be now, but I don't see it, and i don't believe it either!

Unthinking, doglike obedience has never been one of my things, and if I'm right about your intellect, you won't do well there!!

Better think twice young man, use your head, the military is a poor choice for a thinking person with a wonderful intellect!

Anon

At least he's going in to the military with a clear idea of what he wants plus all of our undoubtedly wise admonitions. I wish Craven the very best and will worry like crazy until he is out.

Piffka:

Someone who is as bright as Craven is can make enough money in 5 years to get an education, and still have a usable experience record. I'm working with a couple of retiring Vets right now who have just realized just how up the creek they are with the experience they have from the service!

Craven my friend, you better take a moment and think about five years of being a dog!! I'm serious ... count to 500 million or something! This is one of the WORST things you can do with your future!

Bright IT people still make a damn good living, just ask me!! You can get an education, and make a damn fine living at the same time. Get in touch with me privately before you jump off the bridge!!

Anon/Byron

Anon, there are many who disagree with your negative feelings about our military. A person will take away from ANY experience, what they put into it. People who are bright and capable are just the sort of folks we need in the military. If you are correct in thinking the military filled with idiots and brutes, then the infusion of a few tens of thousands of young people exactly like Craven is the way to rectify the situation.

Wish him well, for he will be one of those underpaid and underappreciated young people who make your dreamworld possible.

perception,

My recruiter is pusing me very hard to sign for an intel or counter intel MOS. I don't like the idea (I'd end up in Colombia) and would prefer an MOS that would give me real world training (something tech related) but they'd give me a higher rank in intel.

Another factor is the sign up period. Most of the cool MOSs require a 5-year commitment. I'd hoped for 3.

blatham,

It's all the more meaningful coming from you, thanks! And I'm so many kinds of glad that I do nothin' for ya.

Anon,

I know I'll hate the military. But I do not think I'd easily get a job and be able to pay for my education. I have no documented skills and no high school diploma.

It'll be hell but I don't really have many options.

Craven:

It is my understanding you are the one doing the coding required for this site ...

If I'm wrong, sign up!!

If I'm right. get ahold of me privately and I will change your life! I promise it!!

Anon

All kinds of people join the service, for all kinds of reasons, Craven, and all kinds come out. And go on about their business. Within maybe five years of separation, I really suspect you will have caught and maybe surpassed the Craven that stayed home instead.

There seems little point in debating the unprovable and I will not challenge you to return to the discussion ten years down the road.

Asherman:

Leave to the military those who have no promise, because the military has no promise for those that do!!

I'm a disabled vet, thanks to a war we had no right, no business, and no sense being in! I've spent my adult life with a pair of legs you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy because we we're misused by the same people who misuse us today!

Anon

Anon- We both acknowledge Craven's obvious intelligence. I do believe that at this point in his life, he knows what is best for himself.

I know that the military is not for everybody, but I do take exception to your characterization of people who join the military:




I think that your broad brush characterization is unfair, inaccurate, and insulting.

Craven- I know that you will make the most of your stay in the military, and it will enable you to achieve your goals in life.

me thinks craven knows what he is doing with his direction in life here...just my humble opinion.

We've gone a touch off topic here, but it seems quite understandable, for though we folks have varying notions about military service, we are clearly quite in unison as regards our affinity and respect for the chap in question.

Anon... though I am a pacifist both by family/cultural tradition and by constitution (meek crybaby type) and find myself well over on your side of the road here, Asherman's and Phoenix's complaint that you tar with too broad a brush seems justified to me. There is another aspect here too. Pat Moynihan, in answering a similar argument about entry into politics, said, "If the smart and good people don't go in, then we are destined to be ruled by mediocrities".

All of the above notwithstanding...I am hoping you might be able to increase the range of real possible options for our hero whose sly twinkle moves me not at all.

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Pheonix, Blatham:

OK, I'll do it your way.

The Military is a wonderful place for bright young individuals to spend 5 years of their life. I found my experience of laying three months in a military hospital while they put my legs back together an exhilerating and wonderful experience that I don't think I can ever replace.

It was also thrilling to come back after my two years of drafted service to find that everyone I was in charge of when I left was now in charge of me. I just loved that graveyard shift I ended up doing when I came back because then it gave me my days to spend in unfettered glee!!

It was a wonderful experience, I think any young person would consider it an honor to be in the military!!

Good luck Craven, I'm sure it will be everything you expect it to be!!

Anon