Once I turn 18, February 12th, I will most likely be joining the army. My parents think only stupid uneducated people with no money join the Army, but I don't think thats true and I think I can go to college later, after serving my country for four years, and get to go to college for free. Right now I am trying to get in shape for the rigors of boot camp, pushups, pull ups, sit ups, flutter kicks, and running. I'd like to enter service as an Infantryman in one of the Mountain Divisions, or a crewman on on MLRS Battery, learning about fire control and ranging etc. I think this will be a good choice for me, and allow me to serve my country. This is what I wanted to do ever since I was a small child, and when it came time to think what I wanted to do with my life, this popped into my head. What are your opinions?

they can spell... semper fidelis.

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1992 Black 500e
1991 Black 300te 4m
1992 Black Renntech 620sl
1979 Porsche 911sc targa

Navy.

They carry lots of marines around. If somebody wants a fight, the marines are there to oblige.

The Air Force has pretty uniforms that never get wrinkled. (Gawd, rbn3, that comment was excellent sharpshooting!)

Kylepavao2, go for it, son. Do your country proud. You can change the world.

WORD! My plans after college...

p.s. - I went to an army recruiting station and they were one of the biggest %$^*& I have ever seen. Then I went to the Marines next door and the guy was pretty much straight up with what to expect. From what I see.. if you want the money and help, you have the Army that I believe gives the most. If you're in for the pride.. then join the "few and the proud". But remember to sure about what you do. To sum up what the drill Sgt said in Full Metal Jacket... "Your heart and soul belongs to God, but your @$$ belongs to the Corps!".

Good! Very grownup choice!

Combine what you want to do with serving your country. Despite what many say, it's very noble.

OK...do you have realistic expectations on the sacrifices demanded of enlisted personnel? Please make sure you thoroughly check that out and are comfortable. I would talk with friends and family who were actually in the Army.

Have you considered serving as a reserve officer trainee? You would start the Summer before college. Government pays for part of your education, and, as a leader, your contribution is limited only by your ambition. You'd make an outstanding officer.

Good luck. Best,

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

I think joining any branch of the military is an honorable choice, as long as they have jobs / functions that you'd like to do.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

If you want to serve your country, why limit your perspective to the military? There's plenty of other possibilities.

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2011 Prius

Why assume he limited himself?

How the military would limit your perspective? If anything it's greatly broadens it, learning leadership, communication skills, and how to work with people from ALL walks of life. Vronsky thinks it limits you because his military is like playing for the worst team in the world, or history even.

I do beg to differ on your choosing the Army. My Grandfathers, Grandmother, Father, Mother, brother and myself have been Army. I have brothers in the Air Force and Coast Guard as well. Regarding the uneducated aspect the everyone in my family has at least a Bachelors, I happen to be the underachiever .

The Army is generally a pain the neck, my brother is in the Coast Guard and loves it. The work schedules are fairly light and the Duty stations are usually fantastic at least.

The Army on the other hand you work all day then your imprisoned in some Podunk military town full of cops who have nothing to do but screw with soldiers.

My other brother Flies a KC-10 refueler and loves it, but who wouldn't?

If you would like I could forward your email to my little brother and he answer some coast guard questions.

For some reason I am stuck on the Army, I want to go in, and just blow through basic, and advance to a Mountain Unit, like the 10th Mountain Division. My idea is to be an M249 SAW gunner, but obviously I will take what I can get. I really want to go into the Army, although other people have predicted I will join the Marines. The Army seems a bit more diverse.

Everyone just thinks I am crazy because my family has enough money to send me to school many times over, and I have extremely good grades in school. Yet I want to join the Army as an enlisted man initially, and go to officer candidate school later when I go to school or do correspondence courses to get my degrees.

I think that your choice to serve speaks volumes about your integrity and sense of duty, Kyle. Many times recently I wish I had done it when I was your age. Congrats on your choice. And despite what that pinko Vronsky says, it's not "limiting" in ANY way. Go for it.

Mike

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1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
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1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
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1985 300TD
270,000 miles
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1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
www.myspace.com/openskystudio
www.myspace.com/speedxband
www.myspace.com/openskyseparators
www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic

I'm with Vronsky (yet again).

I'm a bit curious as to why Americans only see fit to get into the 'United We Stand' mode if we can do it in militaristic terms. I guess a problem isn't worthy of collective attention unless we can stab it with pointy sticks.

If the military is the only means of expressing your appreciation for your country then go for it, but I suggest you think 'outside the box' a bit more. College would be a better return on your investment of time and money, and your country would more than likely benefit from your newfound skills and expertise.

I nearly got nabbed by the military when I was your age--close call.

I didn't go to college until I was 30--bad call.

V & Z,

If you read closely, we didn't say what you just said. For example, I asked V why he thought young Kyle limited himself to just the military.

In contrast, I assume that he has looked at his options and is settling on that one. What do you assume about Kyle?

Other that that, I pretty much agree with you. I don't think of national service as limited to military. Several colleagues of mine were Peace Corps volunteers and did some wonderful things for their host nations and their own country. There's Americorps, etc. Fine opportunities, all.

But there's something about the military experience that challenges by a whole different mechanism--one's life. If Kyle feels that challenge, he should go for it. It may be good for him. It will be good for his country.

Botnst

What about doing plain, ordinary volunteer work in your own neighbourhood?

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2011 Prius

Sure, V-dude, that's great. Few things inspire a young man more than an opportunity to help around the neighborhood.

Do you suppose that Kyle has NOT thought about lots of options?

If he chooses this one, its a good, honorable choice. If chooses another path, that's good too.

Perhaps you'd care to opine about this particular one? I'm sure you have an opinion on that, else why suggest alternatives?

Botnst