Military Recruiting Troubles...Would you join

[scooter1369]

Just for the hell of it, the way I would rank the services for how "hard core" or "bad ass" they are at least by reputation would go like this.

air force.
navy.
army.
army infantry.
marines.
army rangers.
marine recon.
army special forces.
navy seals.
delta force.

Not sure I agree with that list since Army Ranger school is just one step of making it into Force Recon. And I went through 65% of SEAL school in Coronado while attached to 1Bn 1Mar. Thats just part of normal MEU(SOC) training.

We followed that up with 4 weeks in Bridgeport and then 2 months at 29 stumps.

Recon is the shit. Make no mistake about it.

As for the thread topic, a couple points to make:

1. I can see why recruiting is down. It has nothing to do with the war itself, but the reaction and bipartisan horseshit going on on this side of the pond.

2. The military has been giving re-up bonuses in excess of $30,000 dollars for over 15 years in some MOS's. This war didn't start that trend.

3. I too joined the Marines to "one up" a family member. I signed up the day Saddam invaded Kuwait. Made it to 3/5 in time to get to the desert. Barely.

4. This war is different, and I'm not going to compare Desert Shield/Storm to this abortion. But there were a lot of people who signed up on the ideal of protecting the people of Kuwait from oppression. I was one of them. People have to understand that part of this war's purpose is to do the same for the people of Iraq. We are no longer fighting Saddam's people, but foriegn insurgents just trying to raise hell and kick start a civil war among the factions on Iraq. It awful close to working.

5. I agreed we needed to go in. But I also agree we need to get out as soon as diplomatically possible. Iraq must be able to defend herself from herself before we leave.

 

[RugbyBuck]

I'm working on doing Army reserve JAG duty. My soon to be ex-wife threatened to divorce me after I had taken the physical and done the interviews, if I went through with it. Now that I'm divorcving her, I'm going through with it. That's about the best I can do. There's not a tremendous need for thirty-five year old lawyers with no military experience on the front lines.

 

[dwimmer38]

recruiting

The way I see it, our armed forces are in places like Iraq and Afghanistan to try and subdue the muslim assholes so that WE don't have to worry about going to the local mall and having someone blow themself up. I can't imagine living in Israel and having to worry about this type of thing everytime I step out in public.

As far as recruiting, if the armed forces are not able to get enough volunteers to keep the military strong then I would bet a lot of cash that a draft is just around the bend. Reagan used to say "peace through strength". If we don't keep a strong military then piddly countries like Canada and Mexico could occupy us (although Mexico is already occupying us in a manner of speaking). It's a shame that it will come down to a draft for lack of volunteers. I just turned 44 otherwise I would volunteer "again". Hell, I'm in great shape now and would be willing to kick some muslim ass in Iraq but I know the army wouldn't take me.

 

[BuckPshrink]

Have a few t-shirts... Served enlisted, Army/communications widgit then commissioned and turned into an infantry officer.. A few points... My generation served honorably in the 80's. We were blessed by the efforts of our predecessors with not having to serve in major conflicts. Ahem, excluding Grenada and Panama which were at times intense but very brief! Many amongst us felt after our station chief in Lebanon was murdered and the increase of Becca valley pukes that murdered 253 marines wearing UN blue helmets and providing stability, that we should simply occupy the region (or a portion) as the trend even in 1986 was multiplying like a fungus... Now, 19 years later, we have done just that. If I hear Blood for oil once more,, I'll scream!! Consider Iraqs location; borders Syria, Saudi Arabia, the Kaz. region north, and ahmmm.. IRAN! We need a strategic placement as well, a 1st. strike capability within the mid. east. Make no mistake, this effort (look at the big picture!!) IS designed to fight terrorism regionally!! I hope we always have an intel and strike capability from within Iraq just as we did from Germany, Okinawa, etc... Greed my ass! We just cannot allow the islamist peace loving basdiges breathing room. As for me, I have never resigned my commission, I left the reserves in 1993. If called, I'll go. Just gotta shed a few pounds...

 

[The KSB]

Not sure I agree with that list since Army Ranger school is just one step of making it into Force Recon.

Not to start anything here, but that's just not true. The following is taken from this url http://usmilitary.about.com/od/jointservices/a/specialops2_3.htm

In addition to Marine Corps Boot Camp and the School of Infantry, trainees then attend the Marine Corps Basic Recon Course, Airborne School, the Marine Combatant Diver School, and SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) School. This training takes about six months. After completing the Basic Recon Course and other training schools, trainees report to their assigned Recon Company and continue with On-the-Job Training. After completing their first "float," Marine Recon are eligible to receive more advanced training such as (but not limited to) Ranger, Pathfinder, EMT, Military Free fall, Jumpmaster, Applied Explosives, and the Mountain Leaders Course (Winter and Summer). Also I think you are confusing a "tabbed Ranger" with a "scrolled Ranger". Let me assure you they are entirely different animals. Just because someone passes Ranger School and earns their Ranger Tab does not get them into a Ranger Battalion, and more importantly does not keep them there. Ranger Battalions are the premier light infantry force in the world, bar none! They are however, not a special operations force in the way that most outsiders think of when they think special forces. They do not do "secret squirrel" type missions. If you ever watched "Blackhawk Down" I would say that is a pretty accurate portrayal of a Ranger Type mission. Not a whole lot of fancy stuff, just very hard core light infantry type of fighting. Force Recon, on the other hand is not intended to be used in an infantry capacity. Since, I have had no experience with them I cannot comment with authority as to what exactly their missions are like, but my understanding is that they perform mainly in a reconnaissance capacity. That their missions dictate that they are to avoid enemy contact. I'm not making light of their work, recon work is among the most dangerous work there is on a field of battle. But as a cav scout once told me, if they get into a fire fight it is because something went wrong, not by design. So to say one is better than the other, in my mind, is a waste of time since they are proverbial apples and oranges. Also, RANGERS LEAD THE WAY, ALL THE WAY!!!

 

[scooter1369]

Obviously things have changed in the last 15 years. Having worked directly with 1st Recon and talking with them, I learned a lot about their training. And Ranger school was just a step in the process of reaching Force Recon.

 

[ekeen]

I can't believe more kids don't join up. I mean the danger is there but you get a full ride to almost any public college in America for God's sake. For all the bitching we hear about the cost of tuition and not one article ever recommends joining the military... This is absurd.

Plus, your employers will see your sacrifice and you are immediately separated from the rest of the pack during interviewing. 9/10 of the time if you practice what you learned in the military with regards to teamwork and the work ethic you will be promoted through the ranks in civilian life.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I'm working on doing Army reserve JAG duty. My soon to be ex-wife threatened to divorce me after I had taken the physical and done the interviews, if I went through with it. Now that I'm divorcving her, I'm going through with it. That's about the best I can do. There's not a tremendous need for thirty-five year old lawyers with no military experience on the front lines.

Doesn't matter that you won't be going to "the front lines"...your serving is what counts. I for one appreciate your stepping up and doing your part.

 

[RugbyBuck]

Thanks, Mili. As I understand it, I'd essentially be taking up some slack with basic wills and administrative stuff to free up active duty guys to do real work. I'm all for helping out. I wish I could do more right now.

 

[Spazztic1]

I was already deployed to Iraqi Freedom. 6 Months in the Desert during the war sucked but I made it home and if they told me I was going back I'd be ok with that. Now I'm stationed in England and enjoying the sites. I bought a newly restored 1976 Mini and get to check out the pubs and europe. The Military taught me disipline(which I sorely needed), and they taught me a craft(Network Administrator) So far the Military hasn't been a bad way to go. Best Life-choice I have made up to this point.