Name: Anonymous 2005-07-09 6:24
I was thinking of joining the U.S. armed forces after I graduate from college. Already, this is an indication of how young and foolish I am. I'm a lazy man, so perhaps I may not be able to hack it. But, I understand they're having a terrible time trying to recruit nowadays, which might steer things in my direction if I really did want to serve. Here's part of my rationale.
Rather than a simple patriotism, or even economic motivation by itself (which nevertheless is a factor), I was thinking more along the lines of an amoral existentialism, wherein I need to gain experience in a field in order to be able to speak authoritatively about it later. (make judgements about the minutae of armed conflict in the future). Plus, I really do want to play with guns at some point.
If I die in combat, I will be happily venerated by my family and friends, in spite of whether my personal choices were in fact morally sanctionable in light of my knowledge of the international situation.
I'm operating under the assumption that I would get a bit of help for graduate school. I'm doing quite shitty in college right now, but I should be able to graduate nevertheless. I'd like to pursue postgraduate education someday, but given my lame performance in college, I suspect it may be impossible lest I get some special 'help', from some source; and for my personality, the military just may be it.
I'd like some opinions/advice. Although this is a personal account, I'll put it in here so that people can say what they like about the international situation, and the military in general. I hope responses will be broad enough to merit the topic's inclusion in this board.
Rather than a simple patriotism, or even economic motivation by itself (which nevertheless is a factor), I was thinking more along the lines of an amoral existentialism, wherein I need to gain experience in a field in order to be able to speak authoritatively about it later. (make judgements about the minutae of armed conflict in the future). Plus, I really do want to play with guns at some point.
If I die in combat, I will be happily venerated by my family and friends, in spite of whether my personal choices were in fact morally sanctionable in light of my knowledge of the international situation.
I'm operating under the assumption that I would get a bit of help for graduate school. I'm doing quite shitty in college right now, but I should be able to graduate nevertheless. I'd like to pursue postgraduate education someday, but given my lame performance in college, I suspect it may be impossible lest I get some special 'help', from some source; and for my personality, the military just may be it.
I'd like some opinions/advice. Although this is a personal account, I'll put it in here so that people can say what they like about the international situation, and the military in general. I hope responses will be broad enough to merit the topic's inclusion in this board.