So it's been 2 weeks since I officially ended my contracted active duty time in the Army, and many of you know I was planning on doing ROTC and getting commissioned as an officer. But now I find myself going, "um....wait that is a lot of standing around in boots, not moving and pointless attention to details," and not wanting to go sign up for the sophomore level ROTC classes.
I've weighing all the benefits, money, healthcare, I get to play with military grade weapons, but I fucking hate formations.
My uncles co apparently gave him the heads up that they were thinking of promoting him to sargeant. He said he didnt want it mainly on the grounds that he didnt want to deal with officers higher up in the chain of command. You might not have the same qualms about that but it is something you might want to consider.
I don't really think anyone can tell you which is a better option, given that the benefits and drawbacks are based on your own evaluations.
Me, I'd go for it. Who doesn't want to play with military hardware for a living?
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 10, 2012, 10:54:30 PM
So it's been 2 weeks since I officially ended my contracted active duty time in the Army, and many of you know I was planning on doing ROTC and getting commissioned as an officer. But now I find myself going, "um....wait that is a lot of standing around in boots, not moving and pointless attention to details," and not wanting to go sign up for the sophomore level ROTC classes.
I've weighing all the benefits, money, healthcare, I get to play with military grade weapons, but I fucking hate formations.
Believe Dirty Old Uncle Roger when he tells you that there are things in the civilian world that you will like a lot less.
Also the idea of a discordian moving up in the ranks of the military is intriguing. Can you imagine coyote eventually becoming one of the joint chiefs? A discordian in the pentagon. Coyote you should shoot for five stars ;)
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:28:47 PM
Also the idea of a discordian moving up in the ranks of the military is intriguing. Can you imagine coyote eventually becoming one of the joint chiefs? A discordian in the pentagon. Coyote you should shoot for five stars ;)
A couple (unlikely) things change in the next couple years, and I'll join the Navy and do the same.... what if we had TWO? :lulz:
Quote from: Doktor M. Phox0 on January 10, 2012, 11:33:15 PM
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:28:47 PM
Also the idea of a discordian moving up in the ranks of the military is intriguing. Can you imagine coyote eventually becoming one of the joint chiefs? A discordian in the pentagon. Coyote you should shoot for five stars ;)
A couple (unlikely) things change in the next couple years, and I'll join the Navy and do the same.... what if we had TWO? :lulz:
"The Commander" is stationed at the Pentagon, and he apparently is at least an O6.
Maybe i should join the airforce.
Three discordians, and the one who has crippling acrophobia is in charge of all the airplanes.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on January 10, 2012, 11:35:43 PM
Quote from: Doktor M. Phox0 on January 10, 2012, 11:33:15 PM
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:28:47 PM
Also the idea of a discordian moving up in the ranks of the military is intriguing. Can you imagine coyote eventually becoming one of the joint chiefs? A discordian in the pentagon. Coyote you should shoot for five stars ;)
A couple (unlikely) things change in the next couple years, and I'll join the Navy and do the same.... what if we had TWO? :lulz:
"The Commander" is stationed at the Pentagon, and he apparently is at least an O6.
Oh, that's friggin' sweet! :lulz:
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:37:37 PM
Maybe i should join the airforce.
Three discordians, and the one who has crippling acrophobia is in charge of all the airplanes.
Noooooo. Twid, you would be miserable in the military.
Oh i know. I just thought the scenario was funny.
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:28:47 PM
Also the idea of a discordian moving up in the ranks of the military is intriguing. Can you imagine coyote eventually becoming one of the joint chiefs? A discordian in the pentagon. Coyote you should shoot for five stars ;)
I doubt I would ever get that far, and if I ended up the General of the Army you would know this universe is just one big practical joke.
Quote from: Doktor M. Phox0 on January 10, 2012, 11:38:52 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on January 10, 2012, 11:35:43 PM
Quote from: Doktor M. Phox0 on January 10, 2012, 11:33:15 PM
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:28:47 PM
Also the idea of a discordian moving up in the ranks of the military is intriguing. Can you imagine coyote eventually becoming one of the joint chiefs? A discordian in the pentagon. Coyote you should shoot for five stars ;)
A couple (unlikely) things change in the next couple years, and I'll join the Navy and do the same.... what if we had TWO? :lulz:
"The Commander" is stationed at the Pentagon, and he apparently is at least an O6.
Oh, that's friggin' sweet! :lulz:
wuuuuuuuuuuuuut I think I might have blown something.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on January 10, 2012, 11:39:08 PM
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:37:37 PM
Maybe i should join the airforce.
Three discordians, and the one who has crippling acrophobia is in charge of all the airplanes.
Noooooo. Twid, you would be miserable in the military.
This is probably true.
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 10, 2012, 11:43:35 PM
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:28:47 PM
Also the idea of a discordian moving up in the ranks of the military is intriguing. Can you imagine coyote eventually becoming one of the joint chiefs? A discordian in the pentagon. Coyote you should shoot for five stars ;)
I doubt I would ever get that far, and if I ended up the General of the Army you would know this universe is just one big practical joke.
So... probability of success: high. :lulz:
Quote from: Doktor M. Phox0 on January 10, 2012, 11:45:04 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 10, 2012, 11:43:35 PM
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:28:47 PM
Also the idea of a discordian moving up in the ranks of the military is intriguing. Can you imagine coyote eventually becoming one of the joint chiefs? A discordian in the pentagon. Coyote you should shoot for five stars ;)
I doubt I would ever get that far, and if I ended up the General of the Army you would know this universe is just one big practical joke.
So... probability of success: high. :lulz:
Also, Eris is a bitch and knows it would ruin my day.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on January 10, 2012, 11:39:08 PM
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:37:37 PM
Maybe i should join the airforce.
Three discordians, and the one who has crippling acrophobia is in charge of all the airplanes.
Noooooo. Twid, you would be miserable in the military.
he didn't say anything about the military, he was talking about the air force.
Quote from: Fuck You One-Eye on January 11, 2012, 12:15:23 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on January 10, 2012, 11:39:08 PM
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:37:37 PM
Maybe i should join the airforce.
Three discordians, and the one who has crippling acrophobia is in charge of all the airplanes.
Noooooo. Twid, you would be miserable in the military.
he didn't say anything about the military, he was talking about the air force.
Technically, they are the military. In fact, they're the military with all the cool shit boiled out and just the pointless bullshit left.
:lol:
All joking aside, is it stupid that I have major moral qualm with placing myself in a position that may result in me ordering people to go places that they may need to kill other people, all due to a series of events that I consider wrong?
In other words, I don't want to cause soldiers to put into harms way, when I don't agree with the current wars, or as has been pointed out, most wars seem to be fought for large corporations and their bottom lines.
Quote from: Fuck You One-Eye on January 11, 2012, 12:15:23 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on January 10, 2012, 11:39:08 PM
Quote from: Billy the Twid on January 10, 2012, 11:37:37 PM
Maybe i should join the airforce.
Three discordians, and the one who has crippling acrophobia is in charge of all the airplanes.
Noooooo. Twid, you would be miserable in the military.
he didn't say anything about the military, he was talking about the air force.
Fucking
SNAP.
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 11, 2012, 07:29:06 PM
All joking aside, is it stupid that I have major moral qualm with placing myself in a position that may result in me ordering people to go places that they may need to kill other people, all due to a series of events that I consider wrong?
In other words, I don't want to cause soldiers to put into harms way, when I don't agree with the current wars, or as has been pointed out, most wars seem to be fought for large corporations and their bottom lines.
It doesn't seem stupid to me, but I'm a born civilian and do not understand these things military.
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 11, 2012, 07:29:06 PM
All joking aside, is it stupid that I have major moral qualm with placing myself in a position that may result in me ordering people to go places that they may need to kill other people, all due to a series of events that I consider wrong?
In other words, I don't want to cause soldiers to put into harms way, when I don't agree with the current wars, or as has been pointed out, most wars seem to be fought for large corporations and their bottom lines.
Not stupid at all. That's a perfectly legitimate qualm. (And one of the things that would have to change for me to join, btw). So, if you really don't want to be in that position, don't put yourself in it. If, however, you judge the benefits of going ahead with your original plan to outweigh the moral dilemma, then that's fine too.
Really, we can't make the decision for you. We won't be casting stones if you decide to change your mind. But we won't be throwing tomatoes at you when you get off the boat in 15 years, either.
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 11, 2012, 07:29:06 PM
All joking aside, is it stupid that I have major moral qualm with placing myself in a position that may result in me ordering people to go places that they may need to kill other people, all due to a series of events that I consider wrong?
In other words, I don't want to cause soldiers to put into harms way, when I don't agree with the current wars, or as has been pointed out, most wars seem to be fought for large corporations and their bottom lines.
IMO, whichever choice you make in the end this attitude will serve you well. And it speaks well of you as a person.
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 11, 2012, 07:29:06 PM
All joking aside, is it stupid that I have major moral qualm with placing myself in a position that may result in me ordering people to go places that they may need to kill other people, all due to a series of events that I consider wrong?
In other words, I don't want to cause soldiers to put into harms way, when I don't agree with the current wars, or as has been pointed out, most wars seem to be fought for large corporations and their bottom lines.
My son had the same qualms at first.
Then he mentioned that if nobody with any moral sense is there, then well, all you have is immoral shitbags.
I've known plenty of officers - mostly field grade - that knew the US military is a tool of financial & corporate interests, and hasn't fought for actual American freedom since 1814, but they're still there. It's what they do, it's what they're good at, and they can and do have an effect on the system as a whole.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on January 11, 2012, 09:32:18 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 11, 2012, 07:29:06 PM
All joking aside, is it stupid that I have major moral qualm with placing myself in a position that may result in me ordering people to go places that they may need to kill other people, all due to a series of events that I consider wrong?
In other words, I don't want to cause soldiers to put into harms way, when I don't agree with the current wars, or as has been pointed out, most wars seem to be fought for large corporations and their bottom lines.
My son had the same qualms at first.
Then he mentioned that if nobody with any moral sense is there, then well, all you have is immoral shitbags.
I've known plenty of officers - mostly field grade - that knew the US military is a tool of financial & corporate interests, and hasn't fought for actual American freedom since 1814, but they're still there. It's what they do, it's what they're good at, and they can and do have an effect on the system as a whole.
I want to be angry at you for saying what I've told myself. Why do you have to make fucking sense?
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 11, 2012, 10:08:43 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on January 11, 2012, 09:32:18 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 11, 2012, 07:29:06 PM
All joking aside, is it stupid that I have major moral qualm with placing myself in a position that may result in me ordering people to go places that they may need to kill other people, all due to a series of events that I consider wrong?
In other words, I don't want to cause soldiers to put into harms way, when I don't agree with the current wars, or as has been pointed out, most wars seem to be fought for large corporations and their bottom lines.
My son had the same qualms at first.
Then he mentioned that if nobody with any moral sense is there, then well, all you have is immoral shitbags.
I've known plenty of officers - mostly field grade - that knew the US military is a tool of financial & corporate interests, and hasn't fought for actual American freedom since 1814, but they're still there. It's what they do, it's what they're good at, and they can and do have an effect on the system as a whole.
I want to be angry at you for saying what I've told myself. Why do you have to make fucking sense?
BECAUSE NONE OF
YOU PEOPLE MAKE SENSE!
I don't think I'm going to do it. I don't remember ever being stoked or happy a single day I wore the uniform. Every day felt like a job. You know, just a stepping stone. The bulk of my reasoning FOR doing it is that maybe I could make my troops not have shitty lives, have a meaningful impact on their lives, but it's fucking office work, and ass kissing. I hate both. Granted my last commander thought I was awesome because I said exactly what I thought when asked for an opinion.
I'm mostly just pissed that here I am 27 years old and I still don't have a fucking grip on what I want to do for the next 4 years.\
ETA: AND I AM STILL GETTING EMAILS FROM 1st SPECIAL FORCES GROUP!!! WHAT THE FUCK I AM NOT ACTIVE DUTY GET OFF MY NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im 30.5 years old in three weeks and i still dont know what im doing. Figure it out in three years and youre already better off than me :)
I'm 40 and I just started college. So, like, don't necessarily count on figuring it out anytime soon.
I'm 45, and still open to options.
When you join the Army, (Any Army) you have to get down early on with the fact that you don't get to choose who you work for. The Govt / Chiefs of Staff get to contract you out to whoever they want. Whether it's Oil Corps, Nato, The UN, or supporting an Interim Governing body in some 3rd World stinkhole.
All you have to answer to is the chain of command, and if you intend taking your conscience along (And I know you will) It'll need to be flexible where the CoC is concerned. Not discarded, not ever, but flexible means you get to stay mostly sane. And you're what? 27?
You can still fuck it all off, if you can't stomach what they ask you to do.
Problem solved. For now. Expect me to flip out existentially in a few months.
First day of ROTC class. I can tell it is going to be 3 months of classes on topics I already know. :lulz: On the plus side I don't have to do all the shit the rest of the cadets do because I'm not contracted as a cadet, but I can choose to. Granted I should participate as much as I can in the chance I do go "hey I'll do all this crap and get that shiny gold bar"
Rangers of the coast?
Roofies on the cheap?
Reverse operated tank calamities?
Riding on three cows?
Roughly overestimated trunk capacity?
Rectal Orange Turbulence Control?
Ruptured Ovaries Treatment Centre?
Revolutionary odours through chilli?
Really Obscure Tomahawk Class?
Rotations or tiny circles?
Rules of Tournament Chess?
Radical Oral Tooth Care?
Reserve officers training corp
Quote from: Billy the Twid on February 15, 2012, 12:30:44 PM
Reserve officers training corp
No, that's not right.
Rooting Out The Cunts.
Rounding Off The Corners
Riting on the chockbored
Ritalin Often Tweaks Coyote
Quote from: BadBeast on February 15, 2012, 12:47:59 PM
Ritalin Often Tweaks Coyote
:golfclap:
Raging Over Tebow's Christianity
Revised Orders Too Confusing
Roger Offers Tequilla Courteously.
Shit like this is why I can't ever leave PD.
So, not going to do this. I'm feeling down about that too. Like I am doing the wrong thing in deciding to not do all this. Even though the Army never fit. I've never really felt a part of anything while in. I wasted 4 years of my life. I don't have most of those bullshit things everyone expects a veteran to posses. And the main reason I was going to do this is because that was 4 years learnign how the Army functioned, might as well put that to use despite the fact that I HATE all of that bullshit.
And i don't mean the bullshit formations, the drill and ceremony and the uniforms, even though I hate the uniforms. I mean the pointless office bitch shit. The stupid meetings. The fucking cubicles. The fucking supply cages. The fucking connexs and warehouses filled with all manner of fucking shit that NO ONE WILL EVER FUCKING USE!!
But the Army is safe. It will gladly wrap its arms around you, clothe you house and feed you. You even get paid. All you have to do is put up with the fucking jingoistic retards that join. Oh and you might be shot at or blown up.
I never even did a good job. Sure I got all kinds of glowing praise, and awards and shit, but I fucking coasted, except on some things, but the things I worried about no one fuckign cared about. Or they weren't my problem to begin with.
Maybe I am just wired wrong. How else could someone manage to stay in for 4 years, have great things said and thought about him, but never feel a part of the unit? Or maybe there is just something fucking wrong with everyone else.
I'm just fucking rambling and I can't build up a good rant hate. I feel disappointed in myself. No matter which way I go I will feel like I made the wrong choice.
If I don't pursue this I will always regret it. Which is how I ended up enlisted. I didn't want to regret not joining the Army and then regretted joining the Army. But I feel obligated to do this, because I know I am capable of this shit, but fuck obligations.
And fuck the Army.
Don't sweat it too much Mate, it's one thing to sign up and serve when it's just your skin that's on the line, but quite another to be in a position where you are ordering other men to engage the enemy. That's a whole different job. And you haven't wasted four years. (Unless you meant that Wiccan thing) You've found out that you're not suited to that "Chain of Command" do as you're told routine. Some people never learn that. And it's not like you're thick as pigshit or anything. I'm sure there's a little part of The American Dream out there somewhere with "Coyote" written on it. Just maybe not in the Military.