But the military is not the right choice for everyone, and sometimes people make the wrong choices for the wrong reasons and it fucks up their lives, sometimes in ways that haunt them the rest of their days.
Before enlisting, read and carefully weigh the following points; consider them the Ten Commandments if you are thinking of enlisting.
- Do not make a quick decision by enlisting the first time you see a recruiter, or when you are upset or distressed. A recruiter is a salesperson. Like any salesperson, you will receive one perspective, the shiny-happy-people, Uncle Sugar Will Provide, view of life in the military. Do not make this important decision about your future when you are depressed, desperate for work, confused, unsure about your future, or pressured by your family. It is a decision that will affect the rest of your life. It is a decision that could cost you your life. Do not make it lightly, and do not make it suddenly. Consider carefully before you sign.
- Take a witness with you when you speak to a recruiter. There is a lot of information to take in. A friend or relative, preferably one who has served in uniform, can take notes and help you ask questions. A veteran knows questions to ask that are out of your realm of comprehension, that you would never think to ask.
- Talk to veterans. This is the best advice I can give you. Veterans have been there, they have rolled out of bed at 0445, they have fallen into formation, they have done the job and can give you an accurate portrayal of life in the military, the good and the bad. If you are married, or in a long-term relationship, talk to the spouses of those who have served and get their perspective. Military marriages have a higher than average divorce rate, and that is a depressing statistic given the state of matrimony in America. Anyone wanting the perspective of a military wife can email me. I can tell you what it's like to be home that first day with a brand new baby three months after arriving at a new base, with your nearest relative three time-zones away and your husband a hundred and fifty feet below ground in a missile complex seventy-five miles from base. If you don't think your spouse could handle that scenario, don't put them in that situation.
- Consider your moral and ethical feelings about going to war. The mission of the military is to prepare for and wage war. Are you willing to kill another person if called upon to do so? Would you be willing to fight in any war, no matter the reason? Would you be willing to maintain and, if called upon, launch, nuclear weapons? If you would have trouble engaging in combat, taking human life, or possibly using weapons of mass destruction, you should not consider enlisting in the armed forces. If you become opposed after you join, you may attempt to obtain a discharge, but it is a long, difficult, arduous, and uncertain process. If you have doubts, stay out.
- Get a copy of the enlistment agreement. Read all of the fine print carefully. Take it home with you, share the contents with a trusted friend or relative, preferably a veteran. Pay special attention to what you can be ordered to do. Ask questions, demand answers, and consider carefully before you sign. You have the right to take the contract with you from the recruiting office, do not be pressured into signing an enlistment contract on the spot.
- There is no "period of adjustment" during which you may request and receive an immediate honorable discharge. Once you have departed for basic training, you must fulfill the entire number of years on your enlistment contract. You can not leave of your own free will. In contrast to your lack of rights to terminate your term of service, the military is under no obligation to keep you. You may be deemed "unsuitable" and discharged without your consent.
- Get all of your recruiter's promises in writing. But remember that the military can change the terms-such as pay, job, benefits, or rank, at their will, not yours. Although there are no guarantees, a written statement may offer you, as a service member, some protection if promises are not met. However, the enlistment agreement is more binding on you than on the military. You are ultimately responsible for the information you provide, so do not tell any lies, of omission or commission, no matter if you are pressured. Perjury is a heavy price to pay for an E-1 paycheck.
- There are no job guarantees in the military. The military is not required to keep you on a full-time or permanent basis in the job you trained for. As a matter of fact, most recruiters were assigned to recruiting jobs against their will. The kind of job you gets depends on two factors: Your abilities are considered, of course, but primarily your job will be determined by what role the military needs you to fill at any given time. Additionally, only a small percentage of military career fields have comparable civilian careers to transition into after completing your term of enlistment.
- Military Personnel may not exercise all of the civil liberties enjoyed by civilians. You will not have the same constitutional rights as your civilian friends and relatives. You will forfeit your rights to free speech, assembly, individual expression, or petition. Hairstyle, jewelry, displays of tattoos and piercings, will be restricted. Female military personnel who become pregnant have to request and receive a "change of profile" from their commanding officer before they are allowed to transition to maternity uniforms. You will be required to follow all lawful orders given to you, whether you agree with them or not, whether you consider them right or fair. However, no soldier, sailor, airman, or marine can be lawfully punished for refusing to follow an unlawful order. The Uniform Code of Military Justice deals harshly with officers who issue unlawful orders, and with subordinates who follow them.
- Many other opportunities exist for you to serve your community and enhance your skills. Before you enlist, consider all of your options. There are many careers that offer service to humanity and challenges to be met. Travel, education, and money for school, job training, and adventure can all be found other ways. Your local community may even have opportunities that you might not have considered. Talk to a priest or clergyperson, a beat cop, a local high-school principal or guidance counselor, or a local government representative to learn about options to serve outside the armed forces.
If, after careful consideration, you decide to enlist, I thank you for your service. If you do not, I thank you for your discretion and thoughtful consideration. It is a great fit for some, and a lousy fit for others. There are no guarantees going in, or coming out. Every human being is unique in temperament, ability, and bearing. Those who are not suited to military discipline and lifestyle are not an asset to their unit, they are a detriment and that can cost lives. This must be considered too. You will not be responsible for just yourself, the lives of your colleagues will depend on you too. That is an awesome responsibility to bear.
"An army of one" is a bullshit advertising slogan and the stupidest thing I've ever heard. An army demands cohesion, and a forsaking of self interest. Not everyone has those qualities.
