This would come as a shock to 99% of people that know me, but I have this yearning to join the army or some area within the army for only a year or two. This is not a 'i need the money' or a 'i have no other options' deal I have an MBA from a great business school and have been running an investment and real estate company I founded in 1998. I am financially successful, have great friends and family and enjoy what I do. I work hard and I can party my ass off too. I'm 28 years old, in pretty good shape and very, very passionate about life. I have what many people would consider a pretty damn good life. I just feel that I've yet to experience defending a nation that I love and the satisfaction and emotions that would go along with that. Its not something I would make a career out of, but for a year or two, I would like to fight for something I believe in. My family and friends would probably go ballistic. Ironically, I am a muslim, yet quite conservative. I even lecture at undergrad universities about finance and the markets and may actually teach a class or two next year. I don't know if there are other people that feel as I do. People that have many of the material possesions that this society convinces us makes us great, yet we feel guilty and a loss for not fighting to uphold the system that allowed us to do so. It sickens me when I see people use and abuse this nation and feel that by creating commerce I have helped this nation, but I wish to sweat and bleed for this country and if necessary, give my life for something greater that just myself and my little possessions. I probably won't even come close to doing it, and will regret it immensely. Anyone else or am I nuts??
Can you even do it for one or two years? I applaud the thought, however. I'm just happy that there are many men and women braver than I am.
Only if you can go in as an officer. You dont want to deal with the enlisted people especially if you want that short of a term. The better the job, the longer the term.
I have a very similar background to yours sans the Muslim part (Hindu instead) and was also intrigued. I actually looked into trying to help out via CIA/NSA, etc...but unfortunately you have to have a graduate degree in areas of interest to the Govt or have special skills. These days, being arab speaking (if you are) might be enough. More than one way to be on the front line for what its worth.
If you join the army now, there's a good chance that you will be invading other nations instead of "defending a nation that you love".
I've raised some of these same questions myself. I may be much better as an analyst or in an officer/managerial position, but its really not what I wanted. I called some recruiters and I may meet with one. I'm looking for more of a short-term commitment with some reserve duty afterwards. We'll see.
I can read Arabic, but I can't speak it. I can speak a language from Pakistan though. But i'm far from fluent. I think my spanish is better!
Perhaps this thread should have been started in the D&D. There's nothing wrong with what Legend posted. It's called the truth.
Your version of the truth. Others may be more realistic and understand 'defending your nation' doesn't just mean homeland defense. Exactly the reason legend shouldn't have gone there.
OK Hayes, I'll play along...before this thread is locked up. How does killing 100,000 Iraqi civilians equate to "defending your nation"? You say potato...I say po-tah-to......
If you go, please go as an officer. Maximize your usefulness to the armed forces by bringing all your talents to bear -- talents which may well tend more to analyst work.
Well since he can't go back in time, its unlikely he'll be 'invading' Iraq, although fighting Al Queda is certainly defending our nation. He could well participate in an action like Afghanistan, which you might figure out is 'defending our nation.'
