which one? the FBI is looking people to translate certain languages from the middle east and South Asia
Nope, not too "stupid" to understand that one, Einstein. Afghanistan was a legitimate response to 9/11, and did serve to defend our nation, by rooting out Al Qaeda, the group that carried out 9/11, and the Taliban, which gave them shelter. Tell me, oh wise one, how exactly is invading Iraq "defending our nation", now that we know for a fact that this Administration's rationale for invading Iraq was, at the very least, flawed intelligence, and at the very most, blatant lies?
Damn, I went back and edited that comment too late. Exactly. More to the point, however, is that this contradicts legends assumption about what 'defending your country' means. As I indicated, he doesn't have a time machine, so he won't be 'invading Iraq.' Fighting AQ in Iraq is certainly 'defending our nation,' as is fighting for a democratic regime in Iraq, as is fighting Islamic fundamentalism in general. That's not even getting to your flawed premise, as Saddam was an inevitable proliferation threat, and as such removing him was also 'defending our country.'
Do you really think that he didnt take into account what is going on in the world? Is he too stupid to have an opinion for himself as to whether or not the military is a just cause? And obviously he, and many many more Americans, do feel these soldiers are defending our country by invading these rogue nations, or he wouldn't even think about joining. To say that the soldiers are just invading a country and not defending our country at all is a slap in the face. Many of these guys are giving up anything and everything to defend their country. Now you people are trying to take even that away from them. I guess they are just infidels where they don't belong as the Iraqi information minister said. I suppose they are just as bad as Hitler's army invadinging Poland right? Sorry guys I forgot about how you liberals get each other going in the D&D and see nothing but your own opinion. [Quickly exits the D&D]
No the liberals weren't the ones that took their job as DEFENDING their nation away from them. That was the Commander-In-Chief who did that when he use them to invade a country when it wasn't the last resort, and wasn't a threat to us. I understand if you see it differently, but that is how I and many others against the war see it. We are angry at what is being taken away from our troops too. But we don't feel we are the ones taking it away. That was done by the administration.
Nope he won't be invading Iraq. That's been done. There are two other nations on the old "Axis of Evil" list, and I'll bet you dollars to donuts that we attack at least one of them in the next four years. You are already hearing the same noise from the Administration about Iran that they bleated about Iraq throughout 2002. Fighting AQ in Iraq is "defending our country", but keep in mind that AQ did not exist in Iraq before the US attacked. Also keep in mind that this was not the reason we invaded in the first place...."weapons of mass destruction" was, and it has proven to be false. Saddam was an inevitable proliferation threat? Doubtful. The sanctions and inspections worked, and Saddam was in a box. Saddam had the ability to build a nuke as much as I have the ability to rig the Texas lottery. IMHO, we attacked Iraq for a lie, and the kids that are dying over there are dying for nothing. And that makes me want to scream.
I admire your motives, but your really fooling yourself (or a recruiter is fooling you) if you think in this day, that you can serve for a short time only, I would pencil in the next 8 years of your life being a full-time soldier - 8 years is the min commitment period - you may sign up for 2 or 4 years active with the rest unactive - but Uncle Sam has your butt for 8 years. More and more people are finding themselves being forced to be active for more than their orginal commitment I tried to become an Air Force officer after I graduated college in 02 - I was rejected by the board - I was told by my officer recruiter that unless you were a scientist or engineer - it was really tough to go the civilian-to-officer route - that there were plenty of enlisted people getting their degrees and becoming officers.. of course this is all pre-iraq-troop-shortage so it might of changed
I understand that you guys don't think the war was just, but there as just as many, actually more, people that feel the war was just and necessary. Regardless ... I just don't understand the need to slap someone down by basically saying "You're not going to be defending this country, you are just going to become an invader where you don't belong." ... Especially since this thread was started in the Hangout where he wasn't asking for anyones opinion on whether the war is just or not.
How about $100? Care to put your money where your mouth is? I'll give you the whole next Bush term. I say we won't invade Iran or North Korea, you say we will. Irrelevant. See 'time machine' above. If sent to Iraq now he would be 'defending our country.' Irrelevant. As you've already conceeded fighting AQ is 'defending our nation,' you've got nothing to stand on. Won't argue that sanctions did seem to be working, in hindsight of course. However they were not a permanent solution to the problem, and when lifted Saddam would have easily recovered the means to proliferate along with his well documented desire to have such weapons. Hence inevitable, not imminent threat, as I contended all along. You sure sound confused. They are dying for nothing? You just said they were dying 'defending our nation' against AQ. Maybe you should meditate on the issue and get your story straight before you get a headache.
Being Muslim will not be a positive in the Army, methinks. Part of what the Army does to prepare the troups to fight the fight is to demonize the enemy, which in the case of The War on Terror, means both Muslims and Arabs. It also sounds like your skill set would be better suited for the State Department or some intellegance branch. If you really want to go over cover and put your life on the line, the CIA could use a hand in ferreting out OBL from Pakistan or thereabouts.
See 'time machine' above Any bets the USA will still have significant boots on the ground in Iraq in 2008? Freedom is never free.
I don't think you're nuts... just unrealistic. As others have said, you can't join for "a year or two." If you really want to go to Iraq, and make a difference, and want to do it in your time frame, then I suggest going to work over there for KBR, or one of the other companies doing business there. They really need people with your skills, you can chose something very constructive, and you will be well paid. You will also face enough danger to satisfy your desire to put yourself on the line for your country. You would just be doing it through the private sector. I have a cousin there now who's doing something along those lines. Check it out. My two cents. Keep D&D Civil!!
Advanced economics degree, language skills, arabic heritage, gung-ho loyal American (theme music fom James Bond) Son you are spy material, contact the local CIA office today. You will be sniffing out money trails in no time, busting the real power behind the evil doers, making a real difference.
There are only a few ways you can go officer: 1. ROTC - involves you going back to school 2. OCS - unless your in peak physical condition, I discourage this. 3. Direct Commission - mostly for medical specialties, lawyers and chaplains. Regarding short term enlistment, it's mostly for the grunt MOS's. Every contract is for 8 years, but you can do 2 years active, 6 reserves, just be prepared to be infatry. Do this, join the Reserves, get a taste of basic training and AIT, then come back home and decide then if Active duty is for you. It's easy to go Reserves to Active duty, but impossible to go from Active Duty to the Reserves before you active period ends. You also can volunteer within the Reserves to go Active without the commitment. Good Luck and let us know what you do.
What a load of crap. The military has gone to great lengths to say that Muslims are not the enemy, and in fact are justifying the war in Iraq as helping Muslims.
