Blaarhhhhhghhh. These tough choices be killin me

[ericlee]

I've been wanting to go back into the service for a while now. Been kinda incognito about it but it's really what I am.

I loved the friendship, the discipline that I've taken and dished out. The hardcore times living outdoors and roughing it with a bunch of people that will eventually either travel with you or people that you can tell stories about during the times of making the soldier..Basic training.

The places I've traveled man. The cultural musical experiences I've witnessed. The beers that I've drank, the sweet liquor that I've drank. The clubs that I've been to and the people that I've met while being there.

Why does this shitty situation that we breath in everyday have to screw this all up? I try to find alternatives to surpass the anxiety of doing the shit that I used to but all I come down to is playing guitar and writing lyrics. Sure, I'll continue making music if I'm a soldier. I've made a few solid lyrics from that time.

Well, I'm in talks with the National Guard right now. They know that I aint green. They know that I know how to talk. I want to be an M.P. this time but, I want to be a dog trainer. I'm not too thrilled about being some form of police but, to be a dog trainer, you've got to be one.

I'm like, "I'd go in under the non deployable status cause I've just gotten back in October"

Them, "Oh for sure, we've to that option and being that you're prior service, you'll have a definite choice of duty station."

Me, "Yeah, so what about the 20k enlistment bonus"

Them, "Just stop by the office and we'll talk some more."

[paul jones]

yeah do it if the money is good

[ericlee]

yeah do it if the money is good

Money really isn't the talk when talking about joining the service though. You're getting paid dirt cheap doing jobs that some people would turn down, no matter the offer.

It's just a special feel, I suppose. Waking up everyday not knowing what the day will carry out for you.

I'm not cut our for this typical civilian life. Sure I've to this new project going and I don't plan to leave them, even if I'm in the service.

If the project makes it big then there's money in that and believe me, the drummer has some good connections to make that happen.

It's just my freetime that kills me. I'm too damn active. I'd like to go to the gym to burn off energy but it's not nearly as fun as doing morning p.t with my platoon.

[paul jones]

Money really isn't the talk when talking about joining the service though. You're getting paid dirt cheap doing jobs that some people would turn down, no matter the offer.

It's just a special feel, I suppose. Waking up everyday not knowing what the day will carry out for you.

I'm not cut our for this typical civilian life. Sure I've to this new project going and I don't plan to leave them, even if I'm in the service.

If the project makes it big then there's money in that and believe me, the drummer has some good connections to make that happen.

It's just my freetime that kills me. I'm too damn active. I'd like to go to the gym to burn off energy but it's not nearly as fun as doing morning p.t with my platoon.

If it's what you love then go for it.(y)

[Bob]

I'm like, "I'd go in under the non deployable status cause I've just gotten back in October"

Them, "Oh for sure, we've to that option and being that you're prior service, you'll have a definite choice of duty station."

Me, "Yeah, so what about the 20k enlistment bonus"

Them, "Just stop by the office and we'll talk some more."

i dunno, sounds like sweet talk to me. i mean, you obviously know more about this thing than i ever could, but what's really stopping them from doing what they want with you when they get you in?

you're in a better position to answer that question than i am, but i'm just sayin. i've been warned about recruiters.

also, when you say "dog trainer" do you mean literally training dogs (the woof woof kind, not the "drop and give me 20 you mangy dog" type), or is that lingo?

[ericlee]

i dunno, sounds like sweet talk to me. i mean, you obviously know more about this thing than i ever could, but what's really stopping them from doing what they want with you when they get you in?

Exactly my point. Right on, in that fact. My previous MOS wasn't just a sit at home job and especially the jobs I've had. They wouldn't let me sit at home to rot away. Instead it would be over there to rot away.

also, when you say "dog trainer" do you mean literally training dogs (the woof woof kind, not the "drop and give me 20 you mangy dog" type), or is that lingo?

Yep, woof woof kind. I figure that if I'm national guard which has a high demand as a true national guardsman, meaning to stay at the homeland and protect. And I love the doggie woggies.

[Bob]

military police i think

[insertnamehere]

If I could make enough money to live somewhat comfortably off of working with/training dogs, it would make my life. Combine that with the fact that you seem to love the military lifestyle, and it seems like a good idea. If you do get to be a trainer, big plus, and even if they're lying to you, you still end up being in the military, which apparently suits you.

I can understand the appeal of the military. I'd even thought about signing up (national guard) because I don't really have any direction in my life, but I just really don't think I'm cut out for the military. Attention to detail and strenuous physical activity aren't exactly things I excel in. Unfortunately, I DO like being in a subordinate position and being ordered around, I'm definitely not leadership material. Which in the real world sucks becasue everyone wants someone with "leadership qualities" for any kinds of decent jobs.

[ericlee]

If I could make enough money to live somewhat comfortably off of working with/training dogs, it would make my life. Combine that with the fact that you seem to love the military lifestyle, and it seems like a good idea. If you do get to be a trainer, big plus, and even if they're lying to you, you still end up being in the military, which apparently suits you.

I can understand the appeal of the military. I'd even thought about signing up (national guard) because I don't really have any direction in my life, but I just really don't think I'm cut out for the military. Attention to detail and strenuous physical activity aren't exactly things I excel in. Unfortunately, I DO like being in a subordinate position and being ordered around, I'm definitely not leadership material. Which in the real world sucks becasue everyone wants someone with "leadership qualities" for any kinds of decent jobs.

I wasn't a leadership type person but after a few years of getting your ass chewed, and acquiring rank enough to chew some ass, it just comes naturally.

I too thought I wouldn't handle any of it, the hard work outs, the running in full combat gear (including wearing a gas mask in 90-100 degree weather) for 3 miles. It all takes time getting used to.

I'm so ready to do this again and I also want to go through Ranger school too but, no matter what they tell me, I know I'll be deployed with a quickness. 15 months is a long damn time to go back over there.

[ericlee]

I want to do the 4 year contract. Then study personal training or something for a year and backpack around Europe for a year. Then get back into it. How hard is it getting back in after leaving? Do you need to go through training again?

Not sure how the Aussies have it but, they've got an option to try it out for a year but, it's almost for certain that you'll end up in Iraq. When I first joined though, I only signed up for 3 years but I started liking it and signed on for another 5 after that.

It's way easy to get back in, unless of course if you've gotten out with a dishonorable. Shit, I've been out for 5 years now and they really want me back in.

I don't think I'll have to go through training again but I want to. I can request it cause that shit is fun. I could do my basic training in Fort Benning again and then stay there for Ranger training afterwards.

[insertnamehere]

I know someone at basic at Ft Benning right now. He's always talked the talk like he loved the military and wanted to join because it's who he is, etc. etc, and he got to basic and basically says that it's horrible and he wants to change his MOS (currently infantry) to something or other... I didn't really understand, like something that could keep him in the states... he's national guard, because he' likes/misses his life too much.

But yeah, basically I'm a whiny pussy ass bitch. And actually, I'm not even sure if I'm healthy enough to join. I'd have to lie a little at my physical I'm sure. Person mentioned above has eczema something awful and said that caused some kind of problem... the recruiter told him to not tell the doctor or the doctor wanted to not pass him or something. If they get that uppity about itchy skin I feel like they must be really picky. I technically have a tiny bit of an irregular heartbeat that I was told was nothing to worry about, but I can't imagine they want people in the army with iffy hearts. Do they still have a problem with flat feet or is that like a WWI thing?

[insertnamehere]

Misses his home, his family, etc. Never gets enough to eat or enough sleep. For some reason the fact that he never gets to take his uniform off really gets to him... are they especially uncomfortable? He said the actual physical training isn't that hard. I actually tried to talk him out of joining, I didn't think it was particularly for him, and now I kinda want to be like "man you miss your family that much after a month wait till you get deployed!" but that would be mean.

and Joel, I don't think you can really ask on here about things like that. I'm sure Aussie SAS is way different from how America runs their shit, and so far as I know only americans on this board are in any form of military

[insertnamehere]

Oh yeah, Eric, I don't know if it's still the case, but when I was looking at Guard stuff, one of the MOS's that got the like, special bonus because they didn't have enough people in that MOS or whatever, I forget what it's called, they had one that... again I forget what IT's called also, but basically it's an Army vet I think. That would be another pretty sweet animal related job, but I agree dog training would be cool.

Police dogs are crazy disciplined. Growing up, well my dad used to be a cop, and one of his cop friends, when it was time for his dog to retire he gave her to us. I guess maybe he lived somewhere that he couldn't keep her or something, or maybe he just thought she would be happier because we lived in the middle of nowhere with infinite yard to run in. But she loved "ride" and once she wanted to get in my dad's truck when me and him were going somewhere, and I told her to stay so she wouldn't get in, and my dad told me to never do that because she would sit in that same spot if we were gone all day. My uncle would take her to the beach and whenever he went inside anywhere, like the arcade, she would stay outside and find a window where she could watch him. I'm sure if anyone ever tried to fuck with him she'd have done her thing, too. She was pretty much awesome, as are most dogs. Also, her name was Smuggler, haha, what a cheesy name.

[insertnamehere]

I've looked for jobs where I could maybe help train police dogs, but I can't figure out exactly how to get into that line of work. There's a place in the area where they have special classes for the dogs and their handlers but it doesn't seem like anything I could get work at.

Hell, I'd even be happy if I was the bite suit person. At least once in my life I'd like to get attacked by dogs while wearing a bite suit. It seems like it'd be a rush.

[ericlee]

I know someone at basic at Ft Benning right now. He's always talked the talk like he loved the military and wanted to join because it's who he is, etc. etc, and he got to basic and basically says that it's horrible and he wants to change his MOS (currently infantry) to something or other... I didn't really understand, like something that could keep him in the states... he's national guard, because he' likes/misses his life too much.

But yeah, basically I'm a whiny pussy ass bitch. And actually, I'm not even sure if I'm healthy enough to join. I'd have to lie a little at my physical I'm sure. Person mentioned above has eczema something awful and said that caused some kind of problem... the recruiter told him to not tell the doctor or the doctor wanted to not pass him or something. If they get that uppity about itchy skin I feel like they must be really picky. I technically have a tiny bit of an irregular heartbeat that I was told was nothing to worry about, but I can't imagine they want people in the army with iffy hearts. Do they still have a problem with flat feet or is that like a WWI thing?

Tons of people have gotten in when they shoudn't have. They'd have insomnia, heart conditions, and you name it, there's people that have skated by the physical.

Yeah, still, if you've got flat feet they won't take you. But, I had two guys in my platoon that had it.

[ericlee]

Well, the wife isn't too crazy about me joining. She's had her share of worrying and doesn't want to go through it again. I can respect that. I can't be a pain in the ass and I don't really want to be one.

If the National Guard were to remain stateside like they're supposed to, I'd already be in training.

I am however thinking of Coast Guard. It'd be cool to secure the docks and harbors. Chances of them deploying are slim to none. I have seen some Coast Guard in Iraq though but that was when the stuff first started over there.

I've got to check the jobs they offer.

[ericlee]

Oh yeah, Eric, I don't know if it's still the case, but when I was looking at Guard stuff, one of the MOS's that got the like, special bonus because they didn't have enough people in that MOS or whatever, I forget what it's called, they had one that... again I forget what IT's called also, but basically it's an Army vet I think. That would be another pretty sweet animal related job, but I agree dog training would be cool.

Police dogs are crazy disciplined. Growing up, well my dad used to be a cop, and one of his cop friends, when it was time for his dog to retire he gave her to us. I guess maybe he lived somewhere that he couldn't keep her or something, or maybe he just thought she would be happier because we lived in the middle of nowhere with infinite yard to run in. But she loved "ride" and once she wanted to get in my dad's truck when me and him were going somewhere, and I told her to stay so she wouldn't get in, and my dad told me to never do that because she would sit in that same spot if we were gone all day. My uncle would take her to the beach and whenever he went inside anywhere, like the arcade, she would stay outside and find a window where she could watch him. I'm sure if anyone ever tried to fuck with him she'd have done her thing, too. She was pretty much awesome, as are most dogs. Also, her name was Smuggler, haha, what a cheesy name.

This (http://www.myuselessknowledge.com/joe/mutt.gif) is what I want to be. He's always been my fav character.

[ToucanSpam]

Do it man. If you love doing it, do it. Go with your gut and just try it again.

[insertnamehere]

why exactly aren't you allowed in for flat feet? cause it hurts like fuck to be on your feet all day? but really, im sure everything you do in the army hurts like fuck anyway, so what's some additional foot/back pain?

[insertnamehere]

you ARE a bit crazy, after all

[insertnamehere]

celebrities are usually crazy

you are crazy

thereby, you would make a good celebrity!

it was a compliment.

[insertnamehere]

eleven!

[insertnamehere]

What drugs do they test for in the army?

I hear that police don't test for steroids and in reality you will find quite a few cops on gear.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i117/Gday_Joel/coleman-cop.jpg

*vomit*

i wonder what his testicles look like

nevermind, i dont want to know