Tribute to Our Military (Huntsville: loans, movies, college)

[oddball]

To the active and retired military in the Huntsville Area:

Thank you for your service, and for your sacrifices - and for persisting when nothing about your job was easy. Thank you for protecting the USA and our freedoms. You are the reason that our country is protected - thank you.

[debey]

to those who've served, in the Military!

[Stanickzai]

Dear All,

I have worked with US Militry in BAF (Bagram Air Field) Afghanistan. I love to work in Militry. Caues they are serving the people and defeding the country from the against people...


Stanickzai Kabul

[Charles]

What is the main reason people join the military?

[southern by choice]

Moderator cut: deleted post

The armed forces are made up of people just like you and me, Charles. I think most people join for the opportunities of travel and education. Alot wind up staying because it becomes lucrative, and with every advanced training or promotion, they incurr an obligation of another 2, or 3 years, hence, before they know it, theyve put 20 years in. They are Moms and Dads and regular normal people just like anyone else. What you see on tv and in the movies makes me cringe. It is not at all like that.

[LivingInMadison]

Originally Posted by Charles

What is the main reason people join the military?

In modern days I guess the main reason is anything but defending "my freedom". Most of my family members joined for the benefits (GI Bill, traveling, etc). I wanted to join -never got to- cause I romanticized officer life.

Anywho, Happy 4th of July...

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by Charles

What is the main reason people join the military?

From the people I know, it seems to be education opportunities and people that come from military families. Often times kids that would never have had an opportunity to go to college do so because of military service. I know a lot of people who have several generations of service and brothers, sisters, cousins in the military. It just seems to be what you do in certain families. Whatever their reason, thanks for their service.

[deesonic]

Why I joined...

Honestly, I enlisted in the Army at the age of 24 in 1997 because I was newly wed, broke and my lousy English degree wasn't doing me much good and the Army offered to pay off my loans (in lieu of GI Bill). Nevertheless, I was proud to serve 8 years in the Regular Army and also the National Guard (5 enlisted, 3 commissioned). I sometimes think about going back and completing my 20 since now I'm finding my lousy Master of Education degree isn't doing me much good either. Captain pay is a whole lot better than educator pay and the Army is hiring. At least career progression make more sense in the military world. In other words, you do XYZ, you get promoted. Not so much in higher education administration land where you can do XYZ and find yourself laid off due to state budget cuts.

Anyway, I don't mean to rant or bellyache, but civilian career woes have been getting me down for three years now. I was truly proud to serve and may do so again by year's end if I don't find light at the end of the tunnel soon. My wife also served 5 years and spent two tours in Iraq herself. Her brother is heading to Iraq in September and he even served in the original Desert Storm in 1991. Also, her father is a retired soldier. My grandfather was a P-47 pilot in WWII and earned a Silver Star. My stepfather was a Marine in Vietnam and my uncle retired from the Navy just a few years ago. So there's lots of military in my family and I honor them all. Thanks to all those who have served.