Why do people join the military?

Poverty generally

Service to country. Opportunity. Educational benefits.

It has always been a jobs program for the poor and rural areas - even in Roman times. Plus now, it's the only way some can get money for college. And some get a chance to see something outside of their small podunk town.

The military has to spend a lot of time and money to basically build teenagers into competent, responsible adults. But life for the enlisted is not fun - a lot of work and a lot of rules. Your life literally is not your own anymore.

However, there's a huge gulf between the enlisted and the officer class. Some enlisted can become officers after many years - but it's a long, hard road and not many accomplish it.

To pay for school. That’s pretty much it

To obtain lots of hot military dick. DUH!!!!

Black women especially in the past decade have turned to the Army to learn job skills, get educational benefits and escape poverty to the middle class.

Because some of us are big, strapping, heterosexual STUDS

[quote] It has always been a jobs program for the poor and rural areas - even in Roman times.

Salarium.

I was recently on a the campus of a military academy. I guess all these guys and gals graduate and directly become officers.

Wow, were they stunning. When in the prime of youth, fit, and neat--people are just beautiful

I love soldiers

I work technical support for the US military and without a doubt the people who call in from the Air Force are a lot smarter than Army, Navy and especially Marines. It seems that people join the marines to be told what to think and believe.

R11 Actually both the Navy and the Air Force have higher educational standards for recruits. I have worked as a civilian MD for the Marines, and worked with many bright Navy medical staff. The Navy provides medical care for the Marines.

They are duckers!

R12 - well, Marines are part of the Navy, just a segment within the Navy as their land troops.

And the Navy has its own pilots and air fleet separate from Air Force - the pilots in Top Gun were Navy, not Air Force.

[quote] Actually both the Navy and the Air Force have higher educational standards for recruits. I have worked as a civilian MD for the Marines, and worked with many bright Navy medical staff. The Navy provides medical care for the Marines.

The medical staff anywhere are typically bright so not a true representation of Navy overall.

I've met alot of military enlisted through my job and many are from small towns and this is their way out. They are all so nice and good natured.

Sadly, there's some white supremacist and evangelical nonsense in the ranks too.

6 Armed Uniformed Services: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard...and the new Space Force.

2 unarmed: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and US Public Health Service (headed by Surgeon General)

The two unarmed are comprised only of officers, all of whom have higher degrees.

They like to kill people legally.

You're not killing anyone in peacetime

My brother was a mess in high school. He always wanted to be a mechanic and always watched Gomer Pyle. He joined the Marines and it really straightened him out. He came back with a good attitude, got a great job. I'm the first to admit he's not got a lot of brains, but it sure did wonders for him.