Posted on Feb 9, 2019
Why are people constantly joining the military if they are afraid of deployment?
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I don’t understand why people commit themselves to something like this if they are trying dodge being deployed? Why do people think deployment is always bad? That being sent off always mean that you’re going into war or that you’re going to die? I want to be able to deploy in my military career and experience it. I understand some people don’t get deployed throughout their career and people think I’m crazy that I do. But somebody has to do it right? I’m willing too...I understand that everyone has their good and bad experiences but I don’t want that to stop me from going...
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Posted 6 y ago
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The hard cold truth? SOME join to game the system, thinking they are actually gaming the system. They look at the fact that the military will pay for their college, pay them to train in a job that they don't have to attend a college or trade school for 2 to 4 years for. Will promote them while doing so, will give them clothes, food and a place to sleep. They sign on taking a job that is 'in the rear with the gear' or at least that is their percept, not realizing that this days military is 100% across the board deployment ready from the highest general down to the to lowliest private, from cooks to infantry, medics to ammunition techs to cyber intel specialists.
It is only after they join, attend basic, AIT and hit that first duty station that the reality hits them. And now they scramble for any kind of way to NOT deploy. They want the money without the effort involved in getting it. There is a common four letter word for them and that starts with L and ends with Y.
It is only after they join, attend basic, AIT and hit that first duty station that the reality hits them. And now they scramble for any kind of way to NOT deploy. They want the money without the effort involved in getting it. There is a common four letter word for them and that starts with L and ends with Y.
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I think more than a few share a misconception that is perpetuated by some schools and universities. They look down on people that join the military. They view those in uniform and that choose to serve as some lower caste in society. As that rung reserved for people that could not make it in the real world, with a real job. Not realizing that even an average service member does more before most civilians roll out of bed.
They are led by teachers and even the media to believe that a service member really does nothing except pull a trigger or stand guard at an embassy. They think that we just get up, get dressed, have something to eat and do noting so it looks easy to them. They want that easy for the paycheck that with all the other benefits we get, is head and feet above most jobs in the civilian sector.
Think about it. E-1 through E-4 are pretty much mandated to live in the barracks. They get a room, often with roommates, at no cost - an $800 a month minimum value, free furniture - add in another $400. Free electricity, water, gas and sewage - another $250 value. Free clothing - about $400, free healthcare - $250. Then there is the chow hall, still have to pay for it but cheaper than eating on the economy. An E-1 could conservatively multiply his pay by 1.5. Currently $1600 ($2400) then there are the periodic promotions in rank with the commensurate raise in pay. Then each new year completed usually ups the pay. Then add in any kickers.
My cousin used to have that same perception. He and his friends called us lazy and stupid for signing up. So there was a challenge. He and two of his friends would live the life of a service member for two days. The 5:30 am wake up was not received well. The PT in 40 degrees did not go over well, we had to circle back a lot to get them. By the time we had finished the five mile run and made it back and stretched out, they had puked at least three times. Running the O course was just... sad. It only went downhill from there. Needless to say they did not utter too many more negative comments, especially when they learned that was a light day.
Two are still serving today by the last comms I had.
They are led by teachers and even the media to believe that a service member really does nothing except pull a trigger or stand guard at an embassy. They think that we just get up, get dressed, have something to eat and do noting so it looks easy to them. They want that easy for the paycheck that with all the other benefits we get, is head and feet above most jobs in the civilian sector.
Think about it. E-1 through E-4 are pretty much mandated to live in the barracks. They get a room, often with roommates, at no cost - an $800 a month minimum value, free furniture - add in another $400. Free electricity, water, gas and sewage - another $250 value. Free clothing - about $400, free healthcare - $250. Then there is the chow hall, still have to pay for it but cheaper than eating on the economy. An E-1 could conservatively multiply his pay by 1.5. Currently $1600 ($2400) then there are the periodic promotions in rank with the commensurate raise in pay. Then each new year completed usually ups the pay. Then add in any kickers.
My cousin used to have that same perception. He and his friends called us lazy and stupid for signing up. So there was a challenge. He and two of his friends would live the life of a service member for two days. The 5:30 am wake up was not received well. The PT in 40 degrees did not go over well, we had to circle back a lot to get them. By the time we had finished the five mile run and made it back and stretched out, they had puked at least three times. Running the O course was just... sad. It only went downhill from there. Needless to say they did not utter too many more negative comments, especially when they learned that was a light day.
Two are still serving today by the last comms I had.
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SPC Dwan Cannon
I agree with almost everything you say. However, there are caveats to the free things you mentioned. The living conditions can be terrible, as well as the food. There is no such thing as privacy when you live in the barracks. Also, the healthcare, at least where i was, stationed, was damn near laughable. So you are right. Individuals can receive many benefits and "FREE" things in the army. But being free or cheap does not always mean good.
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SSG Brian G.
SPC Dwan Cannon - There are always going to be caveats to nearly everything. Quality of the free is going to be a factor. Certain things are tradeoffs that are grudgingly made but made because really you leave that choice behind when you sign on the dotted line and swear the oath.
But at the end of the day I will take the free poor quality over the alternative because at the end of it, the troop is mostly healthy, clothed, fed and generally in good spirits and unless they are a complete imbecile with money... they have a decent amount left at the end of the month.
My one gripe in this is that our healthcare has tanked over the years. Used to be that it did not matter what it was a troop could go to medical and it was handled professionally from their dental to vision to everything else. Today? A lot of it is farmed out to the private sector and the military picks up the tab. Which means the care level drops from near same day to make an appointment and we will get to you.
But at the end of the day I will take the free poor quality over the alternative because at the end of it, the troop is mostly healthy, clothed, fed and generally in good spirits and unless they are a complete imbecile with money... they have a decent amount left at the end of the month.
My one gripe in this is that our healthcare has tanked over the years. Used to be that it did not matter what it was a troop could go to medical and it was handled professionally from their dental to vision to everything else. Today? A lot of it is farmed out to the private sector and the military picks up the tab. Which means the care level drops from near same day to make an appointment and we will get to you.
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SPC Dwan Cannon
Yes, that's why i said almost agree with everything you said. And for the record, i loved the time i served; the so-called free benefits were terrible. Many soldiers would get tired of hearing because we get things for free or cheap means we have to accept a lower quality of life. Also, The mental health aspect of living with these conditions was constantly overlooked. But you are just speaking from your experiences, and I'm speaking from mine.
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