# Have you served in the military? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 21, 2018, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888 "2018-11-21T12:39:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/121 "2018-11-28T04:51:01Z")
Army 1989-2016. 6 years active the rest National Guard. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/122 "2018-11-28T05:03:44Z")
I have not been in the military but not for lack of trying. Tried to enlist at age 17, but my eyesight caused me to be rejected. Poor timing anyway, as we had just lost the Vietnam War, and I believe they were trying to downsize the military. But I did do Peace Corps for two years. ---
**Author:** ![Darkon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/43a26b/32.png) [@Darkon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkon)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/123 "2018-11-28T05:32:41Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > I know, what a whiner, right? What do military kids and spouses have to complain about? I mean, if you get bullied or even don’t like the other kids at school, no worries! You’ll be leaving them all behind when you move some place else in two years or so. Yeah, that means you also leave any friends you might have made, and you don’t get the sense of stability that comes from growing up in a community, but look at the bright side: you’ll get to live in exciting, vibrant cultural hubs like Killeen TX, Fayetteville NC, or Hinesville GA! You might even get to live in Korea or Germany or Guam, where the locals may hate you, or accept you, or ignore you altogether. > > And yeah, you might not get to see your Mom or Dad for six months or a year, if they’re deployed overseas, but you’ll probably end up in one of those “Soldiers surprise family by coming home unexpectedly” videos on YouTube, and who doesn’t love those? That’s assuming, of course, that your Dad or Mom comes home at all. But that’s what you signed up for, right? (Oh, wait, _you_ didn’t choose this, did you? You didn’t get a say in the matter at all.) > > Yeah, military kids and spouses really should just suck it up and enjoy the great life they get. > > There aren’t enough eyeroll emojis for **Darkon** ’s comment. It was a goddamn shitty thing to say. Yes, SlowMo, you hit the nail right on the head—what a whiner! We’re talking about a 40+ year-old adult complaining about how hard their childhood was. I served immediately after the Vietnam Era, but that doesn’t mean I get to join the VFW. I didn’t serve in a war, and you and this other person didn’t serve in the military, so none of us get credit for something we didn’t do. And, yes, I probably should have left off the sarcastic bit at the end, but we all seem to have our pet peeves, don’t we? You expressed one of yours, I expressed one mine, I used sarcasm, you used sarcasm, blah, blah, blah. BTW, I was a military dependent, and like many others, I lived in nine or ten different places before I was eighteen, so I should get some pity credits too. In fact, I’m hoping that I get so many credits that you’ll be _my_ defender in the future. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/124 "2018-11-28T12:43:14Z")
> [@Darkon](#): > > … > I served immediately after the Vietnam Era, but that doesn’t mean I get to join the VFW. I didn’t serve in a war, and you and this other person didn’t serve in the military, so none of us get credit for something we didn’t do. > … Actually, many VFWs are letting in Vets now from peacetime and some are letting in children of Vets of Foreign wars. I’m not sure if that is regional or nationwide. Membership was getting low in numbers and very old in age in this area and apparently they relaxed the requirements. I think this is variable though by area. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/125 "2018-11-28T15:57:54Z")
US Army 2010-2014. 19 Delta: lead the way. ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/126 "2018-11-28T16:40:57Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Actually, many VFWs are letting in Vets now from peacetime and some are letting in children of Vets of Foreign wars. I’m not sure if that is regional or nationwide. Membership was getting low in numbers and very old in age in this area and apparently they relaxed the requirements. I think this is variable though by area. All fraternal organizations are fighting declining membership. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_the_turtle/32/2926_2.png) [@Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_the_Turtle)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/127 "2018-11-28T17:23:53Z")
I have not served, but… Applied to Air Force Academy in high school, was not accepted Wanted to ROTC in college, but had a ‘disagreement’ with them Out of college w/out a job, I was a coin flip away from joining Air Force (went back to school instead) Upon 2nd graduation have worked for DoD (on military installations, Army and AF) 1991 - present I could have definitely made more money working for private contractors, but feel like I’m supporting the military by helping to test and field systems for them. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/128 "2018-11-28T19:25:49Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Actually, many VFWs are letting in Vets now from peacetime and some are letting in children of Vets of Foreign wars. I’m not sure if that is regional or nationwide. Membership was getting low in numbers and very old in age in this area and apparently they relaxed the requirements. I think this is variable though by area. I let a friend who’s a Son of the American Legion convince me to join (as Legion) the local branch. I’ve paid my fifty bucks for two years now, but I don’t really have time to participate, and the $2 beer isn’t really all that attractive given the venue. I will volunteer for poker duty (at the behest of said friend) one night in January. I’m sure there’s more expected of me, but I’m mostly just not interested, and I don’t necessarily agree with all of the Legion’s politics. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/129 "2018-11-28T19:34:34Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Active Duty, US Army: 2003 - Present. Good on you, man! Are you now pining for the fjords of 2023? ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/130 "2018-11-29T20:52:51Z")
USAF 1980-1987 (7 years, 1 month, 6 days!) ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/131 "2018-11-29T21:04:57Z")
Oh, and I served too, 1988-1992. US Army, 13F, 333rd FA Btry F (no longer in existence, part of the 3rd AD, also no longer in existence). ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/132 "2018-11-29T22:03:01Z")
I have never been part of the military; I never had an interest, nobody in my life has ever at any point suggested that I _should_ have an interest, and I very easily found other ways to spend my time and make money. (I also don’t consider working for the military to be “service”; it’s a paid position after all.) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/133 "2018-11-29T22:10:47Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > … > (I also don’t consider working for the military to be “service”; it’s a paid position after all.) Sorry bullshit, we made less than minimum wage. We were told joining was a service to our country. We took a oath. Etc. Etc. Etc. So bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/134 "2018-11-29T23:35:17Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > I have never been part of the military; I never had an interest, nobody in my life has ever at any point suggested that I _should_ have an interest, and I very easily found other ways to spend my time and make money. > > (I also don’t consider working for the military to be “service”; it’s a paid position after all.) You are completely wrong, and I suspect that you’re trying to get a rise out of people. Any work for a government entity is considered service to your country. Yes, including the presidency. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/135 "2018-11-29T23:37:13Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > (I also don’t consider working for the military to be “service”; it’s a paid position after all.) This ain’t about that, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/136 "2018-11-29T23:50:24Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > You are completely wrong, and I suspect that you’re trying to get a rise out of people. Any work for a government entity is considered service to your country. Yes, including the presidency. Calling it service gets a rise out of _me_, but whichever. I agree that it’s off-topic. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/137 "2018-11-30T00:01:15Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Calling it service gets a rise out of _me_, but whichever. I agree that it’s off-topic. So what is worthy of being called a service in your mind? As I said, we didn’t come close to minimum wage, those in the time of the draft were often not even volunteers. In time of war and “police actions” they were put in danger. The hours are long and grueling. The living conditions were usually so crappy in the Navy that it was not suitable for prisoners. The army & marines in the field had it so bad so often that the Navy had it good by comparison. I know I personally spent 121 consecutive days at sea on a West Pac. That is 4 freaking months without a port. 20 hour days were common at sea. So what the fuck is actually worthy of being called a service? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/138 "2018-11-30T00:04:09Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > So what is worthy of being called a service in your mind? > As I said, we didn’t come close to minimum wage, those in the time of the draft were often not even volunteers. In time of war and “police actions” they were put in danger. > > The hours are long and grueling. The living conditions were usually so crappy in the Navy that it was not suitable for prisoners. The army & marines in the field had it so bad so often that the Navy had it good by comparison. > > I know I personally spent 121 consecutive days at sea on a West Pac. That is 4 freaking months without a port. 20 hour days were common at sea. > > So what the fuck is actually worthy of being called a service? Please, don’t. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/139 "2018-11-30T00:10:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Please, don’t. For the record, I’m not discussing this further in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888/140 "2018-11-30T00:10:57Z")
My apologies **Czarcasm**. **begbert2** , please come over to this thread just for you in IMHO: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=21349723#post21349723](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=21349723#post21349723) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-served-in-the-military/824888.md?page=8)