The army wants you!

[Hitokiri]

heh heh...I just recieved a call from a recruiter from the Marines. The first time since this summer. Obviously he knew who I was cause he called me by my first name and said we talked earlier. I don't think my future lies in the army (but thats me thinking...I have no idea what God ha sin store for me) but I don't rule it out as possibility. Anyways...point of th emater is....How do you guys keep them be nice but gently tell them no? I'm all for and in support of the army and the marines. I view them as heroes for all the stuff they do but it's not for me.

I just usually go through the flow and says "oh I'm doing this and it's all good" and explain some goals. I do have connections to the mairnes and army through some friends which got him from explaining how I can get the info.


I'm all for and in support of the army and the marines. I view them as heroes for all the stuff they do but it's not for me.

Any funny stories bout this type of thing?

[Ashley]

I got a call from a recruiter once. It was my senior year, right after I sent off the FAFSA application and the caller ID showed "US GOVT". I thought for sure it was FAFSA giving me a scholarship or something. Sure enough, he said my full name and where I was going to school and even what I was studying. Then he was like, "you know, the army has a big need for graphic design and advertisment majors--" at that point my heart hit the floor. They didn't want to give me money, they wanted to get me into some fatigues!

Heh, my great uncle is also a captain (admiral?) in the navy, and I mentioned once I liked their uniforms...he spent 2 hours trying to convince me to enlist.

So yes, I've had to dodge the bullet twice, so to speak. I had it a little easier cause I'm a girl, but if I were you I'd just be honest with them and say something like, "I really admire you guys for serving the country and all, but I'm just not interested right now."

[Hitokiri]

Then he was like, "you know, the army has a big need for graphic design and advertisment majors--" at that point my heart hit the floor.

Yeah...I got that spie as well...I wa sjust honest with him and said I'm going to study abroad in Japan...which opened doors for him to talk about how I get to travel and stuff.

I know it's for a good cause but it does get annoying when they call and don't get the point and you try to be nice to them. So far I have a total of 6 calls from them (most likely cause I'm friends with people in the marines -_-)

[Sam*ron]

Personally I would be kinda scared if I got called by the Army. ^^;

I wonder, would someone in C.A.P have a posibility to get called by them? Like would they want them more or not.. ?

[Yojimbo]

Ok let me just get this out there before I say anything else. Recruiters lie. They'll tell you that you'll be travelling all over the world and you'll be ending up in a desk somewhere, or worse... Graphics design, telecommunications, etc. all those high end jobs are always full and it takes some connections and an education to get anywhere near those.

I've been given the whole speel about how judging from my records I would be a good future canidate for the CIA. Yes, they actually told me that and I just told him.

"Sergeant, I'm a junior in highschool and there is no possible way you can judge me at this point whether I'm higher echelon government material. I wasn't born yesterday and I know how the recruiting system works."

It's their job to get you to sign up and they'll tell you anything to get you to do that. It's what keeps them here at home with their families instead of in Iraq. They need to make a quota for the year and they will sometimes be very persistent.

But if you repeatedly tell them to leave you alone they're supposed to stop contacting you. If they're being really beligerent then call up the bases office and talk to a Sergeant Major or above. They'll get them to stop right off the bat most likely.

And I wouldn't worry Sam they don't normally like to take the time to really go after anyone under 16. They'll give out a lanyard, waterbottle, free video, or whatever to get people interested under that age but they usually won't go out of their way. And what do you mean C.A.P. I'm not familiar with that term?

[Sam*ron]

I didn't mean me.. ^_^; I ment my brother.

But yeah, C.A.P= Civil Air Patrol. But thats the air force, I forgot. ^^;;

[Link Antilles]

I have this one friend who joined the Airforce. He was pulled through the whole, "O'sure, if you join the MP, we'll get you on an aircraft carrier, give you the right education and training to get into the FBI." I warned him that they were taking him for a ride.... did he listen? Nope. Got him to sign one of those contracts and they're placing him in Iraq as one of those check point guards.

[Jman]

I've always wanted to serve in some war of sorts, ya know be ahero and protect the US of A!

[Mr. SmartyPants]

[quote="Sam*ron"]Personally I would be kinda scared if I got called by the Army. ^^]

ditto

[Mangafanatic]

Once, there was a guy who walked upto me and my sister in the mall and casually said "So, when are you two ladies gonna sign up?" Yep-- army recruiter.

I simply told him that since we were both under-age, I couldn't. He told me to call him up when I turned 18, and he gave me a business card.

[Debitt]

The military comes to my high school every year to get people interested. x_x; Some of my friends go to drool over the military dudes, but I really try to lay low when they're around. I guess I'm just easily intimidated. T^T That and the army scares me. I'm glad there are people there who are willing to work through it and stuff, but it's definitely not the place for a midget like me.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

but it's definitely not the place for a midget like me.

aww ^^;;

yeah, it is intimidating, and im not exactally physically buff for it and stuff

[Kawaiikneko]

I've thought about what it would be like to join the army... but I'm not really cut out for it XD I'm a very un-fit, weak little girl. I think it would be interesting to get a job in government though. I want to be involved in what our country does.

Of course I'm still young and stupid. XD My opinions will probably change...

[Azier the Swordsman]

Army recruiters = some of the most annoying people on the planet.

Best thing to do is to is probably just say no and walk off.

[Kawaiikneko]

Ahh they're just doing their job. A guy came to my school, it was at the end of the day and he was packing up plus I'm underage so he didnt' talk to me. I was in the media center during study hall and I heard him talking to the media center guy about some of the pretty mean things people said to him. They have it pretty tough, so don't be too hard on them ^^ Sure, they're persistent, but most times they won't get people otherwise.

[Scribs]

I would almost concider going into the army, but I am a coward and don't want to be shot at or blown up. If I was ever required via draft (unlikely but plausible) I would go with out a complaint.

As for recruters, I try to be as supportive of them as possible without signing myself up. Its just their job to try to get more people in the military. I would try not to be harsh on them.

I myself would rather go into politics to help my country then fight, but people are needed to fight too. (hope this isn't too off topic or political, my appologese if it is)

[TheMelodyMaker]

I could never join the army... I'm a peacemaker, not a warrior. *quietly hides in the corner*

[Counselor]

Ouch, kinda hard on the recruiters here. It is thier job to recruit you know and you do at this point have the right to say no thank you. Just need to remembre without them and those soldiers who did listen, we would not have a free country here in the USA. So lighten up on them.

[termyt]

Ahh they're just doing their job.

Some can be conniving and manipulative, so be aware. Never go into any interview with out knowing what you want out of it. That's the way you get a lousy MOS in the army and also how you end up with swamp land in Florida. However, most of these guys are doing an important service to their country. We have a voluntary military, so we need them.

Sometimes peace must be fought for. Refusing to fight generally only makes the bully more belligerent.

[uc pseudonym]

Sometimes peace must be fought for. Refusing to fight generally only makes the bully more belligerent.

I disagree. In every situation in my life in which I have confronted a bully (verbal or physical), refusing to fight has only helped defuse the situation. I would not claim this is normal, but I do not think that the term "generally" is correct.

In one way I agree: sometimes peace must be fought for. I, however, would use the term worked instead of fought. Just because a bully attacks you doesn't mean you have to level him with a blow to the jaw. Just because you do not physically fight back, however, does not mean that you sit around and do nothing. Peacemaking is a very active role, not a passive one.

[termyt]

Just because a bully attacks you doesn't mean you have to level him with a blow to the jaw.

Most definitely true. Each situation needs to be considered on its own merits. A lot of people seek a blanket set of rules to guide when force is required (Why have we invaded Iraq but not Iran?) and it just doesn't exist. And walking away is always the best, first solution. But what happens when the bully follows you home? What happens when he starts tormenting your family and neighbors? Is there a point when a physical confrontation is justified?

I think so, but that point is not necessarily easy to define since it may occur at a different point in each situation.

[John316]

[John316]

He told me to call him up when I turned 18, and he gave me a business card.

That sounds...wrong.

[shooraijin]

In the medical field, we are approached by a lot of recruiters, and they do have good deals to offer which I was considering for awhile (I'm an Air Force brat). Ultimately, I was concerned over four years (trade one year of school for one year of service) where I wouldn't know where I would be living, and I declined the scholarship. However, for some people they're a good match if that's the kind of thing they find exciting (you certainly can't beat the compensation deal).

I'm sort of with Counselor in that the majority of recruiters are just doing their job, same as any other salesman -- there are good salesmen who genuinely want to offer you a good deal, and others who are just after folks to plug in the duty roster. Either way, it shows.

[uc pseudonym]

Is there a point when a physical confrontation is justified?

I think so, but that point is not necessarily easy to define since it may occur at a different point in each situation.

Obviously, we have our own views and convictions on the subject. Personally, I think that there are times when physical confrontation is appropriate, but never times when violence is effective. This issue becomes very tricky quite quickly, however.

[termyt]

That it does. I think our postions are not a far apart as it may appear, but like you said, very tricky to know where one draws a line.

[Solid Ronin]

Althought I have no problem begin a pawn for the goverment...(Unless its run by someone of whom I dont agree with) Ive too much to live for to put myself in danger