Support Our Troops? Apparently not.

[username]

Originally Posted by Warren

Isn't it spelled out in the contract?

Dunno, I have been out for over 10 years and have trouble remembering what I had for lunch yesterday. I doubt it though, the UCMJ is the military law book and would be unwieldy on a contract. That one is governed by the UCMJ for their enlistment is almost certainly in the contract though.

[Ensign Steve]

Originally Posted by godfry n. glad

Torture, in other words.

Whiner. Anyway, its probably still not as bad as basic training.

Anyway, yeah. Stop-loss. Inactive reserves. It's all there in the contract. I knew exactly what I was signing up for when I signed it. An 8 year commitment with 4 years of active duty (minimum). This is called a four-year enlistment. semantics. I work with plenty of people who were stop-lossed in October 2001. Shit happens.

[Kevlar]

Originally Posted by Warren

Is the standard enlistment contract available online? Or would actually reading all the terms and conditions scare too many recruits off?

Well, I was 19 at the time, and I didn't understand most of the contract. I just naively took my recruiter's word for it. He seemed like a nice guy at the time.

[username]

Originally Posted by godfry n. glad

Torture, in other words.

No more so than the boot camp the individual went through. Joining the military is not something to do lightly or with no forethought. It is a serious comitment and death/dismemberment are very real possibilities.

Maintaining physical readiness isn't meant to be torture, it is meant to prepare the individual for the physical and mental hardships they may encounter. It is serious business and only those willing to make the sacrifice should apply.

[Ensign Steve]

Originally Posted by Warren

Is the standard enlistment contract available online? Or would actually reading all the terms and conditions scare too many recruits off?

If you want, I'll scan and send you mine.

The recruit is expected to read and understand all the terms and conditions at the time of signing, so I don't see why it wouldn't be made available. My recruiter was not the one who went over the contract with me. That was the MEPS people and I swear to fucking god they were trying to keep me out! I had to jump through hoops to get sworn in. Fortunately it was in my recruiter's best interest to have my back.

[Dingfod]

I found one here:
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/pdf/enlistment.pdf

[Kevlar]

Originally Posted by Ensign Steve

If you want, I'll scan and send you mine.

The recruit is expected to read and understand all the terms and conditions at the time of signing, so I don't see why it wouldn't be made available. My recruiter was not the one who went over the contract with me. That was the MEPS people and I swear to fucking god they were trying to keep me out! I had to jump through hoops to get sworn in. Fortunately it was in my recruiter's best interest to have my back.

I think things have changed a lot since I was in, new recruits and recruiters take it a lot more seriously now. I can remember my recruiters saying "It's just like a 9 to 5 job! Were not ever going to war!". They just told me everything I wanted to hear. My ASVAB score was high, so they had me take the DLAB and I passed that. So I had no problem getting in, even though my feet shouldn't have passed the exam.

[username]

Originally Posted by Warren

I found one here:
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/pdf/enlistment.pdf

It can be pretty much summarized as follows: By signing here you indicate you are now the property of the US government.

[godfry n. glad]

Originally Posted by username

No more so than the boot camp the individual went through. Joining the military is not something to do lightly or with no forethought. It is a serious comitment and death/dismemberment are very real possibilities.

Maintaining physical readiness isn't meant to be torture, it is meant to prepare the individual for the physical and mental hardships they may encounter. It is serious business and only those willing to make the sacrifice should apply.

I know, I know...

It's just that I dodged the military service thang. As close as I got was the preliminary pre-induction gang medical. For the draft. I held #33 in the draft, and my birthyear was the first year that no student or occupational deferments were allowed. I had considered enlisting in the AF, or trying my luck at becoming a Canadian, or doing time in a federal pen. Luckily, I never had to make the decision, because General Hershey promised they'd not draft any more American boys...before I got the "Greetings" letter. That was early 1973. I burned my draft card at age 36.

[username]

Originally Posted by godfry n. glad

I know, I know...

It's just that I dodged the military service thang. As close as I got was the preliminary pre-induction gang medical. For the draft. I held #33 in the draft, and my birthyear was the first year that no student or occupational deferments were allowed. I had considered enlisting in the AF, or trying my luck at becoming a Canadian, or doing time in a federal pen. Luckily, I never had to make the decision, because General Hershey promised they'd not draft any more American boys...before I got the "Greetings" letter. That was early 1973. I burned my draft card at age 36.

My father in law went to Canada. I would like to believe I would have the courage to evade any draft as well. I don't believe in drafts. Drafts only exist when governments wish to fight wars people don't believe in. If the people believe in the cause drafts aren't necessary. I think draft dodging is a patriotic duty.

[California Tanker]

My mother demanded I skip the country when I told her I was going to Iraq.

"If your President could do it, then so can you"

NTM

[Ensign Steve]

Oh wow I totally just volunteered for a deployment to Ethiopia. I don't think I will get it (it is a highly sought-after assignment), but there is no harm in trying.

[TomJoe]

BTW: The solider is being repaid.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/02/08/sol...ent/index.html

[username]

Originally Posted by Ensign Steve

Oh wow I totally just volunteered for a deployment to Ethiopia. I don't think I will get it (it is a highly sought-after assignment), but there is no harm in trying.

Ethiopia we be a kick ass assignment. I doubt they have much for internet access, but other than that it would be awesome.

I got to spend a little less than a year in Okinawa while in the service and that was a great time. Other than the fact that they tolerate sexual slavery by importing young girls from poor Asian nations the culture is fascinating. They really revere the elderly and respect their ancestors.

Hell, pretty much anywhere that isn't 'the west' is a terriffic cultural experience for westerners.