“Is that all you’re going to do with your life?”

What do service members do?

Have you ever thought that or asked that? Some may have one idea in their mind about what service members do and others have something totally different. I began college and studied aerospace science and meteorology to assist my education in becoming a commercial airline pilot. After obtaining my private pilots license and perusing my instrument rating, I became interested in the Marine Corps. Working for United Express I applied for an USMC officer slot. To my surprise the response was we don’t need any 21 year old males to join our program, we have a list a mile long of them.

One of the only ways to be more competitive to enter the Marine Corps during Desert Shield/Storm was to enlist in the Marine Corps. That’s what I did in 1993. I became “Private B” and worked my up to Corporal before applying for again for the officer program and being commissioned in 1996.

To my surprise there are a lot of people out there who think our services are made up of people who couldn’t find a job else where and then turned to the military. Wow, did that surprise me. Especially, when my radio operator (a Corporal) back in 1997 was a college graduate and decided to become a Marine to serve his country. Since Sept 11, many highly qualified Americans have joined to serve and today is the foundation of our great military service. Another example is a very successful NY stock trader who I served with. He had plenty of money and a great career, but after Sept 11, he felt compelled to make a difference and now he fought along with me in Afghani and

Iraq

.

I guess I was taken back when recently a friend completed his basic military training and his girlfriend’s folks had the impression of “Is that all you’re going to do with your life?” Now our Americans of all ages are teaching Iraqi’s democracy. They are writing history instead of reading it. Yes, many are young but don’t mistake their youth for ignorance or that they were desperate in choosing a career. They are taking a civilization and showing them freedom. I couldn’t think of a greater role in history than that.

Semper Fi

For all those out there that answered the question:

“Is that all you’re going to do with your life?”

Capt B

Comments

[Bridget]

Thank you!

[Army Lawyer]

Well, for me it was either JAG or my backup plan of crackwhore trainee.

[74]

Thats been my experience as well -- and that goes back many years. I remember in 1972 taking a poll aboard my ship the USS Antelope (PG-86)and discovering that the average educational level of the crew was 2 1/2 years of college. We had more enlisteds with degrees than we had officers.

[Samantha West]

Now then, the armed forces ARE full of many who had fine careers outside of the military and those people are to be commended for their sacrifice. However, I also commend the ones who had not yet found their path in life and joined because they did know what else to do. There is no shame there.

I think the big problem is with the people who believe that a military career is somehow "less" important than that of a banker, stock broker, doctor, lawyer, or any civilian career. The person who is lacking in character and status is the one who actually asks that question. They are the sort who derive their superior feeling by trying to make others feel inferior. Feel sorry for them, they are weak.

Sam
.
.

[thebronze]

Anyone that's in the mil that's asked that question should turn it back on the asker.

"I've played a very small part in giving freedom to approximately 50 million people."

"What have you done with YOUR life?"

Stupid civilians...

[Anna]

I know that those in the military have done more with their lives then I have accomplished in mine and at half my age! Thank you for your service in protecting our freedom and bringing freedom to others!

[Lt Fishman]

"Oh, I have only worked at the State Department, the Commerce Department, on Capitol Hill, graduated from a top 20 law school, and am an attorney for a top 15 corporation. And I serve in the US Air Force."

I despise so many of our lefties who claim our military is full of the dregs of society- in order to salve their own conscience over not serving.

[Capt B]

Unfortunately I have faced a lot of people who ask “what are you going to do when you get out of the military?” as this is my fill in the gap job before I get a serious job. I tell them, through rocks at joggers! Because I’ll be retired!! OR “Im so sorry you had to go to Iraq /Afghani”…….Hello, that’s why I became a Marine, support and defend the constitution…….ring any bells????

[jim b]

Amen to that skipper. The line forming for all the Marine Officer programs stretches way out there. My son Dave was lucky enough to get a seat on that bus as a college freshman. He successfully completed PLC 1st increment.

Before he got to the 2nd increment, he was unlucky enough to hurt his legs and loose his seat.

When his legs mended he tried to get into an OCS class. Yup! Glut of hard charging volunteers. Classes booked up for months

Half way through his MBA program, he lost patience said screw the wait and enlisted in the Army on a 5 year SF contract. Friday he graduates from Army AIT. He will begin jump school on the following Monday.

He has found a home. His rank is E-4 Specialist.

Anyone who thinks everyone in the military is some kind of looser, is a rejecter of truth and anything else that takes away from their "Hate Bush" focus.

God Bless the military and God Speed.

[Major John]

Hmmm. I haven't really run into that very much - but I am a Guardsman, so I usually get asked "how can you do that and your job at the same time" and not in any snotty or condescending way. Maybe it is just because I am lucky enough to live in the Midwest.

BTW - thebronze, "Stupid civilians" is no answer. If they don't know/don't understand - educate them.

[Capt B]

Yes, I did reservists time and that was another beast all together. Usually it’s when I travel and feedback from people I meet is positive. However, when I heard these parents talking about this young Marine Officer it almost seemed that the young officer wasn’t good enough for their daughter.

Excellent post CB. The truth is that those in the US military are the best our country has. You can do anything you want in life and choose to serve. Thanks for what you do.

[Karla (threadbndr)]

My young Marine could have gone to college or to tech school. The funds were there, his grades were good enough.

But he enlisted a couple of months after his 18th birthday, at the start of his senior year in HS, and never looked back. Four years of MCJROTC, Cadet Major, XO of the Cadet Batallion, Cadet of the Year, Silent Drill Team, Colors and Ceremony team ..... The Corps was this boy's life already before he ever raised his hand.

I wonder if the people who think "dregs" have ever bothered to see what the qualifications to join the military ARE: High School diploma, ASVAT, letterman quality physical conditioning, no disqualifing criminal history. The enlisted ranks are the cream of the crop, not the dregs.

(Am a just a little proud of my Lance Corporal? - heck yes!!!)

[Sammy D]

Look at our very own realtime example of one who "gets it" - Mrs. 455 who has shown nothing but pride and encouragement for her son Brian during his difficult decision about which military branch, and knowing he's going off to boot camp when he graduates. She's become one of my newest heroes and a true example a Great American.

[Unkawill]

Hell, I closed my successful business to go over and drive a truck in Iraq for KBR delivering supplies to the troops. Got IEDed a couple times and lit up with tracer fire also.

LOL, anybody saying that to a Marine is sooooooooo clueless!

[WW]

As soon as you're finished patting yourself on the back, Capt. B, you might want to ponder your complete gutlessness. For American military members to sit there and say nothing about the horrendous disaster that's going on in Iraq, and the terrible leadership that got us there, is an exercise in cowardice.

Contrast it with what's happening in Israel. Our lying scumbag of a so-called president might sit there and say Hezbollah lost the recent war in Lebanon, but there aren't a whole lot of Israelis who agree.

That includes people in the Israeli military. There is a growing groundswell among the enlisted ranks there to demand accountability from their leaders, both military and civilian, for the blunders in Lebanon.

That's what people who have integrity and courage do. They face the truth instead of trying to cover it up in phony, hollow, pseudo-patriotism.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/753164.html

[Karen I]

W.W. I am ignoring you, today.

[Capt B]

WW-Where you been? Last time you commented here you crawled back to me in an email to me apologizing and the like……..BUT since your back, Where have you deployed? Where have you saved lives? Where have you been shot at or hit?........Keep believing the so called "News" CNN (Communist News Network). Unless you have a destination/unit and time for any of the above (which I know you don’t from the last time I beasted you), anything you respond to here in the comments is a waste of cyber space. Get a clue and a life. Enough said. Next!

[Mrs. Diva]

Thanks Capt! Another great post and I was just gonna request some rock throwing at trolls instead of waiting til retirement:)

[GunnNutt]

Capt B, remember the story you posted about the Marine who wanted the docs to let him keep his severed arm? I'd like to use it to beat WW on the head!

It's a good thing the numbnuts are few and far between. The rest of us will go on KNOWING that you guys and gals rock! Semper Gratus.

[Kelli]

Ah, the beauty of the internet-where spineless people like WW can hide behind a computer screen instead of having to face you and say that, G. (like he actually would. HA) I don't say it enough, but I thank you and all our military members who do what 99% of the population can't or won't do! You're my heroes,and I thank the good Lord you decided to take that oath all those years ago and serve this nation. You're the best,bud!

[mrs455]

This afternoon at 4:30pm CST, my son, Brian, raised his right hand and took the oath. He will graduate from high school on Mother's Day 2007. He will leave for bootcamp on July 9.

I am unbelievably proud of him.

He flipped his top two choices and listed data systems admin analyst as his first choice and military intel as his second.

This morning, as he was going through MEPS, I had a lady I've known for 14 years come into my office and tell me what a horrible mother I was to sign the papers and allow my son to join. Basically she insinuated that I was sending him to his death. I was floored. I couldn't believe it.

It was a tough enough decision to decide to sign the papers. I only did so after talking extensively with Brian about the pros/cons of going into the military. I needed to know in my heart that he was doing this for him...something he wanted to do...instead of doing it for me because I am very pro-military. Just last Thursday, he and I went to dinner, and we talked again about this huge decision that he was about to make. He stoodfast. He was undeterred.

At 17, he made a decision that most people can't make or won't dare to make.

WW..I don't know how old you are or who you are, and I don't care.

But I hope one day that you will as much of a man as my son is at 17.

I am a PROUD MARINE CORPS MOM!

HOORAH!

[Capt B]

Tell the warrior to let me know when he is out of boot camp. I got his back! You both are HEROES!

[linda s.]

Thank goodness for the men and women who are willing to sign up and do the hard work of protecting our country!

"phony, hollow, pesudo-patriotism"? What a jerk!