The response of most civilians on my decision to join

[Apollo]

Well since everyone eles is sharing, I might as well too.

Ditto.
My reasons are many. Ever since I was a little kid I've always seen myself in the military. There has never been any doubt in my mind that I would join the service. There are many reasons why. When I was younger I thought I would join for patriotism and to protect the American way of life. College money was NEVER a reason why I wanted to join. Things changed after Sept. 11, the stable world, as I knew it, was coming down around me. That only increased my desire to serve my country, to protect the ones I love, to get revenge for the terrorist attacks committed against my country. There was someone on SOCNET once who said "Make a list, as many as you can for your reasons why you want to join the last five-ten are your real reasons" My last two reasons were comraderie and to protect people who can't protect themselves. I want to be apart of something where I can trust the people next to me. Thats a hard thing to come by here in the civilian world. I look at my god son (he is 3) he can't protect himself but I can protect him. I'm enlisting for an oppertunity to become a Ranger so that I may serve with people that will meet the enemies of my country on the battlefield and kill them so they will never have the oppertunity to hurt others again.

I am one signature away from enlisting. which could be as soon as next week. *knock on wood*
---Jon

[Mercer02]

It's funny this topic was brought up since I'm constantly getting my balls busted at work for my decision.

Aside from being a patriot and wanting to fight for my country, three words came to me when I thought about joining - discipline, leadership, and comaraderie. I feel that these values that I cherish are in line with the Army values and that is why I chose to serve. Lastly, this GWOT is just and I want to do my part to help this cause.

[Osiris]

Guage, I think that's a good start.

Osiris, it sounds like you're telling me that you're doing this to pay back those who gave you your freedom. Is that it?

If so, then I think you should think about something. In fact, I think all of you DEPs should. You need to think about what is motivating you to join - which may be something like, "the terrorists," and think of how it relates to your life in specific, concrete, terms.

When you state your reasons, they should not be in terms of floating abstractions like, "For Freedom," or, "Because I'm a Patriot." Those are valid goals, but only because they represent real, actual, things you enjoy and love in your life. When you know what those actual things are in your life (1), how they are connected to concepts like freedom and patriotism (2), and why something like terrorism is a threat to those things (3), you will have a good answer.

Osiris, I'd like to hear more about the concretes (1,2, and 3).

Leatherneck,

When I went to sleep last I thought about this and I thought about my answer, I failed to tell you about my anger. I’m angry when I wake up, I’m angry when I go to sleep, I’m angry when I work out, I can work out till my limbs fall off and I pass out, I wake up angry, I can punch my bag with all my anger till I’m exhausted, I’m still angry, I’m angry when I have sex! I’m angry at my enemies, I’m angry at my families enemies, I’m angry at America’s enemies. They want a holy war? Well as far as I’m concerned they got one!



1. I have fully enjoyed my freedoms as an American, and I want my daughter to be able to enjoy those same freedoms. I enjoy self-expression, whether it’s literary work, artwork or some other form of expression. I have enjoyed educating myself on a variety of subjects, I enjoy religious freedom, and I enjoy hunting, fishing and owning a firearm. I enjoy bbq, beer and sex.

2. I enjoy the American way of life, and I will not let anyone take it away from me, my family or my friends. I am prepared to die protecting this way of life. Volunteers have always protected America, I seek to continue this tradition.

3. Terrorist seek to control the actions of others via the use of terror, terrorist seek to destroy the American way of life, to destroy freedom, to destroy all that does not conform to what it has deemed acceptable. Terrorism is a threat to the American way of life because it attempts to sway our actions and daily activities through violent actions and to recruit others to their cause through propaganda and oppression.

When I graduated high school just after desert storm ended I saw the military as an easy way out of my financial situation, I have proven to myself that I am capable of making something of myself as a civilian. Know I’m ready to make something out of myself as a soldier.

[Cpart84]

I just want to be like these guys


and fight radical islam

[Dylinger44]

Pride.

Pride of belonging. Pride of doing. Pride of accomplishment.

What greater pride than to serve along some of the best America has to offer.

[Parabellum]

I joined to KILL PEOPLE! And get paid for it too.

[Parabellum]

SSHHHHHHHHHH! Hey Brother I told you to keep that shit quiet. They will pull the plug on the Universal Soldier Program if they find out how I was created.

[Dylinger44]

Ok I will try my best to put it into writing. But bear with me, Im not as eloquant at putting my feelings into words as some.

Pride of Belonging- I have wanted to be a Marine for as long as I can remember. Something about the espirit de corps has always appealed to me. I want to have that assurance that someone will always be there to have my back, and will lay their life on the line for you at the drop of a hat. I want to belong to something that has MEANING and history of greatness. I want the people that surrond me to have qualities such as character, unselfishness, and discipline. I would like to possess these qualities and use them to lead/ follow.

Pride of Doing- In my opinion there is nothing more nobel than to serve your country in the Armed Forces. There is no way that I can sit at home with a clear conscience while American Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen are being killed/wounded half a world a way. Especially since I believe with all of my heart and soul that the reasons for being in Iraq/Afganistan could not be more honorable and good. I want to help a country of people enjoy the same freedoms that I cheerish. And defeat all those who oppose America.

Pride of Accomplishment- The famous Ronald Reagan quote ("Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference, Marines dont have that problem.") comes to mind. 20 years from now I want to be able to look back on all that I have done in my life in a favorable light. What better start in my adult life than to experience the stuggles and accomplishments that only the military can offer. I have never been the kind of person to take the easy way out. I believe very stongly that the more obsticles one faces, and overcomes, the better that person is. Marine bootcamp being the first obsticle, than the stuggle to live up to be the kind of Marine my Drill Instructors will have tried to make me being an ongoing stuggle through my enlistment and my life.

These are the reasons for joining that I could manage to get into words. Alot of it is somewhat unexplainable, something I feel I have to do for myself and my country.

My appologies for being to vague in my original post. I hope this shows my true feelings in a more concrete way. Thank you Leatherneck for pointing this out to me.

[Parabellum]

I am not trying to be a dick but why are you on an Army Ranger website if you are joining the Marines? :? :?

[Dylinger44]

I will gladly not post anymore if I am asked.

Mostly I just like to lurke and read the cool stories and links that you all post. I am going to be Marine Infantry so I see anything on Army Infantry as somewhat relevant. Not to mention my extreme respect for Rangers.

Just curiousity I guess. Its no problem for me to go back to lurking if you want.

Oh and incase you were wondering, I mainly post on the Marine Wannabe Forum on Military.com. I found out about this site through a link on that site.