Iraq war veteran shares his views
Noam Chomsky on US middle east policy
Blogs > HeadBangaa |
VegeTerran
Sweden214 Posts
Iraq war veteran shares his views Noam Chomsky on US middle east policy | ||
Jibba
United States22883 Posts
+ Show Spoiler + GO WINGS!!! | ||
cgrinker
United States3824 Posts
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cgrinker
United States3824 Posts
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Jibba
United States22883 Posts
The idea that oil played a factor in our decision was never a big secret; Wolfowitz made it a point early on that Iraq's oil revenue should help fund the war and for people who consider our action a service, then it makes sense. That doesn't necessarily mean it was the purpose, but that it did factor into our decision. Anyways, this is irrelevant to HeadBangaa's problem. I think military service is an excellent crucible for later in life and they'll hook you up afterwards as well. I can see why someone might consider it unethical to become a cog in the system but that's really up to each person to decide. And if you feel that way, is there an obligation to join in order to make the system more ethical? EDIT: I guess it depends on what you do but private entities do pay much better but they usually recruit people the military has already trained, which honestly seems dishonorable to me. The military invests a million dollar into their specialists and then they get bought from Blackwater for absurd salaries. | ||
Rayzorblade
United States1172 Posts
I joined the military right out of high school because I've always felt that people have a duty to serve their country. Over twenty countries, three languages, one hot fiance, and six years later, it turned out to be a pretty solid decision. Now I'm jobless, but because I decided to go back to college (hell, they're paying me free money monthly as long as I'm enrolled; how can you beat that?) rather than continuing working. (I got offered many jobs when I got out of the military, one almost immediately - working on satellites for NASA - and others shortly after, all starting at about 70k/year with the likelihood of continuing increase). The military can open a lot of doors for you, physically, mentally, and socially. I forged a lot of great friendships in the military and many useful contacts while in it, and now after it; whenever it comes up that I'm a veteran, I always get offered jobs by people I don't even know. This has happened like five times already at a sports bar my Dad and I go to. Edit: Yea, Jibba, I got offered like 150k to spend one year (with 30 days vacation at the six month period) in Iraq or Afghanistan with a private company because of my expertise with tactical satellites. Private companies pay absurd amounts! | ||
Spartan
United States2030 Posts
On November 05 2008 01:14 artofmagic wrote: Show nested quote + On November 04 2008 22:41 HeadBangaa wrote: On November 04 2008 22:30 Hawk wrote: Nice pic, haha. Personally, given the instability of the world now, I wouldn't join. But hey, respect for your decision. I'd think it out a lot though. But yeah, you get more technical jobs in the air force. I'll give my buddy a call, he's in year two now and he's moved his way up in the air force. He was working on jets for a while, but coordinates airstrikes now I think. And I'm almost positive the bachelor's will make you officer when you go in. Again, ask, but you're better off asking a friend who is in, as opposed to a recruiter. They're paid to sell you shit, just like car salesmen =] The shitty thing is though, and I'm sure you've heard this, is that the military doesn't care what YOU want, it goes by what they need. So you could sign up for one thing, but if there's a shortage of meat, they might stick you elsewhere. I don't know if that means you could sign as a Air Force guy and end up an infantry grunt, but you're not necessarily gaurenteed anything. Yeah I've heard some horror stories here and there. Most of the military people I know were Navy or Marines, and didn't get their ideal jobs. I'm hoping that degree gives an advantage :O Joining as an officer would be awesome, I was looking at their pay scale: Officers start at minimum salary 30,668, not bad. I'm below poverty level right now; that would be high life! in no time you have BS degree for CS. And you will definitely make more than a measily 30k. Right now my payrate is equivalent to 60k a year(tax not calculated) and I'm only half way to BS degree. BTW the Air Force may not be as exciting as it might be. With your degree I suggest applying as a programming/techie for them. But as an officer.. i think that's a waste. Where do you work? | ||
Mikilatov
United States3897 Posts
That's just my 2 cents. Good pay, good security, good conditions, but all in all, it's just another job. It just has USA stamped on it. That is, unless you want to be a pilot or something like that... In that case fucking go for it. | ||
HeadBangaa
United States6512 Posts
On November 05 2008 03:16 Rayzorblade wrote: Go Air Force officer program because you already have a bachelor's. I joined the military right out of high school because I've always felt that people have a duty to serve their country. Over twenty countries, three languages, one hot fiance, and six years later, it turned out to be a pretty solid decision. Now I'm jobless, but because I decided to go back to college (hell, they're paying me free money monthly as long as I'm enrolled; how can you beat that?) rather than continuing working. (I got offered many jobs when I got out of the military, one almost immediately - working on satellites for NASA - and others shortly after, all starting at about 70k/year with the likelihood of continuing increase). The military can open a lot of doors for you, physically, mentally, and socially. I forged a lot of great friendships in the military and many useful contacts while in it, and now after it; whenever it comes up that I'm a veteran, I always get offered jobs by people I don't even know. This has happened like five times already at a sports bar my Dad and I go to. Edit: Yea, Jibba, I got offered like 150k to spend one year (with 30 days vacation at the six month period) in Iraq or Afghanistan with a private company because of my expertise with tactical satellites. Private companies pay absurd amounts! It's nice to hear a success story! On November 05 2008 01:14 artofmagic wrote: Show nested quote + On November 04 2008 22:41 HeadBangaa wrote: On November 04 2008 22:30 Hawk wrote: Nice pic, haha. Personally, given the instability of the world now, I wouldn't join. But hey, respect for your decision. I'd think it out a lot though. But yeah, you get more technical jobs in the air force. I'll give my buddy a call, he's in year two now and he's moved his way up in the air force. He was working on jets for a while, but coordinates airstrikes now I think. And I'm almost positive the bachelor's will make you officer when you go in. Again, ask, but you're better off asking a friend who is in, as opposed to a recruiter. They're paid to sell you shit, just like car salesmen =] The shitty thing is though, and I'm sure you've heard this, is that the military doesn't care what YOU want, it goes by what they need. So you could sign up for one thing, but if there's a shortage of meat, they might stick you elsewhere. I don't know if that means you could sign as a Air Force guy and end up an infantry grunt, but you're not necessarily gaurenteed anything. Yeah I've heard some horror stories here and there. Most of the military people I know were Navy or Marines, and didn't get their ideal jobs. I'm hoping that degree gives an advantage :O Joining as an officer would be awesome, I was looking at their pay scale: Officers start at minimum salary 30,668, not bad. I'm below poverty level right now; that would be high life! in no time you have BS degree for CS. And you will definitely make more than a measily 30k. Right now my payrate is equivalent to 60k a year(tax not calculated) and I'm only half way to BS degree. BTW the Air Force may not be as exciting as it might be. With your degree I suggest applying as a programming/techie for them. But as an officer.. i think that's a waste. I'm a bit confused. I thought you had to either sign up as "enlisted" or "officer". They have tech/programming jobs that are neither? ------------------------------------ On November 05 2008 01:58 VegeTerran wrote: Don't. Just don't. There's nothing admirable in following orders in a system of lies and deceit. I guess I just don't see it that way :p | ||
HeadBangaa
United States6512 Posts
Oh and now that Obama won, I'm even more inclinced to join, haha | ||
Jibba
United States22883 Posts
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SingletonWilliam
United States664 Posts
He is a programmer, I think it is a BA in CS like you, and he worked on designing the first stealth bomber, the f14 I think. He got paid very well, never saw combat, got good job offers after he left the service (works as a military contractor and manager at some place where they do a lot of programming), and completely destroyed his first marriage because he was gone for six days at a time. | ||
HeadBangaa
United States6512 Posts
I was just chatting with an AF recruiter online and found out that my school's (UCSD's) Computer Science program is not accredited by some third party called "ABET". Even the shitty State school down the street is ABET accredited, most other UC campuses, too. I think the problem is that the CS program at my school is so new, and the facilities are < 3 yrs old. Accreditation was last sought in 2003 here. As a result, I cannot directly apply to technical positions in the Air Force. I can still enlist as an officer because i have a bachelor's... but I don't think I'll join if I can't be used to do what I'm best at.... | ||
evanthebouncy!
United States12796 Posts
It'll be bad for ur health... Just find a good job, raise kids and family and smoke weed and have fun. | ||
uglymoose89
United States671 Posts
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CTStalker
Canada9720 Posts
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jello_biafra
United Kingdom6631 Posts
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