Thanks Robert. Cheers. Are you a soldier too?

Yes, 10 years in the US Army. I got out in 2004 and joined the LAPD.

Double thank yous to you then Robert. Thanks for being at both gates.

Do you think that is a fair characterization to us kids “going to college or hanging out partying”? Does “to live a life of service to their country” necessarily mean "to join the armed forces?"

I see a lot of talk on the Right about political correctness being the problem of America. Well, I’ll pick up that mantle of PC here and say my thoughts: to be a soldier does not necessarily make one a good person. As I said in my first post in this thread, it is my joy and obligation as a citizen of the United States to offer thanks to individuals who have been committed to the selfless ideal of public service, be it in the military or in some other capacity. But like in any group – teenagers, students and teachers, small and large businessmen, doctors and nurses, lawyers, judges, manufacturers, construction workers, soldiers – one will find noble, dedicated individuals, just as one will find selfish, manipulative individuals. Perhaps I am the first on this thread to say: I don’t believe it to be likely that all soldiers deserve a blanket “thanks.” I am not alluding to anyone on this board, for I do not know you.

Don’t get me wrong: I am not bashing soldiers in general in any way and I do not mean to start an argument in this very admirable thread. I have not served this country’s military, so I do not know from personal experience, but please try to understand from where I am coming on this. I mean to provide a simple reminder about patting the backs of not only patriotic and respectable souls, but also murderers, rapists, and racists. To those of the board that may take offense to my blurb, I meant none.

__________________
[i]No man is an island...
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.[/i]
—John Donne

hmm you misunderstood me

I being RAKKASAN was paying homage to those people. I had a platoon of 20 year old and below soldiers that i fought with in 2 wars and think of them in a "cut above their peers manner" so i worded it that way for my OPINION of them is very high. There is a war and they came to serve , i think its admirable

Do i believe all soldiers are better than their peers........No .....but i do feel those that join in time of war are once again a cut above

yes you dont have to thank anyone , and most americans dont , they see them as less than admirable people in the end. Most look and i mean not to start a fight but to agree with your bottom line there in your post, that soldiering and serving is for those "skill sets" meaning cant do anything else.
And there are bad people in the military , due to the military is made up of citizens of the USA which has bad people. But i would challenge you to look at the statistical analysis of the murders raped and general thuggery of the military establish based on the civilian populace and you would see catagorically it is lower and not even close. The reason most think it is higher is cause it gets more media play .


so to end my little rant, it take no offense to what you said i hope you dont take any offense to my reply. But in MY OPINION being that it is made up of my lifes experiences . In time of war anyone who steps up is just a cut above in my book and i am sorry if that offended you

__________________
[B]Let Valor Not Fail[/B]

I apologize that I misunderstood. I respect your sacrifice and, as I said, I offer thanks to you for your time in serving this country. Without men and women of your ideals, it is hard to fathom what America would be today. A colony of England, perhaps? Anyway, I cannot relate to you in any way toward your years of serving and of conflict, but I understand that it is no small feat to join the military and to engage in battle. You are right: it is admirable; it requires bravery and courage and fortitude and et cetera. I simply wanted to remind the contributors to this thread that some of those soldiers, perhaps very few, entering into the service have criminal and perverted intentions, no matter what side they join the fight.

Btw, I’m curious what “Rakkasan” means. I’m sorry if me abbreviating your name was insulting somehow, I simply don’t know the meaning it holds to you. If you have reservations about telling me, no need to explain.

I’m not sure I understand. Do you think that I meant to imply that soldiers perform the duty that they do, because they are incapable of anything else? If so, I didn't mean that at all. If not, then I simply interpreted your words wrong.

I agree entirely, you have helped clarify my point. This thread could be titled, “To the teachers,” or “To the doctors,” or “To all US citizens,” or so on and so forth. I would still have the same point to make. I did not mean to imply that the military has more racists or thugs; I just wanted to acknowledge that it even has racists or thugs. And you are right in your last sentence, as well: a criminal soldier seems to get much more media attention than any civilian criminal that performs a similar crime.

And I respect your opinion, and took no offense to your post. Like I said, I cannot begin to understand what it is to serve for so long, or to place your life in the hands of no one but the men around you and a higher power. If I had all that experience to call upon, I may just start a discussion about opinions; but I do not have any experience such as that, and even if I did, I highly doubt I would have anything to disagree with you about. Twenty years is a long time, certainly enough time to learn a thousand life lessons.

__________________
[i]No man is an island...
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.[/i]
—John Donne

Actually I was actively recruited when I was a teenager by the Marines. The recruiter took me out for a steak dinner then to a strip club even though I was under age. That was really cool, a 17 year old in a strip club courtesy of the US govt.

But I said no fucking way, I had a kid and another baby on the way. I couldn't leave.

Well, all the kids are grown now and the Army has upped the maximum age limit to join the military and made me eligible. So I decided to check it out because I figured that the Army could use some in shape, mature, and experienced people that know how to shoot, build and lead.

The talk with recruiter kind of ended something like this.......


Recruiter dude: Do you have a criminal record.

Hairball: Yes, but it's just misdemeanors, I've never been convicted of any of the felonies.

Recruiter dude: How many misdemeanors?

Hairball: I don't know, with plea bargains and all it's hard to say, I've been around a long time you know and most of this shit was when I was young, and I know they kinda lose the records over the years, and there's statutes of limitations and I've had some stuff expunged....did i mention that I can speak arabic?

Recruiter dude: Can you tell me how many misdemeanors? Was it two, three, four?

Hairball: Let's see... (starts thinking about court judgements), umm 1, 2 , 3 ,4, but that was back in the 80's Not sure if that shit's still on my record or not or what identity I was using back then 5, 6,...

Recruiter dude: (getting impatient) Just give me an estimate.

Hairball: OK, I'd guess more than 30 but less than 40, I'm really not sure though. I don't really keep track of that shit.

Recruiter dude: Well you should get your records and get back with me, I can't..

Hairball: I understand. Wanna get some lunch, I'll buy.

Recruiter dude: No, I can't.




But I have been offered a job from a contractor to run a concrete crew for some pretty damn good money in Iraq, which would also help the war effort. But I don't think I'm going to take it knowing the fate of many contractors in Iraq. There is a big security issue and contractors there may soon be subject to some fucked up foriegn laws with no immunity whatsoever. To take that risk they need to sweeten the pot a bit.

But I do commend you forumers who have served in our armed forces. I would be there with you in this time of war if I could because I think it's very important. And if the Army gets desperate enough I will be.

__________________
There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know. -- Rummy

Wise words from a wise man.

LOL hairball you are trouble! well done. haha!