Requiring an intro post is a strange, yet genius, requirement. Cuts down on spammers and bots rather well, I'd imagine. As a frequent forumer and forum admin, I give you all props.
Tell us about yourself.
I don't really like putting it all out there – especially online. Here's something worth mentioning: I don't do labels or groups, so I'm not a Libertarian. However, I do support and align with their ideals, and the steps being taken to realise them.
Fun Fact: One of the reasons I align with their views is the tendency to stay away from bureaucratic things. I hate paperwork, bills, and logistics. Smaller government would mean less papocracy (made that word up). Can't even get a driving license without the stamp-and-print nonsense. I'm joining the military. I've had enough paperwork for one lifetime. I probably don't know what I'm talking about.
Why are you here?
Uh, I guess I'm here because I share the views this site is apparently built on. Simple as that.
How did you find the Shire Society?
I'm on the FSP forums. One of the posts linked me to it – though I can't remember the specific post.
Welcome. Please consider canceling your plans to join the military. 
[quote author=FTL_Ian link=topic=7051.msg62791#msg62791 date=1363061166]Welcome. Please consider canceling your plans to join the military. :'([/quote]
So . . . rather than join the military, go to school, and get skills to earn a living like most adults do, I'm supposed to idle and end up one of those welfare-suckers you guys hate so much? HAHA! You're funny, kid. Consider yourself in the running for the Year's Funniest Forumer Award!
But seriously, not try to get out of this shithole town and make something out of myself? Are you out of your rabid-ass mind?!
You say you don't like bureaucratic things but are joining the military? If you're not trolling, you don't know what you are in for!
As a US Navy Veteran, I can tell you that if you are truly anti-bureaucratic you probably won't have the best time in the military.
There isn't a day that goes by where you don't have to deal with politics. There is more paperwork weekly than you've probably dealt with in your entire life so-far.
If you don't mind being the gun of the current administration's policies, then go for it. You give up your ability to say "no" while enlisted. If Uncle Sam tells you to kill unarmed innocent children in Afghanistan, and you say "no", you'll be locked up for a very very long time. Don't delude yourself to believe that they won't make you kill, it happens every day overseas.
If you're wanting to join the military JUST for the education and training, I can't say I blame you, I did the same thing.
One of the reasons I joined the Navy instead of the Army/Marines (Air force was also a possibility) was there was a lower chance of having to actually take another's life in the Navy than the other branches; and while I did not personally ever have to "pull the trigger" per se, I was directly responsible for equipment that made the killing of others possible, and it was done with my equipment in 2003 in Iraq. The Navy had better chances for education than the Army/Marines, but the USAF had better chances for education than the Navy. The USAF, however, did not offer me training in the field I wished to study.
I will tell you that no matter what you choose to do out of high school, you will be a slave to the system, so you may as well find the path of least resistance and interference in your life. To me, that would be getting an entry level private-sector job in the field of your choosing, and pay for college one course at a time. It's not a great life while getting yourself through school, but once finished, you'll have the ability do whatever you wish without someone else's thumb on your life.
Best Wishes and Good Luck in whatever you choose to do.
Adam
Can you at least give us your real name to check up on you to see if you're dead, dismembered, or got the PTSD afterwards?
[quote author=FTL_Ian link=topic=7051.msg62794#msg62794 date=1363182773]
You say you don't like bureaucratic things but are joining the military? If you're not trolling, you don't know what you are in for![/quote]
Most of the paperwork is in the recruiting process, stranger. I'm past that already. I did give a reason as to why I'm enlisting though.
[quote author=zombienerd link=topic=7051.msg62796#msg62796 date=1363185203]
As a US Navy Veteran, I can tell you that if you are truly anti-bureaucratic you probably won't have the best time in the military.
There isn't a day that goes by where you don't have to deal with politics. There is more paperwork weekly than you've probably dealt with in your entire life so-far.
If you don't mind being the gun of the current administration's policies, then go for it. You give up your ability to say "no" while enlisted. If Uncle Sam tells you to kill unarmed innocent children in Afghanistan, and you say "no", you'll be locked up for a very very long time. Don't delude yourself to believe that they won't make you kill, it happens every day overseas.
If you're wanting to join the military JUST for the education and training, I can't say I blame you, I did the same thing.
One of the reasons I joined the Navy instead of the Army/Marines (Air force was also a possibility) was there was a lower chance of having to actually take another's life in the Navy than the other branches; and while I did not personally ever have to "pull the trigger" per se, I was directly responsible for equipment that made the killing of others possible, and it was done with my equipment in 2003 in Iraq. The Navy had better chances for education than the Army/Marines, but the USAF had better chances for education than the Navy. The USAF, however, did not offer me training in the field I wished to study.
I will tell you that no matter what you choose to do out of high school, you will be a slave to the system, so you may as well find the path of least resistance and interference in your life. To me, that would be getting an entry level private-sector job in the field of your choosing, and pay for college one course at a time. It's not a great life while getting yourself through school, but once finished, you'll have the ability do whatever you wish without someone else's thumb on your life.
Best Wishes and Good Luck in whatever you choose to do.
Adam[/quote]
First of all, gotta show a vet some love. Respect.
Now that I have formalities out of the way, let's get into the thick of it. As far as combat goes, I've done enough fucked things already. I'm not one of today's kids who signs as infantry, itchin' to shoot people between the eyes. That's not me at all. Keep a gun out of my hands, keep my ass out of any country. This part of your post stuck out, because I was expecting you to think I was the type to glorify and want to be in the middle of combat. I understand that I can be deployed anywhere, but . . . children? I can't get down with that. Is the only alternative to get put away? I know it isn't, but nothing else comes to mind.
I wanted to go Air Force but couldn't. As a future businessman, that's probably the branch I'd fit best in. Definitely will not even look in the Marine Corps' direction. Fuck that noise. What'd you want to study anyway, if I may?
You're right about that part. Post-high school is the University of Hard Knocks. The plan is to homestead, own some businesses, and work on the side when needed. I'll have to do that when I move to New Hampshire anyway. I don't want to rely on anyone but me. Thanks for the heads-up though about the military's darker side. Will try to keep ya posted.
Best of luck in life.
[quote author=Jay link=topic=7051.msg62798#msg62798 date=1363188093]Can you at least give us your real name to check up on you to see if you're dead, dismembered, or got the PTSD afterwards?[/quote]
Trust no one. Besides, you wouldn't care anyway. ;D
The whole killing kids thing is a bit extreme, but let me go to the other extreme. When you sign up, they own you. They can do whatever they want to you, and make you do anything they want, or face serious hard time in a brig or even Leavenworth if they really really don't like you. This can be the case for disobeying ANY "lawful" order for ANY reason.
Example: I know a guy who refused to put un-necessary creases in his working uniform after being ordered to do so. Now, military creases are not required by any regulation, and generally only the "suckups" who wanted to look good for the CO would put them in onboard a ship. Anyway, one Chief (E-7) ordered this E-4 to put creases in his Utility shirt and pants for the next morning (to his defense, this E-4 was generally regarded as a shitbag), the E-4 showed up the next morning without said creases. He was written up, put through DRB (Disciplinary Review Board), XOI (Exectutive Officer's Inquiry) and then Captain's Mast (CO NJP) where he was given 45 days restriction (Unable to leave the ship), docked 1/2 month's pay for 2 months, and reduced in rank to E-3. All for not putting unrequired creases in a uniform.
So, to re-state simply, they can fuck your life over for disobeying the simplest, un-necessary orders.
I was an Electronics Technician in the Navy, and with my ASVAB score (74), the USAF wasn't offering me anything in the Electronics/Computer fields.
However, on the bright side, that 1.5 years of US Navy tech training has me in a 6-figure job now without an actual college degree to my name.
It's a tough decision to make, my friend. If you want the experience and training that comes with being in the military, you have to be OK with following the orders of anyone and everyone appointed above you, which can include a president that you do not agree with on any level. I was in under Clinton and Bush, and neither of them gave me a warm fuzzy, but being in a non-combat role on a combat ship lessened my chances of having to work against my morals.
NAVY=Never Again Volunteer Yourself.
Believe me, sailor, I've been around military communities long enough to know how serious this decision is. I don't really worry about the suckage because of my goals. I'm supposed to be getting an education and increase my skillset; no time for fuckery and bullshit like what you posted above. I figure, build rank as quickly as possible then focus on cranking out my degrees. Speaking of, if I may, what's your current career? Six figures is something I may need to look into. I hate people, but I love money.
I was an Electronics Tech in the Navy, made it to E-5.
I'm still an Electronics Technician, but I sail for a civilian company now doing the exact same job I had in the Navy, but for 3x the money. I do 10 weeks at sea, then 5 at home on a rotation. My pay changes year to year on how much time I spend at sea vs at the dock, but my lowest year in the past 5 was still 90k. My highest was 128k.
Doing this same job on shore only would pay in the 50-60k range, it's the high-travel that raises the compensation so high.