Don't – Go Army

I just saw a commercial for the Army. The emphasis was on developing skills, getting an education and free health care. Granted, it was only a thirty second spot, but nowhere in those 30 seconds, did they mention the part about putting your life on the line in a war in the Middle East that you will no doubt find yourself in the middle of. Let face it, they're desperate for bodies in that war.

The army is also offering very attractive enlistment bonuses depending on what job specialty you choose. Please note, that the biggest bonuses are going for the most dangerous jobs. So figure the odds that you'll be able to spend that money after you return from the war. Odds are, you will be not be spending that money the way you want, if at all.

Maybe I'm not the right person to be giving advice on the subject of enlisting. After all, I freely enlisted in the military toward the end of another senseless war. I actually joined for the purpose of developing my skills and getting an education, but I joined the Navy, figuring that the odds were very great that I would never set foot in Vietnam. Silly me, who would've guessed that the Navy had personnel on the ground in Vietnam, but that's another story.

I used to recommend to any young man who is undecided about what he wants to do with his life that the military might be a good place to start. However, I don't think this is the right time. While I understand that the purpose of the military is to defend this country in times of war, I would prefer that the odds were such that I might actually end up defending my country in a time of peace.