Joining the military? Now?

I'm thinking, slightly, of a life in the armed forces. Let's get some background. 1) I'm an ardent left-wing man, opposed Iraq from the time I saw 9/11 and knew (yes, I knew) we'd invade Iraq. 2) I do however, support rooting out the Taliban and trying to find Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan and Pakistan, if they can get their domestic politics under control. (hard to do, I know) 3) My dear dad was in the Navy and Air Force, retiring after at least two decades of service, going to Vietnam, Honduras and Panama among other locales. He advises against me being, in his own words, "cannon fodder" in Iraq. 4) I need money for college and I want to do it on my own. I am already two years in my college career and I have had problems with focus and academic discipline. So, the question is, should I enlist? Should I apply for a local HUMINT job that looks real nice? (I am smart and I would like to think I have strong computer skills)

Public Comments

1. Forget it, this is not a game!! Enjoy life, as she is short enough!! You will waste your life if you do so. Army is for the ones that like to be controlled... So if you are smart, you can do many other useful things out there... Don't make this mistake! When you get there, those soldiers fighting for few months will beat you, just because you did have the choice, while most of them, did not, and surely would not have done so if they were in your place (at least 90% of the bunch)!
2. screw the army, could you write two paragraphs about the taliban?
3. look at it this way... A: we need smarter genes in the pool not dumber ones, humanity needs you alive man! B: your father spent 20years in wars, don't you think your civic duty to get shot at has been served for a while? C: a much better idea is a mind numbing nothing job you can tell to get *beep*ed whenever you want.
4. I've just gone past 19yrs in the AF, it's served it's purpose in my life. It was actually pretty good for the first 13yrs or so but as the world changes the military is not the same. College is not a guarantee. The military and it's needs come first. Your education gets put on the backburner then you start to regret joining. Joining is really serving your country now not for the education. With so many cutbacks, you'll do the job of 3 or 4 people. The pay is not great. I'm trying to be nice but rethink your options.
5. I can't really advise you because this is such an important and personal decision. The military requires a lot of dedication and sacrifice. Not just sacrifice of your life but by learning to become a member of your unit you sacrifice your "individuality" in order to learn how to lean on your friends, the other members, so you each would protect each other with your life. This isn't easy but it provides you with an education in trust that you wouldn't be able to acquire any other way. A lot of thought and consideration went into whether to start this war and I guarantee that you will never hear about it in the press we have today. It may not have been the right decision but it was not entered into with as much self-serving shallowness as you have heard. There is too much to cover here but, believe me, there was much more to this decision then you know. Your dad loves you and wants to protect you but each person has to become their own man--or woman. You can only live under your parents shadow for so long, then you have to grow up. And, if you want to learn discipline, I can't think of a better way to do it then the military. Not everyone succeeds in the military but you certainly learn what you've got in you.
6. 1) Your political views while in the military are immaterial. You will go where your sent, and do your job, whether you agree with them or not. If you join, you may be sent to Afganistan or Iraq. You won't be asked for your views on the matter. 2) See above 3) Thank you dad for me for his time in service. While I agree with the sentiment that you don't want to be "cannon fodder", there are numerous jobs in the military that will NOT put you on the front line. You mentioned HUMINT, and the military ALWAYS needs intelligence personnel. 4) The military can provide you with college money and free tuition while on active duty. The job you learn can/will be translated into college hours, so you can get your degree quicker. The military will also instill the discipline and focus that you state you may need. Should you enlist? The choice is yours. Look at your life, and be honest with yourself when you answer the questions. If the military can help you succeed, are you foolish for allowing it?