Military, shame?

Halfassredlife · 2017-06-12T13:25:59+00:00

Start going to school. The airforce has programs. Also stop giving a fuck about what other people think.

BlueBlus · 2017-06-12T14:12:47+00:00

Im currently in the AF. Cross train or go to college using your GI Bill. Every civilian will think your a hero that made great sacrifice despite your job.

SanguineNoir · 2017-06-12T16:04:25+00:00

Air Force veteran here. Honorable discharge after 6 years active duty back in 2008. I'll relay some of my experiences and perspective to you.

When I joined up I knew it was not going to be a full career for me. I knew I would do my "sucker six" and get out. I took the job my recruiter steered me into (2AX1D), which I had no background in and honestly little real interest. But it was a job, a challenge, something that forced me out of my routines.

I loved BMT. It gave me a purpose to every day. It gave me drive, self motivation, how to work as a team, etc. Then tech school really started to blow. I was in class with a bunch of people who loved avionics and were aiming to make a career out of it. I could not care less.

I finally made it to my first base, where I was surrounded by more of the same; people who loved the career field and were career minded. I didn't fit in anywhere during my 6 years, other than BMT.

So I shifted my focus. I began going to school part time to slowly chip away at the college basics. I attended every class on base pertaining to self finance. I enrolled in a smoking cessation course and quit smoking (tobacco free for almost 11 years now). I traveled the world. I met people outside of my flight and squadron. I met people outside of the military. I treated the Air Force as it is...a job. I did my duty and my off duty time was for ME.

It may sound cheesy, but it's like they say about prison...you do the time, don't let the time do you. Stay focused on you, set yourself up for success, and cultivate options for yourself. When your enlistment is up, you'll feel much more confident about your situation.

VasiliyZaitzev · 2017-06-12T19:47:17+00:00

Honestly I don't know what civilians back home think of young guys who serve because I've been overseas my whole career.

If you are US, you have nothing to worry about. America idolizes the military. If anyone asks you what you do, say, "You know those bombs we drop on those raghead motherfuckers that 'hate us for our freedom'? I make those."

Then flex.

[N.B. I would be perfectly happy if we packed our shit up and left Greater Jihadistan to the folks that live there. If they want to kill each other, fine. Not our circus, not our monkeys, DGAF.]

Vesperous · 2017-06-12T14:47:50+00:00

I appreciate your service.

Anyone who doesn't appreciate it is not worth your time because they don't understand why those bombs are necessary.

I'm Arab and my whole family doesn't approve of the military but I do and I respect what everyone part of the armed forces does.

Don't worry about what others think but I understand it's a little unsettling that many people may give you shit for it.

Most people will appreciate your service, and for the girls who don't, they are sjws and honestly it's a red flag if they don't approve of your service so it's easier to tell right away on these girls. (Don't fuck these, they are more likely to try to hurt you with a false rape allegation or something crazy)

And the guys who don't are just fags lol who gives a shit about those betas who wouldn't last a day overseas.

But yes do get a good education out of it and stay safe bro, everyone on redpill most likely supports you, you have over 200k brothers here that appreciate what you do. Just make sure to get a good education out of it and a good job when you come back.

Thanks again for your service bro, it allows us to continue doing what we do safely in the United States.

highdingo · 2017-06-12T16:45:23+00:00

When I was in the Army I learned that there are a few different kinds of people who serve. There's the ones who take every opertunity, run with it and climb high. There are the ones who form up every morning, do their job for 3-6 years and then go home. And there are the guys who wish they hadn't signed up and become slugs. Become the first guy. You are part of 1% of the US population. Be proud of that. More importantly, take this opportunity and run with it. The military offers countless things to do training in. Expand your skill sets. Take advantage of the free gyms and mandatory PT. Come out of the Airforce in top condition. They got you for x amout of years, use it to your advantage.

Be careful dating while in the military. There's to many girls looking for the free ride being a military wife offers. Don't date girls in the military, it can get messy.

nomorebsever · 2017-06-12T17:39:59+00:00

You do NOT need me to tell you this, but you have nothing about which to be ashamed. First off, there are tens of millions of people who gratefully acknowledge your service to our nation.
Secondly, as the other guys have said - maximize your opportunity. In exchange for enlistment, the AF provides benefits - they are YOURS and you've earned them. Harvest those benefits be they - job training, free gyms, educational opportunities, travel - all of it - you have earned it. Speaking of earnings - be careful with your $$ - there are many sleazy operators who seek to prey on young military men - I am talking about car salespeople, technology salespeople (gotta have a 52" flat screen, right?) and even bar/club owners ("Hey Flyboy, wanna run a TAB? SURE THING! Hey everyone, drinks are on Flyboy").
As for feeling confident about your job - confidence is a result of, not a precursor to, competence. Learn every single thing you can about that job, As you grow in knowledge/understanding - your confidence will soar.
You are 1000x the man that some snowflake sitting in a college dorm/coffee shop (all paid for with Dad's $$) could even dream about being. If that kind of person (or his female counterpart) ever tries to give you crap/look down on you - ignore it and move on. They are not even worth your consideration.

Sorry for the long note - hope it's helpful and happy to offer more - PM me as needed.
Best of Luck to You!

hibloodstevia · 2017-06-12T15:06:39+00:00

I was in the Air Force for 10 years and during the first Gulf War. I never deployed so in theory I was never in harm's way, yet I could have been deployed to a combat zone at any moment.

And that can happen to any active duty military member.

qball43 · 2017-06-12T15:15:53+00:00

Hey man, AMMO? Me too. Ive been in a little less than a year too. Dont worry about what others are thinking. We are way ahead of our friends and people back home who just went to school. We went through training that taught us discipline and respect, we have steady, good pay. Free food and housing, and job security. When you get out youll be able to attent school for free. People back home are going to school and probably in crippling debt by now, and will be paying that off until they're 40.

Be confident in our profession, if you really want, crosstrain. What base are you at if you dont mind me asking?

EnduroRacer · 2017-06-12T16:20:36+00:00

Have a cousin who paid for her entire degree through the air force. Took a bunch of courses while enlisted and overseas stationed in Turkey, before shit hit the fan, and just recently finished her degree after completing her enlistment. She's one of the strongest advocates for education and the armed forces I've ever met. You got this, screw what everyone else thinks as long as your work and schooling fulfill your purpose and serve your happiness while being a viable financial vehicle fuck what they think. As my father always said, "If it's not fucking you, feeding you, or signing your checks, who the fuck cares?"

TryhardPantiesON · 2017-06-12T17:25:01+00:00

My understanding is that people are proud of their service men, so i don't know why you are so shameful about it, also don't give a fuck about what people think.

jtzabor · 2017-06-12T17:33:11+00:00

So I think you have to figure out how to not value yourself based on what you think others will think of you. I know some idiots that went to college and smart people that didnt. Smart people arent in super debt. Just put some effort into whatever your doing and try to be a badass at it.

RainySaintsMan · 2017-06-12T19:01:02+00:00

Thank you for your service.

People love the men and women who serve in our nation's military even if they're anti-war.

You can be anti-war but still love and appreciate members of te military. Anyone who doesn't at least feel gratitude when they know what you've done doesn't deserve a second of your time (they actually probably don't deserve much of anyone's time to be honest)

Scurvemuch · 2017-06-12T19:55:16+00:00

yo, airman.

AirMAN.

stop. worrying. about. it.

you probably have more funny stories than most college boys.

use that.

redpill_disciple · 2017-06-12T20:06:37+00:00

Who cares what anyone else thinks? You're so young now you have your whole life ahead of you to go back to school. The military will give you money to save, medical benefits, and the GI Bill. Take this time in the Airforce to discover who you are as a man.

I'm about to turn 30 this year and will join the USMC after I graduate from grad school next year. I wish I joined when I was younger.

RPAlternate42 · 2017-06-12T22:29:17+00:00

Honestly I don't ~~know~~ care what civilians back home think of young guys who serve because I've been overseas my whole career.

FTFY.

ImagineQ · 2017-06-13T00:03:54+00:00

I'm not in the military so you could call me one of those people back home. I read Air Force and Military, that's plus plus in my book! You sound badass and disciplined.

HardPuns · 2017-06-12T14:17:07+00:00

I'm not from the army. But fuck those who think bad about the army.

You are a fucking hero. They are pussies, that why.

Don't look for validations. YOU know you are good.

Thanks for your service.

intradasting350 · 2017-06-12T21:15:12+00:00

If you don't like your current career path, then ask yourself what do you want to do? that question doesn't have one correct answer. Pick something you enjoy doing and could also make money doing it, and then go to university/college/trade school.

Buttslam1488 · 2017-06-12T14:42:07+00:00

What are you ashamed of? Those missles and bombs keep the world in a relative state of peace, compared to the way things were when the USA didn't have giant stockpiles of such things.

Title	Military, shame?
Author	Flyboy2021
Upvotes	7
Comments	27
Date	June 12, 2017 1:04 PM UTC (9 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/6gs2vx/military_shame/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/military-shame.92492 https://theredarchive.com/post/92492

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