Should Kerry apologize for his comments about the troops?

[blind_fury]

Well, I do think it has more to do with what someone else said earlier... the military is a common outlet for young people who can't get or don't desire to go to college and continue their education. I come from a military family and am the youngest (and first) Marine and I was pretty amazed at the sheer amount of men and women who enlisted because they come from very poor, small towns (one of my closest friends had never even seen a black person or an escalator in real life before joining the Corps); or they married early and hadn't had any better jobs where they came from; or they were unwed mothers at the age of 18, etc. Many different scenarios, many different stories. All culminating to the fact that they basically had nowhere else to go, or nothing else to do.

I did recruiting for a grand total of 1 month. And I called my command and asked them to get me back to my unit... why? because I saw exactly how recruiters get people to sign up. The exaggerate, they go to mostly black or hispanic high schools, they go to the malls in the poorer areas of town, and/or they just flat out lie to kids.

The college eduacted kids are usually the ones with a very clear picture of what they want out of life and the military and how to acheive it. They are mostly officers. There simply aren't alot of (in my own experience) enlisted men and women who start out their time in the service with a college education.

^^^The truth!!!

 

[USMC]

95%? Prove it. Post a link stating actual statisics for each branch of the military

CG, hi, how's life?

And officers in the United States military almost always have a college degree. It's a pre-requisite.

 

[comicgirl]

oh, a picture says so much...headlice?...maybe

 

[War Lord]

Well, I do think it has more to do with what someone else said earlier... the military is a common outlet for young people who can't get or don't desire to go to college and continue their education. I come from a military family and am the youngest (and first) Marine and I was pretty amazed at the sheer amount of men and women who enlisted because they come from very poor, small towns (one of my closest friends had never even seen a black person or an escalator in real life before joining the Corps); or they married early and hadn't had any better jobs where they came from; or they were unwed mothers at the age of 18, etc. Many different scenarios, many different stories. All culminating to the fact that they basically had nowhere else to go, or nothing else to do.

I did recruiting for a grand total of 1 month. And I called my command and asked them to get me back to my unit... why? because I saw exactly how recruiters get people to sign up. The exaggerate, they go to mostly black or hispanic high schools, they go to the malls in the poorer areas of town, and/or they just flat out lie to kids.

The college eduacted kids are usually the ones with a very clear picture of what they want out of life and the military and how to acheive it. They are mostly officers. There simply aren't alot of (in my own experience) enlisted men and women who start out their time in the service with a college education.

It's pretty rare to have a college education if you're younger than 20, which represents most of the recruits, so it's not surprising that you might not see too college graduates at the recruiting booth.

I'm not disagreeing with you that many recruits do so because they don't know what else to do with their lives, but at least they're become contributing members of society instead of sitting in their trailers drinking beer and getting pregnant or impregnating others.

 

[USMC]

of course, 'cause you're smart. But, not everyone is you, my friend. Although, everyone I know (except for my one crazy cousin) went in the service for college $$.

LOL, hey, I know it was one of the reasons I joined.

 

[blind_fury]

Oh OH -- so you're not a dumbass.

But all the rest 75% of them are.

All branches of the miltary make fun of jarheads, even marines themselves.

get over it.

 

[comicgirl]

CG, hi, how's life?

And officers in the United States military almost always have a college degree. It's a pre-requisite.

hello, sweetypie. All is well. Yeah, I missed that about officers; I thought he was referring to rank and file guys. You are correct, my bad.

 

[War Lord]

of course, 'cause you're smart. But, not everyone is you, my friend. Although, everyone I know (except for my one crazy cousin) went in the service for college $$.

What's wrong with that?

 

[comicgirl]

What's wrong with that?

nothing. I think that's the main draw. Logan (my cuz) just likes to fight; that's why he's there. The $$'s good, but he likes....to fight. Whoo-rah, baby.

 

[USMC]

It's pretty rare to have a college education if you're younger than 20, which represents most of the recruits, so it's not surprising that you might not see too college graduates at the recruiting booth.

I'm not disagreeing with you that many recruits do so because they don't know what else to do with their lives, but at least they're become contributing members of society instead of sitting in their trailers drinking beer and getting pregnant or impregnating others.

WL, don't get me wrong... I completely agree with you. As I've said before, I believe some kind of military or social service should be a requirement in this country. I don't think I could be any prouder of my kids if they someday choose to join the military or the peace corps or something of the like.

I'm just making the case for why I don't think Kerry owes an apology to anyone in regards to kids without college educations ending up in Iraq. Ya, it's a crass thing to say. But he's a decorated war hero, so I'll trust his word over Bush's any day of the week. And that's not a Democrat vs. Republican thing, i just think Kerry's a better human being than Bush, that's all. :heart:

 

[comicgirl]

And that's not a Democrat vs. Republican thing, i just think Kerry's a better human being than Bush, that's all. :heart:

:heart: my hero

 

[USMC]

nothing. I think that's the main draw. Logan (my cuz) just likes to fight; that's why he's there. The $$'s good, but he likes....to fight. Whoo-rah, baby.

t: I learned to like to fight... hahaha

 

[Ben Urich]

Required military or social service?

 

[jaguarr]

All I will say is this. With people fixating on insignficant, stupid stuff like this (our leaders being the most guilty of all), is it any wonder that our country is a total mess?

jag

 

[USMC]

Is that a question or a statement...

 

[Ben Urich]

All I will say is this. With people fixating on insignficant, stupid stuff like this (our leaders being the most guilty of all), is it any wonder that our country is a total mess?

jag

Communist.

 

[roach]

Required military or social service?

I'll roger up for that one

 

[jaguarr]

Communist.

The state police have been dispatched to detain you, comrade. I am sorry that you decided it had to be like this.

jag

 

[Spider-Bite]

most people who join the military do so, because they don't have a lot of options to secure their future. this is true. It's the kind of thing people can truthfully say in their living rooms or on message boards, but when a highly respected political figure says it the way kerry said it, it does probably feel demeaning to a lot of troops.

Basically kerry spoke the truth, but he probably shouldn't have.

 

[jaguarr]

Is that a question or a statement...

Yes. That will be $500. Your wages will be garnished. No need to send a check.

jag

 

[USMC]

Yes. That will be $500. Your wages will be garnished. No need to send a check.

jag

What will I do for food?

 

[jaguarr]

What will I do for food?

Perform debasing acts usually reserved for the weaker prisoners in exchange for money and/or food?

jag

 

[roach]

What will I do for food?

whatever U want, Marine

 

[sinewave]

It's on the public record as to what John Kerry accused the troops of doing in Vietnam and most of what he said were proven fabrications so he could get elected.

what's on record, though? all you're doing is claiming he lied without explaining what he lied about and how it was proven.

 

[War Lord]

most people who join the military do so, because they don't have a lot of options to secure their future. this is true. It's the kind of thing people can truthfully say in their living rooms or on message boards, but when a highly respected political figure says it the way kerry said it, it does probably feel demeaning to a lot of troops.

Basically kerry spoke the truth, but he probably shouldn't have.

Most of the ones that join for reasons other than love of country don't usually stay beyond the basic commitment. It's the ones that have made it a career that Kerry dissed.