Would you fancy your son joining the Marines?

[MistleToo]

A bit worrying isn't it?

There are all these brave men putting their lives on the line - they come back from Iraq and do that to each other? wtf?

NN we dont get told to "occassionally kill some Iraqis". War in this day and age is going to happen for a thousand different reasons.

Ok, so a soldier may have to kill someone during thier tour of duty, but they dont go about it willy nilly. There are strict laws that govern when and where you can and cant open fire on someone.

You may open fire only if the person is doing, or about to do something which threatens your life or the lives of other people

In killing one Iraqi you may just save hundreds of innocent lives. Its not pot luck which Iraqi or Afgan or whatever people get killed. They have done something to provoke it.

Its a shame that of all the aid work and other humanitarian things the Armed Forces are involved with that people get hung up on a small part of what they do.

That is a bit simplisic MunziesDH - we all know that innocent civilians sometimes get killed in wartime.

But I don't want to argue against you (you might point a gun at me for starters! ) as I do basically support the armed forces and can think of loads of things I would like my three sons and one daughter doing less than joining the armed forces. I would worry about them though, and I would hate the enforced separation that would occur (as much for their spouses and children as for me) but I think it is wonderful that some people have a sense of honour and duty and service to their country (although I don't expect that is foremost in their minds when they join).

(Oh and of MB and her dh in his smart flying suit - ooh uniforms! My dh apparently wanted to jon the RAF (or Australian equivalent) but couldn't because of asthma).

I would not mind my son in a nice smart uniform however I am not too keen that he dresses up like a schoolgirl to watch drunk naked men wrestling in a field.

(Unless he is gay of course, in which case as a sandal-wearing Guardianista I would be v. proud.)

it is not simplistic, its relevent to the point raised by NN. And I didnt want to type out a 15 pager. Now if you want to get into casualties of war.......

Go no.

Actually knowing ds, it is the most unlikely thing on earth!

I think for many young men and women the armed forces offers an amazing opportunity.

As someone has already said joining up doesn't automatically mean your gung ho to start shooting the "baddies" there are thousands of career flieds, some of which mean that you will probably never deploy to a dangerous region (fortunately my DH's is one of those - tough wood)

I have freinds and relatives in both UK and US forces and the vast majority never have come up agianst anything like this. However there are high jinks which take place from time to time I suppoese some of which could be taken out of context and rebranded and something really sick. I'm not saying thats what happened with the marines viedeo that was leaked to the press. But please don't believe that all forces personnel behave in that way - or that they are all violent thugs.

I agree with martianbishop don't tar all wiht the same brush.

That video looked like a gay romp, no need to join the marines for that, just go into town of a night time near the canals, bobs your uncle.

I personally would do anything to discourage my kids from joining the forces. Cause I'm their mum. And because one of my DH's friends was in the army, he joined when he was VERY young, completed basic training and signed up. He spent the next 3 years trying to get out, he eventually tried to commit suicide and was discharged for medical reasons. It was his last resort and sadly could've been very final for him, all because of the bullying he was subjected to by his superior 'officers'. It's a disgrace that this can be allowed to go on.

wishyouacrappychristmas.... bullying from "superiors" doesnt JUST happen in the armed forces - it can happen in offices/hospitals etc etc etc. Bullying as a whole needs to be stamped out, but it will NEVER happen.

Sadly very true. I was bullied a little in my first job , luckily I had a good boss who didn't tolerate that sort of thing and is was dealt with harshly. This lad however, reported it, did all he could and they all just kind of closed ranks on him and it got worse. i just think that in the civilian world it's dealt with faster maybe because the forces likes to sort the men from the boys and all that.

i do agree it can take a while in the forces. DH was bullied and discriminated against by his previous WO2 and we got Army Welfare involved. Not a lot happened tbh, and luckily we managed to get a compassionate posting out of there to make our lives more bearable x

Are you all happy now? I do hope so. No bitter memories?

No f*ing way - It would be my worst nightmare, tbh

I would hate it if ds wanted to join the forces.

My BIL is ex-army (signals) and said the marines video was shocking). He never came across any bullying during his service and is sure it would have been cracked down on very seriously.

I was in the army for 5 years. Left school at 17 joined and left in 2001at the age of 21 after having dd1.

Army life when your a singley is fantastic IMO.

I was never sent away to hostile countries, in the period I was in, but did get to see a few places such as Miami, Thessoloniki and bosnia(wayyy after fighting had stopped) I always had food in my stomach and a roof over my head. I could never get into debt as it is an offence whilst living in barracks and I had so many pals to kick my heels up with at the weekend. oooh and got all my licences free HGV..

Then I became an army wife and to me it was hell as the regiment didn't like familys. I had dd1 and by then dd2 ( which I suffered severe postnatel depression) and my husband got sent out to Kuwait to await the attack on iraq. I needed him home but the regt wsan't having any. So I had to move up north for support of my family as I cut myself off from my pals down in the pads. Four months into the war my husband came home on R & R and things had taken to much toll on me so I ended up saying army or me and guess what he chose?? the army!!

So now thats why I hate the army personally. If I had remained single and fancy free it may of been different.

No, I'd rather he became a private armed contractor and shot innocent civilians from his car. Animals.

I just want to say that I have imense respect and a world of gratitude for everyone who does joined the armed services. They don't get the thanks they deserve.

THANK YOU BOYS AND GIRLS!!!

In particular this post is directed at the British and the American armed forces.

yes if it is what they want
tho I only have dd's but I hear they take them in the armed forces these days
I may be an old leftie but I think you need to respect the armed forcse for doing a difficult and dangerous and a necessary job
god knows I will never be called upon to defend from an aggressor or keep the peace
I collect for the RBL instead, which is a pathetic cop out

only the airforce.

incidently the army came into school and my son came home and thought how much "fun" it would be becuase they go quadbiking and mountain climbig and stuff
"did they mention the bit where you go to war and get the shit shot out of you" says i?

" err no" says he.

needless to say its not his career of choice anymore

LOL Custy (as usual).

One of my best friends is a navy doc. She loves it (and has just married a soldier). The wedding was lovely, with an honour guard one side army, one side navy. She was so calm about her then fiancee being sent out to Iraq months before the wedding... couldn't be that composed myself.

My parents were and are adamant that the RAF is much more civilised than the army or the navy.

Runs away in case munziesDH is still around.

PPP- ah don't worry girl he want's to switch to the RAF! lol.

edam - u just deal with it tbh, it's part and parcel, b4 DH went to iraq I didn't think about him going cos it was too much and when I did stop to think about it I got into such a state I was no good to him. instead I focused on how long till he came home, him not returnin wasn't an option (and he knew - I want babies! lol) each week thou it was an email to each otehr 12 more to go 11 more to go etc..

Munz - My DH is RAF too if you want to CAT me please feel free.
I am incredibly proud of my DH and the job he does and the sacrifices he (and I) have made along the way. The media portray a very small part of the picture don't forget. We should be proud of our Forces and the job they are doing under increasing pressure. They do it well.
I have to agree though that I live on a camp with a lot of Army at the moment and having met them and their wives I would not swap the RAF lifestyle for the Army one. Army families seem to have to make a lot more sacrifices than RAF families I know.
I don't have a son so don't have to think about him joining the Marines. If my dd's wanted to join the forces I would say there are far worse things they could do. The opportunities can be amazing and I agree with Munzies DH on the career plus pension advantage the forces offers.

I would want them to join the RAF though, not the Army.