I came across this as I was reminiscing about my days in the Navy. Cool thread.
I was in for 4 years active; sailed around the Mediterranean sea. Did another 4 years with the Seabees in the active reserves.
My thoughts are this.
The pros and cons can weigh heavily on your background. That being said, people also need to consider the pros and cons in terms of their impact to your life AFTER the military, which is a whole different ballgame, regardless of background.
The People It May Not Benefit
If you are from a well off family, it may teach you some discipline and appreciation for the fellow man (especially get to know some “poorer” folk), not to mention teamwork. However, with lots of resources already at your disposal, you have other choices, AND the dough to make them a reality. So think about why you would take a route that's going to hold you back more than help you succeed. I call it a net loss.
The other category includes the guys that are well regarded in their peer group (e.g. wrestling team, football team) who go in with the mindset that the military can be an extension of a lifestyle they experienced in that group and there will be a significant career progression for them in a small time frame. My take is that these guys already have the social ability to succeed without a structure in place. The military structure just pulls them back since it’s highly rigid and as the posters mentioned above, once practiced and perfected presents a general ease of life that makes you lazy. There are plenty of opportunities within the military for these guys (e.g. Special Forces) but a lot of them choose the easier lifestyle instead being in a regular unit.
Remember the military breaks you down and builds you up IN THEIR OWN WAY. Your previous background will not help you make significant gains over someone next to you that is just as specifically trained. It’s not about who you are, it’s about HOW YOU’RE TRAINED.
The People It Will Benefit
If you have social issues, for example can't carry a conversation, don't know how to stand up for yourself, English is not your first language etc. etc., it can be great. I probably fit into more than one of these categories easy.
Also, if you come from a “culturally” distinct and rigid structure, especially non-western, it could help significantly. Asian and Indian guys are a good example of this group as we tend to be slave to the culture more often than not, which can result in the lack of social achievements, including bangs. Being in the military with lots of diversity around you can change that quick and help you find yourself in the process!
Let me delve deeper. First of all you meet a lot of people from ALL walks of life. You get access to these people all at once at a lot of commands. In tense situations, you even get so close that you find similarities and respect differences. The civilian world does not have enough situations like this generally provide you this.
You get social skills. I was scared to talk to people, let alone girls. That changed starting in boot camp, as I was forced to do it. For example, I got bullied but this time I started standing up for myself rather than put my head down and walk away safely. So truth is, it worked out great for me. I also got lucky enough to be on one of the only ships in the Navy with girls. So I got some practice there to. I am by no means great at it but it was a start.
Also, if you don’t come from a lot of money, and actually want to go to college or a trade school so you don’t have to sell crack to a 16 year old, it can be great.
I also have NO college debt. I used the GI bill to get an education that gave me a good career in terms of what society considers a good career. BUT, I could have used that money to gain a lot of other skills as well.
After The Military
Truth is, you start to see how easy you had it in the military once you get out. Examples: your food was served to you, you were told how to dress, and you were told how to work out, not to mention told how to do your job.
When you get out no one is going to TELL YOU SHIT. You figure it out on your own. That’s not easy at least in the first few years. Actually, the longer you have served, keep adding to the “few” years. Lots of guys that get “surprised” by this end up back at their mom’s. I still know a few cats in their prime that embody this, unfortunately.
It also helps if you don't go back to the same life you left (see the movie "Dead Presidents"). You left for a reason; is there REALLY a good reason to go back other than absolute necessity? This ends up being the most seriously overlooked considerations from guys that I know, including myself.
I pulled myself out of the post-military barbed wire, but I also wasn’t in a combat zone rescuing people from somali pirates and getting my head fucked with. That would have definitely resulted in a whole lot more unwinding.
This is all the basic truth but honestly it’s a topic I could get real specific about and write about for days. I'll stop here for now.
I was in for 4 years active; sailed around the Mediterranean sea. Did another 4 years with the Seabees in the active reserves.
My thoughts are this.
The pros and cons can weigh heavily on your background. That being said, people also need to consider the pros and cons in terms of their impact to your life AFTER the military, which is a whole different ballgame, regardless of background.
The People It May Not Benefit
If you are from a well off family, it may teach you some discipline and appreciation for the fellow man (especially get to know some “poorer” folk), not to mention teamwork. However, with lots of resources already at your disposal, you have other choices, AND the dough to make them a reality. So think about why you would take a route that's going to hold you back more than help you succeed. I call it a net loss.
The other category includes the guys that are well regarded in their peer group (e.g. wrestling team, football team) who go in with the mindset that the military can be an extension of a lifestyle they experienced in that group and there will be a significant career progression for them in a small time frame. My take is that these guys already have the social ability to succeed without a structure in place. The military structure just pulls them back since it’s highly rigid and as the posters mentioned above, once practiced and perfected presents a general ease of life that makes you lazy. There are plenty of opportunities within the military for these guys (e.g. Special Forces) but a lot of them choose the easier lifestyle instead being in a regular unit.
Remember the military breaks you down and builds you up IN THEIR OWN WAY. Your previous background will not help you make significant gains over someone next to you that is just as specifically trained. It’s not about who you are, it’s about HOW YOU’RE TRAINED.
The People It Will Benefit
If you have social issues, for example can't carry a conversation, don't know how to stand up for yourself, English is not your first language etc. etc., it can be great. I probably fit into more than one of these categories easy.
Also, if you come from a “culturally” distinct and rigid structure, especially non-western, it could help significantly. Asian and Indian guys are a good example of this group as we tend to be slave to the culture more often than not, which can result in the lack of social achievements, including bangs. Being in the military with lots of diversity around you can change that quick and help you find yourself in the process!
Let me delve deeper. First of all you meet a lot of people from ALL walks of life. You get access to these people all at once at a lot of commands. In tense situations, you even get so close that you find similarities and respect differences. The civilian world does not have enough situations like this generally provide you this.
You get social skills. I was scared to talk to people, let alone girls. That changed starting in boot camp, as I was forced to do it. For example, I got bullied but this time I started standing up for myself rather than put my head down and walk away safely. So truth is, it worked out great for me. I also got lucky enough to be on one of the only ships in the Navy with girls. So I got some practice there to. I am by no means great at it but it was a start.
Also, if you don’t come from a lot of money, and actually want to go to college or a trade school so you don’t have to sell crack to a 16 year old, it can be great.
I also have NO college debt. I used the GI bill to get an education that gave me a good career in terms of what society considers a good career. BUT, I could have used that money to gain a lot of other skills as well.
After The Military
Truth is, you start to see how easy you had it in the military once you get out. Examples: your food was served to you, you were told how to dress, and you were told how to work out, not to mention told how to do your job.
When you get out no one is going to TELL YOU SHIT. You figure it out on your own. That’s not easy at least in the first few years. Actually, the longer you have served, keep adding to the “few” years. Lots of guys that get “surprised” by this end up back at their mom’s. I still know a few cats in their prime that embody this, unfortunately.
It also helps if you don't go back to the same life you left (see the movie "Dead Presidents"). You left for a reason; is there REALLY a good reason to go back other than absolute necessity? This ends up being the most seriously overlooked considerations from guys that I know, including myself.
I pulled myself out of the post-military barbed wire, but I also wasn’t in a combat zone rescuing people from somali pirates and getting my head fucked with. That would have definitely resulted in a whole lot more unwinding.
This is all the basic truth but honestly it’s a topic I could get real specific about and write about for days. I'll stop here for now.