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Geek Culture / [LOCKED] Life-Long Dreams

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Terrestrial Productions
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 20:42
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I'm just wondering if everyone would go in depth about their dreams, or goals in life. I'll start.

My life long dream from about a year ago was to join the US military Green Berets. I have about 7-10 years until I'm joining. I've always wanted to do something big you know, become an astronaut, be the first man on mars, be a teenage movie star, or just be the one person everyone on earth knows, and looks up to no matter where or what you are.

I have always wanted on or the other of those, but not the special forces until I heard about all the soldiers going of into war, the President drawing everyone back when we're in the middle of a war, and having my dad go overseas. My parents I don't think really want me to join the military because they say "it's a waste of potential" but i'm thinking "it's a waste of potential to NOT join it!?"

I am pretty smart in school, for enrichment I took the ACT in 7th grade and got a decent 21, (which if our high-school is correct) means I could be able to enroll in a region collede. (____-State) and I even beat my brother when he took it as a junior. I get good grades without really trying, so my parents want me in a "techie" type job where you need to be smart but yet again I think I need to be in the Green Berets (US Special Forces)

Their motto is "De oppresso liber" Which translated mean "To liberate the oppressed/ To free the oppressed" Which is kinda saying your going to be someones hero one way or another if you join, which is one of the things I want to do - become a hero, and make my mark on the world.

I know this might seem childish but everyone i pretty much go to school with want a job with good pay and low hours, but I just want to DO something in the world.

again this thread may seem childish but if it does just don't answer.


Terrestrial Productions
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Phaelax
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 21:05
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Good pay, low hours? Sounds good to me, where do I sign up?

They say you change your mind dozens of times about what you wanna be when you grow up. I wanted to be an astronaut, then a programmer.... yup that's it. Nothing has changed since then. Although, I've been talking with the peace corp lately. And if I didn't slack around, I probably would've been leaving this summer.


"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" ~ Arthur C. Clarke
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Melancholic
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 21:14
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My dream is to be the first ever man to be officially employed as "the worlds richest man". Think about it, people would employ me, to be rich!
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BlueKlayman
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 21:19
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To be honest, I want to be a musician. I was top of the year in music, theory and practical. I have wanted to be a musician for the last three years, after hearing my first rock song. Pink Floyd, Comfortably Numb. The solo in that is amazing. I have that typical teenage dream of being a rock musician. Cliché, right?

Enjoy me, I am JDmino.
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 21:56
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TP, you don't have to join the military, and joining them won't necessarily make you a hero. Signing up to the armed forces won't make you a hero, and from the sounds of it, you've been captured by their 'heroic' slogans - the military has a lot of pride and we tend to respect our soldiers.

But this hero thing, it's not attained by becoming a soldier, yes there are soldier heroes, but being a soldier doesn't make you one. So, it sounds as though you're wanting to be a part of the military for the wrong reasons.

Perhaps you ought to explore your other options as well, not necessarily do what your parents want you to do, but there are things that are better for you and other ways to make your mark.

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General Jackson
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 22:28
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I am determined to become a police officer.
I have already done all sorts of things towards becoming one.

A LOT of reading anotherwords

Anyways I also wanna marry my sweetheart, but that'll be a few more years

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Terrestrial Productions
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 22:45
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SA That is not my reason for joining the military. I want to join it because (I really don't know...), well i guess I'm NOT joining it because of the heroic slogans, or anything like that, but more because It's just what I want to do? Do you understand? It's not like I want to go out their and blow of heads of those stupid russians or anything like that (nothing against russians. I have a rather good russian friend). I guess I want to join just because I feel I have to, and I feel i was born to do it. I guess i know that their are a lot of other cushy jobs I could do and still have a nice life, but I feel that thats the only job for me and won't change? Hope my raving helped


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Insert Name Here
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 22:50
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Quote: "I feel"

This is usually an excellent sign that you're wrong.

[center]Literally nobody who isn't a retard is talking about 2012. -Drew Cameron
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 23:05
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I've not been one to trust something because it 'feels',simply because when something 'feels' right, it isn't necessarily going to 'be' right. When it isn't right, that's when you regret having that feeling. For the military, finding out that it isn't right doesn't mean you can just quit and move on to train for your next career, because you take on a responsibility to stay as well as a risk. I can perhaps see your parents' concern. Perhaps explore the idea and see where it brings you in a few years time on your decision - looking at the bad points as well as good, though remain open minded for alternatives if you do decide against your original plan?


Though to contribute with the topic of the thread, my aims for the future are to either get into a writing career, journalism or teaching (college and higher...I'd hate to teach kids ) I'm also exploring myself as a Storyteller, it would be awesome to have people book me in for gigs and festivals, hence I'm entering 'Young storyteller of the year' this year to see how well I do. It would be fantastic if I won...I quite like my idea for my performance, it's sorted, it just needs a lot of tweaking.

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lazerus
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 23:08 Edited at: 18th Jan 2010 23:10
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Im an excellent marksman, Dosnt mean i feel the need to go shoot rabbits.

What i mean to say is just because you want to do something dosnt mean youll be good at it, or do it for the right reasons.

As for my dreams. Well thats easy, Im living it. If i know the end of the story its not as fun and I really just want to have fun, if im only going to be here once then im making the most of it but for now ive got all the time in the world.

Which reminds me, £3000 for a years pass on all flights and trains.

Guess that'll be my first mile stone.


http://lazerus-reborn.deviantart.com/
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Insert Name Here
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Posted: 18th Jan 2010 23:23
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I'd love to do acting, music or some kind of performing/entertaining. I'm not really fussed what to be honest. Theatre work is great though.

[center]Literally nobody who isn't a retard is talking about 2012. -Drew Cameron
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BearCDP
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 00:57
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I'm a musician as well, love writing music and programming, so music for videogames is my life-long dream.

Terrestrial, if you're a smart guy, you don't need to necessarily be a soldier for the armed forces. The front line really consists of the world wide web now. If you can get good at coding, you can work for the military or a federal agency and use your potential and satiate your desire to serve in that way. You'll have to work hard, but it's kind of a two-for-one deal. I understand you may feel compelled to serve, but whenever I think about serving I think about how awful it would be to come back missing limbs. Not everyone who enlists is deployed, but the risk is still there and it scares the buhjeezus out of me.

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BlueKlayman
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 01:02
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Okay, that is three musicians. So my dream isn't cliché!

Enjoy me, I am JDmino.
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Toasty Fresh
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 01:03
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My dream is to be offered a 3D modeling job where I model guns that I don't need to texture.

Your signature has been erased by a mod - Please reduce it to 600x120 maximum size
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General Jackson
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 01:05
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Quote: "My dream is to be offered a 3D modeling job where I model guns that I don't need to texture."

Thats a dream alright

But it would be cool...

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Drew Cameron
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 01:10
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Quote: "I'm just wondering if everyone would go in depth about their dreams, or goals in life."


My "life goal" throughout primary school was to make a Playstation game called Dumbow & Cool, which I kind of pseduo did in 2005.

Current "life goal" is to make a film about a bank robbery on rollerskates.

Drew Makes A Game | Series 2
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Grog Grueslayer
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 01:57
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Quote: "My parents I don't think really want me to join the military because they say "it's a waste of potential" but i'm thinking "it's a waste of potential to NOT join it!?""


I can see why your parents would say that. If your grades are top notch and you wish to be a "famous hero" you can be a doctor or scientist that finally cures cancer.

If you don't feel like becoming a doctor and still want to be a hero why not try being a firefighter. Firefighters save lives all the time... sure they aren't famous world-wide but does it really matter if you end up saving children that may be famous heroes themselves in the future. Being a "hero" is not about yourself but other people.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 02:22
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^That is a good point.

Also...the only time I tend to see individual soldiers celebrated as heroes is when they're dead and have a story to be told about them. At least it's rare for me to see one celebrated alive.

Most heroes are perhaps unspoken.

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Terrestrial Productions
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 02:23
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To clear up the junk about my not thinking about this. I have thought VERY deep about joining the special forces, and I have thought of all the possibilities about my career which is why I want too.
Quote: ""I feel"
This is usually an excellent sign that you're wrong.
"

You must have gone through personal excperience I'm guessing?
That to me is usually an excelent sign why I don't believe it. Give me some proof and I'll maybe believe it. Just cause you guys personally feel the need to bash someone because they have enough balls to think about joining the military front lines type of job, doesn't mean their stupid or their motives are messes up. And sadly people in the military die so that you sorry losers can have a nice comfy job getting fat and lazy. Don't think I'm trying to insult you but that's excacly what i feel when people bash or try to stop people from joining the military. if you want to do that then name the facts down and let them choose. I personally trust my feeling about joining it and you guys dont' have to like it cause sadly your not the judges of life (i hope not ).

Grog-I never stated that the reason for my wanting to join special forces was to be a "famouse hero" I know doctors are "heros" but soldiers are in the same way


Terrestrial Productions
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RedneckRambo
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 02:51 Edited at: 19th Jan 2010 02:54
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Quote: "You must have gone through personal excperience I'm guessing?
That to me is usually an excelent sign why I don't believe it. Give me some proof and I'll maybe believe it. Just cause you guys personally feel the need to bash someone because they have enough balls to think about joining the military front lines type of job, doesn't mean their stupid or their motives are messes up. And sadly people in the military die so that you sorry losers can have a nice comfy job getting fat and lazy. Don't think I'm trying to insult you but that's excacly what i feel when people bash or try to stop people from joining the military. if you want to do that then name the facts down and let them choose. I personally trust my feeling about joining it and you guys dont' have to like it cause sadly your not the judges of life (i hope not )."

You are interpreting what they are saying so terribly wrong. Take the time and actually listen to what others have to say. And please don't snap at me and say I'm trying to stop you from joining. The military is something I've thought about my entire life.

Quote: "I never stated that the reason for my wanting to join special forces was to be a "famouse hero" I know doctors are "heros" but soldiers are in the same way"

You never specifically said the words "I want to do this because I want to be a hero," no. But you have shown that being a hero or doing something "big" in this world is what matters to you. And that being the case, the military isn't your best bet. If you join the military you will NOT be that one person the entire planet knows.

Forgot to put my dream lol....
I'm still debating about the marines or not. I'm basically down to a coin flip. But regardless of the military or not I'm going to become a police officer. I'm getting my degree in criminal justice as well.

Signature's are stupid.
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 03:08 Edited at: 19th Jan 2010 03:17
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We're not bashing you. We're offering our advice and thoughts on the matter and can relate to why your parents might have concerns about your decisions. As a note...I don't bash people. I'm neither a basher nor a flamer. So as a heads up, 95% of the time you'll find my posts are meant to be humorous or helpful. (even if my sense of humour sucks )

I don't have a problem with people joining the military, my Dad used to be in the airforce as a pilot and I believe countries need a military, regardless of whether or not I agree with the wars their military is sent to fight in.

I'm not convinced that you're not thinking about it in the right way and I feel that with what you 'feel' and what you're wanting out life, the military would be a disappointment. I could be entirely wrong about it and if I am, I'll admit it, but I am voicing my opinion, because it is possible that you'll take it on board (and I hope you will), after all, before you go and sign up to the armed forces, it's actually worth considering what people may say to you about it, and consider as many facts as you can, the good and the bad, because at the end of the day, it's your life, you make your decisions, but it's better to make informed decisions, particularly when it is a big decision and I'd considered joined the armed forces, a big decision. You also have the possibility of being wrong in your judgments, as much as I can and you have the freedom to make your own mistakes.

You say you've got a few years yet, so that implies you're young, and it is true when people say, "the young are naive", I'm only 20 and I'll admit it, I am naive. It is quite possible that down the line you'll pick up plenty of reasons to sign up, or even change your mind. I think dropping the 'I feel' or 'I want to be a hero or great' attitude isn't going to help the decision. (<-That is the essence of my advice)

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Veron
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 03:28
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Terrestrial, being military myself (although not SOF and not in the US), SOF was something that I considered for a while. When it comes down to it, when you apply for SOF - or any position for that matter, you're vetted like hell on why you want to join, so make sure you have a good reason.

Also, when you were talking about motto's - don't take them literally, and i'm sure you weren't. Heck, my SQN motto is "Swift to Destroy" yet i've never been on combat ops overseas. They're there for inspiration and motivation, because when it comes down to it, teamwork & friendship is what keeps you going in a stressful job in the military.

Quote: ""My parents I don't think really want me to join the military because they say "it's a waste of potential""


Man I would love to meet your parents.

If I can ask though, what made you choose the Green Berets, or even wider, SOF in general? I know that spec ops are probably the most well known branch of the military, always featuring in movies/games/whatever, but why SOF for you? SOF, to put it blankly, are killing machines. It's all good to have passion for that sort of stuff, heck, I still do, but are you physically and mentally ready for how insane the selection process is?

So to sum up this rant - why SOF and why not another role in the military?

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Jeku
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 03:31
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Guys, deal with it.. some people's life ambition is to serve in the military somehow. My sister and her husband have been doing that for over 15 years and love it. Some people love that kind of job


Senior Web Developer - Nokia
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JLMoondog
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 04:03
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I want to make movies. I love games, but my real passion is telling stories through cinema..maybe someday.


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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 04:05
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Same here, Josh. I've always loved every aspect of film and would love to go and get a job in film and make it my career someday.

I'd be happy as a camera man, an editor, a special effects dude...just anything to do with film!


Sign up here!
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 04:32 Edited at: 19th Jan 2010 04:36
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Quote: "Guys, deal with it.. some people's life ambition is to serve in the military somehow. My sister and her husband have been doing that for over 15 years and love it. Some people love that kind of job"


Not what we're arguing. Military = fine decision, there are people happy with it and it works for many people. I think it's also great that people pursue their dreams. It seems: dreams of being a guy everybody knows, a hero and making a mark upon the world, is naive (in any career choice), whilst it's can be a great fueling ambition, but if you're signing up for the military, is it not better to know you've made the right decision before you join rather than when it's too late (and you're stuck in service)?

Perhaps my words as a person who isn't a member of the military don't have much weight to those reading them. (especially as somebody who admits to being naive)

So I'll quote Jenkins instead (as his post ended up right at the bottom of the last page as well)

Quote: "You never specifically said the words "I want to do this because I want to be a hero," no. But you have shown that being a hero or doing something "big" in this world is what matters to you. And that being the case, the military isn't your best bet. If you join the military you will NOT be that one person the entire planet knows."


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OrzeL
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 04:37
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I don't know about your area but where i live they have something called cadets where as teenager you basically get to have a partial military experience ( Training camp, Uniforms, Rifling at Targets and some other stuff.) My friend did cadets. I think it would be good for you to try something similar or that if they have it. If not you should try to talk to as many other people in the military to get a good grasp of what your getting into (Not Recruiment officers they try to distort the truth abit to get you to join atleast the ones i've talked to, try other military personnel ). Hopefully that helped.

As for my life-time goals:
Get through university. I think i might want to be a professor dunno see how it goes.
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Herakles
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I just want to be happy. I've tried many things to make myself happy, but there's really only one thing that has ever made me truly content: music. I tried writing early on, but that wasn't for me. I tried being like Captain Kirk (a womanizer), but that actually made me miserable. I tried joining the army (more about that later), and that was the worst decision I have ever made in my life. Then I tried getting married and starting a family, twice, and all I got from that were two vengefull b****es of ex-wives (though I did get a son from the first, which I'm thankful for). But through all of this, I've always held on to one thing: music. Playing my guitar is what really makes me content, so that's what I do.

Now, about the military. I had the same hero complex when I was younger, and that led me to sign up. But lets see what happens to you when you enter the army: First, they quite literally beat the humanity out of you and turn you into a remorseless killing machine. Then, you go to the actual fighting, and the real fun begins. You get shot at, you live in terrible conditions with bad food and terrible hygiene, you see your friends getting shot down beside you, and worst of all: you kill people. Not animals, not video game characters, real human beings just like you and me, whose leaders have fed them the same "hero" propaganda that our Government has fed us.

The worst part is the first time you have to stare into someone's eyes, pull the trigger, and watch them fall to the ground dead. It's the worst because, in that instant when you're actually doing the killing, you feel nothing. The fact that you've killed someone, made worse by the fact that you felt nothing when you did so, weighs on your conscience and eats away at you for the rest of your life. As necessary as it may be to kill to defend yourself, you still have to live with it.

So, take it from someone who's been in the army, has had to kill people, and has to live with the consequences for the rest of his life: If you want to live the rest of your life in constant misery and guilt (That is, if you don't get shot and not have a rest-of-your-life), go right ahead and join the military.

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Veron
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 05:40 Edited at: 19th Jan 2010 05:44
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Herakles, when did you serve, in Vietnam? Don't bring an opinion of military life in here that is decades old and sadly misinformed. I guess I better say something else rather than just that though, so here goes.

Quote: "First, they quite literally beat the humanity out of you and turn you into a remorseless killing machine."


And everyone who joins up realises that you'll be absolutely destroyed while training. If you don't realise this before joining then you're a fool. Having said that, you haven't really specified any job, just the 'army'. Many jobs will have pretty damn cushy indoctrination and training. Not every job is front line combat where you're armed to the teeth.

Quote: "You get shot at, you live in terrible conditions with bad food and terrible hygiene, you see your friends getting shot down beside you, and worst of all: you kill people."


This is what I was getting at with the misinformed opinion. Those conditions were the case back in Vietnam/WW2/whatever, but not today. I've got a whole bunch of images of guys serving overseas which I'd originally embedded into this post, but they're a little too big so I won't include them.

And on the propaganda, if you're idiotic enough to believe the propaganda in today's world where there are so many opportunities for the truth and the real facts, then you're a fool. It's not like there's a whole lot of propaganda these days anyway, or at least, it's much more subtle.

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Herakles
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 06:28 Edited at: 19th Jan 2010 06:28
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Well, if you're an adult and are fully willing to live with whatever consequences you will have to face, you have a right to do whatever you want. My point is that children (yes, you're still a child until you're at least in your late 20s or 30s) shouldn't buy into all the "hero" bull sh**, 'cause all it's going to do is ruin their lives or get them killed.

Quote: "Don't bring an opinion of military life in here that is decades old and sadly misinformed."


But it IS still relevant today. There are still soldiers fighting and dying in the Middle East. The only people that are misinformed are the children who throw their lives away in the hopes of becoming a hero.

Quote: "Not every job is front line combat where you're armed to the teeth."


But that's the job that's been romanticized the most, and is the one I was referring to. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad to be, say, a mechanic or medic. But I wouldn't know because I was never a mechanic or medic.

Quote: "Those conditions were the case back in Vietnam/WW2/whatever, but not today."


Fine. But the death is still there, and that's the worst part.

Quote: "And everyone who joins up realises that you'll be absolutely destroyed while training. If you don't realise this before joining then you're a fool."


Quote: "And on the propaganda, if you're idiotic enough to believe the propaganda in today's world where there are so many opportunities for the truth and the real facts, then you're a fool."


Both of these points are very true, but unfortunately most people I've ever met (that I haven't set strait, anyway) are fools in that regard.

Quote: "It's not like there's a whole lot of propaganda these days anyway"


You're kidding, right? Go to school, turn on the television, there's plenty of propaganda in both.

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Veron
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 07:37
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Quote: "Both of these points are very true, but unfortunately most people I've ever met (that I haven't set strait, anyway) are fools in that regard."


Unfortunately true, I have met a lot of guys in various armed forces who are plain idiots.

Quote: "Fine. But the death is still there, and that's the worst part."


Of course, but then it comes down to the exact same thing as before - idiots. Everyone who joins needs to realise that there is a chance they'll get deployed overseas and possibly have to kill someone. Anyone who applies needs to ask themselves the question, "if I was in a situation where I had to drop a bomb/pull the trigger, could I do it?"

And yeah I guess it's easy to say a big resounding "yes" to that question back at home, while when it's actually time to act it'd be a different story.

Quote: "You're kidding, right? Go to school, turn on the television, there's plenty of propaganda in both."


Over here I see next to no propaganda on TV. I guess I don't watch a lot of TV, most of my news comes from the internet, but i'm hardly seeing things on the news regarding the situation in Afghanistan, or countries with high tension like Iran/North Korea that is clearly propaganda/absolute bs. Maybe it's the US media (in fact it probably is, FOX is disgusting from what i've seen), but down here I get next to none.

Quote: "But that's the job that's been romanticized the most, and is the one I was referring to. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad to be, say, a mechanic or medic. But I wouldn't know because I was never a mechanic or medic."


Again a good point, the positions that are shown are always the high end SOF, Army, and USMC. Not a lot of promotion/persuasion to get into the smaller jobs.

Quote: "My point is that children (yes, you're still a child until you're at least in your late 20s or 30s) shouldn't buy into all the "hero" bull sh**, 'cause all it's going to do is ruin their lives or get them killed."


In closing, I pretty much agree with what you said above. The decision to join should be a well-informed one, not just because you like shooting guns or want to 'see the world' (yep, i've heard that reason while sitting in on an applicants interview).

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Libervurto
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 07:49
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You should go travelling. Who exactly do you want to liberate?
People will always shoot you down if you say you want to change the world. The point is the world changes with or without you, if you are in the right place at the right time and you take action that's the only way you can become a hero.

You want a purpose in life. You can't be sure where you will find that purpose.


I haven't had a "dream" ever, I am terrible at thinking about the future. I should probably start thinking.

"With games, we create these elaborate worlds in our minds, and the computer is there to do the bookkeeping." - Will Wright
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Phaelax
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 07:49
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Quote: "I have thought VERY deep about joining the special forces, and I have thought of all the possibilities about my career which is why I want too."


Whats your physical fitness level like right now? I considered SERE training once. When I took the asvab, the sergeant basically asked what I was even doing there. I guess people with my scores typically know better than to be human shields.

Quote: "Not every job is front line combat where you're armed to the teeth."

Not every "cushy" job is safe either. You can be attacked while in transit to your new office or blown up just delivery mail.


"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" ~ Arthur C. Clarke
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Fallout
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 09:59
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As someone who comes from an almost exclusively military family, here are my two cents ...

It is an awesome career. Loads of scope for becoming the best you can be. MAHOOOSIVE pension fund, so if you become an officer and serve your term, you will get a life long pension second to none for the pay band. Load of travel opportunity and job variety. In all honesty, it's a career I would have loved ... except for ...

You may well have to shoot people (they may be holding a gun, but they could well be just as innocent as you). You may have to watch your friends die. You may die yourself, or be one of the thousands with horrific life long crippling injuries. In Iraq, you have about 1/100 chance of being one of these casualties. Consider the chance you could return home in a body bag or a wheelchair. And also, you could end up killing people in an unjust and illegal war, like Iraq, and play your part in completely destroying a country and indirectly killing tens of thousands of civilians.

Our governments are completely fallible. Some of our conflicts are just and have a moral and accurate purpose (Afghanistan). Some of them are a horrific mockery (Iraq). If you join the Army you have to take into account you might be wielded as a force for justice, or corruption. That's how it's been since wars began, and it's still that way now, in all armies, even the US.

Last but not least, when you finally quit, if you've seen action, you may never be the same again. I don't mean Gulf War Syndrome and all that shananigans. I mean, working in a convenience store and going to the movies at the weekend will never be enough. My uncle cannot do any job that doesn't involve him getting shot at anymore.

He does have a lot of good stories though.

Radical hamsters skipping furiously into the blue ether, questioning their very existence while breathing out the bitter fog of smoked haddock.
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Veron
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 10:41
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Quote: "It is an awesome career. Loads of scope for becoming the best you can be. MAHOOOSIVE pension fund, so if you become an officer and serve your term, you will get a life long pension second to none for the pay band."


Out of interest, how many years service is it for the full-time pension over in the US? Over here it's 20 years+, and the pension is worth 75% of your income at the time of retirement.

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Fallout
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 10:45
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No idea about the US. It's comparable to that here in the UK. Especially when I compare it to the company I work for *cough cough* mentioned in the House of Commons this week *cough cough* and their pension scandal.

Army:
KILL PEOPLE, AND GET PAID FOR IT.
THEN STOP KILLING PEOPLE, AND STILL GET PAID FOR IT.

That should be their advertising slogan!

Radical hamsters skipping furiously into the blue ether, questioning their very existence while breathing out the bitter fog of smoked haddock.
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Veron
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 10:46 Edited at: 19th Jan 2010 10:47
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Whoops, didn't read your location. It's probably very similar in the UK as it is over here, considering the ranks are the same and the structure is pretty similar.

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El Goorf
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 11:54
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I spent most of my kidulthood wanting to be an RAF pilot, then iraq/afghan happened, and I realised while I'd still love to fly fast jets, theres no way I could kill people, put my own life on the line, or witness friends die, just for the sake of, oil? removing a dictator who isn't even a threat? do we even know WHY we're there?

Now I'm at uni, I'm in the OTC, which is effectively the territorial army for students, and it's an amazing experience I recommend to anyone. When I leave uni, I'll be qualified to become an officer in the army or TA, but I think I'll stick with the TA, as I'll have more control over which wars I'm sent to participate in. Ultimate goal would be to become a chopper pilot and AT (adventure training, ie rock climbing, skiing, parachuting) instructor, which anyone in the armed forces can be, chopper pilot I might not be so lucky with.

Either way I have a job interview next week to go teach english in japan for a couple of years, which will give me time to enjoy myself and really think about what I want to get involved with.

For anyone interested in a military career, I strongly recommend band of brothers, it portrays army life perfectly. To those wanting to be a hero, go to fire-fighting or surgery or something where you're saving civilian lives. IT's not that I don't consider soldiers to be heroes, I've heard stories from friends who have been on the front line that have made my eyes swell. It's that you can be appreciated more when you're saving lives, not killing them, and you wont be made part of an imperialist toolbox.

On D-Day thousands died before they even got onto the sand, heroes? maybe, but its not like they got to enjoy the title. Think about that.

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All my base are not belong to anyone.
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BlueKlayman
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 12:28
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Quote: "On D-Day thousands died before they even got onto the sand, heroes? maybe, but its not like they got to enjoy the title. Think about that."


Not to mention Gallipoli, It was a disaster for Australia. WWI, the diggers(ANZACS, Australian and New Zealand troops) landed at Gallipoli. Many of them didn't reach the beach. It was all caused because of a mistake, they landed on the wrong beach. This beach was fully loaded with Turkish soldiers.
You see what would happen right?

Enjoy me, I am JDmino.
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TillyLala
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 12:46
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Woah, this has sparked quite a debate about the armed forces... I think I'll stay out of that bit.

Hmm, life long dreams... Well, like most females I want to get married and have kids. Ideally I want the perfect fairy tale - Fall for my first true love, get married, have kids, have a long and successful relationship and live happily ever after. However, I don't believe in fairytales. But I do believe in my relationship so hopefully I will get my own little fairy tale.

As for career wise dreams, i'm really not sure what I want to do. I'm still young and discovering who I am and stuff and although I have a career in mind, I'm not convinced that it's my dream job... It's just something I fancy giving a go and seeing where it takes me.

My dream from about the age of 11 was to have my own heavy horse team (If your American, think of the budwiser horses... If your from the UK think of Thwaites or when Tetley had their heavy horses). My family got pretty close to this dream as we used to do promotional work with our shire horses for a few small breweries... But I want my own team of shire horses, with my own dray that says my name on the head board. Which in the heavy horse world, as a woman especially, it's quite difficult to do well with limited funds so maybe if I get a lottery win I may be able to pursue my dream.

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marlou
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 14:20
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I thought most people had the same dreams like money,power,fame and something sex-related.

Dream Goal:
Make the most mind-blogging and heart warming piece of art in history-pereferably a video game.

Dream Job:
Be a physicist,mathematician and programmer. All hail my geekness!

Dream Life:
Have many trustworthy friends. Raise Lovely and Brilliant Kids.

What i would sacrifice to achieve my dreams:
1. A couple of friends.
2. Some tremendous amount of time.
3. All the money i earn.
4. Social Life.

Thats about it. Good luck with your too!!
Lets share some of our dreams in this thread..

When a person has nothing but a dream, can he dare to dream.
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Herakles
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 19:39 Edited at: 19th Jan 2010 19:41
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Quote: "I thought most people had the same dreams like money,power,fame and something sex-related."


You start to care less about those things at a certain age, but I'm sure everyone does at some point in their life.

Quote: "Hmm, life long dreams... Well, like most females I want to get married and have kids. Ideally I want the perfect fairy tale - Fall for my first true love, get married, have kids, have a long and successful relationship and live happily ever after. However, I don't believe in fairytales. But I do believe in my relationship so hopefully I will get my own little fairy tale."


Sorry, kid. It doesn't exactly happen that way.

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General Jackson
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 19:44
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My parents have been married for 19 years, their first marriage, only marriage
So just because some people dont stay married doesnt mean others wont
So yeah, Herakles, sorry kid to you.

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 19:46
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Quote: "So just because some people dont stay married doesnt mean others wont"


I think the reason's religious in your case, GJ, given your apparent strong knowledge of the Bible... though I cannot be certain and I am generalizing.

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Insert Name Here
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 19:48
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Quote: "You must have gone through personal excperience I'm guessing?"

No.

Also Drew, a film about a robbery on rollerskates sounds like utter genius.

[center]Literally nobody who isn't a retard is talking about 2012. -Drew Cameron
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Herakles
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 19:53
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I never said that marriage never works, I merely said that it will never be absolutely perfect. There will always be disagreements, arguments, and bitterness. Perfect true love does not exist. The closest thing you can get in real life is being able to forgive your partner when she does something you don't like, no matter what she's done.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 19:53
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Some marriages are successful, others aren't, regardless of religion. Although if a religion abhors divorce, then obviously it's involved, but other than that. It happens.

My parents have been happily married for 30+ years and we're not religious.

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 19:56
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There's also social pressure; some people believe so hard that everyone has a special "someone" that even when they're going through hell because their partner is an arse that they'll throw words around like "soulmate" and stay together for years, wasting their lives just because everyone else pretends that it's more than delusion.

If one person is mad, they're insane. If everyone's mad, it's society.

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Insert Name Here
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 19:57
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Aren't you buddhist Sep? I know that's not technically religious but I'd say that has a pretty big (positive) influence.

[center]Literally nobody who isn't a retard is talking about 2012. -Drew Cameron
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General Jackson
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Posted: 19th Jan 2010 21:14
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Quote: "I think the reason's religious in your case"

Not neccesarily, its because they love each other
I think people can make their marriages work if they just try, regardless of whether or not they are religious.

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