General / Off-Topic Military Thread

Ren Otani

R
I thought I'd make this thread to see how my fellow Commanders view the armed forces of their respective countries, and just a place to hang out and share experiences

I signed up to join the Dutch Royal Armed Forces a few months ago, and am now in the process of getting my medical evaluation. I hope this will be soon, as I'm anxious to start going through basic training.
The reason I joined was, with my current education(MBO 3, IT. This is a moderately low education level for IT. Who only want complete smartasses, which I'm not :p) I'm unable to get any worthwhile jobs. That, and I'm young, and want to live a little!
Also gives me a great chance to learn and get better education. I'm 21, but I don't want to head back to school. I'm a practical learner.

So! Any others contemplating going into service, are in service, or have any family?
Please share, I'm mighty curious
 

Deleted member 110222

D
My grandad was in the Royal Navy.

I had thought about it when I was younger and fitter, but reality is that I'm too unstable for the armed forces.

I won't get into details other than I'm living with a number of severe anger issues and psychotic episodes. You can work out the rest.
 

Ren Otani

R
Un1k0rn said:
My grandad was in the Royal Navy.

I had thought about it when I was younger and fitter, but reality is that I'm too unstable for the armed forces.

I won't get into details other than I'm living with a number of severe anger issues and psychotic episodes. You can work out the rest.
Click to expand...

That's very understandable.

A youtuber who was in the Royal Navy actually prompted me to seriously considering the defense force! I also wanted to join the Dutch navy, but I live a stone's throw worth away from the German border, so travel times kinda messed that up.
Oh well, it's kinda for the best. I'm deathly scared of anything man-made underwater (Especially propellers, gives me goosebumps just thinking about them)
 

Necronaught

Necronaught
Ren Otani said:
I thought I'd make this thread to see how my fellow Commanders view the armed forces of their respective countries, and just a place to hang out and share experiences

I signed up to join the Dutch Royal Armed Forces a few months ago, and am now in the process of getting my medical evaluation. I hope this will be soon, as I'm anxious to start going through basic training.
The reason I joined was, with my current education(MBO 3, IT. This is a moderately low education level for IT. Who only want complete smartasses, which I'm not :p) I'm unable to get any worthwhile jobs. That, and I'm young, and want to live a little!
Also gives me a great chance to learn and get better education. I'm 21, but I don't want to head back to school. I'm a practical learner.

So! Any others contemplating going into service, are in service, or have any family?
Please share, I'm mighty curious
Click to expand...
I recommend going in for a trade. You want to work in IT then join the Dutch equivalent of the Royal Signals. I know in the UK a signaller can be assigned to many regiments so you can get a decent trade and still be infantry if that is your forte.
 

Ren Otani

R
Necronaught said:
I recommend going in for a trade. You want to work in IT then join the Dutch equivalent of the Royal Signals. I know in the UK a signaller can be assigned to many regiments so you can get a decent trade and still be infantry if that is your forte.
Click to expand...
Whoa, that's actually exactly what I'm doing!
I forgot to clear up a little on exactly what role I picked, but that's exactly the one I'm going to go to.
So great minds think alike ;)

I'm excited, in just a few months I hope to be thrown in there. I love getting dirty and getting a good challenge, which the army's definitely all about
 

Vasea Azure

Vasea Azure
I have a big respect for everybody that choose this career or already serve in a military.
My closest thing to the real army was my grandpa - he serves in WW2 in Polish Army and lately was granted access to lots of celebrations and events for military members only in my country - and he was nice enough to keep taking me with him.
I considered joining the army at one point but my general mental and physical condition works against it.
 

GunnerBill

GunnerBill
My Grandad was in WWI (survived) and was fortunate to be a Veteran of various engagements including the Somme, Paschendale & Ypres. Royal Artillery.
My Dad was in the RAF in the 50's and worked on Radar/Vulcan bombers.
One of my Uncles was in the Parachute Regiment and then Royal Ordinance in the 50's/60's

I attempted to join the RAF as a pilot but my maths skills let me down and working in the oil industry diverted my application to join the Marines. Sometimes I wish...

Respect to all those who choose a life of service.
 

Deleted member 110222

D
Ren Otani said:
That's very understandable.

A youtuber who was in the Royal Navy actually prompted me to seriously considering the defense force! I also wanted to join the Dutch navy, but I live a stone's throw worth away from the German border, so travel times kinda messed that up.
Oh well, it's kinda for the best. I'm deathly scared of anything man-made underwater (Especially propellers, gives me goosebumps just thinking about them)
Click to expand...

I just want to take this opportunity to congratulate you for signing up.

It takes a brave man, or indeed woman, to do that.
 

Hooplah

Hooplah
Greetings,

I don't understand your education numbers. But generally if one is not sure of what to do with their life joining the military does have advantages. Yes, if you put up with the basic training and do well even if your life so far doesn't agree with it you are definitely going to see the world. One is also going to see the world as how it really is. That changes you forever and appreciate the life you have in your country. Also DON'T have a girlfriend. You need to focus on your job and there will be sexual opportunities you haven't even dealt with being so young. Get married later when you are a lot wiser and can actually appreciate it. The gal will love you for it and might actually stay with you. If they are looking more for a payday versus a relationship you will also know it.

Later if you go to college or a tech trade school you will be older than those who didn't join the military. But you will be wiser for the experience. Now, what does your military do to advance your education while in or after you get out? Look at those numbers.

In the USA joining the Navy and two tours in harms way they take care of my medical bills for life, paid for my electronics degree in college, and provide me with a government guaranteed loan if I want to buy a house which I never used.

The downside is that you know how the world works. So when some news media spins a story about some conflict trying to make political points as they often do in the USA and you were once there then you know spin when you see it.

After High School I went to college and failed. I was young and wasn't ready. After the military I was ready and excelled getting a degree and having a great life. Let's hope that the Dutch Royal Armed forces can do the same for you. Just one of many opinions on this thread. You decide.

All the Best
 
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Gortron

Gortron
Ren Otani said:
I thought I'd make this thread to see how my fellow Commanders view the armed forces of their respective countries, and just a place to hang out and share experiences

I signed up to join the Dutch Royal Armed Forces a few months ago, and am now in the process of getting my medical evaluation. I hope this will be soon, as I'm anxious to start going through basic training.
The reason I joined was, with my current education(MBO 3, IT. This is a moderately low education level for IT. Who only want complete smartasses, which I'm not :p) I'm unable to get any worthwhile jobs. That, and I'm young, and want to live a little!
Also gives me a great chance to learn and get better education. I'm 21, but I don't want to head back to school. I'm a practical learner.

So! Any others contemplating going into service, are in service, or have any family?
Please share, I'm mighty curious
Click to expand...

I have nothing but respect for people that sign up to the armed forces.

[video=youtube;KXTCzzden2o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXTCzzden2o[/video]

[video=youtube;p5fOaBnlT2E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5fOaBnlT2E[/video]

[video=youtube;4b3y_LUfnRA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b3y_LUfnRA[/video]
 
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MottiKhan

MottiKhan
Ren Otani said:
I thought I'd make this thread to see how my fellow Commanders view the armed forces of their respective countries, and just a place to hang out and share experiences

I signed up to join the Dutch Royal Armed Forces a few months ago, and am now in the process of getting my medical evaluation. I hope this will be soon, as I'm anxious to start going through basic training.
The reason I joined was, with my current education(MBO 3, IT. This is a moderately low education level for IT. Who only want complete smartasses, which I'm not :p) I'm unable to get any worthwhile jobs. That, and I'm young, and want to live a little!
Also gives me a great chance to learn and get better education. I'm 21, but I don't want to head back to school. I'm a practical learner.

So! Any others contemplating going into service, are in service, or have any family?
Please share, I'm mighty curious
Click to expand...

The military can be a great place to further your education. I knew nothing about computers, but am now in charge of programming and automation for the company I'm working for. I'm the lead programmer and have a crew assisting me. This is largely thanks to my military career.

I went into the US Air Force as a High School dropout. My future didn't look so bright before, but the Air Force has pretty good schools.

My father was in the Air Force and my grandfather served in the Army Air Corps before there was an Air Force. He was already there when the Air Force was created and continued his career there.

So it was a combination of family tradition and few other options for me. It worked out nicely.
 

Demascus

Demascus
Fairly recent vet, Sgt. United States Marine Corps 2006-2012. Qualified for any job in the military, but I wanted to shoot and blow up stuff so I went Infantry.

Got to see quite a bit of the world. Jordan, Bahrain, Dubai and was the ground force for the invasion of Helmand Province Afghanistan in 2009.

Had a lot of experiences and great training, made a lot of good friends, sadly many of them are not around anymore.

Even had a tv interview in 2014 for some "paranormal" experiences me and some mates had in Afghanistan.

Overall, no regrets and would do it all over again
 

Ren Otani

R
Un1k0rn said:
I just want to take this opportunity to congratulate you for signing up.

It takes a brave man, or indeed woman, to do that.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot man, means a lot to me for someone to congratulate me for this!

Hooplah said:
Greetings,

I don't understand your education numbers. But generally if one is not sure of what to do with their life joining the military does have advantages. Yes, if you put up with the basic training and do well even if your life so far doesn't agree with it you are definitely going to see the world. One is also going to see the world as how it really is. That changes you forever and appreciate the life you have in your country. Also DON'T have a girlfriend. You need to focus on your job and there will be sexual opportunities you haven't even dealt with being so young. Get married later when you are a lot wiser and can actually appreciate it. The gal will love you for it and might actually stay with you. If they are looking more for a payday versus a relationship you will also know it.

Later if you go to college or a tech trade school you will be older than those who didn't join the military. But you will be wiser for the experience. Now, what does your military do to advance your education while in or after you get out? Look at those numbers.

In the USA joining the Navy and two tours in harms way they take care of my medical bills for life, paid for my electronics degree in college, and provide me with a government guaranteed loan if I want to buy a house which I never used.

The downside is that you know how the world works. So when some news media spins a story about some conflict trying to make political points as they often do in the USA and you were once there then you know spin when you see it.

After High School I went to college and failed. I was young and wasn't ready. After the military I was ready and excelled getting a degree and having a great life. Let's hope that the Dutch Royal Armed forces can do the same for you. Just one of many opinions on this thread. You decide.

All the Best
Click to expand...

This is one of the precise reasons for joining the army, personally. I've always been so awful at school for the sole reason of not being disciplined enough at learning. I want the army to beat some sense into me.
'Course, all the other premiums that you just listed are also great bonuses. But in the end, I joined to become wiser, and get thrown into the fray to come out better
 

Branithar

Branithar
Demascus said:
Fairly recent vet, Sgt. United States Marine Corps 2006-2012. Qualified for any job in the military, but I wanted to shoot and blow up stuff so I went Infantry.
Click to expand...
Cool! I was a Data guy in Comm, ‘cause I’m pretty good with computers. But the real fun was when I trained with the MPs to augment security. When all my buddies were in the air-conditioned Comm tent, I was getting tazed and OC sprayed, and playing with SAWs and 50 Cals.
 

Shinji Ikari

Shinji Ikari
Hooplah said:
Greetings,

I don't understand your education numbers. But generally if one is not sure of what to do with their life joining the military does have advantages. Yes, if you put up with the basic training and do well even if your life so far doesn't agree with it you are definitely going to see the world. One is also going to see the world as how it really is. That changes you forever and appreciate the life you have in your country. Also DON'T have a girlfriend. You need to focus on your job and there will be sexual opportunities you haven't even dealt with being so young. Get married later when you are a lot wiser and can actually appreciate it. The gal will love you for it and might actually stay with you. If they are looking more for a payday versus a relationship you will also know it.

Later if you go to college or a tech trade school you will be older than those who didn't join the military. But you will be wiser for the experience. Now, what does your military do to advance your education while in or after you get out? Look at those numbers.

In the USA joining the Navy and two tours in harms way they take care of my medical bills for life, paid for my electronics degree in college, and provide me with a government guaranteed loan if I want to buy a house which I never used.

The downside is that you know how the world works. So when some news media spins a story about some conflict trying to make political points as they often do in the USA and you were once there then you know spin when you see it.

After High School I went to college and failed. I was young and wasn't ready. After the military I was ready and excelled getting a degree and having a great life. Let's hope that the Dutch Royal Armed forces can do the same for you. Just one of many opinions on this thread. You decide.

All the Best
Click to expand...

I'd argue that knowing the actual stories beyond the media is actually a great thing, in either case, I'd not like to be in the military of any country simply because I hate to do things that aren't explained or in other words, I'll always challenge the authority so that's pretty much a no no for the military.
 
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