First, have ever enlisted into the military? Second, tell me what law you’re citing. Third, stop by a recruiters office sometime, when you don’t have your head up your fourth point of contact, and ask some question about the enlistment process. Granted it might take about an hour and a half but you will leave knowing that good recruiter’s tell the truth. Granted there are a few that tell lie’s to enlisted people, but recruiter’s can be subject to investigation for “telling lies.”

To discuss the quote; find an enlistment into the military and read it before you make such erroneous statements. That’s why I’ve asked you to cite some law about bonuses. The truth, for those that care, is when you enlist into the Army (I know the process for the Army, I can’t speak for the rest) with a bonus there are clear terms for payment. If you enlist for 6 years but only complete 3 and have been injured in training or stateside, you will have to pay back nothing you won’t get the remainder of the bonus though. There is a difference especially if the person was found to have a preexisting condition and the injury is a result of their discharge. In any event, it’s a complicated topic to discuss and every instance is different. The military doesn’t have a cookie cutter approach to taking bonuses away from people.

John says:

“Sue: “Oil wars” aside, it’s about the military lying to prospective recruits and NOT keeping its promises to them.”

So I’m NOT commenting about today’s military being an instrument of misguided foreign policy (“oil wars,” etc.). I’m commenting about its dishonest recruiting practices.

Sue says:

“My recruiter never even tried to lie to me.”
That may be how it was “26 years ago” but not how it is today, a distinction comprehension not evidenced in your response to my observation that, “what you’re promised by a recruiter and what you get in the military it’s a LIE.” Therefore your subsequent posted comment that “My recruiter never even tried to lie to me” communicates disagreement, NOT “agreement with John.”

Sue says:

“It just kills me to have to agree with John even once.”

How can you say that “you agree with John” (even once) when you counter that: (a) your “recruiter never lied to (you);” and, (b) you “can’t in good conscience suggest that anyone else join and risk their lives for an OIL WAR.”

John’s point is clear that military recruiters should be shunned because they are dishonest, NOT because of an “oil war.”

So rest assured dear Sue, you have not “killed” or harmed yourself (even once) because there is nothing in your comments to suggest you “agree with John even once” THAT MILITARY RECRUITERS BE SHUNNED BECAUSE THEY ARE DISHONEST. Your comments only indicate that you agree (with yourself) that: (1) YOUR RECRUITER NEVER LIED TO YOU; and, (2) NO ONE SHOULD RISK THEIR LIVES FOR AN OIL WAR. (Please excuse the LARGE print. It’s the special education teacher in me.)

In my attempt to trigger your (hoped for) powers of corrective discernment I posed the following rhetorical question:

“Sue, You’ve been out of the military quite a while haven’t you.”

This (my) misguided effort to cause you to THINK and reflect has obviously failed. However, I take solace in knowing that it’s only through the trials & tribulations of failure that we come “to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Thanks for clarifying your attempt at sarcasm Sue. Perhaps you should develop some reading comprehension skills before attempting again. Sarcasm has a way of back firing when you don’t comprehend what it is you’re trying to be sarcastic about.

(end of *Sue’s* reality check)

War or no War, the Military represents a very positive choice for many many students.

SIDEBAR:

I joined at 17 and fought in the first Iraq war. When I returned to Oakland two of my good friends here were dead. They died right here in Oakland.. in this war being fought within our cities.

Another point: Aside from the financial benefits, Their is a certain wonderful something you gain from serving and protecting your country. Those that have never done it may not understand what I mean.

“Sue,You’ve been out of the military quite a while haven’t you.”

Why yes, and I see you’ve been paying *close* attention to my posts, haven’t you? What was your first clue that my service was long ago? Maybe when I said,

“Here I am 26 years after that test, still earning my living doing what the Air Force trained me to do.”

Or was it,

“For over 20 years I actively encouraged youngsters to consider military service, and told them my success story.”

Either way, I must compliment you on your excellent detective work.

(end of sarcasm)

I also agree many have benefited from the military, some going on to become “computer programmers” while others (like my friend’s daughter) were promised she would become a flight controller by signing a five year contract with the military. After signing on the dotted line she was told her eyes disqualified her from being an air traffic controller. She had disclosed her eye issues to the recruiter verbally & in writing prior to signing. She requested (minimally) that her contract be reduced by one year (from five to four years) given that she would no longer be receiving “specialty training.” She was told she had to stay in the FULL FIVE YEARS regardless.

This is just one story of many I’m personally aware of. A dedicated military veteran contributing to this blog says, “You really don’t expect much from the service…” HOW TRUE! IF recruiters told students this same TRUTH, along with a pitch to be good patriots and sacrifice themselves for their country” – as in “Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country.” – Why hell (I mean shucks), I’d in the front row listening to that recruiter while bursting my buttons with pride, and holding a picture of George Washington in one hand and an American flag in the other.

Ding ding ding ding…Oops! That was my alarm going off! It’s time to give up those sweet dreams and jump out of bed. The floor is cold and the sands of Iraq are hot, and soaked in the blood of would be ‘flight controllers’ (etc.) who didn’t know (at time of enlistment) that their TRUE destiny was in the infantry.

Part of protecting our students is making sure they have the skills to make good decisions once they leave high school. Protecting them from every potential threat will only work until graduation day.

After being asked recently about college versus military service, I talked to my freshmen students about future careers in the military. My advice was simple: If you think you might want to be in the service, do your research and consult with your family and other people you trust. If you decide it is the right decision for you, get good grades, get into shape, and go to one of the service academies.

These kids are smart, they know what’s going on in the world. Most of them have family who are serving or who have served. They need guidance and objective information.

If you want to help the recruiters, just ban them from the schools and tell the kids they absolutely shouldn’t join. In my experience, high school kids love to do precisely what you tell them they shouldn’t.

Why would an honorable person want to joing a dishonorable organization that breaks it’s promise to honorable enlistees the moment they get shot? Anyway, I can well imagine your time in “the box” was no fun and you’re glad to get out in one piece, along with (if applicable) your full signing bonus.

I thank you for your service to our country. I’m happy for your good fortune and sorry that all your brothers in arms don’t share in it (or have their full signing bonus) because the military lied to them and cheated them.

However, I don’t want to give the impression that this is a singular issue, the military lies to and cheats its enlistees in more ways than its possible to count -or an attorney is allowed to sue for breach of contract.