imported post
LEO 229 wrote:
"why it's OK for you to die for them overseas but not OK for you to protect yourself and your family here in the USA."
Let's be honest people.... Just because you are 21 and in the military does not mean you good at decision making. It does help you grow up but I have seen some real idiots in the military.
Sure.. you can join the military and die for your country as a young adult. But most that are under 23are NOT in charge,do not make life or death decisions on their own, and all theydo is take orders from those that are older and outrank them.
I served in the military so I know. You do what you are told and there are very few instances you need to "decide" anything for yourself and by yourself. Often times it is a collective of the blind leading the blind collaborating and picking the best option in the absence of someone in charge.
Soin reality.. to die overseashas little if nothing to do with being able to protect yourself in the US.Overseas.. you have people watching and monitoring your activities.
In the US... you are alone.
I have seen many young adults with guns do dumb things. They made a decision and it was wrong. That wouldbe less likely to have happened under the watchful eye of the military.
I went to Desert Storm... I was "fighting over seas" we had NO AMMO on our person and we could not insert an emptymagazine into ourrifles. They took away all bayonets and knives.
If we were attacked... we would be issued ammo and told what to do.
So I guess as a soldier I can be just as trusted here in theUS as I was whilefighting overseas, huh? :lol:
Some of us are entrusted with a great deal of responsibility at a very young age in military service. I can't speak for other services and the amount of trust they place in their people aged 21 and under, but the Coast Guard can and does entrust entire vessels and boat crews to a qualified coxswain that could be as young as 19 or 20 years old. Some of us are capable of making life-or-death decisions and have been forced to do so in the past.
The crew of a Coast Guard 41' Utility boat (UTB) could all be under 21 years old, yet they will have Sig P229 .40 cal pistols, M-16 automatic rifles and even M-240B machine guns aboard their vessel. All weapons will be loaded and "ready to go" when that vessel leaves the pier.Any Coasties that is issueda weapon, it HAS AMMUNITION and is most likely LOADED. Even before 9/11, the Coast Guard maintained this readiness posture.
I started to copy & paste the story about Nathal Bruckenthal, the only "Coastie" to be killed in combat during the present Gulf War, but you can use your own Google-Fu to check it out for yourself. Cliff Notes Version: 24 year old Coastie killed (along with 2 U. S. Navy guys) preventing a suicide boat (USS Cole-type attack) from blowing up an offshore oil terminal. This "youngster" had been doing Federal Law Enforcement in the Coast Guard since he joined at age 18.
On a personal note, I was a 19 year old "kid" carrying a .45 working alongside other LE agencies providing security at the 1984 Olympic Games. I was involved in an incident that took place (that may or may not be still classified) where automatic weapons and explosives were captured along with some BG's. I wasn't "in charge" of anything, but I was entrusted with REAL, LIVE AMMUNITION in my LOADED pistol and expected to do my job right along with every other LEO in the area, even though many were twice my age.
ED and SKID have it right! Stare right back at those detractorsand tell them you're old enough to serve your country and "...
Defend the Constitution from ALL Enemies, Foreign AND DOMESTIC..."
You're also old enough to defend yourself and others that aren't smart enough to defend themselves (while you look at their BARE belt where their sidearm SHOULD be...)
Sorry... Rant Off... Just my $.02 worth (plus some)
Mike