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[Saratoga]

ya 18 to join enlisted, more (college time) to be an officer.

[Rocket_Bird]

I stand corrected  :)

Well its 16 here in Canada, reserves anyways.

[Saratoga]

Well you can join the reserves/national guard in America at 17. But can't go active until 18.

[Chris E]

i hope i dont need to join anything, lol, or at least to join by choice, and not forced to, seems too dangerous, maybe im wrong, but that is how it seems to someone who doesnt know anyone in armed forces

[Rocket_Bird]

Thats fine, You don't need to.    All in all, what it will get you is flight time at a lesser expense, however it doesnt always put you at an advantage or disadvantage if you do it.  Its really dependant on your lifestyle... Armed forces are not for everyone because it changes your life totally, some people like it, some dont.  The danger is always there, its really a matter of how much you are willing to take.  All in all, follow your dreams!  :)

[Saratoga]

Yup depends on what you want to do with your life and what your current lifestyle is. Big change going from a house to a bunk with a lot of other guys if you join the Army of Marines. Floating on a boat in the Navy. If you join the Air Force at least you can live in a house (I love it).

Some people like the challenge and danger of living in the military. Other's can't take it. Just depends. Do you need the experience, want to serve your country? Or are you better suited to civilian life?

[Chris E]

well, hard for me to say as of now, as i am only 14, but yeah, if i were to join anything, it would have to be airforce, i wouldnt want to have to sit in a gunfight on the ground and watch pepole just being shot and bleeding to death, i would never want to see that, with airforce, it seems if you got in a fight you wouldnt be seeing them as much, and wouldnt feel the same, so yeah, if anything, airforce

[Saratoga]

Air Force: Haul ass over to the combat location, drop a few bombs and provide some air cover, get your ass home.

If you're a fighter pilot of course. If you are cargo, not too much action to see unless your base gets ambushed.

[Rocket_Bird]

I never been part of air force personally... but yah, the army can be quite traumatic  ;D

Everytime I march i feel like saying "We arez da borg!"

[Saratoga]

lol marching quite often these days?

Ahh I remember the cadences from Basic. Ahh go away go away!!!

One thing I notice is now when I walk with someone, I automatically get in step with them. Doing that for a few years trains you, it's just what you do in the military.

[Chris E]

i like the idea of flying extremely fast agile fighters, but i just cant imagine having friends shot down and stuff...

[Rocket_Bird]

Yeah... i hear ya  :(

[Saratoga]

Honestly, these days that's not a common occurence. The planes are just so well maintained the advent of smart weapons has allowed the pilots to be much further away from the action. And if it gets close, the armour of the modern planes is very capable of protecting the pilot (the A-10 immediately comes to mind).

[Chris E]

lol, yeah, isnt the A-10 like a flying rock?

[Saratoga]

The pilot sits in "the titanium bathtub." It's probably the safest fighter you could possibly fly in, weighs a ton and slow as hell, but the "'tub" can take .50 cal hits straight on and you wouldn't even feel it (you'd sure hear it though!)