Military of civilian

[Canell]

It appears this forum is packed with military or military-like personnel (CIA, FBI, etc.), so let's see.

Conscription (compulsory military service) NOT in count.

 

[molten_dragon]

Definitely a civilian. I don't think I would have done well in the military. I'm not the "shut up and follow orders" type.

 

[Real Korimyr #9]

Voted civilian. I'd be ex-military if the military had been foolish enough to allow me to enlist when I was desperate to.

 

[spud_meister]

Conscription (compulsory military service) NOT in count.[/U]

Why not?

 

[Tigger]

I'm a civilian, but I have the pleasure of spending a good amount of time around current and former military and law enforcement personnel through the shooting sports that I'm involved in. Also, military history is an interest of mine. I tried to join the military twice (after high school and after 9/11). Unfortunately my knee and my birthmark kept me from being allowed any combat MOS, so I decided not to do it after all.

 

[Canell]

Why not?

Because it's not voluntary. There are number of countries that have mandatory military service. I've been through that as well. I mean people with military(like) careers in this poll.

 

[Tigger]

Because it's not voluntary. There are number of countries that have mandatory military service. I've been through that as well. I mean people with military(like) careers in this poll.

The USA would be better off if we had a mandatory service system. Not necessarily for military service, but for a large variety of things.

 

[Canell]

The USA would be better off if we had a mandatory service system. Not necessarily for military service, but for a large variety of things.

G, you must have been a slave master or something in your previous life. :2razz:

 

[Tigger]

G, you must have been a slave master or something in your previous life. :2razz:

Possibly. However, I'm definitely someone who believes that Citizenship should be EARNED, not granted simply because you had the good fortune to be born somewhere.

 

[tessaesque]

Civilian. I considered the Army very seriously in high school but decided if I was that whiney about running 4 miles in pre-boot camp training, I'd never hack it thousands of miles away from my family in a war zone.

 

[Canell]

I was that whiney about running 4 miles in pre-boot camp training, I'd never hack it thousands of miles away from my family in a war zone.

Me too. I hated running in the army.

 

[PirateMk1]

The USA would be better off if we had a mandatory service system. Not necessarily for military service, but for a large variety of things.

I disagree, any country that cannot muster the volunters to save itself is not worth saving. I am also against involentary servitude. The country is not master, but rather servent, it is owed nothing.

 

[PirateMk1]

I disagree, any country that cannot muster the volunters to save itself is not worth saving. I am also against involentary servitude. The country is not master, but rather servent, it is owed nothing.

I was a civilian contractor. Its a polite term for mercenary. I did this for the DOD for three years in a combat zone from 2003-2006. I could have left at anytime, I didnt. Which surprised me to think about it, now. I guess I am nuts or something to stay in the middle of the sort of crap that goes with war, and insurgencies.

 

[Tigger]

I disagree, any country that cannot muster the volunters to save itself is not worth saving. I am also against involentary servitude. The country is not master, but rather servent, it is owed nothing.

We are going to have to disagree on that completely, Pirate.

 

[PirateMk1]

We are going to have to disagree on that completely, Pirate.

On everything or just conscription?

 

[Tigger]

On everything or just conscription?

On pretty much all of it.... The value of a country has little to do with its citizens and more to do with the values and morals it espouses. I have no issue with involuntary servitude under a wide variety of circumstances. The country is neither the master nor the servant, just like the citizen. The two form a symbiotic relationship. Unfortunately in this nation, the country is expected to give everything and the citizen is expected to give nothing in return.

 

[Canell]

Unfortunately in this nation, the country is expected to give everything and the citizen is expected to give nothing in return.

Not really, the citizen is expected to pay taxes and a good amount of it. What is the tax burden in the USA?

 

[Tigger]

Not really, the citizen is expected to pay taxes and a good amount of it. What is the tax burden in the USA?

We have a "progressive" tax system here in the US, and it varies greatly not only by income, but by City and State of residence. Personally I think that the system is severely flawed, but that's a personal opinion and nothing more.

Unfortunately the ones taking the most OUT of the system are the same ones generally putting the least INTO the system.

 

[RabidAlpaca]

It appears this forum is packed with military or military-like personnel (CIA, FBI, etc.), so let's see.

Conscription (compulsory military service) NOT in count.

.
I'm former Army.

Was in a total of 7 years.
- First 4 years as airborne infantry, stationed with the 173rd in europe and a 15 month deployment to afghanistan
- Last 3 years as Prime Power (power plant electronics technician)

I'm definitely glad to be out. The money was pretty decent, but of the 6 years I was married in the army, I was with my wife maybe half that, and during that time I was working late.

 

[Canell]

We have a "progressive" tax system here in the US, and it varies greatly not only by income, but by City and State of residence. Personally I think that the system is severely flawed, but that's a personal opinion and nothing more.

Unfortunately the ones taking the most OUT of the system are the same ones generally putting the least INTO the system.

I'm with you on that one - progressive taxation sucks really bad because it destroys the principal of equality. eace

 

[Tigger]

I'm with you on that one - progressive taxation sucks really bad because it destroys the principal of equality. eace

Yep. I'd be all for a Federal Income Tax rate of 10% across the board, whether you make $100 a year or $100 Million a year. No deductions. The one caveat would be No Double Jeopardy; meaning that income which came from money which had previously been taxed (capital gains, interest income, inheritance, etc...) would be 100% exempt. I'd also cap State Income Tax rates at 5.0% and State Sales Taxes at 5%.

 

[ecofarm]

No combat, ~90-95 PIR 82nd

I'm not sure what (ex)military-like means.

 

[Canell]

.
I'm definitely glad to be out. The money was pretty decent, but of the 6 years I was married in the army, I was with my wife maybe half that, and during that time I was working late.

At least you've settled to the right place with the right woman.

 

[Canell]

I'm not sure what (ex)military-like means.

Special services. Sorry, sometimes it's hard to find the appropriate term.

 

[PirateMk1]

On pretty much all of it.... The value of a country has little to do with its citizens and more to do with the values and morals it espouses. I have no issue with involuntary servitude under a wide variety of circumstances. The country is neither the master nor the servant, just like the citizen. The two form a symbiotic relationship. Unfortunately in this nation, the country is expected to give everything and the citizen is expected to give nothing in return.

Well then you are right, we dont have anything agree to or compromise on. I dont believe that the country is a symbiotic relationship, but a nessaserry evil. I grant them the use of certain my soveriegn powers to povide certain nessarry services. I am master they they are servant, it is my perogative whether or not they shall continue to provide services for me and whether or not I shall continue to support it. I will not bend my knee or accept that I am second to my country. I am master of myself and NO ONE else will have that power, without consequence. I have a fundeamental disagreement with involutary servitude, of which there is no compromise.