Just accounts and random thoughts from my life. The content within these blogs may be graphic so if you become offended: FUCK OFF.
Published on February 29, 2004 By mrt949 In Life Journals
I wish I would've started my blog before the holidays as life was much more interesting before and during it, but the present will have to suffice for now.

A few nights ago, on the way back home from work, my roommate was the one driving and so it was his decision for what radio station to listen to. I forget what station exactly we were tuned into, but Loveline was on with Adam Corolla and his Dr. sidekick. One of the callers was a 17 year old guy ("Pat") who had on his hands a dilemma some of us may have experienced but most have probably heard of.

Pat had been pretty serious with his girlfriend since they were 16 and says they were and still are in love. By 17, he dropped outta high school and went to take an apprenticeship in welding. Now here comes the pitch...

Pat's girlfriend tells him now that she is pregnant. having never been through such a situation myself, I can only imagine the spasms of horror flooding through his young being. Of course, he wants to be sure and she convinces him that he is the father. But, now what's Pat to do, what with no diploma or formal education besides his welding job? Of course he considers that miltary.

Now this is where i start to get a little heated. Adam says that the kid is making a bad decision by joining the military. Despite the fact that they may give you good benefits (medical, dental, life insurance, food & housing,etc), they pay you next to nothing. In fact, even with no diploma, he could still make better money with his welding job. Personally, I think the kid already fucked himself by having a kid and not finishing school, and he did sound rather dumb by voicing such a personal problem on national radio. But Adam has no freakin clue as to what he's saying. He's merely assuming that the military has crappy pay and is a refuge for people who've put themselves in a bind and have no way out. Like the civilian sector is doing any better at present. Sure the military has a lot of bullshit politics and favoritism involved, but what job doesn't have that? Tell me where else you can sign up with a GED, move up the pay ranks, travel for free, receive coverage and benefits, and have total job security in times of turmoil (like today)? I would like to know how buffoons like Adam Corolla get on radio and voice their misinformed opinions. I'd like to hear anyone's comments on this please.

Comments
on Feb 29, 2004
I agree. I say we hang 'em!
on Feb 29, 2004
So, Adam, what branch of service were you in to get this wonderful insight into the ways of the US military? What's that? You WEREN'T in the in military? Oh, I see...well perhaps you ought to quit talking out of your ass then.

There's nothing wrong with joining the service. Yes, there's politics, but you're gonna get that everywhere you go. The pay's not so bad, in fact Dave and i would be hard pressed to make it in the civilian world. His take home pay is around $2500 a month, but we have no rent/mortgage (if we did live off base we'd get an allowance for that), no utilities to pay for (except cable, phone etc) and no medical insurance to have to worry about. Not that everyone's going to make that when they first join, we've got 12 years in and E-5 rank - but nevertheless, they look after you.

I don't know why Adam et al are so popular. I don't see the attraction.
on Feb 29, 2004
well, (breathes loudly), i'm in the military. been in 10 years now. just signed on for 4 more. They're gonna cut me a check for about 7,000 dollars as a re-enlistment bonus, and there are kids that got more than that just for signing up. There are actually jobs FOR welders in the military as well. He could still learn his trade, and get paid well for it, and provide for the wife n kid. The big drawbacks are that he may find himself in Iraq, (depending on his job, which, with a GED is not going to be his choice completely), and he's going to need to be strong of mind, body, and soul if he's going to hack it. His wife/girlfriend is going to have to be strong as well if she's going to hack being a military wife. Not saying it's a bad idea, just saying that it's not one to be taken lightly, and that the military is not for everyone.

bottom line: I'd still advise nearly anyone to at least give it a shot. Even if you only do 3 years, the military will teach you and show you things you can't learn or see anywhere else... especially things about yourself...