In 09 i tried joining the Navy. Hate was cool and gave me the same advice he is giving you.
I was down and out, didn't want to go back to school, and couldn't think of a better way to get out of my hometown. So i talked to the recruiter, let him blow smoke up my ass, and knew that i'd hate it but figured that i could travel a bit and make some money. I waited about 9 months before i was able to ship to RTC (recruit training center) and pretty much just fucked off in the meantime. Quit my job, got drunk, got fatter, didn't skate much, and bounced between knowing that i was making a mistake and saying "fuck it, there's no other choice." It's funny that someone posted that Die For Oil, Suckers image because i felt so disheartened and traitorous to my beliefs that i threw away years worth of old punk t shirts, records, and zines.
Most of the family was pretty hyped for me. Had a big party 3 days before i was set to ship to RTC, and the one dude i invited that i'd met through pre RTC training robbed my blind of all the $/cards people left me as a departing gift... this really set the tone.
As soon as i stepped off the bus at Great Lakes i knew that i was in for it. The first couple of weeks weren't bad, well they were hell, but i just kept doing it. Then it hit a point one day when a Senior Chief Petty Officer started talking about his family in Japan. Then he started talking about FC men firing on Haji's and killing their babies to prevent the seeds from growing. I decided at that point to get the fuck out. It took another two weeks to figure it out. I tried going legit and revealed my falsified medical history. This didn't work and would've taken months. I then told one of the Petty Officers that i was feeling anxious because i used to use Xanax. He was actually really cool and i almost felt bad about my deception, but i got sent to the REU (recruit evaluation unit) where i filled out some questionnaires and met with a social worker. I then went on a rampage. I told em i'd been abused as a child, tried to off myself, that i'd rather fight Americans than others, had a drug habit, etc. I then truthfully revealed the times that i've eaten L and mushrooms. this was my instant out. I got set up with a Dr and took a personality test, which surprisingly showed no personality disorders (the easiest way for commanders to get people out of service). the Doc told me that although i had a surprising history and no personality disorders my use of psychedelics automatically barred me from military service. I got sent back to the Ship (recruit barracks) and the leaders tried to keep me from talking with anyone. I'd been a model recruit most of the time and they didn't want anyone to take the same path i had. They started yelling shit like "don't kill yourself, faggot" and "hope you cut your wrists right this time." Either way i made it my mission to inform as many people as possible about what REU is, where it is, and what to say. Fuck the Navy. A few dudes that i talked to go themselves out too.
After this, i spent a month in Ship 5. we were all 2311 medical/psychiatric SEPS. this month was intense. There were 70 of us in a room with whited out windows, 2 TVs, and were awake from 7am-10pm. Windows were whited out, red lights stayed on at night, and everyone was ready to fight. Shit was like jail. Everyone playing spades and kings. white dudes and black dudes getting on each others nerves. We had to go to meetings on future careers most days where we were told that we'd never get a job, even at McDonalds because our history follows us.... It was quite depressing to say the least. Either way, we got out.
Now, 3 years later. This hasn't followed me anywhere. I'm finishing my degree in 2 months. I've gotten paid to travel and study in Cambodia and it's looking like i'll be sent back there again. I've gotten in great shape, stayed clean, and it's all been on my own terms. There hasn't been anyone telling me what or how to live me life. I'm loving it.
I write all of this because there are FAR more options than those that might first meet the eye.
Topic: Thinking about joining the armed forces (Read 13004 times)