Source: http://index.heritage.org
The Military is nowhere near to being all fun and games. Obviously to join the greatest fighting force on the planet, there are numerous things to consider. This is a reliable source because it was written by a former soldier, who can provide first hand experience on this issue. Before joining the military, one must first know exactly what they are getting themselves into be prepared to completely change their lifestyle.
First and foremost the first thing that you should know is that when you sign up, you can’t quit for a certain amount of years. “When you join, you sign an enlistment contract for a specified number of years. Once you sign the contract and take the oath (it's actually a pretty amazing experience), that's it, you're in”. There is no opting out. This is probably the most important thing to know and you should be 100 percent sure that you are willing to commit yourself to to the government. Another thing to know is to have knowledge on each branch and be completely sure that the one you are signing up for is the one for you. “The benefits are identical for all of them, but each one is unique in what you can expect”. Know that you are no longer a civilian, but government property. “As a member of the US Armed Forces, give your heart to whatever God you believe in, because your ass belongs to Uncle Sam. You will be required to stay in shape, wear your hair according to policy, and obey all standing orders relating to your personal health”. The government owns you and you must follow a very strict code of rules .
Once you enlist, the Constitution no longer applies to you. “Once you enlist, the constitution (the document that gives you your rights as an American) no longer applies to you. While serving, you fall under the jurisdiction of the U.C.M.J. (the Uniform Code of Military Justice)”. Now this isn’t too much of a difference, however there are some rights that you get as a civilian that you don’t get as a service member. “No free speech/press/assembly in the Military You still have freedom of religion, but the availability of religious personnel might not suit your needs. You have no right to privacy (implied or otherwise). You have no right to protection from unreasonable search”. If you are someone who is nitpicky about their rights, then maybe the service isn’t right for you. Now there a countless other things that a different but probably one of the other main one’s are, you are expected to kill, and expected to know that you can be killed. “America has real enemies. Enemies who will kill you if given the chance. They don't care about who you are, or where you're from, all that matters to them is that you are their enemy.” Some of our enemies would stop at nothing to kill you and post it on the internet for the whole world to see. Even if your job isn’t direct combat, if the military needs you to go fight, they will send you to way and there’s nothing you can do about it. “ Whether it's prepping ordinance (bombs) for use in combat, or taking part in small arms gun battles, you're not trying to "wound" your enemy, you are trying to kill him”. If you see yourself on the battlefield, the military expects you to have a certain mindset. Kill, or be killed. Are you prepared to take someone else’s life?
