| Author | Message | ||
     Buellgirlie |
do it. you can never get the time or the flexibility back, if you have the means to do it now. PM me if you want to chat about it. i've been traveling around myself  D | ||
| Jimidan |
I hear the Army is hiring and they aren't too particular about your qualifications. They have great bonuses for signing up right now and talk about severance packages...shucks, it would cost you an arm and a leg to get any better package anywhere else! They will give you a "dream job" that lets you travel all over the place, meet interesting people, and well, you know the rest...and they will pay for it. Plus, you will be serving your country and keeping the rest of us safe. The fact that you don't have a real SO or kids to worry about is a plus. See you local recruiter today! He will be glad to see you. jimidan | ||
| Budc |
Hey Damnut, Feel for ya man. Europe is nice but too f**** expensive. If you want to explode your senses try New Zealand. And it's fairly cheap. Rent a bike and go for a ride. As a matter of fact they have a month long tour every year called the Southern Man that does both islands. The scenery is absolutely spectacular. Oh and did I mention that the roads are all two lane and very twisty. Just a thought. Good luck. Bud C. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
totally regret not taking advantage of the time i had to see europe when the ship i was on was in drydock in naples italy back in the late 70's. a lot of people did and they said they had a great time. even when things seemed to look their worst, that job always popped up. go back and look at some of the stuff that buellgirlie has been doing with her time. she has been totally enjoying her self. you only live once. and good luck either way today. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"I hear the Army is hiring and they aren't too particular about your qualifications..." I've never served in the US military and I don't agree with Bush's Iraq policy, but your post burns me up. The military is getting screwed by the government it is supposed to defend and good people are coming back changed forever. This is your attitude? If you've ever extended your hand to a vet who had his right arm blown off at the shoulder, you would change the tone of your post. The moment is more than awkward. I'm not going to complain to a moderator or give you 1 "star"... I'm replying directly to you. You really piss me off. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I apologize for hijacking this thread. | ||
| Damnut |
The slaughter has begun............. let you know the outcome later............... gotta go hide............... | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Good luck Damnut! As a retired United States Army service member I see nothing wrong with Jimidan's post -- sorry, it just doesn't pizz me off. | ||
| Grndskpr |
Take a good look at www.advrider.com http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ There are several people who went away for several years on much less cash than it sounds like you have sell or store everything, and off they go, head south for now camp, stay in hostels, and enjoy, if i had the chance i would do it in a heart beat Lots of info on those sites, and well worth it in my opinion There are numerous older folks who have done the trip south, so its doable, and dosent look that awfull, plus you might be able to earn your keep along the way(teaching elglish, dosent pay squat, but you could get enuff to earn lodging and meals, what more do you need, plus who knows you might find a great job south of the border if you look around) good luck R | ||
| Djkaplan |
"-- sorry, it just doesn't pizz me off." You don't owe me an apology. My father is a Viet Nam war veteran who is now suffering from the effects of exposure to Agent Orange. Real funny, Jimidan.. real funny. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
DjKap, Geez man did somebody wake up with sand in his vag...  Maybe there was a post deleted, but Jimidan post didn't seem out of place. He does make a good point that the military is looking for good candidates. They are especially looking for anyone with a technical background. I have not been in the military myself, but because I am in the computer industry I have had recruiters make me incredible offers ($xxx,xxx+ signing bonus) I can guarantee that someone like myself would never see the front line, I most likely would be stuck in some air-conditioned server room in Qatar... Not to pull a Kerry, but there is a big difference in someone coming to the military from off the street, and someone coming in with a technical background. The military is desperate for technical people. Regardless of what you bring to the military, in my view you deserve the upmost respect. | ||
| Court |
I took off on a Buell and traveled through 37 states. I'd wake up each morning, decide where looked interesting and just go. Somedays I'd ride from 5AM until midnight. . . the expereience was incredible. I see another one in my future. The first thing you should do is thank the person who is cutting your job and giving you the opportunity to do what most talk of but never act on. This is not a dress rehersal. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"They have great bonuses for signing up right now and talk about severance packages...shucks, it would cost you an arm and a leg to get any better package anywhere else! They will give you a "dream job" that lets you travel all over the place, meet interesting people, and well, you know the rest..." If this statement doesn't bother you, your comment about having the utmost respect for people who serve in the military is meaningless. The more I think about Jimidan trying to be funny with this ridiculously callous post... the more and more disgusted and mad I get. We've all made our beds... I'm done. | ||
| Jimidan |
Djkaplan sez: I've never served in the US military and I don't agree with Bush's Iraq policy, but your post burns me up. The military is getting screwed by the government it is supposed to defend and good people are coming back changed forever. This is your attitude? Gee Djkaplan, you miss the point entirely! You have made your bed in the wrong house. There is every reason to be incensed, but not at me. I am mad as hell too, and I saw the irony in the original post about yet another who was being put into the unenviable position of losing their job. Haven't you ever heard of satire? That is what my post was all about...the folly of the current US policy in Iraq where the ARMY has had to significantly lower the standards in order to meet recruiting quotas due to the war. This in turn has resulted in the recruitment of a disproportionate percentage of our (disadvantaged) youth who, because of the current economic policies, are without decent job opportunities. They are still being shipped off to a war that was sold under false pretenses, and is now a full blown civil war that we know we cannot win (as was recently acknowledged by the next Secretary of Defense). As John McCain said, "...it is immoral to keep asking the same number of troops to risk life and limb so that we might delay our defeat for a few months or a year." At what point do we say that we are not going to be complicit with an immoral policy? It is one of those 'if I have to 'splain it to ya', you will never understand it thangs, but because of your vitriolic post I felt that it was necessary to try. It has nothing to do with disrespecting the troops...and it wasn't meant to be funny. I am not laughing. sorry about the hijacked thread, but some things deserve a response. jimidan (Message edited by jimidan on December 07, 2006) | ||
| Eboos |
"You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq." John Kerry made an effort at using satire with similar results. | ||
| Jimidan |
"You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq." Eboos sez: John Kerry made an effort at using satire with similar results. Actually, what part of Kerry's statement is incorrect? Kerry's so-called "botched joke" was factually correct, even though it was not considered politically correct. The US is recruiting a disproportionate percentage of disadvantaged youth, many of whom have not finished high school, and sending them to Iraq. I have volunteered to be the personal trainer for one such kid at my gym who will be going into the Marines next month. He is a high school dropout, slapping hamburgers together at Wendy's, while studying for his GED, which the marines require. He wants to get in shape before bootcamp, and I am trying to help him, as he has never done anything physical in his life. He has a good heart and says he wanted to try and make something of his life, so he joined the marines. He is so weak and uncoordinated that I fear for him once he gets in Iraq...he will truly be a lost ball in high weeds on recon. He is living in an illusion because he didn't get an education. Kids who have studied hard, done their homework, and made an effort to be smart, have many times more job opportunities than to become IED fodder in a war we cannot win. They are not the ones who are rushing to enlist, like my new friend. This is another one of those inconvenient truths. Someone needs to stand up to the PC police and tell the truth. | ||
| Davefl |
Jim, I for one do not agree with you or John Kerry on this one.. No one is forcing this kid to join. If he has ever watched the news he knows what he is getting into. There are many people in the military who are there because they want to be there. When I signed up I knew that I could go into combat and might not come home, that is what the Army does and has always done. There is no draft and if you do not want to join don't. "and is now a full blown civil war that we know we cannot win" "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." Henry Ford | ||
| Brineusaf |
If you decide to embark on your travels through Europe, drop me a line. I would be more than happy to lend a hand. kylen1985@msn.com | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I served in the Marine Corps for 6 years and it was the best thing that I could have done for myself. I often wish I would have stayed in, but I was young and wanted a change. Joining the Corps will provide the best leadership training in the world and that is not an illusion. I could go on and on how It change me and the way I look at life, but If I had to explain, you wouldn't understand. I love the Corps, I love what it stands for, I love what it gave me, and if they called me back, I would go in a heart beat.... | ||
| Damnut |
 is it safe to come out????? Well I managed to survive but sadly a lot of my friends and coworkers did not. All in all 60 people from my building got the ax yesterday. 1/3 of my company......... GONE Doesn't look good for the ones left behind either. Guess I have to put these plans on the backburner for now. | ||
| Odie |
I really have neither the time nor the desire to get involved in this thread but, as a retired Army Officer who has been to a great many ****holes defending our way of life, I must ask you this: If not me or Big Daddy or the thousands of "poor, uneducated souls", then who? YOU??!?!?! Surely, you jest...... You speak of something you admit knowing nothing about having not served. Knowing someone that served is no where near the same. For a very large majority of people who serve there is a higher calling than cash and big bonuses. I hate liberals who go to sleep at night safe and sound and never consider the sacrifices of us poor uneducated retards leaning forward in the foxholes. Nobody is forcing that kid into the Marines. I personally feel we need a draft but that's an entirely different subject. If he didn't get an education who's fault is it??? He's the one who dropped out. Maybe he needed to grab hold of his cajones and squeeze a little and stay in school. There are a lot of things in life that aren't enjoyable but must be done if you want to advance in life. You are right, he IS living an illusion. Alot of these stupid, poor, white trash kids you speak of need something like the military to give them some guidance. I know of tons of kids that this happens to, myself included. It changes you; makes you into something different; something better. Regardless of where you come from or who you are. I wouldn't be where I'm at today if it wasn't for the Military. I joined when I was barely 18, barely graduated from high school (but I did), had no direction, no job, no money. I guess I fit right into the stereotype we're talking about here. Now, I have two successful businesses, a retirement check that comes like clockwork, a very good job still flying America's best helicopter, a nice house, and lots of toys. Who can I say got me here?!?! The Army? My Dad? (never had one) My recruiter? NO! ME! It's all about choices. The kid you are involved with made the wrong ones. But maybe he's making the right ones now. Maybe nothing will turn him around. Maybe he'll always be a quitter. No one knows until he tries. I could keep going but I have a life to live.....in a free country.......I'm out... | ||
| Red_chili |
Odie, thank you for your service. I mean it! and thanks for that great pipe too... | ||
| Red_chili |
Damnut, I worked for a great company that got bought out by a formerly great company that then was run by an Indian version of Goebels. OK, I am using hyperbole and mean no disrespect to the survivor of the Holocaust, but that man was a demon. The layoffs came. I survived, though I was not too sure I was grateful. Then that company was taken over by a larger company that was called the Evil Empire, but they turned out to be better than the last one. The layoffs came again. And then again. I still survived but when our director's wife voted with her feet and left the company, the clue phone rang so loud I began searching in earnest. Two months later I got the job I have now, with a great company, for someone who knew of me, on my timetable not someone else's. I don't know where you fellers get the idea that good jobs are so easy to come by, but they aren't - don't take it for granted. They can be found however, and usually on relationship, not Monster. Chamber the round, steady the hand, breathe and squeeze. Good hunting! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Damnut, If you do loose your job you could always join the Navy. From what I hear, if you get enough of squids in a line nobody has to be on the end....HA HA!!  Odie, I wish I had some good slams for you Army Vets but being a Jarhead, I have to pick on the Squids.......One of my good friends that is a Navy vet pointed out the fact that I have more time on ship than he did....and that the Marine Corps is a Department of the Navy....My reply...Thats right, THE MENS DEPARTMENT!! BLOOD MAKES THE GRASS GROW!!! | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Odie, Well put sir, well put. I'm out too. G2 | ||
| Brineusaf |
Odie, any more penned up anger? HAHA, jk I'm not in the Army or Marines, and my life may not be as "burdened" as my fellow comrades in another Branch. But everyone in the Military has or will make a sacrifice; I know I've made more than a handful. Don't get it twisted though, not everyone in the service is the "white trash" you speak of. I graduated at the head of my class,had 2 jobs, had college and additional schooling lined up, literally had my slots reserved; but cancelled it all to enlist. Why? To serve and to develop myself into someone I WANT to be, not some moron working at _______ who has never experienced anything in his life. I wanted to be the guy people would turn to if they needed something to get done. The friend who would drop anything to help someone. One of the few who holds his morals above personal gain regardless of the situation. Can you say having not served: That you have given everything for a cause greater than anyone involved in it? That you have been condemned for your actions by those who know nothing about them? That you have become a better man/woman because of your career? That you are part of a family, with a cause much greater than your own? That your coworker would gladly take up arms to protect you without anything more than a sentence? Do you realize the courage and valor it takes to SERVE? If you've answered yes to 1 or more of the above questions, get with one of the Military Veterans on this Board and ask them of REAL SACRIFICES. | ||
| Jimidan |
OH boy, I have stirred up the testosterone now! What about our invasion of Iraq and the subsequent civil war that we started have anything to do with "defending our way of life"? Nothing...it is an illusion. You brouhaha guys can believe in this illusion if you want, but there are plenty of conservatives who know better, and are saying so...'splain that. As the "liberal" John McCain said, "...it is immoral to keep asking the same number of troops to risk life and limb so that we might delay our defeat for a few months or a year." "...and if they called me back, I would go in a heart beat...." Why wait on them to call you, they have a seat in a Hummer for you right now...re-enlist, it is the only manly thing to do. At least you think you know what you are getting into, or do you? I don't want this kid who hasn't a clue to be the last soldier in Iraq to die for no reason. So, what is happening in there that is going to make this kid "something better"? Just because my friend dropped out of high school and made a few mistakes (and got in trouble with the law), doesn't mean he should be subjected to trial by fire. He doesn't have a clue about what he is getting into (he is just a kid) and the recruiter hasn't helped much by telling him bootcamp isn't so bad anymore. BOOTCAMP! A drill sargent is the least of his worries. Serving in the military during peacetime (even in the boo-yaa Marines) and fighting against suicidal maniac insurgents in the middle of a civil war that everyone knows (including the "liberal" Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and the entire "liberal" cast of the Iraqi Study Group) that we cannot win, are two totally different things. All of this verbose saber rattlin' gravitas is changing a lot of kids lives alright, including the 20,000 wounded and 3,000 dead ones right now, but not for the better. Another illusion is that the only way to "serve" is by being in the military, stuck in some "****hole"...it comes from the pagan traditions of human sacrifice. There are plenty of public service jobs that are just as noble, and much more beneficial than carrying a gun in some "****hole" for no reason. What was so noble about "giving everything (read: dying) for a cause greater than anyone involved in it?" when in reference to the 60,000 of my brothers who died in Nam? What was the greater cause, and who benefited from their sacrifices? How 'bout Iraq? It is all just politics man. Why should my naive young friend sacrifice himself for the political policies of the leaders of this country who did not "SERVE" themseves...none of them, nada. How will getting his legs blown off in a senseless war make him a better man? (Message edited by jimidan on December 08, 2006) | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
..and if they called me back, I would go in a heart beat...." Why wait on them to call you.... Because I am now a disgusting fat body!!!  How will getting his legs blown off in a senseless war make him a better man? Ask this guy......  | ||
| Odie |
.....you wrongly intertwine the duty of serving your country unselfishly with some political decision to go to war with Iraq or anyone else.......I never said I agreed with the decision to go to war with Iraq. This is about being a servant of this great country of OURS, not about some pols choice of whether we should invade yet another country. The picture above actually brings a tear to my eyes, literally, and says more than I could ever, ever say about Duty, Honor, and serving OUR country......tell those two they are uneducated trash that deserve being in a warzone....I dare ya..... | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Thanks Odie, I couldn't say it any better..... |
