BEFORE YOU ENLIST AS A SOLDIER, ASK THE RECRUITER THIS.
Consider this: soldiers & sailors give up most of the control of their lives.
Moral and Practical Issues. Ethics and Common Sense
WHY AND HOW TO ASK
- Why is this web-site here, and what tools can it give you?
- How do you stand up for yourself, as an adult, and ensure, and confirm, that each of your questions has been answered?
- What tactics will be used to get you to sign? Will you be flattered? Will your patriotism be challenged? Will you be offered money?
The questions to ask
- How firmly am I locked in to this contract? Is it possible to get out honorably, before the eight year period? What if I want out?
- Will I learn how to effectively kill people? Will I be able to emotionally accept killing?
- Can I choose and confirm my duty assignments before signing?
- While in the military, how hard will it be to raise a family?
- As a recruiter, what are your incentives in order to get me to sign?
- Do ex-soldiers have a higher degree of suicide, violence, poverty, or addiction than other people?
- Must the military keep me for the 15 years that I must complete to retire with veterans’ benefits? Can they kick me out after 14 years?
videos by vets. ZOOM CHAT WITH AN EX-SOLDIER.
In these short videos, ex-soldiers will compare what they learned from recruiters with what they encountered in the military. There are also longer videos in which ex-soldiers describe military life and war events.
Short Videos – Soldiers Tell You About Recruiters
We also can arrange for you to have a Zoom chat with an ex-soldier. If you want to, you may send them your questions ahead of time, about a particular war, or job, or anything related to being a soldier.
LIMITATIONS OF THIS SITE
Clay Slate is working (that’s him below, in the shade, planning) on this site, and learning website construction, both tasks simultaneously. Some content has already been developed; more is being envisioned. Constructive criticism is welcomed; don’t hesitate to make Clay wince. Just be civil. Clay’s grandfathers, Verne Davis and Joe Slate, DIDN’T go to WWI. GOOD choice. The Arab is just filler. Clay’s grandmother, Minnie Humphrey Carr, painted it. As to the children, they are some of the people who will be running our world.
THE CONTRACT THEY WANT YOU TO SIGN
Carefully read every word of the Department of Defense contract that a person will sign if they choose to join the military. Read it again and again until you understand it completely. It will control your every move for at least eight years. Don’t expect any mercy from those who will use it to tell you what to do. Expect them to be cold-eyed. You should also be. Signing this is the most profound thing you have ever done. Hint – this is not a contract, in the traditional sense; they are not constrained, but you are.
Same Contract, with Highlighted Comments
How would YOU write your own contract?
DON’T join BLINDLY
All branches of the military, in all countries, have many duties. Their activities change from one decade to another, and from country to country, depending on laws and leaders. Nevertheless, soldiers must commit themselves to kill people, when they are ordered to do so. They must follow orders, or be severely punished.
In many countries, over the centuries and to this day, people are forced to join the military. In your country, at this time, there is no military draft. You will not be forced to be a soldier. You are very fortunate.
what are your other options?
Many young people join the military in order to get out of the house, or grow up, or become a respected hero. Let’s examine these motives, see if the military will achieve the ends being sought, and consider other available choices.
DON’T HURRY! Take all of the time necessary to fully understand what you are doing. Don’t just sign because you are tired of thinking about it.
WRITE TO ME
At this early stage of the project, I am drawing upon decades of activism, reading, research, and writing. However, I am still working on gaining a sharper focus on the audience of people who are being recruited into the military. I also am learning about website design, so as to form and organize good tools for that audience.
That said, I do already have some good resources already available for the intended audience, and for others who want to collaborate or comment. Write to me. I’ll answer.