Archive: 18 posts

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Or whatever it is in the USA... basically after 18 Anyways, this is being made for the purposes of myself, however i guess someone can hijack it later... Basically, the last 6 months or so i have been questioning why i really want a gap year before i start Uni, and also why i want to go to Uni at all. I have come to the conclusion that rather than wanting to go, i feel an obligation to go, that my parents expect me to get a degree. I applied for a few Uni's (York, Leeds, Belfast and Edinburgh) for English Language, and i'm relatively sure i'll get the grades i need. However, more recently i've questioned the need for me to go - sure i'll probably enjoy it, and a degree may be useful, English would keep my options open. However, my parents are paying for both my sisters to be in private education as well, and it's becoming a strain on them, especially at the moment. I don't see it as fair that they pay for me to go to Uni mainly to have fun, especially if the only reason i really go is because they think i should. They want me too, but i don't think they can really afford it. I could get a part time job and help pay some of the costs, but it will still cost a lot. They do a lot for me and my sisters, i don't think they deserve even more financial strain for something i don't desperately want. With this in mind, along with various other reason, i came to a different conclusion. I'm now planning (though plans can always change) to take a gap year after College. I'll get a part time job and ease the load for my parents in terms of money. I'm gonna have a good go at getting my band going, or at least play regular gigs, just because that's fun. But mainly i'm going to work harder at my fitness, both then, now and next year. After my gap year i'm going to join the Royal Marines (hopefully) and start earning money from that. It's something i believe has always been at the back of my mind, even though it's something i told myself i shouldn't do. I've always believed that it's something i wouldn't enjoy, but recently, while wondering if Uni was what i really wanted, i started to realize that not only do i have a great interest in military history (specifically WW2) i have a great interest in modern armed forces, to the point where i want to have a career in that area. To do so, i need a high level of fitness, and that is part of the point of this thread. My biggest worry, again, was my parents. I was under the impressions that they would force me (or rather, try too, i'd be under no obligation to do so after turning 18 in October) to go to Uni, and would be against me joining the Armed Forces. I didn't even bother raising the question, so sure i was of it. However, i did ask what they thought of it today and, unsurprisingly, both maintained they want me to get a degree. However, they gave me full support if i want to join, and i guess it removed a 'mental block' in my mind, now that i know i have their support in it, it's a real possibility. Now then, if anyone managed to get to this point, the real point of the thread: Does anyone here have any experience with the Armed Forces? I don't mind where you are from, although if you have experience with the UK Armed Forces that'd be great. I'd just like opinions on it, what it's like etc. (I do realize an LBP community isn't the most obvious place to ask for advice about the military, but still, it's a community that i know and love, even if i don't act like i love you most of the time...) Along with that, i realize that having a 'decent' level of fitness won't be god enough, and so if anyone has any recommendations for exercise and training, it would be appreciated. Currently, i do 3 2-3 mile runs a week (i could run further, but at the moment i don't), Tabata intervals on 2 days a week, and i swim 2.5 miles on one day a week. I'm also considering taking up Mixed Martial Arts as well. So yeah, help, opinions, whatever, appreciated. feel free to lock if it's not appropriate for some reason, mods.

2010-08-18 00:39:00 Author: Unknown User

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Well what i have to say is, for money wise, your parents dont have to pay for your college, my parents aren't going to pay for my college, its not because they dont love me or anything , its just a lot of money and its for yourself, it pays for itself really i think, As for Armed Forces, i dont really see why you would, i would see why you would if this war had a reason like WW2

2010-08-18 01:11:00 Author: Snrm Posts: 6419

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They pay for college as i'm in private education rather than a public school, something i don't take for granted. If i were to go to Uni, it would be a LOT of money over the years it would take to complete.... As for this war, i don't agree we should be there, nor do i see a gain to be had, but there will always be wars, that just how it is.

2010-08-18 01:15:00 Author: Unknown User

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They pay for college as i'm in private education rather than a public school, something i don't take for granted. If i were to go to Uni, it would be a LOT of money over the years it would take to complete.... As for this war, i don't agree we should be there, nor do i see a gain to be had, but there will always be wars, that just how it is. even if it is private education you could pay for it i suppose, as for the war i still don't see why you would want to go

2010-08-18 01:18:00 Author: Snrm Posts: 6419

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Do you know how much it costs to go to Uni?

2010-08-18 01:27:00 Author: Unknown User

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Do you know how much it costs to go to Uni? Yes i do, and im going to have to face that cost alone when the time comes

2010-08-18 02:07:00 Author: Snrm Posts: 6419

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Kurt Kobain had the right idea.

2010-08-18 02:20:00 Author: Bremnen Posts: 1800

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Hi! Another forum member, name of CountessZ, sent me to this thread. I spent eight years in the United States Army. I spent over two of those years deployed to combat zones. I've seen and done some awful stuff, but I don't regret anything. In your situation, I would recommend military service. Caveats: *Let the military teach you how to act; DON'T let the military teach you what to think. Wearing a uniform properly and taking training seriously produce the kind of mind that can adapt and overcome in stressful situations. Becoming a jerk has no professional purpose. *That being said, DO be prepared for the military to change you permanently. The most common side effect of military service is learning how EASY it is to be a civilian, even a poor one, in Western society. You will sometimes become angry when you see people taking luxuries for granted (especially if you spend any time outside the West). This is what drives so many soldiers into becoming those jerks I just warned you about. Once, after a deployment, I returned to the States and stood in a huge line for a mocha latte at a coffee shop. Someone in front of me made an ENORMOUS scene about how cruelly, cruelly unfair it was that they'd been waiting in line ten whole minutes. My military experience let me understand that this person was a spoiled, useless oxygen thief, with no real understanding of what suffering really is...but it didn't give me the right to cuss at her for it. *Continue thinking about your eventual return to civilian life. A lot of new members of the military ignore this early on in their careers, then get stuck in the military because their professional skills don't allow for anything else. In short: don't spend longer than 6 months or a year in the military figuring out "who you want to be". Find something else to like doing, and pursue it. *Don't worry about the war bit. It's horrible sometimes, sure. But there's not a whole lot you can do about it, and western militaries have very low combat casualty rates (by percentage). A U.S. soldier is at least ten times more likely to die in a car accident than in combat. *Do start working on Uni. The economy is not likely to get much better, worldwide, and you're not going to get anywhere when you get out of the military, if you don't plan for it. And FWIW, I don't think Kurt Kobain can be credited with the right idea for anything, even if he had one. *Married Courtney Love *Left family behind *Dave Grohl ended up founding the Foo Fighters, which rocked millions more faces without crying about it. Yeah. You commit suicide, you're wrong. Even if you're right, I'd be a sucker to follow you.

2010-08-18 02:31:00 Author: coyote_blue Posts: 422

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Thats the point. Im a sucker i guess.

2010-08-18 02:57:00 Author: Bremnen Posts: 1800

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Kurt Kobain had the right idea. what, let courtney love shoot him? maybe he was the master of grunge but i don't think he could dodge bullets.

2010-08-18 05:55:00 Author: monstahr Posts: 1361

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Have you considered distance learning? You might be able to get the qualification you want for a fraction of the cost.

2010-08-18 18:05:00 Author: Rabid-Coot Posts: 6728

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what, let courtney love shoot him? maybe he was the master of grunge but i don't think he could dodge bullets. Nah it was the government Well, it wasn't a bullet it was a shotgun blast

2010-08-18 22:13:00 Author: Bremnen Posts: 1800

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Well, did you think about approaching UCAS about you financial worries, and get like a grant or something?

2010-08-18 22:21:00 Author: Pattington_Bear Posts: 777

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Well, did you think about approaching UCAS about you financial worries, and get like a grant or something? It's not that, if i felt i really wanted to go to Uni then my parents could afford it, it just seems unfair to make them pay such a large amount for what is something i don't really want to do. I dunno though, i'm applying anyway, and when it comes to making my decision hopefully i'll have some offers, which i can then decline if i decide not to go to Uni...

2010-08-18 22:50:00 Author: Unknown User

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I too am a former military guy. In my case I spent 6 years in the U.S. Navy. Your country has an incredible naval history, and you might well consider going to sea. I served on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, and it was an incredible experience to circumnavigate the world. I also share Coyote-Blue's views on military service; actually he and I are an awful lot alike in many ways. Even when we don't see eye to eye. After my military service, I attended Virginia Tech, a major university here in the U.S., and I have to tell you I found it much easier than my military experience. I was far better prepared for university, I had money to pay for it, and when I competed for grades with the average 19 year old, it was no contest. I'm not trying to brag here. But I am saying that military service is honorable and in many ways profitable. Those who've never served who don't see the value in it don't understand the basic value of the kind of discipline service instills. My sense of discipline and honor will be with me until the day I die. Anyway, whatever you choose, good luck to you. And may your country and mine continue ever as strong allies.

2010-08-19 00:53:00 Author: thanatos989 Posts: 248

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Enterprise? Would i be right in saying that (in name at least...) that is a Carrier that served in WW2? I read a lot about the US Marines/Navy in WW2... I'm sure i want to join, i just don't know if i can justify going to Uni before... It would seem like a waste to build massive debt when i could be earning money doing the same thing i would be doing if i went to Uni anyway...

2010-08-19 11:44:00 Author: Unknown User

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There have been eight Enterprises in the US Navy since its earliest days. They all haven't been carriers though. Anyway to answer your question, the Enterprise of WW2 was nicknamed The Big E. During the mid 1950s, Admiral H.G. Rickover pushed the Navy to develop nuclear powered vessels, and in 1961 USS Enterprise CVN-65 became the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Currently it's the 2nd oldest ship in the US Navy, but the oldest Active Duty vessel. The oldest is our USS Constitution (Old Ironsides), a three-masted frigate built in the 18th century that saw combat duty in The War of 1812 against England.

2010-08-19 14:52:00 Author: thanatos989 Posts: 248

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Ah ok It got mentioned (as The Big E) a few times in 'The Pacific' by Hugh Ambrose Thanks for the replies btw

2010-08-19 16:08:00 Author: Unknown User

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