As if I wasn't already....

[Snips]

Consider this making my LOA official. I have a very good reason for not coming back at the moment, though, and it's very simple: I'm joining the army.

Everyone here knows how anti-war I am and this may come as a shock, but quite frankly, I had an epiphany the other day. Everything that's been happening with North Korea made me realize that the world can be a really dangerous place and there are things worth fighting for. Once upon a time, I thought N. Korea just got a bad rep from the Korean War, but I learned, months ago, about Korean spies kidnapping Japanese citizens to learn their habits (apparently they even wash their faces differently and they wanted convincing spies.) At first I just thought that the North Koreans were being assholes, but the more I think about it, the more worried I get that perhaps they don't take people's lives as seriously as we do, and with them weaponizing all their plutonium... you get my drift.

I realize that this may blow over without incident, and even if it doesn't, the fighting may be over before I'm even done with BMQ (Basic Military Qualification, which I'm guessing involves Boot Camp and basic training,) but the simple fact of the matter is that I feel this is something I have to do. Getting into shape will do me a world of good (and I seriously doubt my girlfriend, Leigh, will mind me putting on muscle), and my "oh, close enough" attitude needs to go as well, which military discipline will help with. Plus, once I'm done with the army, it will look great on my resume.

I'm really glad that the people in my life are supporting me (even Leigh, who I half expected to flat out forbid me from joining, was wishing me luck) with the exception of my sister, but oh well. I'm not too worried about my life being in danger; my uncle was in the army for 20 years and only went overseas once for 6 months. I'll likely go wherever they stick me (my uncle tells me I'll be taking an aptitude test) and with my... under-qualifications, I expect to go into the infantry.

I'm going back to the recruitment center tomorrow. I went twice already, once for imformation and once for my application, except their photocopier was busted and they were out of forms, so I need to go again. They should get back to me late July or early August due to the system being backed up from so many people applying lately due to the economy.

Anyways, this is just a heads up. I'll say this first though: If I get a job before the army calls me back I may lose my resolve by then, but as it stands now, I have a feeling like this is just something I need to do, you know?

Should I not get a chance to see anyone here for awhile, it's been a fun run, and I'll be back once BMQ is done, if possible.

[Irving1992]

Best of luck Saph. Come back safe.

[The Deity]

I have a lot of respect for this. Best of luck with training.

[Dark Luther]

The best of luck to you sir,
my hopes are for us to cross paths on the field someday...

I'm sending you a message with some advise though, please mind it as I've known many to do impulsive actions with recruitment...

Despite it all, I'm sure the Army will make you a true man sir, and your good parts will show all the better...

[Goldiroxxor]

See ya saphy. With luck you won't be shipped out anywhere most likely.

[Blue Dragoon]

I don't know you dude, but i have alot of respect for you! Anyone in the army for that matter. I hope you come back safe! Good luck man!

[Yvlla]

I was going into politics with a similar, less physical goal in mind.

That said, holy fuck you do not want to join the army for that reason. If North Korea turns into a ground war, it will will make Iraq look like something that goes on in the playground of an elementary school. Their "million man army" is a gross underestimate - if we go in there, boots on the ground like Iraq, we'd be fighting roughly 23 million. 22 million of those would be malnourished and crippled civilians, both women and children, that would be attacking you, and that you would have to shoot or be killed. Like you said, you're anti-war, so I wouldn't expect you to be cold enough to be able to pull the trigger on some kid with his daddy's harpoon charging at you in the name of their Glorious Leader. They are overloaded with anti-Western propaganda from the moment of their birth - even their nursery rhymes are graphic depictions of Americans getting slaughtered, I kid you not.

Look, you want to support your government against North Korea in case Kimmy does go berserk, holy shit that's awesome. But this isn't the right way. What I was planning on doing (before realizing that I wasn't cut out for politics) was to be there for when there regime falls, politically trained and well versed in the Korean lifestyle so that I could help their citizens re-integrate themselves into the real world. There are plenty of other ways to get involved against North Korea, but of them joining the army is probably the worst way I can think of. Please, do not join as a soldier.

[Snips]

Thanks for the concern, Yvl. In all honesty though, this has been a long time coming. I'm not joining up for the sake of fighting North Korea. I've even been looking at non combat roles (such as military musician, I have experience playing reed and brass instruments) and as of yet I'm still undecided where I'll go. Its strange... like I have this feeling in my gut saying this is what I was always meant to do. If someone was getting picked on at school, I would always be that guy who would throw himself between the defenseless one and the gang of 5+ people (and getting beat up for it more than once but there were times I somehow won, too.) It's hard to explain, but at the very least... the VERY LEAST, skipping over vocation and duty and patriotism and all that... I still need a job, so this is killing multiple birds with one stone.

But honestly, everyone, thanks for your support and advice, you too, Yvl, and Luther for the PM you sent me. And besides... keeping in mind, I'm Canadian. We're not active in much at the moment besides Afghanistan (we do have soldiers in Iraq but not with our units; Canadians training with American units were shipped off with their comrades but that's it for our involvement) If anything, I'd likely be involved in peacekeeping operations (which I do realize is no laughing matter. Peacekeepers are forbidden from using force except to defend themselves so if I saw someone about to kill someone else I couldn't save them, which would take a huge emotional toll on someone like me, but at least my life wouldn't be in half as much danger as it would in a proper war.)

But like I said... if I got another job before the army calls me back, I might not join, who knows. The longer I wait the more my resolve shifts. Yesterday I was all gung ho, working out and getting prepared for when boot camp starts, while today I just wanted to relax and try to beat SMT: Digital Devil Saga. Tomorrow I'll likely be sweating up a storm again. Who knows?

[TGLucario475]

Good luck and stay safe ^^

[Snips]

Anyways, this is just a heads up. I'll say this first though: If I get a job before the army calls me back I may lose my resolve by then, but as it stands now, I have a feeling like this is just something I need to do, you know?

Starting a part time night shift on the 15th cleaning a movie Theater (and perks involve bags of free popcorn). If it works out I may put off joining the army until I can get those last High School credits I'm missing so the army will pay for my post secondary. I think this way would work out for the best overall. That, and I don't want to wake up at 5 AM for drills on my birthday next month.