Army accepting older recruits

[deadparrot]

FORT JACKSON, S.C. - Margie Black had wanted to enter the military as a teenager, but having her first child at 19 put off her ambitions.

So when she learned the Army raised its enlistment age, Black, now a 41-year-old grandmother from West Columbia, Texas, didn't hesitate to join. The decision took "about 30 seconds," she said.

On Friday, Pvt. Black worked on her marksmanship skills here, while her 21-year-old daughter was at Army basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

"I'm taking it one day at a time," Black said. "If I do that, I can handle it."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060819/ap_on_re_us/old_soldiers

[saigon68]

1. Sounds like fun to me

[neoblues]

2. If you can hold a gun... or a stick... and walk without a walker...

(walkers aren't allowed; there's no room in the humvee for them) you're needed...
I mean, we are a war... people. It's time for real sacrifice. We'll fight them to the last man, woman and child... (<we> will defend to the death <our> native soil <and the soil we've conquered/occupied>, <...> we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France <IRAQ, and Afghanistan, and...>, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island <Continent(?)>, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island <uh, Country> or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas <uh, like Puerto Rico...>, armed and guarded by the British Fleet <U.S. Navy>, would carry on the struggle...(--Winston Churchill)) We will nevah surren-dah the oil we so dear-leh kneed... After all, it's really our oil (by divine right!), it merely happens to be beneath their country. And since they're all just a bunch of terra-ists, it's our duty to bring the "truth"--Democracy, Christianity and Secular Government (the latter is only temporary--until they've all converted to the "true faith") to those Godless, Uncivilized Heathens. It's God's plan that we should go collect our oil (God's Blessing on His Special Elect**) and spread Truth (Christianity), Democracy (Aristocratic Corpocratic Oligarchy) and 'merican Way to all God's (inferior) Children. One hopes that the sarcasm is apparent to all...

**Special Elect: American Elite; the Wealthiest of Americans--who are clearly God's Special Elect, the evidence of which is obvious: they've been given the special blessings of Supreme Wealth and Power (which, since it flows directly from God, it obviously must mean these people are God's Most Favored! (Duh--isn't it apparent to everyone?)). It's just the way it is, God loves some of His Children so much more than others that he ordains them to live privileged lives. Alas, Satan is always seeking to cause trouble; increasing taxes, placing obstacles to polluting the environment and passing anti-trust laws, stirring the jealousy of the poor, and so on... Indeed, Satan's work has been very apparent in recent years--for example, the IRAQIs should have welcomed us as their Saviors, but Satan is strong among them and his false religion (Muslimism) has led them to hate those they should worship (go figure).

So, if you can still walk (for at least 20ft before needing a rest), hold a gun (for at least 60 seconds before dropping it), don't have any major medical requirements (and don't require more than eight changes of adult diapers in a 24 hour period) and have 20/800 vision or better (in at least one eye), sign up your country needs you (to help build it's Empire)! "Be All You Can Be!", "You Too, Could Be One of The Few, The Proud..." (and potentially get to kill some Satanists for your country!).

Anything to avoid instituting a draft. I'm surprised they aren't trying to sell the idea that it's really a good thing for everyone to have to serve their country for at least a few years of their adult lives. It just seemed likely to hear them start saying things like: "Be One of the Proud, A Real American", "Real Americans Serve", "Join the New American Reserve; It's Everyone's Duty to Keep America Strong!" and finally, "Be All You Can Be; It's Not Too Late!". Just think, America could emulate Israel and have mandatory service requirements--we could all be one big military family!

Somehow, though they haven't suggested such a thing (yet; to my knowledge), it's also almost surprising they haven't begun trying to create universal incentives for service (that's in addition to creating the popular illusion that "it's the thing real Americans do"). Thinking about such concepts reminded me of that sci-fi movie "Starship Troopers"... where considerable, special privilege was conferred upon everyone who served in the military; that is, military service was a guaranteed way to become a "Citizen"...

•:bluebox:"Service guarantees citizenship. Would you like to know more?"
•:bluebox: "Newsreel announcer: Join the Mobile Infantry and save the Galaxy. Service guarantees citizenship. Would you like to know more?"

•:bluebox: "Newsreel announcer: Young people from all over the globe are joining up to fight for the future."
* "Soldier #1: I'm doing my part."
* "Soldier #2: I'm doing my part."
* "Soldier #3: I'm doing my part."
* "Young kid dressed up as a soldier: I'm doing my part too."
"Newsreel announcer: They're doing their part. Are you? Join the Mobile Infantry and save the world. Service guarantees citizenship."

•:bluebox:"Johnny Rico: Someone asked me once if I knew the difference between a civilian and a citizen. I know now. A citizen has the courage to make the safety of the human race their personal responsibility. Dizzy was my friend. She was a soldier. But most important, she was a citizen of the Federation."

Most important, she was a citizen... she served her government. Will you? Want to know more?

[Cobalt-60]

3. I have my honorable discharge

In the light of the fact that most of the trouble our country has is manufactured by Bush Co,
I believe I will most disrespectfully decline their offer.

[larrysh]

4. Where's Ringer?

[badgervan]

5. Hey....

... if bush keeps raising the military age, he, cheney and so many of their gang can finally make up for their youthful "avoidance" behavior. cheney can make good use of his "marksmanship" talents.