ways to serve

[freekforge]

All my life all i have wanted to do was be in the military but unfortunately last February I had to have surgery and after talking with recruiters there is now no way for me to join any branch. So I started looking into other ways to serve due to my brothers experience with the civil air patrol i put that aside and started looking into the Indiana guard reserve which looked promising until i was told it had a bunch of old farts that wanted a uniform although i have been able to find a few good guys in there. Is there any other way to serve in such a way? I really like the military structure since it is something i understand. I'm only 19 so i cant be a police officer yet and am waiting awhile before i decide to apply for a corrections position. Any ideas on a way to serve preferably with a military structure?

 

[chocktaw2]

Come work with me for a week. I ain't military, but damn close.

 

[CitiusFortius]

Neighborhood watch? In Detroit? Pretty much a warzone....

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

All my life all i have wanted to do was be in the military but unfortunately last February I had to have surgery and after talking with recruiters there is now no way for me to join any branch. So I started looking into other ways to serve due to my brothers experience with the civil air patrol i put that aside and started looking into the Indiana guard reserve which looked promising until i was told it had a bunch of old farts that wanted a uniform although i have been able to find a few good guys in there. Is there any other way to serve in such a way? I really like the military structure since it is something i understand. I'm only 19 so i cant be a police officer yet and am waiting awhile before i decide to apply for a corrections position. Any ideas on a way to serve preferably with a military structure?

If you really want to join the military that badly then why would you not join the guard reserve since you're able?

 

[freekforge]

It is my understanding that the guard reserve is pretty much a joke. I wonder if they will let you come and observe what they do before you join, might have to shoot them an email to see. I guess they teach first aid and other emergency medical stuff so even if i didnt get to do much in the IGR i could us the knowledge to serve outside of it.

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

It is my understanding that the guard reserve is pretty much a joke. I wonder if they will let you come and observe what they do before you join, might have to shoot them an email to see. I guess they teach first aid and other emergency medical stuff so even if i didnt get to do much in the IGR i could us the knowledge to serve outside of it.

I can put you in touch with a coworker of mine who trains the MP side of things with the Indiana guard reserve. He might be able to give you a better idea on what it's like. Send me a PM if you're interested.

 

[freekforge]

I just did some looking into IGR recruiting and saw they follow the armys guidlines for height and weight and i am too skinny if i want to join i have to gain weight

 

[freekforge]

If i gain a few pounds i might shoot you a pm I guess it wont hurt to check it out. I have a couple friends that are in the same boat as me and are interested as well

 

[Lebowski]

If you can't join an armed force, you can still serve your country by simply being a model citizen. Don't need to go fight endless wars overseas to serve. Just be a good guy, help make your local community a better place to live and just be a good, American loving patriotic citizen who fights the good fight for things that are right and true, right here at home.

 

[ASD]

Come work with me for a week. I ain't military, but damn close.

Now you have me interested what do you do?

 

[Trigger Time]

I don't know what surgery you had but if you don't tell they won't know. How big is your scar?

 

[freekforge]

I have an almost fist sized sunken spot on my chest its impossible to miss. it doesn't keep me from doing anything in fact i can do more than i could before but they said there is no way i could join. I ain't gonna lie i had tears in my eyes when they said "no" and the Sgt. with whom i had become friends with teared up too. The bright side is several leos i have talked to said i may be able to apply for LE positions when of age.

 

[Cldedhnds]

If you can't join an armed force, you can still serve your country by simply being a model citizen. Don't need to go fight endless wars overseas to serve. Just be a good guy, help make your local community a better place to live and just be a good, American loving patriotic citizen who fights the good fight for things that are right and true, right here at home.

Well said.

 

[Trigger Time]

I have an almost fist sized sunken spot on my chest its impossible to miss. it doesn't keep me from doing anything in fact i can do more than i could before but they said there is no way i could join. I ain't gonna lie i had tears in my eyes when they said "no" and the Sgt. with whom i had become friends with teared up too. The bright side is several leos i have talked to said i may be able to apply for LE positions when of age.

. Why not try out for the fire department? Or go work for a private ambulance service as an emt? Fire department or police will pay better though. I just suggest the emt route that way you can get training and a job NOW at your age that will be applicable once your 21 and can become a police officer. There are also many civilian govt jobs you could try for. Sorry you can't join the military. But don't let it stop you from being successful. I believe everything happens for a reason and it destined to be. With your positive attitude and desire to serve in something bigger than yourself I'm sure you'll go far! Man I wish I could be 19 again. You have so many great things to look forward to!

 

[atvdave]

I would contact your local VFW and offer your services as a volunteer to a military family. Many families need big brothers / big sisters.

 

[drillsgt]

If you can't join an armed force, you can still serve your country by simply being a model citizen. Don't need to go fight endless wars overseas to serve. Just be a good guy, help make your local community a better place to live and just be a good, American loving patriotic citizen who fights the good fight for things that are right and true, right here at home.

Isn't that DHS's definition of a potential terrorist now?

 

[drillsgt]

One thing is don't believe everything a recruiter tells you. I don't know what your surgery was but often they will just tell you some BS so they don't have to deal with any extra paperwork enlisting you might bring. As the military starts to downsize they can meet goals much easier now than when more troops are needed.

 

[freekforge]

a lot of the recruiters i have dealt with are the kind that will lie about anything and everything to get you to join "if you join you can be a navy seal PJ rescue diver member of the delta force battalion of the army" type lies so when they told me I cant join i believed them but still sought more input. The recruiter with whom i became friends with was one that would tell the truth (pretty rare species of recruiter) and one that i trusted 150% said the the same as did my doctor who was in the military and whose job it was to decide this stuff. I have considered being an EMT but i put off driving as long as i could so i still have to drive with a permit and the EMT class I want to take requires a drivers license so i have to wait for that. As for being a good citizen and serving that way i try my hardest i have volunteered with my old HS and have obtained a sub permit to try and help that way as well. Its cool being able to talk to folks that understand the desire to serve when in HS i was weird because of it lol

 

[Lebowski]

Isn't that DHS's definition of a potential terrorist now?

I actually did a out loud chuckle. Sad thing is, you're probably right.

 

[freekforge]

You're not the only one I laughed a little too but then I was like "wait a second...that's true!" lol