Geez...just finished reading the thread and it really did go down the hole when the military card was thrown on the table. To think that it's dishonorable to think about joining the military (active, guard or reserve) to help get your family out of a tough situation isn't right. I've been in the Air Force for 6 years now almost working on F-15's and I've meet a lot of people that joined because they hit a wall and needed help. They weighed their options, talked to recruiters of all branches if they weren't set on a single service, found a career they were interested in and joined. If fighting on the front line isn't what they wanted to do, they avoided the services/jobs that takes them there and in my case, they all went aircraft mechanic in the Air Force. Really all you gotta do is be smart about your decision and regardless of your reason for joining, you and your family will get taken care of in the long run. I don't even get way you'd compare welfare and the military because the benefits of one don't even compare to the other. Welfare can get you by but your still scraping rock bottom where the military...well ****, the benefits have already been stated and they get better. Yea I wont lie, it can suck at times because you just can't walk up to your boss and tell him you quit and walk out. Lord knows I felt like that a few times but things don't stay ****ty forever. And besides, active duty wise, 4 year commitment at the least. That's really not that long and after you get out, you can slap the military on your application and that helps increase the chances of getting a job. Now I'm not saying people should join the military if they hit some rough times because it's not for everyone and not everyone can join for several reasons. But the option, along with many others, is out there and it doesn't hurt anyone for them to know it. As long as they do their research, explore their options, and make the right choices...they can avoid the frontline and not risk leaving their wife/children husband/fatherless.

Oh and on the housing stuff...yea, I can't speak for the other services but if you seriously have issue's with affording to live on or off base then damn. If you're married you have the option to live in either base housing or off base. Some bases may not give you the option sometimes to move off base because they do have to keep a certain percentage of houses in use which is usually around 90%. Most Air Force bases have/are building new housing which looks pretty damn nice and the only bills you have to pay are cable and internet. They pay you more then enough to live off base if you live within your means which isn't that hard to do seriously. I live off base right now and I have a really nice house and I'm banking 300 bucks a month because I found a place within my means.

Okay that's my .02...well maybe a little more but yea, you get the point. Back on topic, seems things are already looking up for you, I'm happy for ya. Like many others have said, family comes first no matter what and I'd say you should keep it, push away your habit of wanting to fix everything the moment it starts to show a sign of going bad for now. Stop jumping at minor fixes and only drive the truck when you absolutely have too. It seems like the Maxima is getting the job done and eventually over time as things get better, you'll be able to take care of the trucks issue's. As long as you're not having to fill the fluids up every week or day, I wouldn't sweat a leak.

 

Ok,so name one thing I am wrong on if I inserted my foot.You didnt disprove one thing I said.Did Haliburton get richer because of the war?? Yes.Did Saddam put a contract out on his father? Yes.Personally I think people who go into the military are people who need to be led because of lack of direction in their lifes.You go to fight a war you dont understand because you are told to.Doesnt sound like much thought there.You go out and killed for rich people who have no concept of what the normal person is going through.Why did we go over there?If we were wanting to fight the right enemy we wouldve went to Afghanistan and Pakistan and figured out how to deal Saudi Arabia who funds terrorism with our oil money.You may subscribe to the military line of doing what youre told but when it doesnt make any sense when the enemy youre fighting isnt the right one,then that kinds makes you ignorant doesnt it?

 

its hard to fathom a lot that his been said in this thread. this thread isnt about blaming a person..im not trying to disprove anything you said, i dont CARE about what haliburton did or whose contract went where. the fact is we have a job, and we took an oath to do that. that is a powerful line...we took an oath. its easy to second guess a situation when you arent the one on the hot seat, or having to make a quick decision because if you don't, more men will die. people go into military because they have a lack of direction? everyone in the military can do their buddies job if need be. not to mention you can gain a college diploma to serve and LEAD young men/women. it sucks that this is the perception that a good bit of americans have. it sucks because those people will never understand what it means to take an oath, or to watch your buddies left and right flank. we dont know what intel the governement has, and if they say they have good intel, then they do. we dont have time to judge their decisions or **** will hit the fan a lot more.

 

The US is transforming into a less socialist, more plutocratic state. A bit of study of US history from 1932 through 1980 would make this abundantly clear.

 

And I will conclude my debate with this.I do have military and law enforcement members in my family.My grandfather served in WW2 and was shot down(he lived).My uncle served in vietnam,my cousin is a sheriff.My point in this discussion is we have a young man with financial problems and not knowing what to do and we have a recruiter suggestioning a potentially dangerous profession that is led by the worst,most corrupted decision makers(govenment) ever assembled.You are told to do things that no man in his right mind would do if he wasnt broken down in spirit and then indoctrinated(brainwashed) into following orders that make no sense with an ultimate goal that is unachievable because of the politics always in the background.Being a soldier can be admirable but following a government that is corrupted by greed and powermonging is like lemmings on a cliff.And as far these benefits of getting a house because you have a family,I can understand clothing,feeding and giving our troops great equipment,but why do I have to support your family too?? You chose your job,use your own pay check and support them or dont have a family.We have enough people on the public system as it is now.Flag me or whatever.I am just looking out for someone who is young and impressionable like so many who get stiffed by recruiters promising big things and in the end the parents have a flag on the mantle saying thanks for your childs service.I'm done.

 

wow, i didnt mean to start any drama....just got home from work and found another 2 pages to the thread....

All in all i have to say yes, my #1 priority is giving my daughter the best life she can have.

I grew up without a father...well from 4 years old on. I was beaten by my real father, for he was a drug addict, im scarred for life from that s**t, i can remember it clear as day, and the day i had to testify in court, and i put him in jail at 5 years old.

it was my mother and I until i was 11 until she remarried. my step dad (who i consider my father) adopted me, and i took his last name, and they are still together.

Point is, i know what its like to not have a father. and due to that i always vowed to myself that when i have kids, i will never be apart from them, i will always be there, i will always take care of them, and i will never be like my piece of **** father... My daughter is my world, and if i need to sell the truck to put food in her mouth then so be it....i dont want to, it hasnt come to the point where my daughter doesnt have food, last week i went 2 days without eating because the rest of the cash i had went to diapers, and food for her. MA is the worst state to live in right now, IMO....but once we bank up alot of dough, we are moving back to Maine.

So the way i see it is, is that people on this forum relize i have a daughter, and are looking out for my best interests. everybody has their own opinion on things....




wow lot of info in this one...

 

Normally, some people would say, if you don't like your country or the government, then move out. But that is free speech. Things that many people have fought and died for.

Everyone who grew up in the era of a war, likes to say that it was not a real war. Everyone goes back to WWII as being the last real war.

Remember, the Japanese bombed pearl harbor because we were selling supplies to the brits while we were "neutral." And we would not sell to the japanese. So money got us into that one. But, since I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN TO WAR, I can say that all war, no matter the reason, SUCKS. We have troops in afghanistan. So it is OK for some other "poor sap" to die over there. But if they go to Iraq, then you are up in arms. What a WIMP.

And you say that people who are in the military only go there because they lack direction and leadership. Bah. It is because they want a job and it is also a career of selfless service.

Blame the politicians all you want. But don't lash out on Soldiers because you are not driving down the street in a dodge viper and have a mansion. Everyone is Booo Hooing about how other people are rich. Yet, i seem to see the same people sitting on the couch waiting for a handout.

You either lead, follow or get the F out of the way. Because you are nothing but a distraction. And you, Mr Freeze, are just a pebble in a pond. Find some other forum to complain about how the country sucks rather than going out and doing something about it. No one wants to go out and get what they want anymore. They are just content with waiting for a hand out.

Mr Freeze, you are just a pebble in a pond.

 

Before this gets locked cause someone can't keep their temper in check. I don't think I argued against enlistment. I argued about looking to enlistment as a solution to your problems. I knew all my life that when I turned 18 I was bound for the USN. Delayed entry, turned 17 and didn't even talk to my folks, took the tests and signed my name. If you don't support your military you pretty much SUCK in my book. Don't care if you agree with policy or not.

I'm done arguing my point on $$$ for enlisted folk. I can't cut through the view threw the rose colored lenses.

that said. The choice to sell or not to sell is up to you. Our bickering shouldn't change your decision. Ignore the useless rabble and in the end do what is best for you in your situation. Best of luck in what ever you choose. Military....or not.

 

Flue, i agree with you, and your stance is a valid point. I was just throwing an option out there. I was responding to other posts because the wrong info was being put out there, and others were saying i was dishonorable.

Heck, I was putting up the notion of Army RESERVES as a way to get a better job interview through the army PAYS program (look that up before you flame me).

When guys tell me I am being dishonorable, that is where I have to stand my ground. Not so much about the opinion of the war. but I, like you, will stand up for others who served and myself when attacked.

My temper is in check. I think i am being quite rational. But this should probably get locked because it does not have to do with trucks.

 

I have nothing but respect for those in the military.

but i think im going to keep the truck even though its going to be sitting for probably about a month....but like i said, in about a week, if things are not getting better, (which they should) the truck has GOT to go...

I mean i LOVE my truck, but my fiancee and I are going to have more kids....obviously once we are stable again....and my truck is only a single cab....and i already know im going for a CTD megacab as my next truck.