My brother joined the Army....:(
By mystic_0318
@mystic_0318 (937)
United States
September 26, 2007 10:57pm CST
My brother last week joined the Army with out any warning at all not even to his Fiance...He is 23 and he hasn't been working for the last 6 months cause he lost his job due to going out of business...So he decided to join the Army so he can work and make money to support his family...I'm so sad I just don't want him to go.. I don't think he really thought it through...My whole family don't want him to go even his fiance...Then on the other hand this might be the best thing for him who knows? I try to support him in anything he does and I'm trying not to let this bother me. If any of you had to deal with a loved one who joined the Army or any one of them how did you deal with it? Does it get any easier? I can't help worring about him and he hasn't even left yet....ANy advice you could give me I would appreciate it...
1 person likes this
8 responses
@xuejie (112)
• China
27 Sep 07
I know your feeling. But I want to say it is not a bad thing. Maybe it is very good. Join Army can teach your brother a lot of things, including work hard, bear hardship,discipline etc.
I think you shoule support him in anything he does, especially it is a good thing.
My farther joined the Army in the past, and I loved him very much. I loved his character.
Just support him and make him more selfconfident.
@tigertang (1749)
• Singapore
28 Sep 07
I come from a country with National Service, so I guess my perspectives on the military may be different from those who don't experience military life but here's my few cents worth.
The military is actually one of the most interesting insitutions in society. It's one place where men get to discover each other's character and they learn things that we don't learn in civiy streets. I think, this is the one institution where you see the very best and the very worst in people. I guess it's unusual in the sense that your whole purpose of being in the military is to prepare for the eventuality that you might actually die in combat and when you have this at the back of your mind, your outlook on life can be quite differnt.
I don't know your brother. I guess all I can say is that the move to join the army may be good or it may be bad. It depends on the person. Some people are just meant to be in the military, others should not even consider it.
Like everyone else in the discussion group, I think your brother's aims for joining are noble - he was tiered of being jobless and dependent. I've been jobless and broke and trust me, the feeling is not good. Come what may, I think your brother deserves to be saluted for making an effort to take control of his life.
@Michele21 (3093)
• United States
27 Sep 07
Why do you think it is a bad thing? Are you afraid he will go over to fight in the war? My husband is in the military (Air Force) and I just love it! The benefits are great and it is a good secure job. Try to think of the good things about it, he will learn new job skills, discipline, they help you with everything!! He will most likely become a better person after joining, not that it is easy, it is hard. And you will worry about him alot, but the benefits out weight the bad most of the time. Just support him and show him your love, especially when he is at basic training, send him letters and packages if you can. They mean the world to those guys that are there going through all the training.
1 person likes this
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
27 Sep 07
Don't start worrying until he's deployed. He's not really in any more danger than you are on US soil. Support his decision. Maybe he didn't think it through, but service looks good on a resume and some employers give first consideration to people who have served in the military. There are many benefits to being in the military. His dependents (wife, kids, etc) will be able to shop on base which is generally cheaper than regular grocery stores. There's low cost housing on base as well. A lot of places offer military discounts (hotels for example).
Be supportive, let him know that you care about him and that you respect his decision. I know a lot of Marines who have been deployed 3 or 4 times who have said knowing that there was someone at home who really cared about their well being made them more careful and watchful. I'm not going to tell you not to worry if he gets deployed to Iraq, but if he does write to him often and send him packages with little things from home. You'd be surprised how much that means to a guy who's deployed, seriously.
1 person likes this
@anuj_3103 (32)
• India
27 Sep 07
well brother I don't think U hav to fear about anything cauz ur bro is not doing something wrong but infact he is going to serve his country,doing something very hard and U must admire his braveness.
U hav a bad impression of army in ur mind dat's Y U r afraid of ur brother but bro it's a matter of pride and U must b proud of ur brother.
But still u think that's not good for him then U may be right cauz U know ur brother more than anyone else,& to stop him just make him aware of some of the disadvantages of Army like gr8 discipline,tight schedule which can even make u homesick,tell him dat he's gonna miss his family in a terrible manner, & better convince him to get a better job other than army where he can live wid his family & even earn.Encourage him dat he can still find a much better job cauz oppurtunities never end for a brave soul like him.
all the best........
1 person likes this
@Dinku123 (21)
• India
13 Oct 07
I do understand ur feelings for your brother ,but i think the path that he is chosen is prestigious, and he has not told anybody about his profession as he does not want anybody to get disturbed by his actions. He very well knows what he is doing and is much confident about his actions, maybe he has joined army as he always wanted to one of those elite who serve the country.
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
28 Sep 07
I think he put a lot of thought into it really. He has been laid off for 6 months, he knows he is engaged and he needs a means to support his family. I have dealt with a loved one who joined the army. My husband is in the Army. He did the same thing as your brother. He couldn't find work, so he enlisted, he got out, didn't like what he was doing and re-enlisted. He is a career man. Maybe your brother won't make a career out of it. It isn't such a bad life, we do spend a lot of time apart, but we have a good life nonetheless. I just hate that he is in Iraq. It does get easier to deal with, you will always worry, but you should also let him know that no matter what you support his decision. It is important to let him know that so that he can go with a clear mind. He has a tough road ahead with basic training and AIT and all of that. I hope this helps!
@shy_gal (235)
• Malaysia
28 Sep 07
I know your feeling on this. You want to support what your brother have done but also worry there might be something happen on him.
Become an army is not a bad matter also. Maybe he could learn more things from there. He still take care the country which is a proud matter.
So, you have tell your family and your brother fiance that the good things become an army. Don't only think the bad thing will happen on him only.
