the military
so today in one of my classes we had a recruiter give a presentation about the Army and all the benefits and stuff it gives. it sounds like a great deal for people who don't mind a little mortal danger and don't have any other options. seriously, if i were of a low socioeconomic status with bad grades, i might seriously consider them. they have really impressive signing bonuses, health benefits, education benefits, etc. (although their actual salaries aren't so great).
but fortunately, i'm not in that situation. the only part of the Army package that I can't match is the part where they pay for med school (with some stipulations, of course). seriously, i can rustle up some scholarships that are larger than anything the Army gives. i can make more money with only a bachelor's than a good chunk of their commissioned officers do. all this is practically guaranteed, with significantly less risk to life and limb.
all this on top of the fact that i don't feel comfortable taking orders i don't understand, nor would i enjoy military discipline or the removal of my hair. i like having a lot of hair. they won't take it away from me.
in any case, the recruiter himself seemed pretty nice. he made the Army sound like a nice adventure, a way to get some extra money, education, and specialized training all at the same time (with the knowledge always lurking in the background that anyone in the Army can be deployed to a war zone). this is kinda sad, if you think about it; don't they want real patriots and the like who want to serve their country for its own sake? instead, they seem to be recruiting young people who want easy money and don't care much for their own futures. maybe the Army is the best choice for some. probably not. but hey, who am i to say such a thing? i really don't know.
but fortunately, i'm not in that situation. the only part of the Army package that I can't match is the part where they pay for med school (with some stipulations, of course). seriously, i can rustle up some scholarships that are larger than anything the Army gives. i can make more money with only a bachelor's than a good chunk of their commissioned officers do. all this is practically guaranteed, with significantly less risk to life and limb.
all this on top of the fact that i don't feel comfortable taking orders i don't understand, nor would i enjoy military discipline or the removal of my hair. i like having a lot of hair. they won't take it away from me.
in any case, the recruiter himself seemed pretty nice. he made the Army sound like a nice adventure, a way to get some extra money, education, and specialized training all at the same time (with the knowledge always lurking in the background that anyone in the Army can be deployed to a war zone). this is kinda sad, if you think about it; don't they want real patriots and the like who want to serve their country for its own sake? instead, they seem to be recruiting young people who want easy money and don't care much for their own futures. maybe the Army is the best choice for some. probably not. but hey, who am i to say such a thing? i really don't know.