Alternatives to the military

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How well do the drugs keep your condition under control? Like, if you got shot, or at least shot at, would it act up? That's probably also be a factor. You really don't want extremely high blood pressure if you get shot.

Like for example, I need Zyrtec every day or I get hives all over. But if I lose a lot of sleep, they stop working and I get really itchy. I guess sleep has something to do with histamine levels. May be other things that'd set it off, even though drugs keep it under control under normal circumstances.
 
there are plenty of useful things you can do for your fellow citizens that does not involve joining the military. law abiding, taxpaying, and voting citizens are always needed.

find something you like and do it well. it almost always ends up benefiting the rest of us more than it benefits you, even if you don't think so.
 
I can't offer you any alternatives, but I do commend you for wanting to do something. It's the thought that counts, and I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will suit your abilities/disability.

I'm a big car show guy, and I've noticed something that the people organizing the events always say: It's not problem finding people to donate money, it's finding people that are willing to actually work the event that are hard to get. A lot of us justify giving back by donating money towards organizations, but few actually get off their butt and are willing to do anything. I'm one of the money donators, and you sir are a better person then me for being willing to get up and do something.
 
I am not sure if this is totally on topic, but i have the same issue as well, its called Parents.
I am not sure if i will be able to devote my life to the military so i plan to help out any way that i can. I have chosen to become a Mechanical Engineer. I am going to try to work at Lockheed Martin and build weapon systems for the military. I chose them because i think Lockheed is an awesome company and no doubt one of the best if not the best in any field they are in.

I think the same applies for you. If you pick any sort of job that somehow benefits Americans, you are helping America. Everyone might not see as a true flesh and blood Superman, but who says you can't see that in the mirror every morning?
 
Start a local chapter for the U.S. Civil Ranger Corps. Teach School. Join a really good martial arts program such as exists with Budo Taijutsu teachers including firearms and marksmanship training, and organize/prepare local community for disaster or emergency by getting to know older neighbors who would need help first without power etc., storing food, getting handy skills down and always learning.

US Civil Ranger link HERE
 
If you've got the IQ and education, CIA, NSA, and FBI are good choices. State and local LE are always looking for a few good men (and women).
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In my opinion Law Enforcement as well as emergency responders like firefighter/paramedics definitely count as civil servants. I have just as much respect for them as the military.
 
I see things alittle differently....

So long as you're not actively or passively working against our nation and against our military, and you are gainfully employed (or have retired from a long life of gainful employment) then you ARE serving your nation.

As a military vet myself (Army), I don't expect any thanks from civilians and I don't think I deserve any.
In fact, I owe many civilians a big "thank you".
If it were not for the civilian workforce, where would the military be?
If it were not for the civilians of this nation, as a Soldier, I would have had no uniform, no barracks, no bed, no food, no ammo, no weapons, no vehicles, no manuals, no boots, no "dog-tags", no cammo, no rope, no knives, no ordinance, no fuel, no tools, no sleeping bag, no tent, no communications, no medicine, etc, etc, etc.....

Without a nation of civilian workers to support and equip him, a warrior cannot wage war.

So to all of you civilians who get up everyday to create the things our military needs, this old Soldier says THANK YOU!

(except for whoever was responsible for the MRE "tuna with noodles"!:barf:).

:D
 
Seems unfair that I, and others like me, are not allowed to do somthing useful.
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Oh, there's plenty of ways you can make yourself useful to the community, even if you can't be a soldier.

I'm not sure if you are looking for employment, or just want to make the world a better place... but there are lots of opportunities to "make a difference" in your community, both paid and unpaid. Why not consider the following:

Become a volunteer or professional firefighter. Volunteer departments are usually desperate for manpower, and will gladly create a position that would accomodate any limitations you might have.

Volunteer for the local Red Cross disaster relief team. When a major fire happens, these are the people who make sure that the displaced families have a place to go, and help replace medications and clothing lost in the fire. You'll also have the opportunity to help in national emergencies, such as the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Get certified as a CPR trainer. You'll be paid to teach a lifesaving skill.

Become an auxiliary police officer. You may have to go back to school for a while, but you'll be doing your part to keep people safe during festivals and such. You'll also be called on during times of emergency. Or, you can go full-time, and keep the community safe for a living.

Get involved in the planning committees for local events.

Like animals? Volunteer at your local animal shelter.

Does your area have a Big Brothers/Big Sisters group? Maybe you could help lead kids in the right direction.

Does your local hospital use volunteers to help direct walk-in patients?

Volunteer at the local homeless shelter/rescue mision.

Get involved in the local political party of your choosing.

Are you into CB or Ham radio? Amateur radio clubs will often organize disaster teams to do things like transport medical staff to and from hospitals during blizzards.

Look around at the groups that make a difference in your area, then call them up and ask how you can help. Maybe your city's webpage has a list of volunteer positions.
 
Does Minnesota have one of those? I couldn't find anything on it.
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Unfortunately, a quick Google search does not turn up one. You might try contacting your state Governor's office and see if there is one.
 
I would try LEO. My objection to Peace Corps is that I don't really want a paycheck that I can smoke.
 
The National Guard seems to have somewhat laxed medical requirements compared to some of the active duty forces. They get the same benefits and spend time in the sand box like everybody else. Talk to them at least.

United States Public Health Service is a uniformed government service and has people all over the world not unlike the military.

http://www.usphs.gov/profession/
 
It sure is!

Did it for 12 years!!!

Left as a 2 Lt in the MN066 as the emergency services officer last year. Couldn't afford it after my hospital stay.

Joined when i was 14 in the cadet program.

jaholder1971 you a member?
 
Plexreticle- The medical requirements for the National Guard are the same as Active Army.

I would second the suggestions of other and suggest a state militia. Texas has the Texas Guard which is completely separate from the Federal military and the National Guard. If your state does not have one I suggest you start working towards founding one.
 
I would suggest trying the Minn National Guard. They have different enlistment criteria then the regular army and can be more lenient at time. There is also the possibility of full time service with the national guard.
http://www.dma.state.mn.us/
 
I feel for you, arsenal. I looked into joining the Air Force (against my wife's wishes "There's a f--ing war going on!!!"), but double-hip and double-knee replacement disqualifies me BIG TIME. It also rules me out of firefighter, police officer, FBI, EMT, Postal Inspector, IRS Enforcement, etc etc.

While some of the suggestions given are good, there's something about military service that just outweighs all of them.

(Don't worry, I'm making a difference by ensuring that debits ALWAYS equal credits!) ;)
 
Being in the army, I don't demand that others do the same thing I do. I don't even demand that they agree with me in everything. What I DO tell them to do is to be a country worth defending.

You would be surprised, how difficult it is, to keep a military in ready condition, even AFTER the riduculous ammount of poking and probing they do on us.

The military likes to keep things simple. Yes or No. If you are a Yes, and you later become a Yes with an asterisk, they make life difficult for you. It's just because they can't start making exceptions for everyone. You make THEIR life simple so that they may make YOURS difficult.
 
What a disparity...when I went in at the end of the draft, the courts were giving felons the choice of prison or the military. What about EEOC rules? How about federal laws against discrimination due to disabilities? Most of the guys I served with were either nuts when they went in, or certainly were when they came out!
 
The National Guard seems to have somewhat laxed medical requirements compared to some of the active duty forces.
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nope not true the national guard soliders have to go through the MEPS station just like all the branches and active duty personel.

pmc private military contractor that would be a sweet gig, and you would get paid alot more than me that is for sure. but one thing about the army that i don't have to worry about is my family they will be takin care of, and my body won't be hung from some bridge, we don't leave anyone behind or we all die trying to bring him home dead or alive. a soliders body means as much to us as a living breathing one, that is something that you probally won't find in the contracting business, plus we don't have to help the contractors out if they get in the s%it, would i yes, but they lack alot of suport assests that they could use.ie casevac, ecas etc.
 
But why wouldn't I be able to load missiles on planes or work on stuff in the states, thereby freeing up healthier folks for more serious work over seas?
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There are far more jobs you could do safely than you couldn't...about a 9/1 ratio of support troops to combat. The problem is our military isn't that enlightened because we have such a large population to draw from. In Singapore everybody serves, in my 2 weeks there I saw a guy in a wheelchair and a "small person" that did computer work.

I would like to see our military simultaneously increase the physical standards for combat arms while lowering the standards for support. Currently there is just one standard, defaulting to the lower (I won't say "lowest") common denominator. A soldier who just meets the minimum isn't cut out for light infantry duty in Iraq or Afghanistan IMHO.
 
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