Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 5/6/2011

Question
Hello Mark.

I have achieved a lot in my life and I have no regrets in my life, but the one thing that has been always haunting me on a subconscious level is joining the military. My parents are former Israeli soldiers and when they moved to the US years later, I was born and became interested in the possibility of becoming one myself. Now, at age 37 I am torn between joining the military or establishing a new career that will financially change my life. But at the same time, I think nothing can be greater than to serve for one's country and for the greater good, providing that the reasons for joining the service of any branch is for a just cause. For instance, I don't think the war in Iraqi is a just cause, but the war in Afghanistan is worth fighting for. And in light of the recent news of bin Laden's death, it has made me feel an even stronger inclination to join up. And yet, there is still so much that I haven't seen and experience such as to travel around the world and establish and create a family of my own. The thing is, it is the possibility of getting killed in Afghanistan is what worries me. To clarify, I'm not afraid to die, I understand that all living things must die and that death is part of life, and I'm at peace with that since I consider myself to be a spiritual person. But what worries me is that I would hate to die before reaching my fullest potential. This decision to join the military would not be as hard if I had a wife and family of my own. At least this way, if I am killed in action, my legacy is ensured. Then I read from a yahoo discussion forum that people in the US have a greater chance of getting killed in their own country with the increasing crime rate compared to being killed in Afghanistan.

1. What are my chances of getting killed in the US compared to getting killed in Afghanistan?

2. Considering that we haven't won a major war since WW2, do you think that will be the same case for Afghanistan?

3. What is the minimum requirement to stay in the service?


Best regards,

Julian

Answer
Julian,

These are valid questions that anyone should consider before considering entering the military.
As you probably know, we are no longer sending combat soldiers to Iraq.   Afghanistan is the only war going right now.  Although they have been called "Police Actions" and "Operations", make no mistake, they are wars.  Years after the fact the Korean War was finally declared a war and I'm sure someday they'll look back and do the same for our actions in the Middle East.

What are your chances of dying?  They haven't been studied yet, but realize that you could "suck a bug down your throat and die" at any time.  I would rather die for a cause than by something petty like that.  Better to die a respected hero than die senselessly.

The "odds are" numbers are misconstrued because only military persons have a chance of dying in Afghanistan, yet they compare the number of war deceased against the entire 300 million population of the U.S.

Having been in both actions, and many other minor "wars" I would say your chances of getting killed are very slim.  It also depends upon your job.  For example, if you're in the Navy, and not on daily patrol like an Army infantryman, your odds of survival are great.  If you're a support person, you have a much better survival rate than a combat infantryman on patrol, yet support jobs are just as important.  For example, soldiers can't fight well unless they can eat and have a place to sleep.

War is just another means of carrying out political desires.  That's why we "haven't won a war" since WWII."  Politics have kept us from declaring a clear cut victory.  Personally, I think it's an embarrassment to just stop fighting in Iraq.  We didn't win or lose, we just quit.  Afghanistan may well be the same way.  Come election time and a person wants to become president of the U.S. they may just "quit and go home" from Afghanistan to gather the popular vote from folks that don't understand the military.  It just looks good to them that the candidate stopped the war.

A U.S. soldier is a lot different than an IDF soldier.  Thus your parents can offer little advice.  I know, because I worked extensively with the IDF in both Tel Aviv and the Negev Desert.

The minimum requirements vary.  Four years is more or less the norm, but some jobs that require lots of training and pay high enlistment bonuses may have a commitment of 6 or 8 years.

I believe you'll find that having military service will not only give you a sense of self achievement, but after having served you'll be more rapidly hired for a civilian job.  Employers like the discipline and training that the military gives and will therefore hire prior service folks before others.

You have little to worry about if you marry and have a family while in the Service.
Good luck,
Colonel H