Has OFP/ARMA put you off the Army ?

[Mr. Charles 22]

There was an official 'sign up' form at the back of the brochure, so I tore it out and filled it in with the name and address of a kid down the street who nobody liked, and sent it off.

Kids these days :j:

:D

[franze 196]

Nope, hasn't changed my opinion of military forces at all. It's a game and I approach it as such.

I actually would have joined had I the opportunity to do so, but a disability prevents me from being accepted. My father has been in 37+ years and my sister has been in for 5+ now. I'm not sure about armed forces other than the US, but most of the US military is involved with the logistics rather than actual fighting. They all get shot at of course, but there's a much smaller number of door kickers than truck drivers.

ArmA2 doesn't have a lot of "wake up at 0300 and stand in the rain for 10 hours while waiting for the General to come and inspect the brigade" in it either. ;)

[max power 21]

Youtube has put me off the army. I don't want to be party to idiots shooting grenade launchers at peoples' houses because they are bored, people getting drunk and shooting tigers in their cages, assholes throwing puppies off of cliffs, people shooting dogs in the ass and then watching them suffer, people running taxi drivers' cabs over in their tanks, people shouting 'yeah bitch, you're gone' when they shoot a car driving through a battle raging across a highway, pilots ripping up unidentified personel that turn out to be civilians, journalists, or allies, people shooting up livestock at a watering hole 'just because'. I don't know what I would do in these situations but if the Army is able to turn me into that kind of jackass, I don't want to have anything to do with it. If it's just the idiots who joined, I wouldn't be able to live side by side with those people. Either way, I would lose.

[Alwarren 2767]

Army for me was 3 month beeing fucked 3 months of interesting activities and 12 month of absolute boredom inventing stupid "games" involving the torment of even lower ranks.

Not to mention pulling cleaning kits through the barrel of a Heckler & Koch G3 ;) I was in the German Army in 1988/89, and most of the time it was cleaning guns.

[Beagle 684]

depends on who you play with and how you play the game and from all your complaints about arma why do you even play it?

It's modern elder scrolls to me...thats why. A adventure game with a adventure generator. I really don't even think about it as beeing a simulation of any real life actions or procedures.

When did you last time took out a whole base with your MAAWS Laucher from 1800 meters range....where was your assitant for loading it at that time and do you really think it can shoot that far?

[Darkhorse 1-6 16]

My opinion, I know the war in Afghan is total garbage, I know all the political reasons for it are garbage, I know war in general is garbage, but I am still joining the Army.

I just want to do it for myself and the guys around me, maybe I will only serve 4 years, maybe I will stay.

My interest in the Army is what brought me to Arma, not the other way round, like Isp said.

Same for me. I had spine surgery a year and a half ago, and while the chances of getting me a med waiver are slim, the chance does exist. I've known too many people who've enlisted & deployed, (Some of them not coming back, many of them coming back a different person) to be able to live with myself if I don't atleast try to enlist.

My dad was U.S. Army for 26 years and retired in 08 with 100% Service Connected disability, and I was raised on post, so that also plays a factor.

I play ArmA because of how realistic it is, and because it's not full of the little kids & nutjobs that seem so frequent in other games.

[wraith_v 11]

Interesting, I was going to do an assignment for uni about this a few weeks ago but ended up using call of duty instead (larger audience)

I love Arma, but I wouldn't consider joining the army because of it

[void_false 1]

Pity picture here. It's just like the one troll over the other OFP forum said: "Everyone here tries to make impression of a great military/politics specialist but in reality is just a kid without a life". It's pity to see that most of the post are "i would join if..." or "no I wouldn't join".

I started playing OFP around 2002. It didn't change my mind about the army. I always knew that it was just a game. Although it helped me with theoretical data a bit in the service. I knew many many types of weapons and vehicles, numbers like 5.56, 7.62, 120mm were already known to me. Although on the exam I failed to differ BMP1 from BMP2 :P

Joined the Israeli Defense Forces in 2006. Done my service and discharged in 2009. I must say that it was the greatest time of my life! I dont think I will ever feel the same feelings I had in the army. A feel of glory, of self-achievement, a feeling of doing something of big importance. And now I'm just a fucking office worker bored to hell like everybody else. Odds are you can't rejoin the army here. All I got is reservist calls once a year and that's all. Hopefully, I will get a green card some day and join US Army, or they will make MAVNI program less strict and then I will join them without green card :P

[dmakatra 1]

Pity picture here. It's just like the one troll over the other OFP forum said: "Everyone here tries to make impression of a great military/politics specialist but in reality is just a kid without a life". It's pity to see that most of the post are "i would join if..." or "no I wouldn't join".

Ehh... What? So because you either don't want to join, or haven't been able to/wouldn't want to unless, you're a pathetic kid?

I enjoy shooting digital people in their digital faces in a somewhat organised matter just as everyone else. That doesn't make me want to do it in real life.

What's the deal with this "if you haven't served, you're not a worthy person"-attitude? I don't understand it. I work my arse off day in and day out with my field of work which happen to be drug prevention. You know, the kind of business where you actually do something useful to society instead of running around in the woods pointing death-sticks at people. But apparently, that's not a respectable career path.

[Darkhorse 1-6 16]

A respectable career path, as some particular politicians/government workers have recently showed people, is drug prevention, as long as once you are famous for your anti-drug efforts you actually get caught buying drugs yourself.

(The prosecutor for... i think Paris Hilton's and Lindsay Lohan's cases is who inspired this post.)

:D

[void_false 1]

dmakatra

I just quoted someone who in the end was right. And the fight with him was failed.

Now about the attitude. In Israel we have mandatory service for boys (3 years) and for girls (2 years). Service is mandatory but it's not that hard to find some medical/mental reason not to serve. And unfortunately some people do that. And guess what: they are received not that good in the society! Almost on every job interview you are asked where have you been serving, every talk in the pub in the end comes to discussion about the army, even on the date you ask the girl where did she serve.

So if you havent served you are second class citizen. And well, I strongly support that position. After the army you know what is it stress situation, you know how to work under stress, you know how to follow orders and it's importance that everyone should do their job. As my girlfriend says people who dont serve are kids till their 30's.

[PuFu 4600]

dmakatra

I just quoted someone who in the end was right. And the fight with him was failed.

Now about the attitude. In Israel we have mandatory service for boys (3 years) and for girls (2 years). Service is mandatory but it's not that hard to find some medical/mental reason not to serve. And unfortunately some people do that. And guess what: they are received not that good in the society! Almost on every job interview you are asked where have you been serving, every talk in the pub in the end comes to discussion about the army, even on the date you ask the girl where did she serve.

So if you havent served you are second class citizen. And well, I strongly support that position. After the army you know what is it stress situation, you know how to work under stress, you know how to follow orders and it's importance that everyone should do their job. As my girlfriend says people who dont serve are kids till their 30's.

That is such a bloated view on life my friend. I for once would have gladly done my conscription time, but it's not mandatory anymore. There is a huge difference between doing your army time in a non-cmbat situation, and doing it in one, where you are not even fighting for your country, pride or glory, but for financial reasons, and those reasons are not even yours in the first place.

Plus, some of us have some better things to do with their lives...such as, graduate from a proper university, get your master and phd...you know, that sort of boring and lame stuff second class citizens do

[DaveP 66]

While it's opened my eyes to the opportunities the military offers (through meeting current and ex service members), I'm doing well enough on my own path that it isn't really on the horizon

Edited April 9, 2011 by DaveP

[pooroldspike 129]

I could never have joined the military because I wouldn't have been able to take orders if I thought they were stupid, and I'd have been forever arguing with my "superiors".

A fool is still a fool even if he outranks you..

---------- Post added at 11:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:23 AM ----------

...some of us have some better things to do with their lives...such as, graduate from a proper university, get your master and phd...you know, that sort of boring and lame stuff second class citizens do

Yeah but there's not much glory in pen-pushing..;)

"Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath..they come from faraway lands..to destroy the whole country..and destroy the sinners within it" (Isaiah ch 13)

"Adm. Mike Mullen awards the Silver Star to U.S. Army Capt. Gregory Ambrosia at Korengal Outpost, Afghanistan, July 11, 2008 for valor under fire after running into a hail of enemy gunfire to help save fallen comrades"

[Beagle 684]

dmakatra

I just quoted someone who in the end was right. And the fight with him was failed.

Now about the attitude. In Israel we have mandatory service for boys (3 years) and for girls (2 years). Service is mandatory but it's not that hard to find some medical/mental reason not to serve. And unfortunately some people do that. And guess what: they are received not that good in the society! Almost on every job interview you are asked where have you been serving, every talk in the pub in the end comes to discussion about the army, even on the date you ask the girl where did she serve.

So if you havent served you are second class citizen. And well, I strongly support that position. After the army you know what is it stress situation, you know how to work under stress, you know how to follow orders and it's importance that everyone should do their job. As my girlfriend says people who dont serve are kids till their 30's.

I'm sorry to read this, because it sounds like the common german attitude back from the time of the prussian empire till into the 1940's.

I guess the whole attitude is something that changes with age and the times you live in. Back into my late 20's I used every chance for resrervist training...but after all that warmongering that occurs since 2001 I don't see NATO or service in armed forces as somthing hornorable anymore.

Soldiers are puppets politicians play dirty games with.

Milosevic had soldiers

Saddam had Soldiers

Charles Taylor had soldier

Ghadaffi has soldiers

Where the honor there?

Just because you wear a NATO Badge does not make you right and innocent.

Today in the age of neocolonialism I don't se a difference in Soldiers, Military Contractors or Mercenaries...it's all the same breed often working together for the highest bidder.

My main philisosophical problem is that as a soldier you depend fully on the will of your national Leaders...that may include insane persons telling you good reasons to kill other people that got told the same good reasons and all turns out as a lie 10 years later.

Edited April 9, 2011 by Beagle

[pooroldspike 129]

Most of us simply don't feel it's our calling to be a soldier, but thank God there are people who do..

"Battle is the most magnificent competition in which human beings can indulge"- Gen George Patton

"I have a high art, I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me"- Archilocus (Greek mercenary) 650 BC

"Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price"- Sun Tzu, 600 BC

"I was happy in the midst of dangers and inconveniences"- Daniel Boone

"In my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield"- Gen Douglas MacArthur

"Cowards die many times before their deaths, but the valiant taste of death but once"-Shakespeare, J.Caesar

"There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter" - Ernest Hemingway

“Where do we get such men? They leave this ship and they do their job. Then they must find this speck lost somewhere on the sea. When they find it, they have to land on its pitching deck. Where do we get such men?"- Rear Admiral George Tarrant in “The Bridges at Toko-Riâ€

"I have a rendezvous with Death

At some disputed barricade,

When Spring comes back with rustling shade

And apple-blossoms fill the air--

I have a rendezvous with Death

When Spring brings back blue days and fair.

And To My Pledged Word Am True

I Shall Not Fail That Rendezvous"

Alan Seegar (1888-1916)

"Here at last I take it!"- Young cavalry officer Winston Churchill unhorsed and alone, calmly contemplating death as Boer horsemen charged down on him.

"Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be defended by men with guns.

You need me on that wall, you want me on that wall"

MORE QUOTES- http://www.thefewgoodmen.com/thefgmforum/showthread.php?561-Quotes

[void_false 1]

some better things to do with their lives...such as, graduate from a proper university, get your master and phd...you know, that sort of boring and lame stuff second class citizens do

OMG spare me with that BS please. There's no "No servicemen here" writings on uni doors. In fact, gov-ment helps you with money after you discharge. I've been thou this argument for million times. Always you say the same like I have kids to rise, tree to plant, garden grass to cut, etc.

I could never have joined the military because I wouldn't have been able to take orders if I thought they were stupid, and I'd have been forever arguing with my "superiors".

First of all, come and see. Second, now you understand why our job market doesnt want people who didnt serve? Why the hell someone will hire you if you wont do the job because of your view?

ADD:

It will surprise you, but most of the army are non-combat personnel! YES! Not everyone runs with gun jumping into enemy's trench with bayonet!

Many soldiers see the rifle only during the MBT. There're million specializations in the army just like in the civil life. From kiosk seller to System Administrator. A friend of mine is a programmer during his active duty right now.

Edited April 9, 2011 by void_false

[Tonci87 163]

OMG spare me with that BS please. There's no "No servicemen here" writings on uni doors. In fact, gov-ment helps you with money after you discharge. I've been thou this argument for million times. Always you say the same like I have kids to rise, tree to plant, garden grass to cut, etc.

First of all, come and see. Second, now you understand why our job market doesnt want people who didnt serve? Why the hell someone will hire you if you wont do the job because of your view?

ADD:

It will surprise you, but most of the army are non-combat personnel! YES! Not everyone runs with gun jumping into enemy's trench with bayonet!

Many soldiers see the rifle only during the MBT. There're million specializations in the army just like in the civil life. From kiosk seller to System Administrator. A friend of mine is a programmer during his active duty right now.

Well your Job usually doesn´t have a chance to get you killed. If you have some Idiot in Charge that tells you to do totally stupid things, your chance of getting killed is very high.

[void_false 1]

ADD:

It will surprise you, but most of the army are non-combat personnel! YES! Not everyone runs with gun jumping into enemy's trench with bayonet!

Many soldiers see the rifle only during the MBT. There're million specializations in the army just like in the civil life. From kiosk seller to System Administrator. A friend of mine is a programmer during his active duty right now.

Tonci87, Reread this few times.

Furthermore you even don't need a job to get killed. Car accidents took more lives than any war

[Tonci87 163]

Valid Point, didn´t read your Add before I posted

But what happens with those other People that don´t actually fight in your society, aren´t they some kind of second class citizens because they only sold sweets instead of actually fighting someone?

[Noraf 0]

nope, and there are a couple of reasons why

1: i'm an airforce pjuke ;)

2: Served my time before the first game came out (97)

Edited April 9, 2011 by Noraf
can't type

[pooroldspike 129]

[Hedo 10]

Any definite reason for posting all the pictures and quotes? No offence, but it's getting a bit annoying and I don't really see the connection to the topic.

void_false: We don't have that kind of thinking in Europe (as far as I'm aware). I think it should be up to everyone's free will to join or not to join the army. Altough I wouldn't be against if the mandatory service was brought back in some form.

[trickster1982 10]

I've had an interest in the military since I was a kid, I made different choices though when I left school and didnt go down that route although sometimes I think I maybe should have done. I went through the selection process with the TA just over a year ago which I really enjoyed, but unfortunately due to a blip of depression/OCD in my early 20's I was rejected on medical grounds. Anyway I was told that I may be able to try again after 12 months as it is now well over 5 years since I last had treatment so at 29 I'm going to try again this year! :) Arma 2 has had no influence on this, but I am interested in all the hardware in the game, as well as that feeling that the game is a lot more realistic than nearly all other military games out there (not that a game will ever come close to real combat)

[void_false 1]

But what happens with those other People that don´t actually fight in your society, aren´t they some kind of second class citizens because they only sold sweets instead of actually fighting someone?

Army isn't about fighting. It's about discipline. As many say "it is a school of life". Even as a sweets seller you have your responsibilities: you have to open that god damn thing at specific time, you have to do the selling and and keep the place clean. These are just few off the top of my head. I'm sure the ones who got this job could describe in more detail, like money and supplies counting(I'm again just guessing).

So again - no, it's not about fighting. It's about yourself, your country and your people.

EDIT:

You can compare the service to paying taxes. If you dont pay you benefit for youself. But you're damaging the state's economy.

Edited April 9, 2011 by void_false