Ask any young Black man on the streets about joining the military to " be all that he can be" and the answer seem to be similar, " Hell no, we won't go."
" The nunber of Blacks joining yhe military has PLUNGED since the Afganistan and Iraq wars began, but has been partly offset by an increase in Hispanic recruits ahose of other races and nationalities" AP
There were nearly 51,000 new Black recruits for active duty and reserves in 2001 and the number fell less than 32,000 in 2006. (AP data)
" The decline is stark for the Army. Blacks represented about 23% of enlisted recrits in 2000, but only 12.4 % in 2006" Sgt. Terry Wright
" Young Black Americans are the most progressive voters in the United States. Blacks are not going to buy it anymore. " Latinoes haven't been paid as much attention to. So you go for the next poor communit you can find" ( new american media)
" America's not offering yoou any job, but they want you in the Armed Forces. They know they're going to invade many more countries. Mothers who have reared your sons and your daughters, suffering to give your children a decent life, then you send them away to Iraq and Afganistan and they come back broken, mentally destroyed. This is criminal. (Minister Farrakhan)
It's sad that you see less blacks are joining the army every country needs a mix of cultures in thier forces, but I think the drop in recruits is is not just black but whites as well and frankly I cannot understand the people who have the "I would join the forces but there is a war on" mentality it seems unusual to me.
Personally I think some people are missing out I loved being in the army it was decent pay a good life, made (and lost) good freinds and learnt lots of diffrent skills but on the other side I knew that there is a chance I may see combat and I did in Ireland, Africa, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and some places I can't tell you about but that was my job.
I would guarntee you that there would not be a drop in the forces numbers opf black or whites if there was not a war on and what that says to me is that the army is better of without these type of people.
lodgebo said this in post #2 : It's sad that you see less blacks are joining the army every country needs a mix of cultures in thier forces, but I think the drop in recruits is is not just black but whites as well and frankly I cannot understand the people who have the "I would join the forces but there is a war on" mentality it seems unusual to me.
Personally I think some people are missing out I loved being in the army it was decent pay a good life, made (and lost) good freinds and learnt lots of diffrent skills but on the other side I knew that there is a chance I may see combat and I did in Ireland, Africa, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and some places I can't tell you about but that was my job.
I would guarntee you that there would not be a drop in the forces numbers opf black or whites if there was not a war on and what that says to me is that the army is better of without these type of people.
I guess " these type of people" will not be joining the army in our lifetime. Respect their ABILITY to decide and maybe you should understand why before you start questioning our decsion. Don't forget gung ho soldiers like you who love the army are the exception.
" There are 30 wars and armed conflicts going on in the world today, with more money spent troughout the world on war than on education, with the United States leading the way- U.S. spends more than $400 billion per year on military expenditures, but only $60 billion per year in this country on education.
I'm telling you it would be the worst mistake that you made, joining the U.S. military today, because you'll leave America in one way, and you'll come back in another way.
Then when you come home, the Veteran's Administrations will not treat you as they should."
Minister Farrakhan
Firstly I was in the best special forces units in the world and gung ho does not describe how we did our work hell we prevented world war 3 and the enemy never saw us hardly gung ho is it.
As for the ones that don't want to join I do respect thier decsion, they have decided not join the army because they don't want to go into battle, it's simple the army needs those whjo will fight when they need to.
As for the tretment of vets well thats varies country by country.
"I guess " these type of people" will not be joining the army in our lifetime. Respect their ABILITY to decide and maybe you should understand why before you start questioning our decsion."
What do you mean, "our decision"?
"Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord."
"Judge not, let you be judged yourself."
I live my life highly accordingly to these two quotes, and pray I'm never wronged to the point of forgetting them.
Will you have to understand Malcolm is the official spokesperson for ALL black in America and all African nations as well he is the mouthpiece for millions and as such his word is truth.
If you want the truth about military life Malcolm, I'll be glad to oblige.
First of all, just as any career, just like any job, there are times when this job sucks, and there are times where you sit back and realize how greatful you are for the experiences you have. Combat sucks, there's no secret there. It's not what you see when some Hollywood producer has a vision, it's not glamorous or glorious. Sometimes the people you work for suck, sometimes you luck out and you get an awesome leader. Being a leader also has it's ups and downs, and can be quite a problem when you have to apply different leadership skills with different people, and before YOU decide to make that a racial issue, it has never had anything to do with that. I have Marines under my charge, and regardless of what race they are or what sex they are, without any regard for what religious beliefs they hold, I expect the same from each and every one of them. We all went through the same trials and tests to become a Marine, and we all EARNED the right to be a Marine.
I have more respect for someone who makes the decision to not join the military than one who does, and cries foul when it's time to do what you've trained to do. It disgusts me to see someone in uniform, and when the warning order comes down, the first thing out of their mouth is "I didn't sign up for this". If you don't want to fight, don't join.
Recruiting numbers, as well as retention numbers are down across the board. Why there has to be a color put to it is ridiculous. As lodgebo said, I don't want someone on my team who doesn't want to play. Like I told my wife the day I left for Iraq, I've got to go to work, I'll be home a little late". It's a job, and the best damn job I've ever had. I got out when I got back from Iraq, and the civilian world sucked. Most people were lazy, and passed the buck from employee to employee, and it seemed the civilian battle cry was "That's not part of my job description". There was no loyalty, no ethos, rarely ever was there even any character or self pride, pride in a days work. So, I came back in, and I haven't had one regret about it since. It's not for everyone, and I can respect that, just don't look at me like I'm messed up because it's what I do and I do it well.
As long as you respect the sacrifices taken and efforts put forth by those in uniform, world wide, then there's no reason for any of us in uniform or those who have proudly worn a uniform to find fault with you or anyone else for not enlisting or going commisioned.
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
WillJ said this in post #5 : "I guess " these type of people" will not be joining the army in our lifetime. Respect their ABILITY to decide and maybe you should understand why before you start questioning our decsion."
What do you mean, "our decision"?
1)We have to continue to stay objective and hink for ourself because there are trained (army)interrogators trying to spin information to brainwash us for their agenda.
2) To answer your question I used our to say I agree and UNDERSTAND WHY
the MAJORITY of people are making same decsion of this topic. I understand its not what the trained military people are spinning it to be .
Lodgbo what is the Black population in Scotland in terms of %?
Well there are not many. From what I found out from the 2001 census 2% of the Scottish population are classed as non white etnic group Can't be bothered trying to work out 2% of 5.5 million it's is 2.30 am over here.
Ok here comes the confusing bit you may have to read this a few time to take it in I did but again it's 2.30am. Ok of the 2% 70% of that figure was Asian with 45% of thos people being Pakistani then you have Indians, Bangledeshis, Chinese and Japanese the remaining 30% were made up of Africans and Middle Eastern people.
However when you look at births for Ethinic groups 18% of births from Ethinc groups were Children of African parents.
Also the 2001 census listed thet etnic grouping question as optional and 5% decide to not supply an answer.
Furtehrmore Scotland population has risen since 2001 mainly due to immigration and while Poles are the greatest number of immigrants there are African immigrants no doubt as well.
To be honest with you Malcolm I don't care how many Scots are black we are all Scots we are all the same natonality we all share the same land and have the same values thats more important to me than the colour of someones skin.
1)We have to continue to stay objective and hink for ourself because there are trained (army)interrogators trying to spin information to brainwash us for their agenda.
2) To answer your question I used our to say I agree and UNDERSTAND WHY
the MAJORITY of people are making same decsion of this topic. I understand its not what the trained military people are spinning it to be .
Lodgbo what is the Black population in Scotland in terms of %?
RoyalPITA said this in post #7 : If you want the truth about military life Malcolm, I'll be glad to oblige.
First of all, just as any career, just like any job, there are times when this job sucks, and there are times where you sit back and realize how greatful you are for the experiences you have. Combat sucks, there's no secret there. It's not what you see when some Hollywood producer has a vision, it's not glamorous or glorious. Sometimes the people you work for suck, sometimes you luck out and you get an awesome leader. Being a leader also has it's ups and downs, and can be quite a problem when you have to apply different leadership skills with different people, and before YOU decide to make that a racial issue, it has never had anything to do with that. I have Marines under my charge, and regardless of what race they are or what sex they are, without any regard for what religious beliefs they hold, I expect the same from each and every one of them. We all went through the same trials and tests to become a Marine, and we all EARNED the right to be a Marine.
I have more respect for someone who makes the decision to not join the military than one who does, and cries foul when it's time to do what you've trained to do. It disgusts me to see someone in uniform, and when the warning order comes down, the first thing out of their mouth is "I didn't sign up for this". If you don't want to fight, don't join.
Recruiting numbers, as well as retention numbers are down across the board. Why there has to be a color put to it is ridiculous. As lodgebo said, I don't want someone on my team who doesn't want to play. Like I told my wife the day I left for Iraq, I've got to go to work, I'll be home a little late". It's a job, and the best damn job I've ever had. I got out when I got back from Iraq, and the civilian world sucked. Most people were lazy, and passed the buck from employee to employee, and it seemed the civilian battle cry was "That's not part of my job description". There was no loyalty, no ethos, rarely ever was there even any character or self pride, pride in a days work. So, I came back in, and I haven't had one regret about it since. It's not for everyone, and I can respect that, just don't look at me like I'm messed up because it's what I do and I do it well.
As long as you respect the sacrifices taken and efforts put forth by those in uniform, world wide, then there's no reason for any of us in uniform or those who have proudly worn a uniform to find fault with you or anyone else for not enlisting or going commisioned.
1)According Department of Defense Youth and Inflencer Poll conducted by U.S. goverment (may 2005), BLACK youth were less supportive of U.S. troops' presence in Iraq, less likely to feel war was justfied, more disapproving of the Bush administration's handling of foreign affairs and more disapproving of its use of U.S. military forces than were WHITES or HISPANICS. ( read link )
Do you stay aware of news in the "civilian" world? Jena6? Black female tortued in West Virginia? Duke Rape Case? Did you see ( it was caught on tape) the15- year -old Black child being beat to death in a Florida Boot Camp? theAtlanta police shoot 92- year old Black lady and admit later they made mistake?Unarmed Black kid in New York shot 50 times by police the day before his wedding? The 8-year old Black girl in Texas went to prison for shoving a teacher ? tHE KATRINA (2005)catastrophe that Black victims are still feeling? ... and this is just the tip of a moutain. Race may not be an issue on your base but "civilians" deal with racial issues daily and they are incresing.
2) What wrong with someone having second thoughts about invading a country? Especially when it has been proven illegal ( its just killing after this is a fact) , can't answer to why they are risking there life ( or becoming a mercinary), understanding they are EXPENDABLE to an imperialistic agenda. They are privates and know they will be on the front line , while the higher military officers do p.r. for "civilians". If you experience war, What were your feelings when the order was given? It takes time for soldiers to become the John Wayne type of soldier like you and lodgebo are.
How do you feel about people who give orders to risk your life but have never served (and will not let their children served) in military? People who will not bargin if you were to be captured by "the enemy"?
3) Do we agree Iraq the Iraq war was an illegal invasion? Were you involved in Vietnam?
Malcom explain to me why I am a John Wayne type soldier what is you think that I did.
Oh and FYI there were a few blacks in my regiment where they John Wayne soldiers to? What about the last commnader of the British Special Boat squadron the first black commander of one of the special forces units a John Wayne type as well I assume.
lodgebo01 said this in post #9 : Well there are not many. From what I found out from the 2001 census 2% of the Scottish population are classed as non white etnic group Can't be bothered trying to work out 2% of 5.5 million it's is 2.30 am over here.
Ok here comes the confusing bit you may have to read this a few time to take it in I did but again it's 2.30am. Ok of the 2% 70% of that figure was Asian with 45% of thos people being Pakistani then you have Indians, Bangledeshis, Chinese and Japanese the remaining 30% were made up of Africans and Middle Eastern people.
However when you look at births for Ethinic groups 18% of births from Ethinc groups were Children of African parents.
Also the 2001 census listed thet etnic grouping question as optional and 5% decide to not supply an answer.
Furtehrmore Scotland population has risen since 2001 mainly due to immigration and while Poles are the greatest number of immigrants there are African immigrants no doubt as well.
To be honest with you Malcolm I don't care how many Scots are black we are all Scots we are all the same natonality we all share the same land and have the same values thats more important to me than the colour of someones skin.
.12% of Scotland's pop is BLACK. You can't understand Our issues
I don't understand how this was an "illegal" invasion. Regardless of why we went to war or hell, even if it was justifiable, doesn't the President have the right to mobilize troops, given to him by the constitution? Even entering a war under false pretenses (which trust me, would be the biggest ***** in 30 years to have a trial for and actually convict) doesn't make the word "illegal".
"Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord."
"Judge not, let you be judged yourself."
I live my life highly accordingly to these two quotes, and pray I'm never wronged to the point of forgetting them.
09-12-2007 04:53 AM
but that was my job.
