The post 9/11 GI Bill that's why. What a deal for some 18 year old kid. I just took a look at the web site and wow what a huge difference between my old Korean War Vet GI Bill. Up to $1,259 per month for just housing alone. $2,165.25 tuition per semester. I received a flat $110 per month to take care of books, tuition, housing etc.
Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site | The Home for All Educational Benefits Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Lon;1306244 wrote: The post 9/11 GI Bill that's why. What a deal for some 18 year old kid. I just took a look at the web site and wow what a huge difference between my old Korean War Vet GI Bill. Up to $1,259 per month for just housing alone. $2,165.25 tuition per semester. I received a flat $110 per month to take care of books, tuition, housing etc.
Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site | The Home for All Educational Benefits Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs
What good is $2,165.25 tuition per semester when your face is in 9 pieces lying on a desert road?
Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site | The Home for All Educational Benefits Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs
What good is $2,165.25 tuition per semester when your face is in 9 pieces lying on a desert road?
I AM AWESOME MAN
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Nomad;1306246 wrote: What good is $2,165.25 tuition per semester when your face is in 9 pieces lying on a desert road?
That's why you pay attention during training and stay alert after.
That's why you pay attention during training and stay alert after.
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
hoppy;1306250 wrote: That's why you pay attention during training and stay alert after.
I cant know for sure but Im venturing a guess a bullet to the skull leaves very little time for evasive manuevers.
I cant know for sure but Im venturing a guess a bullet to the skull leaves very little time for evasive manuevers.
I AM AWESOME MAN
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Nomad;1306246 wrote: What good is $2,165.25 tuition per semester when your face is in 9 pieces lying on a desert road?
You are assuming that everyone goes into the infantry and is a combatant. You can enlist in the Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard and never come close to combat. I enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War to keep from getting drafted into the Army. I was 18--------went to Korea and never saw combat.
You are assuming that everyone goes into the infantry and is a combatant. You can enlist in the Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard and never come close to combat. I enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War to keep from getting drafted into the Army. I was 18--------went to Korea and never saw combat.
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
You guys might not wanna go to Chicago then. It's a war zone, the press tells us.:wah:
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
done my time in uniform.............took the queens shillings loooooooong ago:D
The dogs philosophy on life. If you cant eat it, hump it or fight it,........ Pee on it and walk away!!
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Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Does or did the UK have any special benefit for veterans like college tuition, housing loans etc.?
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Peter Lake
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:02 pm
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
hoppy;1306250 wrote: That's why you pay attention during training and stay alert after.
What exactly is a lert?
What exactly is a lert?
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
£47.00 a week as a married soldier, B1 trade. Rent on my Married Quarters was £8.00 a week, then there was the electric bills etc. etc. When I was on a long 6 week exercise in Germany, volunteers were requested to drive the truck that sucked out the "thunderboxes" (those delightful latrines that were dug out and crawling with rats) You should of seen the hands go up for the extra 50p a day you could earn doing it. Not for me mate. I'll stay being poor.
Dear old Maggie Thatcher, bless her chainmail knickers, promised us a 33% payrise when she was campaigning for power. Oh we got it in one hand and the special x factor payment we used to get to give us a near parity with civilian trades was taken out the other hand. I got a 50p payrise. My hatred for that woman never wained, even a little.
You certainly dont sign up to Her Madges Forces to get wealthy but we knew that . Unless of course you can earn yourself a commision, straight out of University. Then you might earn a decent salary. The grunts on the ground get fed and watered and shouted at occasionally and once you have paid for your missing/stolen kit, ( 70 quid for a sleeping bag. Big black market for Army gear ) there was little left to spend on pints of McKewens or DD from the NAAFI, as cheap as it was (whatever happened to Double Diamond ?)
Wouldn't have changed any of it for the world though
Dear old Maggie Thatcher, bless her chainmail knickers, promised us a 33% payrise when she was campaigning for power. Oh we got it in one hand and the special x factor payment we used to get to give us a near parity with civilian trades was taken out the other hand. I got a 50p payrise. My hatred for that woman never wained, even a little.
You certainly dont sign up to Her Madges Forces to get wealthy but we knew that . Unless of course you can earn yourself a commision, straight out of University. Then you might earn a decent salary. The grunts on the ground get fed and watered and shouted at occasionally and once you have paid for your missing/stolen kit, ( 70 quid for a sleeping bag. Big black market for Army gear ) there was little left to spend on pints of McKewens or DD from the NAAFI, as cheap as it was (whatever happened to Double Diamond ?)
Wouldn't have changed any of it for the world though
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Snowfire;1306515 wrote:
You certainly dont sign up to Her Madges Forces to get wealthy
worked for me
......i was an Auxilary in the RAF Regiment............a part timer like the TA (like the national guard to you lot across the pond).....i used my time in as a way of making some extra cash at the time
i was once on a 2 week ex.............i took 2 weeks holiday from work so still got paid as i was salaried...........got full SAC rate pay for the time i was there.......got a handsome extra pay once we got there to make sure we had money to buy food in the Danish equvalent of the naffi (even tho we spent half the week in the field living on rat packs) so brought most of that home with me................and then we got an extra payment cos we were operating 'out of area' away from home air field....upset the regulars no end
You certainly dont sign up to Her Madges Forces to get wealthy
worked for me
......i was an Auxilary in the RAF Regiment............a part timer like the TA (like the national guard to you lot across the pond).....i used my time in as a way of making some extra cash at the timei was once on a 2 week ex.............i took 2 weeks holiday from work so still got paid as i was salaried...........got full SAC rate pay for the time i was there.......got a handsome extra pay once we got there to make sure we had money to buy food in the Danish equvalent of the naffi (even tho we spent half the week in the field living on rat packs) so brought most of that home with me................and then we got an extra payment cos we were operating 'out of area' away from home air field....upset the regulars no end
The dogs philosophy on life. If you cant eat it, hump it or fight it,........ Pee on it and walk away!!
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Why serve in the U.S. Military?
By UK Veteran Benefits I mean't are there any kind of benefits once you are no longer on active duty but had served during a particular war or conflict.
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Snowfire;1306515 wrote: £47.00 a week as a married soldier, B1 trade. Rent on my Married Quarters was £8.00 a week, then there was the electric bills etc. etc. When I was on a long 6 week exercise in Germany, volunteers were requested to drive the truck that sucked out the "thunderboxes" (those delightful latrines that were dug out and crawling with rats) You should of seen the hands go up for the extra 50p a day you could earn doing it. Not for me mate. I'll stay being poor.
Dear old Maggie Thatcher, bless her chainmail knickers, promised us a 33% payrise when she was campaigning for power. Oh we got it in one hand and the special x factor payment we used to get to give us a near parity with civilian trades was taken out the other hand. I got a 50p payrise. My hatred for that woman never wained, even a little.
You certainly dont sign up to Her Madges Forces to get wealthy but we knew that . Unless of course you can earn yourself a commision, straight out of University. Then you might earn a decent salary. The grunts on the ground get fed and watered and shouted at occasionally and once you have paid for your missing/stolen kit, ( 70 quid for a sleeping bag. Big black market for Army gear ) there was little left to spend on pints of McKewens or DD from the NAAFI, as cheap as it was (whatever happened to Double Diamond ?)
Wouldn't have changed any of it for the world though
Didn't it go down the toilet?
:yh_rotfl
Dear old Maggie Thatcher, bless her chainmail knickers, promised us a 33% payrise when she was campaigning for power. Oh we got it in one hand and the special x factor payment we used to get to give us a near parity with civilian trades was taken out the other hand. I got a 50p payrise. My hatred for that woman never wained, even a little.
You certainly dont sign up to Her Madges Forces to get wealthy but we knew that . Unless of course you can earn yourself a commision, straight out of University. Then you might earn a decent salary. The grunts on the ground get fed and watered and shouted at occasionally and once you have paid for your missing/stolen kit, ( 70 quid for a sleeping bag. Big black market for Army gear ) there was little left to spend on pints of McKewens or DD from the NAAFI, as cheap as it was (whatever happened to Double Diamond ?)
Wouldn't have changed any of it for the world though
Didn't it go down the toilet?
:yh_rotflI'm a Saga-lout, growing old disgracefully
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
you cant take the p*** out of double diamond.....................there would be nothing left! :yh_rotfl
The dogs philosophy on life. If you cant eat it, hump it or fight it,........ Pee on it and walk away!!
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Why serve in the U.S. Military?
I thought the reason was to actually do something for your country.
I mean the education thing was a nice benny, but it wouldn't pay for MIT, Stanford, Cal Poly, or the like.
I had to settle with State.
I mean the education thing was a nice benny, but it wouldn't pay for MIT, Stanford, Cal Poly, or the like.
I had to settle with State.
The home of the soul is the Open Road.
- DH Lawrence
- DH Lawrence
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
LarsMac;1306544 wrote: I thought the reason was to actually do something for your country.
I mean the education thing was a nice benny, but it wouldn't pay for MIT, Stanford, Cal Poly, or the like.
I had to settle with State.
Some of us worked part time in addition to getting GI benefits and still went to Stanford, MIT and as far as doing something for your country some of us feel that paying federal income taxes is sufficient instead of being forced to do something via the Draft.
I mean the education thing was a nice benny, but it wouldn't pay for MIT, Stanford, Cal Poly, or the like.
I had to settle with State.
Some of us worked part time in addition to getting GI benefits and still went to Stanford, MIT and as far as doing something for your country some of us feel that paying federal income taxes is sufficient instead of being forced to do something via the Draft.
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
LarsMac;1306544 wrote: I thought the reason was to actually do something for your country..
I couldn't agree more. When high school kids ask me, "Should I go into the military?" knowing that I am an Air force officer, I always ask them why they want to go in.
After listening to them, I make sure that they understand a few things:
1. The military will take very good care of you. Free movies, free haircuts, free bowling alleys, dirt cheap food and luxuries at the BX, free housing or BAQ (Basic Allowance for Quarters) if you live off base, free counseling, free financial services, you name it. You're sick? Just walk right in to the state-of-the-art hospital on any Air Base and you'll see talented doctors immediately and for free.
2. You say you want some good training or maybe help with college so that you can get a good job or career when you get out? No problem. The military, especially the Air Force has access to the latest and greatest technology.
Now for the other side:
3. You WILL lose some of your freedom. You can be searched any time you come onto a base. As a matter of fact they used to search every seventh car, even if it was a general's! You don't have a right to abuse your wife in public if you are in uniform, or do anything else that would reflect badly on the uniform, (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer) since you represent the entire branch of that service in the public's eyes. Nor can you campain for or express opinions about politics while in uniform and in public.
4. You may be asked to give your MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION...your life, for your country. Hopefully not, but it can happen and does happen, even in times when we are not at war.
So, "just getting some training" is NOT a good reason to go into the military.
You must love America. You must think it is the best country in the world and love it so much that you are willing to die to see that it continues. You must trust that your fellow servicemen and commanders think the same way and will do their best to help you do your job.
If you don't think that way...don't go in.
I couldn't agree more. When high school kids ask me, "Should I go into the military?" knowing that I am an Air force officer, I always ask them why they want to go in.
After listening to them, I make sure that they understand a few things:
1. The military will take very good care of you. Free movies, free haircuts, free bowling alleys, dirt cheap food and luxuries at the BX, free housing or BAQ (Basic Allowance for Quarters) if you live off base, free counseling, free financial services, you name it. You're sick? Just walk right in to the state-of-the-art hospital on any Air Base and you'll see talented doctors immediately and for free.
2. You say you want some good training or maybe help with college so that you can get a good job or career when you get out? No problem. The military, especially the Air Force has access to the latest and greatest technology.
Now for the other side:
3. You WILL lose some of your freedom. You can be searched any time you come onto a base. As a matter of fact they used to search every seventh car, even if it was a general's! You don't have a right to abuse your wife in public if you are in uniform, or do anything else that would reflect badly on the uniform, (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer) since you represent the entire branch of that service in the public's eyes. Nor can you campain for or express opinions about politics while in uniform and in public.
4. You may be asked to give your MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION...your life, for your country. Hopefully not, but it can happen and does happen, even in times when we are not at war.
So, "just getting some training" is NOT a good reason to go into the military.
You must love America. You must think it is the best country in the world and love it so much that you are willing to die to see that it continues. You must trust that your fellow servicemen and commanders think the same way and will do their best to help you do your job.
If you don't think that way...don't go in.
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Lon;1306549 wrote: Some of us worked part time in addition to getting GI benefits and still went to Stanford, MIT and as far as doing something for your country some of us feel that paying federal income taxes is sufficient instead of being forced to do something via the Draft.
I don't think many of us failed to pay federal income tax, whether we were drafted or not.
I don't think many of us failed to pay federal income tax, whether we were drafted or not.
The home of the soul is the Open Road.
- DH Lawrence
- DH Lawrence
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Well said, Saint_
The home of the soul is the Open Road.
- DH Lawrence
- DH Lawrence
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
LarsMac;1306553 wrote: I don't think many of us failed to pay federal income tax, whether we were drafted or not.
Granted, but you made it sound like the only way to serve one's country is to serve in the military and their are many other ways would you not agree?
Granted, but you made it sound like the only way to serve one's country is to serve in the military and their are many other ways would you not agree?
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
You must love America. You must think it is the best country in the world and love it so much that you are willing to die to see that it continues. You must trust that your fellow servicemen and commanders think the same way and will do their best to help you do your job.
If you don't think that way...don't go in.
I'm having real difficulty with your last paragraph. Love?? There are a number of things I just don't love about my country and a number of things I do love. I willing served and was happy to do so, but I just don't feel that the ZEAL that you express is necessary to be either a good service representative or a good American. I believe it is necessary to respect commanders and certainly follow orders, but trust that they will help do your job is another thing.
If you don't think that way...don't go in.
I'm having real difficulty with your last paragraph. Love?? There are a number of things I just don't love about my country and a number of things I do love. I willing served and was happy to do so, but I just don't feel that the ZEAL that you express is necessary to be either a good service representative or a good American. I believe it is necessary to respect commanders and certainly follow orders, but trust that they will help do your job is another thing.
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Lon;1306559 wrote:
I'm having real difficulty with your last paragraph. Love?? There are a number of things I just don't love about my country and a number of things I do love.
No problem, Lon. I had a lot of trouble making the decision myself. As to the "love", well there's as many reasons and definitions for love as there are people, but I feel its a good word to use to describe the seriousness of the decision and the feelings involved.
I willing served and was happy to do so, but I just don't feel that the ZEAL that you express is necessary to be either a good service representative or a good American.
Case in point. I never put a quantity or a level on that love, did I? But you must have felt something as you contemplated whether it was worth dying just to have a job...that feeling must have been about the true meaning of what you were doing and how you felt about your country.
I believe it is necessary to respect commanders and certainly follow orders, but trust that they will help do your job is another thing.
I'll agree here, I don't think I put my thoughts into words very well in that part. I think I was trying to say something about believing your life won't be wasted needlessly in a unjust cause.
I'm having real difficulty with your last paragraph. Love?? There are a number of things I just don't love about my country and a number of things I do love.
No problem, Lon. I had a lot of trouble making the decision myself. As to the "love", well there's as many reasons and definitions for love as there are people, but I feel its a good word to use to describe the seriousness of the decision and the feelings involved.
I willing served and was happy to do so, but I just don't feel that the ZEAL that you express is necessary to be either a good service representative or a good American.
Case in point. I never put a quantity or a level on that love, did I? But you must have felt something as you contemplated whether it was worth dying just to have a job...that feeling must have been about the true meaning of what you were doing and how you felt about your country.
I believe it is necessary to respect commanders and certainly follow orders, but trust that they will help do your job is another thing.
I'll agree here, I don't think I put my thoughts into words very well in that part. I think I was trying to say something about believing your life won't be wasted needlessly in a unjust cause.
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albertpollard
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:35 pm
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Lon;1306559 wrote: You must love America. You must think it is the best country in the world and love it so much that you are willing to die to see that it continues. You must trust that your fellow servicemen and commanders think the same way and will do their best to help you do your job.
If you don't think that way...don't go in.
I'm having real difficulty with your last paragraph. Love?? There are a number of things I just don't love about my country and a number of things I do love. I willing served and was happy to do so, but I just don't feel that the ZEAL that you express is necessary to be either a good service representative or a good American. I believe it is necessary to respect commanders and certainly follow orders, but trust that they will help do your job is another thing.
What makes America one of the greatest fighting forces in the world is the individual looking at his superior and saying "What the F---?"
I think the military (any branch) is a good option for those who have no options. My oldest son is going to college and plans on computer networking, Great! However if you can't afford college and have no plans the military is a good way to discover what the world is about while still having the safety of 3 hots and a cot!
Patriotism is another reason, but it should never be blind!
If you don't think that way...don't go in.
I'm having real difficulty with your last paragraph. Love?? There are a number of things I just don't love about my country and a number of things I do love. I willing served and was happy to do so, but I just don't feel that the ZEAL that you express is necessary to be either a good service representative or a good American. I believe it is necessary to respect commanders and certainly follow orders, but trust that they will help do your job is another thing.
What makes America one of the greatest fighting forces in the world is the individual looking at his superior and saying "What the F---?"
I think the military (any branch) is a good option for those who have no options. My oldest son is going to college and plans on computer networking, Great! However if you can't afford college and have no plans the military is a good way to discover what the world is about while still having the safety of 3 hots and a cot!
Patriotism is another reason, but it should never be blind!
NEWS FLASH! The Universe is God's Petri Dish.
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
albertpollard;1306568 wrote: I'm having real difficulty with your last paragraph. Love?? There are a number of things I just don't love about my country and a number of things I do love. I willing served and was happy to do so, but I just don't feel that the ZEAL that you express is necessary to be either a good service representative or a good American. I believe it is necessary to respect commanders and certainly follow orders, but trust that they will help do your job is another thing.
What makes America one of the greatest fighting forces in the world is the individual looking at his superior and saying "What the F---?"
I think the military (any branch) is a good option for those who have no options. My oldest son is going to college and plans on computer networking, Great! However if you can't afford college and have no plans the military is a good way to discover what the world is about while still having the safety of 3 hots and a cot!
Patriotism is another reason, but it should never be blind!
The point of my post however was that joining the military can be a great way to pay for the cost of a college education using current GI benefits after military service and reduce or eliminate the need for student loans.
What makes America one of the greatest fighting forces in the world is the individual looking at his superior and saying "What the F---?"
I think the military (any branch) is a good option for those who have no options. My oldest son is going to college and plans on computer networking, Great! However if you can't afford college and have no plans the military is a good way to discover what the world is about while still having the safety of 3 hots and a cot!
Patriotism is another reason, but it should never be blind!
The point of my post however was that joining the military can be a great way to pay for the cost of a college education using current GI benefits after military service and reduce or eliminate the need for student loans.
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
The benefits ARE good.
However the people who join should remember what it is they are joining for, and what the purpose of their being there will be.
Simply put, If you are not prepared to give your life in doing your duty, you have no business being there for the benefits.
A lot of people joined the National Guard in the 1990's thinking it was easy pickin's.
Now the find themselves being shot at, bombed, and blown up. Coming home with missing limbs and terrible head wounds, when all the really wanted was an education.
I have heard quite a few people returning from Iraq or Afghanistan say, "I didn't really think we would have to do any real fighting. I just wanted the college money."
It is there, but it has a price.
I am in full support of those men and women who are doing what they have to do, but they should have known what they were getting into.
However the people who join should remember what it is they are joining for, and what the purpose of their being there will be.
Simply put, If you are not prepared to give your life in doing your duty, you have no business being there for the benefits.
A lot of people joined the National Guard in the 1990's thinking it was easy pickin's.
Now the find themselves being shot at, bombed, and blown up. Coming home with missing limbs and terrible head wounds, when all the really wanted was an education.
I have heard quite a few people returning from Iraq or Afghanistan say, "I didn't really think we would have to do any real fighting. I just wanted the college money."
It is there, but it has a price.
I am in full support of those men and women who are doing what they have to do, but they should have known what they were getting into.
The home of the soul is the Open Road.
- DH Lawrence
- DH Lawrence
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
LarsMac;1306573 wrote: The benefits ARE good.
However the people who join should remember what it is they are joining for, and what the purpose of their being there will be.
Simply put, If you are not prepared to give your life in doing your duty, you have no business being there for the benefits.
A lot of people joined the National Guard in the 1990's thinking it was easy pickin's.
Now the find themselves being shot at, bombed, and blown up. Coming home with missing limbs and terrible head wounds, when all the really wanted was an education.
I have heard quite a few people returning from Iraq or Afghanistan say, "I didn't really think we would have to do any real fighting. I just wanted the college money."
It is there, but it has a price.
I am in full support of those men and women who are doing what they have to do, but they should have known what they were getting into.
About one out of 12 of Army personnel in the Middle East ever see combat and if you take that as a percentage of the ENTIRE MILITARY---NAVY, MARINES, AIR FORCE, COAST GUARD it's very small. There is no draft at present so individuals are free to choose what branch of service they wish to join. GI Benefits are available to ALL ex military.
However the people who join should remember what it is they are joining for, and what the purpose of their being there will be.
Simply put, If you are not prepared to give your life in doing your duty, you have no business being there for the benefits.
A lot of people joined the National Guard in the 1990's thinking it was easy pickin's.
Now the find themselves being shot at, bombed, and blown up. Coming home with missing limbs and terrible head wounds, when all the really wanted was an education.
I have heard quite a few people returning from Iraq or Afghanistan say, "I didn't really think we would have to do any real fighting. I just wanted the college money."
It is there, but it has a price.
I am in full support of those men and women who are doing what they have to do, but they should have known what they were getting into.
About one out of 12 of Army personnel in the Middle East ever see combat and if you take that as a percentage of the ENTIRE MILITARY---NAVY, MARINES, AIR FORCE, COAST GUARD it's very small. There is no draft at present so individuals are free to choose what branch of service they wish to join. GI Benefits are available to ALL ex military.
Why serve in the U.S. Military?
Lon;1306532 wrote: By UK Veteran Benefits I mean't are there any kind of benefits once you are no longer on active duty but had served during a particular war or conflict.
I don't think there are particularly, beowulf might be better able to tell you. what kind of job you can get depends on what you were doing. There is, I think, a big cultural difference in the way we look at our armed forces and a bit more cynicism when it comes to my country right or wrong. Jingoism is not terribly popular.
There are british graveyards all over the world including iraq and Afghanistan.
The Young British Soldier
When the 'arf-made recruity goes out to the East
'E acts like a babe an' 'e drinks like a beast,
An' 'e wonders because 'e is frequent deceased
Ere 'e's fit for to serve as a soldier.
Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
So-oldier ~OF~ the Queen!
Now all you recruities what's drafted to-day,
You shut up your rag-box an' 'ark to my lay,
An' I'll sing you a soldier as far as I may:
A soldier what's fit for a soldier.
Fit, fit, fit for a soldier . . .
First mind you steer clear o' the grog-sellers' huts,
For they sell you Fixed Bay'nets that rots out your guts --
Ay, drink that 'ud eat the live steel from your butts --
An' it's bad for the young British soldier.
Bad, bad, bad for the soldier . . .
When the cholera comes -- as it will past a doubt --
Keep out of the wet and don't go on the shout,
For the sickness gets in as the liquor dies out,
An' it crumples the young British soldier.
Crum-, crum-, crumples the soldier . . .
But the worst o' your foes is the sun over'ead:
You ~must~ wear your 'elmet for all that is said:
If 'e finds you uncovered 'e'll knock you down dead,
An' you'll die like a fool of a soldier.
Fool, fool, fool of a soldier . . .
If you're cast for fatigue by a sergeant unkind,
Don't grouse like a woman nor crack on nor blind;
Be handy and civil, and then you will find
That it's beer for the young British soldier.
Beer, beer, beer for the soldier . . .
Now, if you must marry, take care she is old --
A troop-sergeant's widow's the nicest I'm told,
For beauty won't help if your rations is cold,
Nor love ain't enough for a soldier.
'Nough, 'nough, 'nough for a soldier . . .
If the wife should go wrong with a comrade, be loath
To shoot when you catch 'em -- you'll swing, on my oath! --
Make 'im take 'er and keep 'er: that's Hell for them both,
An' you're shut o' the curse of a soldier.
Curse, curse, curse of a soldier . . .
When first under fire an' you're wishful to duck,
Don't look nor take 'eed at the man that is struck,
Be thankful you're livin', and trust to your luck
And march to your front like a soldier.
Front, front, front like a soldier . . .
When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch,
Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch;
She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich,
An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.
Fight, fight, fight for the soldier . . .
When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine,
The guns o' the enemy wheel into line,
Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine,
For noise never startles the soldier.
Start-, start-, startles the soldier . . .
If your officer's dead and the sergeants look white,
Remember it's ruin to run from a fight:
So take open order, lie down, and sit tight,
And wait for supports like a soldier.
Wait, wait, wait like a soldier . . .
When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
So-oldier ~of~ the Queen!
Rudyard Kipling
I don't think there are particularly, beowulf might be better able to tell you. what kind of job you can get depends on what you were doing. There is, I think, a big cultural difference in the way we look at our armed forces and a bit more cynicism when it comes to my country right or wrong. Jingoism is not terribly popular.
There are british graveyards all over the world including iraq and Afghanistan.
The Young British Soldier
When the 'arf-made recruity goes out to the East
'E acts like a babe an' 'e drinks like a beast,
An' 'e wonders because 'e is frequent deceased
Ere 'e's fit for to serve as a soldier.
Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
So-oldier ~OF~ the Queen!
Now all you recruities what's drafted to-day,
You shut up your rag-box an' 'ark to my lay,
An' I'll sing you a soldier as far as I may:
A soldier what's fit for a soldier.
Fit, fit, fit for a soldier . . .
First mind you steer clear o' the grog-sellers' huts,
For they sell you Fixed Bay'nets that rots out your guts --
Ay, drink that 'ud eat the live steel from your butts --
An' it's bad for the young British soldier.
Bad, bad, bad for the soldier . . .
When the cholera comes -- as it will past a doubt --
Keep out of the wet and don't go on the shout,
For the sickness gets in as the liquor dies out,
An' it crumples the young British soldier.
Crum-, crum-, crumples the soldier . . .
But the worst o' your foes is the sun over'ead:
You ~must~ wear your 'elmet for all that is said:
If 'e finds you uncovered 'e'll knock you down dead,
An' you'll die like a fool of a soldier.
Fool, fool, fool of a soldier . . .
If you're cast for fatigue by a sergeant unkind,
Don't grouse like a woman nor crack on nor blind;
Be handy and civil, and then you will find
That it's beer for the young British soldier.
Beer, beer, beer for the soldier . . .
Now, if you must marry, take care she is old --
A troop-sergeant's widow's the nicest I'm told,
For beauty won't help if your rations is cold,
Nor love ain't enough for a soldier.
'Nough, 'nough, 'nough for a soldier . . .
If the wife should go wrong with a comrade, be loath
To shoot when you catch 'em -- you'll swing, on my oath! --
Make 'im take 'er and keep 'er: that's Hell for them both,
An' you're shut o' the curse of a soldier.
Curse, curse, curse of a soldier . . .
When first under fire an' you're wishful to duck,
Don't look nor take 'eed at the man that is struck,
Be thankful you're livin', and trust to your luck
And march to your front like a soldier.
Front, front, front like a soldier . . .
When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch,
Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch;
She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich,
An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.
Fight, fight, fight for the soldier . . .
When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine,
The guns o' the enemy wheel into line,
Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine,
For noise never startles the soldier.
Start-, start-, startles the soldier . . .
If your officer's dead and the sergeants look white,
Remember it's ruin to run from a fight:
So take open order, lie down, and sit tight,
And wait for supports like a soldier.
Wait, wait, wait like a soldier . . .
When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
So-oldier ~of~ the Queen!
Rudyard Kipling