Military questions

I was wondering, what are the non-US equivalents of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and what do they involve?

I was also wondering whether there are any types of people who are unsuited for military life.

Just curious.

edited 27th Nov '10 1:02:46 PM by BobbyG

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I don't really understand what you mean by that question.

Are you talking about countries which have compulsory military service?

edited 27th Nov '10 2:05:20 PM by Herbarius

Generally speaking, age or medical issues will keep someone out.

I'm in my thirties, so if I decided to re-enlist, I have a window of time in which to do so.

I'd also have to pass physical again. I was in much better physical condition when I was 19, compared to now. Friend of mine wanted to join up, but he had only one kidney, so he was told that he was unsuitable. Flat feet used to be a problem - dunno if it still is, though. Asthma, heart conditions, muscular or skeletal issues, and probably a bunch of crap I can't think of right now.

As far as ROTC-equivalents, I can imagine that other nations would have a similar thing, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.

Happiness is zero-gee with a sinus cold.

I meant both in terms of issues which prevent you from signing up and characteristics which don't stop you from signing up but make somebody a poor soldier. And no, I'm talking about all countries.

How old is too old?

edited 27th Nov '10 2:42:11 PM by BobbyG

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^

I'm not sure about other age standards, but 35 is the limit for reserve and guard in the air force, I think 30 is the active duty limit.

Some people just aren't suited for it mentally, it's hard to explain but I'll give it a shot..

Most of the people who say they could never do it, could in fact probably make it. You eventually get used to the environment and find a middle ground, and they tend to have misconceptions about what it's like. You sort of develop a switch between the way you act off duty and your personality while on duty, in terms of what you can and cannot say, and how you interact with others based on rank. Some problems are people who just can't do their maintenance, meaning keeping themselves fit, keeping their uniform to at least the standard, and being very punctual. You also have to learn to speak to people above you in a certain manner until you get to know them and figure out what they are comfortable with and how you can talk to them. You need to learn to keep yourself from complaining to superiors unless a problem is serious, and just save the bitching until you're only around your friends and peers. Once you gain rank you have to keep yourself aware of how you are being seen by troops that you outrank and strive to be a good example, or at least not look like a douche.

I adjusted in a rather strange way, I don't really flip the switch unless I'm with someone who outranks me and has a total stick up their ass about being relaxed. Otherwise I've always been me, and this has occasionally caused some problems because I have a very nasty sense of humor and a very low tolerance for stupid shit, which the military has in abundance. But I pride myself on always being the same person, in and out of my uniform. I would make a horrible marine.

So the marines differ in requiring you to change your self? To not just become a marine, but make a marine be exactly who you are?

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While wearing the uniform, yes. Tuefel would know more than I since he was a marine, but my dry sarcasm and constant queries for clarification of orders I sound stupid wouldn't work out well for me in the USMC. In the AF it just makes me a minor annoyance, but the constant clarification means I can clean up those messes when they inevitably happen because I know what's going on, I guess you could say I probe senior NCO's for information often enough to where I have about as much information as them, which means I can do damage control for my people and keep us from most SNAF Us.

Generally about 35. The Marines used to cut it off at 31.

There are a number of mental issues that will make you unsuitable, lacking in sufficient basic skills (people who fail the ASVAB exist), extensive criminal records, a history of drug abuse and addictions, and any reason they believe it would be a bad idea for you to join.

Barkey pretty much hit it on the head. The Marines are a lot like that too to a point. If you do things off duty that make your unit or the Marines look bad it is highly frowned upon and you will catch hell for it. It is a part of our culture that Marines will get into a certain amount of trouble but there is a point where your too much trouble.

Yeah you are more or less expected to have the will power and initiative to be a Marine as much as possible. We get some odd problems with that attitude though. You get guys who are trying very hard to do their job but the Moto garbage and clueless NCO's get in the way and officers make it worse. They get demoted or stuck at a rank. Most of them do not rise past lance corporal. They are called Terminal Lances because you will get no higher in rank.

edited 27th Nov '10 4:27:05 PM by TuefelHundenIV

Who watches the watchmen?

And prescription drugs for depression and such.

Is it true that you can't join the military if you have asthma?

I spread my wings and I learn how to fly....

I want to say yes. Some people try to hide the fact that they have it. But that was when I was in, which was a decade ago.

Happiness is zero-gee with a sinus cold.

If they know you have it, it's very difficult to join, if not impossible. Marines and Army are a definite no-go.

But if you can run around without having an attack, then you can probably just hide it.

Okay, thanks.

Now I have a reason to shut up my extended family who insist I should join the army (long story).

I spread my wings and I learn how to fly....