2008 Woodie Awards
Life in military is harsh; might not be ideal for all
Ramiro Rodriguez
Issue date: 5/6/04 Section: Features
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"But only maybe three of those really apply to the reality of the outside world," he said.
Jobs that the Army offers include being a police officer, a fire fighter, or a security guard.
But none of those choices appealed to Jones, who aspires to become a teacher in the future.
"A lot of things that my recruiter told me turned out to be false," Jones said. "I quickly realized that it just wasn't the life for me."
Another problem is being trained in the boot camp. Irene Johnson, who enlisted in the U.S. Marines after she was inspired by her Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) teacher Master Sgt. Thomas Gilbert, said that her experience in boot camp was "hell."
"I remember I slept through most of the ride to the boot camp, but once we arrived and when the bus stopped, we heard someone screaming and demanding us to get off the bus," Johnson said.
"'Get out! Get out!' was the only welcoming voice that awaited us when we arrived at Parris Island," she said.
Johnson said there are no real fond memories of boot camp for her and most of the experience was horrible.
"They put our body through a physical limit and mental torture," she said, "not to mention all the belittling we had to endure."
"It was a rude awakening," Johnson said.
"I volunteered and I wondered why they had to treat me like this," she said.
Jones said he was not too fond of the working conditions the Army offered, which made it impossible for him to attend college.
"The Army does not discourage anyone from attending college and the benefits are certainly there, but there is just no time," Jones said.
Luley said he disagreed with Jones and that he believes the Army is just like any other institution, where students make the most of their opportunities.
"Absolutely, it's very tiring to have a full-time job and go to college at the same time," Luley said. "But it is not unachievable; it's a matter of self-discipline at that point."
Jones said he understands that maybe he wasn't ready for the Army at the age of 18.
He said he would advise anyone looking to join the military service to think twice.
"For starters and fresh high school graduates, they should not believe in everything their recruiters tell them," Jones said. "Secondly, anyone who wants to join should get everything in writing. That's the most important thing."
Jobs that the Army offers include being a police officer, a fire fighter, or a security guard.
But none of those choices appealed to Jones, who aspires to become a teacher in the future.
"A lot of things that my recruiter told me turned out to be false," Jones said. "I quickly realized that it just wasn't the life for me."
Another problem is being trained in the boot camp. Irene Johnson, who enlisted in the U.S. Marines after she was inspired by her Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) teacher Master Sgt. Thomas Gilbert, said that her experience in boot camp was "hell."
"I remember I slept through most of the ride to the boot camp, but once we arrived and when the bus stopped, we heard someone screaming and demanding us to get off the bus," Johnson said.
"'Get out! Get out!' was the only welcoming voice that awaited us when we arrived at Parris Island," she said.
Johnson said there are no real fond memories of boot camp for her and most of the experience was horrible.
"They put our body through a physical limit and mental torture," she said, "not to mention all the belittling we had to endure."
"It was a rude awakening," Johnson said.
"I volunteered and I wondered why they had to treat me like this," she said.
Jones said he was not too fond of the working conditions the Army offered, which made it impossible for him to attend college.
"The Army does not discourage anyone from attending college and the benefits are certainly there, but there is just no time," Jones said.
Luley said he disagreed with Jones and that he believes the Army is just like any other institution, where students make the most of their opportunities.
"Absolutely, it's very tiring to have a full-time job and go to college at the same time," Luley said. "But it is not unachievable; it's a matter of self-discipline at that point."
Jones said he understands that maybe he wasn't ready for the Army at the age of 18.
He said he would advise anyone looking to join the military service to think twice.
"For starters and fresh high school graduates, they should not believe in everything their recruiters tell them," Jones said. "Secondly, anyone who wants to join should get everything in writing. That's the most important thing."