Life after the military

It consists of two choices going back to school or searching for a job. It's a big step because it'll basically feel like you're renewing your life. It's a big drastic change. Taking a break isn't a bad idea but it shouldn't be an option because depression can hit as soon as you start to feel your unemployed and your not doing anything with your life but sitting at home.

What is a Military Draft?

A military Draft is when you are obligated to enroll in the military and serve. It is not volunteer work and it usually happens at times of War when the country is in desperate measures. Young men are usually called first and after wards it's the young women.

"On July 3, 2005, Sgt. Johnson went to a park not far from his base in Germany to be initiated into the 'Gangster Disciples,' a notorious Chicago-based street gang. He was beaten by eight other soldiers in a "jump-in" - an initiation rite common to many gangs."

No one can really imagine that these men are out there getting themselves involved with gangs. But the truth is they are! Not all the men and women that join the force give up on the gang lives they had back at home. Some just bring it right along with them and spread it even more. Every soldier brings their own stories with them their own past and their own future. Not everyone goes in with the mentality "I'm here to save my country, to earn money, to look forward to a better future." There are millions of soldiers in the force. Meaning there are millions of different personalities and lives in general.

Crazy outcomes

"A jury in Kentucky convicted a former US soldier of raping a 14-year-old lraqi girl and killing her and her family, Reuters reports"
A US soldier kills a girls family (parents and 6 year sibling) Rapes the 14 year old and then kills her.
They claimed he " suffered from combat stress" these are the types of things soldiers get into. They're away for months deserted somewhere witnessing horrible things and then they're mind starts taking over them. We're all humans and some things affect some more than others.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/05/28/kentucky.iraq.murder/

From a solidier

Friday May 22nd Hope for the warriors held an even that i attended. (Fleet week). I took the chance to speak to one of the soldiers and get a feel on how life really was for him. I asked him what was the best part about being out in Iraq. He just said "Honestly, just the friends I made but other than that nothing really." I asked him where did he sleep he told me on the floor and that he would sleep with other soldiers and none of them showered for months. He told me he'd have 14 year old kids shooting at him. So, I asked him did he ever kill anyone he replied" Yes, it's either me or him." He shared with me how one of his closest friends died in his arms and how he believed that only made him a stronger person. I asked him what made him join the army and he said "The Adrenalin rush." Later added he just got out of surgery; they had to remove a piece of medal from one of the bombs that went off near him and landed in his spinal cord. I believe joining is a RISK and it'll will always be a life or death situation!

http://www.antiwar.com/casualties/

I believe their should be another way in which we can solve our issues with other countries. We can either come to an agreement or deal with certain things in life. But our lost in men in women shouldn't be the way to fix issues. The United States i believe has its good and bad intentions. We seek for what benifits us. I am aware that everyone likes to live comfortable and steady. But sometimes we can't have everything our way. We should give countries something in exchange for what they have. Make everything a trade. But NO WAR ! American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03):	4296	3444
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03) (the list)	4157	3336
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03):	3835	3138
Since Handover (6/29/04):	3437	2811
Since Obama Inauguration (1/20/09):	68	39
American Wounded	Official	Estimated
Total Wounded:	31249	Over 100000

Why do soldiers wear uniform?

Uniforms are way in making it easier to point them out and identify one another. Special pockets and belts are used for carrying things. As certain colors are used for camouflage which will protect them against their enemies.

10 Reasons why people join the Military

"1. Financial reasons
2. To be away from their parents
3. A test of one’s courage
4. Good citizenship
5. To fight Al Qaeda and look for Osama Bin Laden
6. A good career
7. Full time employment
8. Family tradition
9. To learn new skills
10. Pride"

MY FEEDBACK
1. Look for a job even though it can be a difficult position.
2. Move Out
3. Go Ski Diving
4. Serve community service, Visit veterans in the hospital
5. They're not worth the risk of having everything thrown away
6. Putting your life at risk should never be considered a good career
7. Full time employment can go short once you lose your life
8. Enroll in classes focus on another interest
10. You can lose all your pride in the blink of an eye

Ryan Tejada

Ryan Tejada is an example of why these men and women join the force. His dream was to be a marine but at that he was hoping he'd win his citizenship by serving the country. But he didn't even get that in return. He came from the Dominican Republic and went to George Washington High School. After he graduated he served 8 years as a Marine. "He was killed April 11 during combat operations against enemy forces in northeast Baghdad. " I see his family every morning before I get on the train. he lives on my block and everyday i pass by and look at his photo posted up in front of his building. Everyday I walk by and look up at the street sign and realize that although his name is on it and he's been recognized for his serving in the force. He's not here anymore and nothing can bring him back. After these men and women are killed someone shows up to their homes and brings home the bad news. For nothing ! We aren't out there fighting for freedom we're really out there fighting to fulfill the government with more wealth for their greediness.

Merlins Miracle

These men and women don't only serve for their country but they also die for their country. Throughout my whole lifetime I've met three veterans and two of them died and one of them survived. One of them was a young man who lived in my neighborhood his name was Merlin. He was the founder of a foundation he named Merlin's Miracles his goal was to help the families of those who were suffering from burning injuries. He himself was fully burned at 97% of his body after a bomb went off under his vehicle. Sometimes people join the force thinking their going in to a positive turn in thier lives. After seeing themselves hit a downfall either with school or money issues. But no one really pictures themselves being burned after a bomb goes off or being shot after being a gun mans target. He wasn't just and ordinary soldier he was a hero. All of the young men and women in my nieghborhood and throughout the country can truly look up to him. It takes courage and pride to do what he did.

How to become a Soldier?

Soldiers have to face many obstacles before they're thrown into the force. They're put to the test mentally and physically. They're giving the choice to be "full time active soldier or be in the Army Reserves." Then a recruiter is sent to pick them up. If the soldier decides to back down the last minute. They're told they cannot back down and threatened to be thrown in prison. But, for those who are aware and smart enough to know better they should know it isn't true. No where in the books does it say they can be arrested for changing their minds the last minute.

"Volunteering into the force"

So going into the force comes on as "Volunteering" but ends up as a commitment. The government basically brain washes these men and women into getting themselves into something and making it believe that after they're contract with the force is over they can’t be called back into war. As of now in the United States there’s an Economic Draft. Men and women are joining the force because they’re in bad situations money wise. They believe the force is the answer to their problems. But little do they know they’re in for a turn in their lives. The fact that they’re job is to kill random people and leave their families behind to fight for their country. But after they face being at war. They might come home complete different men or women. Leaving their minds to control them and look back at all the horror they’ve been face to face with. This makes it less helpful for them to come back and get a job. Some managers would look at them and think the least they want to do is deal with a Veteran.

Our right to dissent

1. How does the Constitution protect our right to dissent?
We have the right to protest but their are certain restricitions to that privilige. It all depends on the "time, place, and manner regulations." Our rights are protected by the 10 amendments. In this case the 1st amendment protects our right to dissent.
2. What are the limits to dissent?
"We are limited in certain expressions, creating a very complicated area of constitutional law."
3.Choose ONE of the examples on the page: Labor Movement*, Civil Rights, Suffrage, Peace**, Globalization and report on it in a blog post.

SUFFRAGE AND WOMENS LIBERATION

Women weren't allowed to go on strike or vote. They were restricted from these privileges and sent to jail if they made an attempt to brake the law. "The battle for equal rights for women has continued over the years."
"Four hundred protesters gathered on the Atlantic City boardwalk outside the convention center where the pageant was being held."
(failures) Women were thrown in jail
(successes) Women today can vote and protest !

MEANING BEHIND THE CARTOON PICTURE

Women were believed to only cook and clean and take care of the children. Not to work and protest or even vote!

How soldiers Live

http://www.stripes.com/morale/day3.pdf
Most soldiers live in the worst place while at war and try and fix it up. A few lucky troops get the chance to camp out in palaces. Others lived in an indecent environment that was trashed and invaded. The best thing for them to do is try to make it more like home. Some have to camp out with out any air conditioners out in the dessert because there is very little power to be offered to them. The part that makes these soldiers so special is the fact that most of them say "They're happy." I believe they live an unhappy life while they're in the force. Away from their homes and families. Fighting in a war that'll most likely brainwash them forever. Having to leave their own bed for a tent or foxhole in a combat area.

Veterans

What is a veteran?
A veteran is someone who served in the army, navy, marines and so on. One of the most honored people in the country. Sometimes they’re forgotten especially when the war they served in was years back. But to pay respect and honor them we have a special day for them. Veterans Day, they also receive special benefits but depending on the amount of days they served. Not everything is benificial to them. They served and risked their lives for a country that in my opinion should repay them way more than they do.

http://www.cem.va.gov/

Mental Health Issues

-depression
-anxiety
-PTSD
"few soldiers got treatment"

CONTACTS

Hope For the warriors
http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/
877-2HOPE4W
-Donations for warriors, "Insure that the warriors are never forgotten nor their needs",
http://www.nchv.org/donate.cfm
Contribution for homeless verterans
1800-VET-HELP
http://www.veteransforamerica.org/
Donations for veterans and their Families

Issues veterans face

Veterans face a lot of issues when the come back home. After witnessing so many tragedies and horrific moments. The suicidal rates are higher for the men than they are for the women. But both men and women face stress, depression and other issues along with living through the experience. It's becomes a mental, physical, and emotional drag. Some veterans come back from home and feel as if they relive the experience. Having nightmares and flashbacks that seem to live with them forever. Some people can't deal with it and take their lives away. Some come back to lose themselves and when they realize their in for a turning point. Their are veterans that seek help and sometimes lack to receive any coming home to no job becoming homeless as time passes them by. There are organizations and programs made to help Veterans such as the Corporation I work for, Hope for the Warriors. They help wounded soldiers and their families. They have Marathons to help get money together. They use the money to try and make the veterans lives much more convenient. For example there was a wounded soldier who lost a leg during the war in Iraq and his shower was very uncomfortable for him to shower in. Hope for the Warriors had a build in seat inserted in his shower to make it easier for him. Throughout it all it’s still difficult for veterans. Some have to cope with losing one of their friends at war which is hard to get over.

Google search exercise

I entered in When Veterans return in google search and found a CNN article (Study: Thousands of veterans return with mental illness)
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/13/stress.troops/