I would prefer that we wouldn't have to go to war to be honest.

I respect a man that makes his career out of the military. Takes alot of dedication.

A most honorable occupation. Anyone who suggests that the combat soldier is against "peace" is ignorant and profane.

I love you but have differing views about Peace.

U.S.M.C OORRAAHH!

......"some one who fights for what he believes in. And deserves to be honored." Sure they should b honored n all but some times theyr drafted....n wuts with the HE? girls can 2 now

It's to scary!

I would never be a soldier but respect them =D

i couldnt do that

I would be a terrible one.But I have the greatest respect for them.

that is what i want to do!!!!

war??AHHHH

i would be a soldier if called upon.

ME BROTHER NATHAN

Love my soldiers

Unecessary yet necessary

Good because you're helping your country and everything, but bad because of the death and bad conditions etc.

i respect soldiers sooo much.
but i'm way to scare o do it myself

cool

dont want to die

God Bless You!

over-worked, under-appreciated, underpaid, etc etc etc. My heart goes out to them!

Not how things are going now.

good for other people but not for me

heros

love a man in uniform

i like to save peoples ives

Risky, but it is a very noble profession to have and is one of the most rewarded professions at times as it brings you closer to the truth and to people.

This is a great job for young people that don't know what to do with themselves. You get an education, steady paycheck, and it is a great way to grow up.

There are other ways to protect your rights without violating the rights of others..and without violence

I spent 3 years in the military. I liked it for the most part. If I had not been set to go back to VietNam, I would have stayed.  I know I'm going to get it for being unpatriotic, but I just could not go back. I was  sick of the war, the lies, the death. I had just had enough.

The 3 rating only applies to the item as an occupation and in no way downplays our military. With that said, the reason it gets a 3 is because this is a hard job that is not for everyone. If one chose this as a permanent career it would mean constant moving and never knowing when you could get called back into service. It would  also mean having to live a life of disipline. However, the job as a soldier brings honor, teamwork, and a chance to lend a helping hand. It can also be an excellent stepping stone for a future career outside of the military. I personally see this as a great career, but  i not for many.

The military is basically the armed wing of government and in many countries it's nothing more than a tool of oppression and persecution. Maybe it's a necessary evil in this sick world we live in but when it comes down to it the military is just there to do the bidding of corrupt and often stupid or evil politicians.

Anyone who has the nut to serve their country in this capacity I'll tip my cap to.

Wow. Most of the people speaking badly of this job wont even speak up about why they don't like the idea. Why? They are too spineless to do it. The people in this occupation, whatever flavor of fighter they may be, have a sense of dedication to their job that most will never know. These are people who can be killed at any time on their job. Its downright scary to even consider the thought. A friend of mine fufilled his duties in just that way, getting killed while helping a wounded man. Why? He cared about his fellow Marines more than himself. These people are bigger heroes than any of us with ever know, and I am happy to have them around.

A duty of honor that has always demanded respect and salutation for most professional armies.An age old occupation which has drafted anyone from a shoe maker to a professor of economics,some enlist to belong,to be loved by a fraternity,some join to forget or be forgotten,some enlist for adventure and some to assume a new life but ultimately in service of an ideology in the broad sense of the word which takes alot of heart to muster its future career attachments such as the deprivity of close knit relations and loved ones if abroad and unforseen peril of the frontline to insure our constitution and way of life is protected by their unselfish,sacrificial rite of soldiery.Not all are brave as such but,the absolute wilful submission of their being to serve as a tool for a grander purpose deserves a 5/5 and also surviving the drill instructor!

I'm forced to disagree with Lance on this one. If not for the pat on the soldier, this Marine would soon put that liberal scum's comments out of his mind permanently. Having a complete stranger walk up, on the streets of Manhattan and express encouragement and support, is something that young man will remember for a long time, probably his whole life. Being in uniform, the Marine is prohibited from engaging the whiny scum in conversation, and every serviceman (and woman) knows that the streets of Manhattan are (sadly) ideologically enemy territory. Having a complete stranger walk up and acknowledege and honor his service probably meant more to that Marine (and his buddies he later told to raucous, mocking laughter) than any speech or encouragement he could have received from within his military ranks. It is an honorable profession, although for most, it is very temporary. But, without them, we're surely all dead and so is our method of government.

Yesterday I was taking my mom to the Port Authority Bus Terminal here in NYC. While heading down 42nd St and approaching the corner of 8th ave I started to hear someone speaking loudly. When we reached the corner I turned to look and a couple feet behind me was a Marine. Next to him was a scumbag liberal- who unfortunately infest this city- telling the soldier he should be ashamed of himself that he was an embarrassment to his race (he was black) asking him why is he fighting for a country that has done nothing but kill innocent people. The Marine stood stoic but stared the scumbbag right in the eyes- but said nothing. Realizing what was occurring I turned around and walked toward him told him I thought he was doing a great job, that he should be proud of himself and patted him on the shoulder. He smiled and said thanks. My spunky mother also thanked him as we all crossed the street toward the bus station while chipping in don't listen to that low-life. I always have to laugh at the duplicity which liberals continually attempt to engage: they say they support the troops but then they insist the troops are torturers who kill the poor and innocent- who trample on human rights. Have you ever scene a liberal rail against the brutality of Saddam Hussein or the Taliban? But they sure made a stink about some underwear on a terrorist head don't they. It's our military that is the threat you see. They insist they care about our troops yet mock them in art and secretly root for their failure. They claim those who support the military and the war in Iraq are chickenhawks yet those who are engaged in the fighting support the war efforts- and upon the logic that only those actually engaging in combat should be able to determine the use of force- we'd still be fighting. Liberals like the one on 42nd St simply have the hardest time covering their overt contempt for those in the military. They puke out the vacuous cliche I support the troops or will tell you how they have friends in the military but secretly feel not respect but pity for these young soldiers because to them they're victims who've been duped not hero's fighting for freedom, liberty and our way of life. I have nothing but respect for these brave men. I know every liberty and every freedom I have is because they're willing to risk their lives for it's protection. For the last day I have been playing the scenario over and over in my head that happened on my way to the bus station- thinking I could have said more. Or wishing I just punched out the liberal scum. I know that the pat on the back will never be enough.

If I was going to be in any army, I guess it would be ours. I am not made for this, however. I do not have the stomach. I would serve if I had to, but I am greatful for the people that do this so that I can have a preference of occupation.

Something all youth should consider.

I think it takes a special kind of person to be a soldier. Okay, so it's dangerous, you don't always get the respect you deserve and the benefits can be difficult to reap. But I think it's very honorable if a person says that he or she wants to pursue a career in the military. It requires a strength and a resilience that not many of us have.

This job is better than it used to be, and what everyone thinks. Become a soldier, get four years of college FREE. Pretty good start. Stay in the military and become a four star general, get famous, get elected Secretary of State (Colin Powell). With all of today's technology, you actually today have a low chance of dying in a war.

It's definately an honourable job, and it can even be glamorous if you are recognized for doing a good job. All the feeling of serving your country must add a great deal to it. But I just wouldn't be able to take the way they go about making you a tough and brave soldier...

Let us support pay increases for these folks... They deserve it very much! Also, if you don't support Veterans benefits, then go see the movie "Saving PVT Ryan" Please!!!

when the presedent or prime minester screws up and pisses off another counrty your the one who get to get shot/blown up / vapourized to fix it not something i would wanna do ..... espically let my life be controlled that much .

Having served, I must say that the self-respect and dignity that you CAN grow in the military will carry through the rest of your life. Unfortunately, over the last 8 years, our government has turned serving the country into a joke, more like "serving every other country pizza and coke". I joined the Army from a sense of patriotism and personal duty; I come from a long line of soldiers and airmen. It pains me to see what the armed forces have been turned into by the Clinton administration. It was after Clinton was elected CINC that I made the decision not to re-up.

Soldiers deserve a five if just for the great respect that I have for them. I would never want to be one. You are usually in a place that you're not welcome and you run a very serious risk of being killed (even during peace). Because there are men and women willing to join all branches of the military, we are able to enjoy all of the freedoms we have in the greatest country in the world.