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all we can do is 'Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.'
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   Agreed.

You're scared?!  In less than two years I have to start getting the finger!  Oy!! :o
  But seriously, if you end-up drafted, at least try to go Navy, unless you like sleeping in the mud.
 
   

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Navy is kind of hands off , i like, but i will be sure to bring a soap on a rope, thanks
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You don't care for the Navy?  Any particular reason?

My dad was drafted for the Korean War.  He didn't get to finish high school even.  He chose the Navy because he figured his chances of survival would be slightly better.  He was still scared sh**less when it was his turn to take guard duty.

Even as far back as the early '50's enemy combatants would be known to approach a ship in a small, civilian rowboat in an attempt to get close enough to shoot.  Trouble was, lots of innocent people would also try to approach the ship to sell souveneirs to the foriegn sailors. Dad's orders were to shoot on sight ALL who approached, even if they did not look dangerous.  He prayed every night that no one would row up to the ship--he lived in fear that he would have to kill someone, innocent or not.

One of my favorite actors was born in Israel.  In Israel, everyone is required to serve three years in the military, like it or not.  He chose the Navy too, for pretty much the same reason as my dad.  Hoping to be more likely to survive, and praying he would not have to kill.

I understand how upset you must be.  I'm hoping and praying that things can be worked out peacefully.  I'm in no hurry to go to war, either, and I don't have to serve.

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If you're an only son, you're safe from draft measures.  They won't take an only child unless he signs up on his own.  Otherwise, if the child dies, it could be the end of the family name.  

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I just asked my mom about it.  One of her friends tried to sign up for WWII on his own.  The military (all four branches) refused to take him because he was the last surviving son.  His older brother had been killed in combat during WWI (the kids in between were all girls).

Anyway I thought they cancelled the "only son" rule some time ago?  Around the time they started allowing women into combat?  I might be wrong, I'm hoping someone who is actually in the military will post here and set us straight.

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I watched my brother go over to the Gulf War and it was a very difficult time for him.  He knew as an Army Reservist that there was the chance of getting called up.  But nothing really prepares you for that call that says pack your bags now, tomorrow you will be a million miles away from home in the desert.  War is a scary prospect and hopefully it won't happen at all.  And if it does happen, let's hope that they do not need to draw from the draft.  
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   A good friend of mine while in the service tried the novel idea of attempting suicide days before we were to ship-out to the Gulf in an attempt to avoid going to war.
   After polishing-off a good half bottle of Bacardi he jumped off the top of our three story barrack building not once, not twice but three times before someone noticed him flying past their window. Each time he landed safely, if not uncomfortably, in the thick hedges that surrounded the building.  He got his wish ala "Corporal Klinger".  He was an only son, yes, but personal anecdotes aside, this is a solution to a problem I wouldn't highly recommend.

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John, John, John...sigh

18 isn't bad.  19-20 is bad.

At 18 you could buy porn.
At 18 you could vote.
At 18 you no longer had to have your parents be the primary people on your car insurance (or so I'm told).
At 18 you could buy shotguns.

But now you're gonna have to wait until you turn 21 to drink and gamble ;)

I'll be 24 soon...sigh.
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At 18 you can drink  ;D

fool


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In NZ maybe...and Louisiana perhaps...but not in most of the States ;)  I think Canada's age is 19.

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At 18 you can drink  ;D

fool


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Not in some countries you can't.  The age might be 18 in UK but America it's 21 and also like some other countries.  Not everyone on this board is actually from the UK or even Europe.

I Pity The Foo'!

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At 18 you can drink  ;DEnd Quote

You a naive Australian...? ??? No offence, mate, but not everywhere... in most places, you can't drink or smoke until you're 21.

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I'm 25 this year.........thats a quarter of a century  :(


I have a relative in the british navy, but i wouldn't fight this upcoming war against Iraq...........and i'd be more worried about Korea tbh
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Me too. Sure, Iraq's government aren't necessarily "good guys".  But North Korea has admitted to lying about building with nuclear materials, and they have expelled the United Nations observers.  And they seem to be saying "neener neener neener, what are you going to do about it?"

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I'm 25 this year.........thats a quarter of a century  :(


I have a relative in the british navy, but i wouldn't fight this upcoming war against Iraq...........and i'd be more worried about Korea tbh
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Thats kinda crazy considering smoking is worse for u than drinking  >:(

Ah well... thats the legal system for u  :-/


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All you had to do was modify the first message...

you still can and delete the second message.

You got a bit of stick for the drink thing didn't you
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