18X/REP-63 After Master's?

[crocteeth93]

Good afternoon everybody. Long-time lurker, first-time poster here.

I'm about to graduate with my master's at a tier-1 university out here in Massachusetts (around December-time). The career field that I will be in can wait (privileged & grateful to graduate from this program) but IMHO it's now-or-never when it comes to me joining the military—specifically, trying out for SF. I'm considering enlisting in the NG with a REP-63 contract. I have zero interest in becoming an officer.

Not saying I'd make it through the entire pipeline but before I pull the trigger on joining & shipping to OSUT, I've got some moral considerations I'd appreciate answers to..

Informed answers would be appreciated! Though I'm majoring in something history/governance-related, I obviously don't have the practical knowledge, the experiences, or the day-to-day praxis to answer them wholly or informatively.

My intent with these questions come from introspection & whether or not I'd be doing the right thing (or on the track to doing the "right" thing). Here goes:

>I've interned during my undergrad years for a CEO who was a Army SpecOps officer.. he cherished the connections he's made through his time in but, in his words, "absolutely regrets" a lot of what he was forced to choose between when he was deployed in combat zones. My question: is US foreign policy today really about De Oppresso Liber? I absolutely admire this noble mentality: to free the oppressed. To protect those who cannot protect themselves. Stand up to the bullies. But is that what I/we'd be doing downrange?
>Individual soldier vs chain of command: how much control does one have between agency vs institution on a day-to-day basis? Let's say one was given an unconstitutional order on a fire mission to clear out a civilian Afghan village on faulty intel.. what'd be the the right thing to do and the practical scenario here?
>Will I/we be on the right side of history? e.g. Pentagon Papers.. regime change in Latin America in the the name of corporate interests.. Eisenhower's military-industrial complex warning.. etc. This is what makes me hesitate the most. But if this concern is assuaged, I'd believe much more strongly in joining.

Selfish reasons for wanting to join:

>Part of a brotherhood, that camaraderie—doing those special things with those special people within the purview of a greater mission of serving; make peace first, try peace second, door-kick if absolutely necessary is what attracts me to Army SF
>Serving the spirit of America
>Tuition assistance for an MBA
>Applied for a Naval ROTC scholarship straight out of high school, failed.. motivation re-surfacing through my studies.. it's now or never

Your input is appreciated! Anything else related to these matters is appreciated. Thank you.

EDIT: Spacing & grammar.

[Astronomy]

Speaking bluntly...

If you can't already look deep into the core of your being & find the answers to your own questions...you are definitely not cut out for this line of work.

You seem unduly worried about the opinions of others (both present day & future). You're supposed to possess your own beliefs by this stage in your life. Ones you can abide by, act upon, and live with. Be your own Man. The opinions of others matter little in the grand scheme of things.

History and geopolitics is a little messy. There are the stories written by the Victors, the ones written by the Losers, and the Truth found somewhere in-between. If you require clear delineations to set azimuths on your moral compass... the lifestyle is probably not your cup of tea. The real world of international affairs & human conflict is complicated and unjust. There are few good guys... on any side. For thousands of years it's been that way. As an SF Soldier, to achieve your far flung purposes, you must remain flexible... like Gumby's dick on a hot afternoon. It's mostly just business. When in doubt... American interests come first. That's not reflexive jingoism... just pragmatism hard at work.

Moral dilemmas? Yeah, you'll occasionally encounter those. Figure them out and stand by your actions. Hint: Do The Right Thing whenever possible. Have a Plan B when it ain't.

SF Life is not for the faint of heart, the overly sensitive, or those uncertain of their purpose in life.

You are
What you do
When it counts

-The Masao

[crocteeth93]

Astronomy,

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.

"If you can't already look deep into the core of your being & find the answers to your own questions...you are definitely not cut out for this line of work."

Sorry if I didn't make this clear in my post.. I've just begun considering this life route and as a wise man once said: knowledge speaks, wisdom listens. Trying my best to listen rather speak. Again, most of these questions I've not thought about nor considered--would rather consider experienced input, like yours, than my own since I could be very wrong about aforestated route.

"You seem unduly worried about the opinions of others (both present day & future). You're supposed to possess your own beliefs by this stage in your life. Ones you can abide by, act upon, and live with. Be your own Man. The opinions of others matter little in the grand scheme of things."

Again, not the case.. but I think this is mis-communication in work.

Sincerely appreciate the rest of your post, particularly what you've cut out to be the SF archetype. Information I wouldn't have had had I not posted here!

[Astronomy]

You're welcome.

SF operational environments are frequently murky & conflicted. If you aren't comfortable swimming in that kind of world, don't get in the water.

If you entertain personal doubts or moral qualms... you will not succeed at this endeavor.

[crocteeth93]

Astronomy,

Again, thank you for your input. Understood.

[TrapperFrank]

Sir, with all due respect, you think too God damn much.