INTJs + Defence Force = ?

[Yongkb21]

Hello Folks, :)

Just wanted to know what you all think about the INTJ in the defence force? I'm actually planning on joining the RAAF possibly by the middle of next year. By the way for those who are not from Australia, RAAF stands for ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE. Ok, the specialized field I wish to get into is.. No not a pilot. Don't get me wrong I love being in planes... Just not if I'm flying them that is. Anyways I wish to get in as an Airfield Defence Guard, I think that job has nearly every aspect I look for in a career. You get to travel around Australia and deployed overseas, not to mention the job will be mentally and physically challenging. In other words, I won't get bored easily. Eventually (hopefully) rise through the ranks etc. unless of course something unfortunate happens.. And yes I know there are heaps of rules and regulations to follow, I probably won't agree with them all. But yes I will try my best to stick to them.

I'll be thankful to hear all your opinions! :thumbsup:

[Pkz]

Bah, the military.

I would personally avoid it like the plague by principle, but learning about proper weapons maintenance and a "once-in-a-lifetime-experience" is something that keeps me from refusing. Yes; We have compulsory draft.

The army is just mans way of keeping other men supressed, and joining it would be participating in supression. Voilence always breeds voilence, just look at the middle east, how the USA has gotten so many enemies down there mainly due to the occupation of Palestine. They belive feeding them with bombs will apparently make them good-hearted "freedom-loving" americans, and they accuse them of beeing voilent. What double standard!

EDIT: On the INTJ side I belive there must be mixed opinions on this. But this is mine.

[1OFMANY]

I had the opportunity to work with several Austrailian Soldiers when I was in Iraq. I had a great time working with them. Good men, every one of em. Plus there were a couple females with them, can't leave them out either ;)

[Dreamer]

Hello,I've been in the Canadian Communications reserve for about half a year now. And here are my observations about the military in general:

The field portion is both challenging and fun. It is fast-paced and there is more of a "whatever works" attitude than in garrison. I know that there are armies that still insist on things like shaving 3 times a day in the field, but in this part of the world, as long as you maintain hygiene,a good morale and your weapon clean, you're good to go.

It may be very unique to me but basic training kind of sent me on a soul-searching journey. I think my experience in the military have made me a more diciplined person overall, or if not, at least somebody aware of his shortcomings.

As a member of the military,you will meet a host of interesting co-workers. So far in my unit(about 120-170 men) there are two Captain who have been involved in psychological operations in Afghanistan, several Bosnia veterans, a corporal who has been traveling with an Afghan infantry platoon during his tour,and another Afghan veteran. If you're historically inclined, and wish to compare your book knowledge to their first-hand experience and hear their opinions,it can make for interesting conversations over a beer.Formally, as a member of a "technical" trade,you will learn a lot of things about a variety of hands-on subjects which you might not have access to if all you had in your life in term of education was academia. And if the Australian military is suffering as much as the Canadian reserves,you will most likely get cross-training because there is simply not enough people to go around.

On the minus side,
You will also meet a bunch of asshats,most likely. But in my case,I've been able to steer away clear from them.

Also,you will be subjected to "drills and regulations". The worse for me was ceremony drill, which nobody told me was pervasive in garrison. Also,be advised as in any good government institutions, it also has a massive bureaucracy that comes with it. However, at least here,you don't feel it until you're an NCO.

I would say that overall, my experience as a lowly private in the military was very positive, in spite of the few shortcomings. I have no regrets and would highly recommend that you try it out.

Apart from that,you get paid to learn how to kill people.How sweet a deal is that?

[Yongkb21]

Apart from that,you get paid to learn how to kill people.How sweet a deal is that?

Think positive huh? I Like.. :laugh:

[stasis]

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[blueback]

The best thing I ever did for myself in my entire life was enlist in the Air Force (USA).

The many benefits are hard to list but I can hit the high points:
The military will assign your priorities for you and expect you to act on those priorities. This part of my philosophy is too complicated to go into, but basically discipline is a tool that humans can use to rise above their animal nature. However, it's not something that anyone can develop on their own, it has to be forced onto you until you internalize it. As an INTJ, I had trouble finishing projects because, if they took too long, I would get interested in something else. The discipline I've learned in the USAF has helped me learn how to stick to projects until they're completed. Basically, I learned that things aren't done until they're done right.

Also, as an INTJ I didn't run towards leadership positions. I figured that other people could take care of themselves and I didn't want to waste my valuable time fixing their problems for them. After a while in the military I realized that I thought that way because there was nothing I considered important. As soon as I found things I cared about I was eager to take on the leadership of the project because I wanted to make sure it was run properly. There is no better "laboratory" to learn leadership in then a military.

Also, they're paying for my education, and I haven't had to worry about a paycheck since I graduated high school.

Finally, and I think this is the most important part, I have met all my best friends in the military. I haven't talked to my old high school buddies since graduation (roughly) but I have made friends in the military that I am confident will last my whole life. There are some douche-bags, but they are easy enough to avoid. The comraderie in the military is something you really should experience and it will forever raise your standards of what friendship means.

[1OFMANY]

. The comraderie in the military is something you really should experience and it will forever raise your standards of what friendship means.

I find that the hardest part of being out. I don't know about the rest of the military but in an active-duty infantry line unit you get pretty close with your friends and no one else really matters. Now that I am out I have a hard time making any kind of meaningful friendship outside of my family. I never really liked friends to begin with,now its just worse! lol

[Julian]

The best thing I ever did for myself in my entire life was enlist in the Air Force (USA).

The many benefits are hard to list but I can hit the high points:
The military will assign your priorities for you and expect you to act on those priorities. This part of my philosophy is too complicated to go into, but basically discipline is a tool that humans can use to rise above their animal nature. However, it's not something that anyone can develop on their own, it has to be forced onto you until you internalize it. As an INTJ, I had trouble finishing projects because, if they took too long, I would get interested in something else. The discipline I've learned in the USAF has helped me learn how to stick to projects until they're completed. Basically, I learned that things aren't done until they're done right.

Also, as an INTJ I didn't run towards leadership positions. I figured that other people could take care of themselves and I didn't want to waste my valuable time fixing their problems for them. After a while in the military I realized that I thought that way because there was nothing I considered important. As soon as I found things I cared about I was eager to take on the leadership of the project because I wanted to make sure it was run properly. There is no better "laboratory" to learn leadership in then a military.

Also, they're paying for my education, and I haven't had to worry about a paycheck since I graduated high school.

Finally, and I think this is the most important part, I have met all my best friends in the military. I haven't talked to my old high school buddies since graduation (roughly) but I have made friends in the military that I am confident will last my whole life. There are some douche-bags, but they are easy enough to avoid. The comraderie in the military is something you really should experience and it will forever raise your standards of what friendship means.

I was also in the USAF for four years, as a Vehicle Operator.

I'd say it was a good experience overall, but I didn't fit in too well. I mainly joined to get money for college and to travel the world a little. Got to live in Okinawa for two years, spent 4 months in Kyrgyzstan, and ended up in the western US (I'm originally from S. Indiana). Got out and now I go to school in Montana. I love it. So I would say that it was definitely worth it for me and that I got what I wanted out of it.

It's not for everybody, but I agree with you, blueback, it's one of the best decisions I've made and it gave me a good foundation for the rest of my life (along with some great friendships and my wife ;) )