4 ms·

Well this happened out of my consent but I guess it may be called an experience out of my comfort zone: I'm a computer engineer and every man has to serve in t

by znt 16y ago

Well this happened out of my consent but I guess it may be called an experience out of my comfort zone: I'm a computer engineer and every man has to serve in the army for a limited period in my country. Normally computer guys like me are selected to work in army's computer and communication centers, but I submitted my papers late and instead of working in such center I was selected to be a mountain commando squad leader (no joke). Even the officers who were giving us basic training told me people in my profession generally aren't selected (and suited) for that kind of training. After 3 months of basic training (think of heavy marine training, but you climb up mountains as well) we were assigned to our squads and my squad was in the eastern warzone in Turkey, just near northern Iraq. During 8 months of my battalion service I was responsible for the lives of 18 men and went on to the missions which included searching for IEDs, securing roads for military convoys, patrolling base perimeter at night and ambushing terrorist routes during midnight. I repeat again, I'm just a decent computer engineer, and has no battle experience besides Call of Duty series. My squad didn't have any casualities but other squads were attacked by both IEDs and automatic rifles, and some soldiers were injured. I guess I should consider myself lucky for that. It was a traumatic experience both for me and my family. My service ended in this February but still I have nightmares somedays. So yeah that was out of my comfort zone, I really don't know if it did me any good or not.

iuguy 16y ago
Wow, that was pretty hardcore. Have they stopped the buy out option in Turkey to limit your military service a few months?
- znt 16y ago
  Here're the current options: No Bachelor's Degree: 15 months of service as private Bachelor's Degree: 12 Months of service as squad leader or 6 months of service as private Bachelor's Degree + Has been working abroad for 3 years: €10,000 + 1 months of service as private.
  - kbob 16y ago
    They're rewarding their educated people to leave the country? What's the rationale?
    - znt 16y ago
      I'm sorry there's a misunderstanding. You must pay €10,000 if you want to do a 1 month service. Otherwise they treat you as a normal Bachelor's degree owner.
fsniper 16y ago
Sorry but I should say this in Turkish; Geçmiş olsun! Well I'm in a bad situation now. I've been postponing military duty because of obesity for the last 3 years. In 2 years time I could be out of service. But I've lost over 40 Kgs. In this September I may be called for duty :(
- znt 16y ago
  Sağol birader. As you see in the news the current situation in the southeastern Turkey is not so pretty. I advise you to try to go abroad to evade military service.
  - fsniper 16y ago
    I'm thinking of it. But the thing is I'm working on my own company with my associate. Leaving him is something I hesitate to do.
timwiseman 16y ago
My Army service was voluntary, and somewhat less traumatic, but it similarly expanded my horizons and gave me a very different perspective on things. I consider it one of the better things I have done in my life both in terms of personal development and in terms of contributing. I served as an officer in both Iraq and Afghanistan and while I have been to England before, seeing those places gave me a very different perspective on the world. Similarly, being in charge of men in combat zones is very different than managing a technical group.
- guiseppecalzone 16y ago
  What was your role in the Army? Would you do it again?
  - timwiseman 16y ago
    I was an Intel Officer. I served at different times as a analyst team lead, an Intelligence Platoon Leader, and a Battallion Intelligence Officer. Although I did go on some patrols and some raids and generally left the confines of the base numerous times, I certainly did not have the same kind of exposure to direct violence that many of our fine Infantryman and others did. I was fortunate in never coming under direct small arms fire, but I was near mortar and other indirect attacks. I would certainly do it again. I learned a great deal about myself, leadership/management, and the world that I think I either would not have learned in the civilan world or at least not as fast. I also think I contributed to my country and (arguably) the world in ways that I could not have otherwise. I consider it a very bright point in my life. Again, I was very fortunate in coming out with no real physical injuries and no mental trauma. I have friends that cannot say the same. Even for me, it was a great strain on my family and it was the birth of my son that persuaded me to return to civilian life. I would certainly do it again, and I have recommended it to many of my younger friends. But I always recommend it after making sure they know that it is risky business, especially in combat arms in times of conflict. I knew two people, one of them a friend, who had what would be colloquially described as mental breakdowns. I knew several others that bear major scars from physical scars. Mercifully, I never personally knew anyone killed in the line of duty, but you only need to watch the news to be reminded that it happens. I have known several people get divorced because of it, and it came close to ruining mine before I returned to civilian life. So, for me it was definitely positive personally, and I think that that holds true for most people who serve. I do not regret it, and I recommend it as an excellent career and way to serve for people with the right temprament. But it should never be forgotten that it carries risks.
krmmalik 16y ago
Wow, that's an experience and a half. It must have taught you something positive, no?
- znt 16y ago
  Well in our basic training we learned never ever to give up against the toughest physical conditions and just keep going no matter what happens. I guess now I can apply the same thinking to the other problems I face as a programmer in my professional life. No matter what the problem is, there's always a way out, you just have to keep going at it without losing hope. Also serving under the risk of losing a subordinate's or one's own life kind of changes the way you look at things at a different perspective. You realize most things you ever worried about or got pissed at don't really matter that much, as long as you have your health and your bodyparts intact. Also now I value my time (and life) more and see it as something borrowed rather than taking it for granted.

by znt 16y ago

iuguy 16y ago

Wow, that was pretty hardcore. Have they stopped the buy out option in Turkey to limit your military service a few months?

znt 16y ago
Here're the current options: No Bachelor's Degree: 15 months of service as private Bachelor's Degree: 12 Months of service as squad leader or 6 months of service as private Bachelor's Degree + Has been working abroad for 3 years: €10,000 + 1 months of service as private.
- kbob 16y ago
  They're rewarding their educated people to leave the country? What's the rationale?
  - znt 16y ago
    I'm sorry there's a misunderstanding. You must pay €10,000 if you want to do a 1 month service. Otherwise they treat you as a normal Bachelor's degree owner.

fsniper 16y ago

Sorry but I should say this in Turkish; Geçmiş olsun! Well I'm in a bad situation now. I've been postponing military duty because of obesity for the last 3 years. In 2 years time I could be out of service. But I've lost over 40 Kgs. In this September I may be called for duty :(

znt 16y ago
Sağol birader. As you see in the news the current situation in the southeastern Turkey is not so pretty. I advise you to try to go abroad to evade military service.
- fsniper 16y ago
  I'm thinking of it. But the thing is I'm working on my own company with my associate. Leaving him is something I hesitate to do.

timwiseman 16y ago

My Army service was voluntary, and somewhat less traumatic, but it similarly expanded my horizons and gave me a very different perspective on things. I consider it one of the better things I have done in my life both in terms of personal development and in terms of contributing. I served as an officer in both Iraq and Afghanistan and while I have been to England before, seeing those places gave me a very different perspective on the world. Similarly, being in charge of men in combat zones is very different than managing a technical group.

guiseppecalzone 16y ago
What was your role in the Army? Would you do it again?
- timwiseman 16y ago
  I was an Intel Officer. I served at different times as a analyst team lead, an Intelligence Platoon Leader, and a Battallion Intelligence Officer. Although I did go on some patrols and some raids and generally left the confines of the base numerous times, I certainly did not have the same kind of exposure to direct violence that many of our fine Infantryman and others did. I was fortunate in never coming under direct small arms fire, but I was near mortar and other indirect attacks. I would certainly do it again. I learned a great deal about myself, leadership/management, and the world that I think I either would not have learned in the civilan world or at least not as fast. I also think I contributed to my country and (arguably) the world in ways that I could not have otherwise. I consider it a very bright point in my life. Again, I was very fortunate in coming out with no real physical injuries and no mental trauma. I have friends that cannot say the same. Even for me, it was a great strain on my family and it was the birth of my son that persuaded me to return to civilian life. I would certainly do it again, and I have recommended it to many of my younger friends. But I always recommend it after making sure they know that it is risky business, especially in combat arms in times of conflict. I knew two people, one of them a friend, who had what would be colloquially described as mental breakdowns. I knew several others that bear major scars from physical scars. Mercifully, I never personally knew anyone killed in the line of duty, but you only need to watch the news to be reminded that it happens. I have known several people get divorced because of it, and it came close to ruining mine before I returned to civilian life. So, for me it was definitely positive personally, and I think that that holds true for most people who serve. I do not regret it, and I recommend it as an excellent career and way to serve for people with the right temprament. But it should never be forgotten that it carries risks.

krmmalik 16y ago

Wow, that's an experience and a half. It must have taught you something positive, no?

znt 16y ago
Well in our basic training we learned never ever to give up against the toughest physical conditions and just keep going no matter what happens. I guess now I can apply the same thinking to the other problems I face as a programmer in my professional life. No matter what the problem is, there's always a way out, you just have to keep going at it without losing hope. Also serving under the risk of losing a subordinate's or one's own life kind of changes the way you look at things at a different perspective. You realize most things you ever worried about or got pissed at don't really matter that much, as long as you have your health and your bodyparts intact. Also now I value my time (and life) more and see it as something borrowed rather than taking it for granted.