What are the best excuses you have heard for people not joining the military?

I've only heard really lame ones. Most common was they at least admitted that they were "afraid."

Dude where to start? I've heard about all of them.

How about this one : I would have joined,but i didn't want to be a leach on the public,this same individual collects welfare and food stamps..go figure...there should be a mandatory 2 yr service requirement for every able bodied American ( male and female ) between the ages of 18 thru 45,and 4 yrs for any one who wants to gain U.S. Citzenship,instead of j6st coming here and collecting services,or better yet coming here when they are 65 plus and collecting social security with out ever working to contribute to it

I'm not one for excuses. I've always found the arguments to join or not to join very interesting, and at the end of the day, they are ultimately a very personal decision. For me, out of high school, I was too immature to understand or know what the decision entailed, however, I was off to college on an athletic scholarship so that decision was made for me to a degree. However, fast forward a decade or so, and 9/11 happens. I felt a very strong urge to do something, I was an adult, college educated, good head on my shoulders, etc. I headed on down to my local recruiting center, spoke with the different branches of our fighting elite and ended up signing on the dotted line with the USMC. I was set to report to Quantico. I filled out all of the paper work, worked out with the Gunny who had recruited me. Was able to handle any and all PT that could be thrown at me no worries. Two weeks prior, to the time I was set to report, I was informed that I had been released from my commitment because I had "lied" on my application, etc. I had neglected to inform the Corps that I had had several shoulder and knee surgeries in my past. Now, I was a collegiate football player at a major division one university, knee and shoulder surgeries are not uncommon. I didn't think anything of it as I was able to score high on PT testing out the gate. Everything happens for a reason, and sadly I was not afforded the opportunity to serve in the traditional sense as many here have and continue to. But I try to support in any way I can. One of my dear friends and college team mates was one of the first casualties of the war on terror, an Army Ranger killed in the battle of Taku Gar (spelling?). May he rest in peace. To all that serve and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that I may sit here and type this message out, Thank You, and may God Bless.

I come from a military family. I tried to join all services. I have been a type 1 diabetic since I was 3 yes old. Apparently that is an instant disqualification. I strongly support our troops as best i can though. I have younger siblings that actually could have and still are young enough to join but wont. They talk a big game and think they know everything about what goes on in foreign wars and brag about their dad (my stepdad) serving in Vietnam.

One evening we were talking about the war going on in Iraq and Afghanistan while that was in its peak. For all their supposed self proclaimed knowledge of the milItaly they called me a coward for not enlisting after 9/11 since it happened the year I graduated high school. This was years and years after that and they were both in their early 20s still living at our parent's home. I told them how dumb they sound and explained that I tried, I met enlisting officers and even talked with my uncles whom are now retired about if there was anything I could do. There wasn't.

So I asked them why they didn't join. It was like seeing deer in headlights. They proclaimed that they were needed to stay at our parent's house to take care of them
.... my parents are healthy and active. Our mom just turned 55 and my step dad is in his early 60s.

They're nothing more than squatters on their retirement. (Their house) one of my brothers is now married and has a son. His wife moved in with him. The other lives in the basement and collects guns and grows pot. Both dropped out of high school. If anyone needed the military I would think it would be them.

Almost always, "I'm too much of a bad ass to be told what to do" or some chicken shit variation there of. Just about got my now brother in law nocked on his ass when I first met him.

I've been told by a relative "I would've joined when I was younger but I didn't get the chance." Yep, those words exactly.

"I'm sure I could do it, but I'm scared my girlfriend wouldn't be able to make it that whole time without me."
It wasn't really a 'good' excuse, but at least he was being honest because that girl had some serious attachment issues...

I joined the Army in place of my young brothers who both had accidents and couldn't serve. I do not for once instance regret joining and serving my country. It was an honor to serve in the famous Berlin Brigade from 1985- end of 1988. I had seen the inside of Spandau Allied Prison and pulled guard on Rudolf Hess (no. 7) and had a trip to Italy, Wildflecken and several places for training and made alot of friends along the way. The morons who do not volunteer for service to this nation will never experience what I did. These buggars that sit on their asses and swill beer all day won't amount to much any how unless they are one day drafted and made to serve. I say bring back the draft for all the young men and women who are 18 and they can serve the country and earn a free college education. I also served in Operation Just Cause from December 1989 - end of January 1990. The Best place I served was A Co. 4/502d Infantry Berlin Brigade.

The best excuse for not joining the military came from a draftee in my basic training company in 1967. This young man was an ethnic Chinese who grew up basically isolated in San Francisco's Chinatown. For several reasons, his body could not tolerate mess-hall food. After every meal we'd find him ouside throwing up everything he'd eaten. In two weeks he lost 15 pounds, which he couldn't really afford. After two days of tests at the army hospital, it was officially determined that his system could not tolerate army food (would have been interesting to see how he handled C-rations). In two more days he was processed for a general discharge (no doubt later upgraded to honorable) and sent back to San Francisco. All-in-all I think this young man's medical condition was one of the best reasons I've heard of for not joining the Army.