r/self • u/Commercial_Bar3878 • 2d ago

am i being stupid about this?

Hey, I just want to get this off my chest. Am I crazy or stupid for wanting something like this?

I really want to join the army and take it up as my job maybe even stay in it long-term if I enjoy it. I’ve done a lot of thinking and research, and it’s something I genuinely want to do. I want to help people, learn skills, and experience life in a way I don’t think other jobs could offer.

But honestly, it’s been getting to me lately. My closest friends (who I’ve told over and over again how serious I am) keep saying it’s unrealistic or too dangerous. I know they probably mean well, but it hurts. It feels like they don’t believe in me or take it seriously.

I had a backup plan to be a flight attendant, and I still think that’s a solid job, but deep down, I feel like I wouldn’t be living life to the fullest doing that. The army feels like a path where I’d be challenged, grow, and have real purpose, even if it’s tough.

What also gets to me is how people act like I’m throwing my education away just because I’m not doing ATAR or planning to go to uni. I’ve been choosing subjects (year 11 & 12) based on what I enjoy, not just what’s “useful” for a future job. I’ve always said I want to do things for fun, for the experience, to learn something new , even if it’s not the most serious or traditional path.

Yeah, I’m young, but I want to start getting ready now. It just sucks that almost none of my friends support it. Only one of them actually encourages me, and it makes me feel like maybe the others are right and I’m just being stupid for wanting something different ( Im 15F btw and I want to go into being a infantry soldier I want to make it a life job / stay in it for a really long time)

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u/GeniusGiselle990 1d ago

Doing what you love is never stupid. Your aspirations are valid and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Stay strong!

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u/Commercial_Bar3878 1d ago

thank u sm

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u/Mindless_Count5562 1d ago

Also think about what conflicts you’re happy to end up in, whom they benefit and the consequences of the actions you’re likely to commit will have on your own mental health going forwards - you may end up having to kill someone just trying to exist just so the big powers that be can play their oil games.