Convince someone not to go to the Military?

Stay out of it. Recruiters are experienced in dealing with hotshots who want to be airborne scout snipers.

If you feel he's not prepared, he may not meet enlistment standards or wouldn't make it through basic training. Some people suffer injuries during basic and are discharged. Some flip out due to the stress, usually the one's physically and mentally NOT prepared for the hardship, physical activity and pressure..

If he doesn't have a 4 year college degree there is NO WAY he's going to be an officer leading anything EVER. Make sure you tell him that..

If he's over 18 there's not a lot you can do about it. You could tell him that with everything winding down and the downsizing, he won't be seeing any combat and all he'll get in four years is a lot of repetitive training and work details somewhere. Probably in the US.

A person should go into the military because they support the aims of the nation and feel a need to serve the public in national defense.

The majority of time the military is not engaged in warfare.

As for enlisting in the Army or Marine Corps to serve in the infantry, the idea is neither bad nor good: service in the infantry is one form of national service. The same benefits accrue and the same pay is given for service in any other field of the military.

As for physical preparation, that is partly what boot camp is for. Most persons who enter the military are healthy but not physically prepared. Moreover, physical preparation is something one can start immediately (there is no need to wait for boot camp).

If you wish to convince him of something, then the idea of national service is the reason one should enter any of the services.The service in question will determine the best fit for any particular job. (It could be that he is not suited for the infantry but is suited for some other job. That is up to the classifier to determine during the enlistment process.)

The services have a lot to offer: few corporations will take an untrained individual and pay them whilst training them to do a job and give them paid vacation days starting at the first month, and college or apprenticeship benefits to boot, and free medical care.

And, there is the downside. IBM or Caterpillar won't ask you to go out and die for the company.

There are many violent bullying in military.

Military is one of the most psychologically, physically severe job. It is a job most likely to get PTSD, melancholy. One of the top job that die young. You will not only likely to die from battle you could survive and live with no arms,and legs.

You must need to be tough, fit, strong not to get bullied.

Soldiers kidnapped and tortured very bad.

Training at academy is much much tough than joining American Football or Rugby.

Have you ever had scary, strict mean teacher, don't you hate them ? Trainer in the academy is 10 times more than that.

You won't have free time at all, always always work. No time to play video games. You won't have days at all to see your girlfriend, pet, family.

Elite Squad, Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War is a good example to watch.

It's not easy to be army anyway, it is extremely difficult to be a military. You need to be smart and fit.

IF he could even qualify, who are you to say that he's not ready for the military! Are you currently in the military or have you ever served? If so, then you shouldn't be asking this question. If not, then what gives you all this knowledge to make decisions for other people's lives? I say you mind your own business.

ETA: JROTC gives you about as much "military experience" as Call of Duty, so please don't think that's your answer!

Sounds like a good idea to me. Let him find out what real duty is like. And don't worry, the military will get him into shape. May be the best thing that ever happens to him. A hard dose of reality can go a long way.

The Army has a way of working kinks out of most people

Tell him: "You must not murder." Exodus 20:13

or: "As for the...murderers..., their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This means the second death." Revelations 21:8

or: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39

So, should he choose a different girlfriend if you don't approve of his girlfriend?

Should he drive a different car if you don't approve of his car?

Wear different clothes is you don't approve of his clothes?

Hang out with different people if you don't approve of his friends?

At what point do you quit trying to make his decisions for him?

I agree with mgan... mind your own business

Would you have this same issue if he were step between you and a knife welding thug?

He has decided that he is willing to step between you and the rest of the world....good for him.