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[SP] SPs in the military

rhinosaur

Just a statistic
Joined
Apr 23, 2007
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1,464
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INTP
Don't get me wrong, I'm not actually thinking of enlisting anytime soon. I was just curious how SPs, particularly other ISTPs, fare in the military.

From what I've read at INTPc, the general consensus is that INTPs have trouble with the Authoritarian aspect; the heirarchy of leadership. See for example INTPs in the military - INTP Central

But we ISTPs are a different breed, and I haven't found anything on MBTIc about this topic, so I started this thread. Please share your experiences and thoughts.
 

Bamboo

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Jan 28, 2009
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2,689
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XXFP
Hmm, I thought about joining the marines (a few years ago) but just went to college.

I think that I would be a good soldier: I could be trained to be lethal, but I'm not violent. Lethality is about skillful execution, while violence is about being in a sort of crazed emotional state (like vengeance). Or at least I say that sitting in my ivory tower (pretty views, btw).

Of course, I suppose it is strongly unappealing for me to go out and kill other people, when at times, your only reason is being ordered to do so. It's not the killing part so much (this is, of course, still in my ivory tower) - if some jerk off the street was trying to kill me and I had to kill him, then I wouldn't have too much issue with that. But that's my last option.

To put it another way: I don't care about the uniforms involved, so to speak. If someone is shooting at me or my friends, and I'm armed, than I'll ensure that they will stop. I don't care who they are - soldier, militant, psychopath, next door neighbor, drunk uncle, whatever.

If there are bad guys planning to do bad things, than I don't mind stopping them either.

I'm NOT into just shooting and killing people for reasons that don't involve immediate danger. Simply because they are "the enemy" and have on a different uniform doesn't really do it for me.

Ideology seems like a silly reason to kill someone, but a good portion of world history disagrees with me.

---------------------------------------

On a side note, I'd be interested in something like SWAT because it has less of the negatives of military (like shooting people for no good reason)*. SWAT has a hierarchy, I don't think I'm uncomfortable with that, though the idea makes me feel sorta off.

*Of course, hearing these stories about raids where they get the wrong house and shoot the family dog or kick in doors and shoot and paralyze because someone has some pot makes me second guess this.
 

phoenity

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Feb 27, 2008
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472
A military job is a fantasy I've had ever since I was young. The desire had nothing to do with fufilling duty and everything to do with doing something exciting like I had seen in the movies.


When I was 18 graduating high school, I didn't have any plans so I tried to join the Army National Guard while I was going to college. I had picked infantry as my job because it seemed like the most exciting and what I had always fantasized about. I went to the medical processing and was ready to sign my contract, and they disqualified me over something simple. I corrected the error, went through again, and they disqualified me again, so I gave up. I guess they didn't want me badly enough.

Had things actually worked out, I would have very likely served in one of the wars overseas. This was not something that was on my mind at the time, but thinking back I'm actually glad that it didn't work out because serving in a war would have undoubtedly affected who I am today.

Then again about two years ago I had the desire again to join the military since I didn't know what else to do long-term. By this time I was incredibly fit compared to where I was in high school, so if I was going to serve I wanted to be with the best of the best. I was looking at Pararescue or some type of SF combat medic. Then when I really got into looking at the career, it was going to take at least 8 years of my life, during which I'm sure there would have been a hell of a lot of good and bad times. Regardless, it would have certainly changed who I am in a big way, and I'm not sure I want to find out who that person is.


I think a military career for me will always be a fantasy. Perhaps if we lived in a country where it was mandatory it would be much easier to do. But here I have a choice, at least until I sign my name and my freedom is stripped away for 6+ years. I have no issues with authority, until I disagree with that authority. In the military, I would not be able to quit if I was ordered to do something I didn't want to do.

Ultimately for me it's always come down to commitment. Although I would love the training and the duties of the job, my freedom is something I can never give up.
 

Grayscale

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Dec 20, 2007
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i think the military can be a suitable environment for this type. the only downfall i see is that, as i think bamboo is saying, although the principle reasons we would have for doing something are often driven by reason and are likely to align with orders were given in an environment almost entirely dependant on logistics, that doesnt mean they always will and when that happens, you still have to follow orders. however, this will happen in any occupation, and i would venture a hell of a lot more often in places filled with civilians and their pesky emotions rather than a like-minded folks who respect rationality due to understanding a deeper need to fufill their purpose and duty rather than themselves. this is why I suspect there is complaining where the military and civilians coincide, such as our political system and the inherant beuracratical bs that comes with it. The military is more or less shitty to you and requires a certain level of selflessness and objectivity, it probably wouldn’t attract the type of people who like the idea of sitting in a comfy office with a rubber stamp for their own sake.
 

BlackCat

Shaman
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Nov 19, 2008
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I had an old camp counselor that was in the military, he came home and did counseling for a summer job. He was an ESTP, awesome guy too by the way. He did actually have a problem with authority, but his commanding officer got on their level, so he wasn't feeling controlled. The officer also got his respect as far as I know, and that made things a lot better for him. He also had a lot of fun with the group of soldiers he was in, they played video games, football, etc. That also made things better for him I presume.
 

"?"

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May 2, 2007
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This is one of those things that I questioned when thinking that I was INTP. I considered the military several times throughout my youth. I think that SPs can accept and become proficient in military. I would think that ISTPs would find their niche as specialist (attaches/intelligence, marksman/snipers, recon up to Navy Seals, Green Beret, etc.... ESTPs would focus more on climbing through the ranks.
 

SolitaryPenguin

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Dec 20, 2007
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I really wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force back when I was getting ready to graduate high school, but unfortunately, my color blindness made that impossible. I've always wanted to fly, and the military seemed like the best place to do it.
 

rhinosaur

Just a statistic
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Apr 23, 2007
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INTP
Poor flightless penguin!

You know you could just get a pilot's license.
 

MetalWounds

More human than human
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I've met a handful of ISTPs during my time in the military and they always seem to do pretty well. Sometimes they struggle with the "dress and appearance" and complicated traditions and customs. I've seen them do best in result oriented jobs. The mechanical fields, like aircraft and vehicle repair are pretty heavily TP dominated. They also make great leaders when push comes to shove and someone needs to stand up.
 

millerm277

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Feb 1, 2008
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I've met a handful of ISTPs during my time in the military and they always seem to do pretty well. Sometimes they struggle with the "dress and appearance" and complicated traditions and customs. I've seen them do best in result oriented jobs. The mechanical fields, like aircraft and vehicle repair are pretty heavily TP dominated. They also make great leaders when push comes to shove and someone needs to stand up.

+1 If shit needs to be done, we take the lead (assuming no one capable is), and get it done. As for other military things....any type of more solitary/individual (as opposed, as to...say, being an infantry grunt and trying to fight with 20 other people). But, give me an objective, the tools I need, and let me loose, and it's pretty unlikely that anything will beat me. (A few like-minded people that I truly work on the same level with, are fine.).

Also, on the same note, we never will do foolish things like run into a hail of bullets, but fear and losing our nerve, isn't something we really have to worry about.
 

swordpath

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Plenty of SPs in the military. You'd do just fine. Really any type can if they know what's expected of them and are willing to comply. That's all it is.

What branch are you looking at?
 

ColonelGadaafi

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Don't get me wrong, I'm not actually thinking of enlisting anytime soon. I was just curious how SPs, particularly other ISTPs, fare in the military.

From what I've read at INTPc, the general consensus is that INTPs have trouble with the Authoritarian aspect; the heirarchy of leadership. See for example INTPs in the military - INTP Central

But we ISTPs are a different breed, and I haven't found anything on MBTIc about this topic, so I started this thread. Please share your experiences and thoughts.


SP's are perfect canidates for most branches save for the ones with strict disciplinerian tradition. The natural preference for tactics that sp's(ISTP's in practicular) have allows for verstaile options on a large variety of roles. If you like the traditional ISTP school of activities, i think you'll very much enjoy the piloting/mechanical fields, or the expertising arms.

The military is a great way to improve Se, and develop your character in general. It requires a great deal of self-discipline aswell as a drastic habit drought. Yer comfort level will be reduced to a minimum.

It's a good future-idea, if your fit.
 

Randomnity

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I would never join the military (ok, excepting major life changes/etc), not because I resent being ordered around (though I do), but because I won't kill people. I don't mean offense to any of you in the military, it's simply not a job I'm capable of.

I don't really think that's an SP thing though, in particular.
 

millerm277

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Feb 1, 2008
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SP's are perfect canidates for most branches save for the ones with strict disciplinerian tradition.

Agreed. Although, it depends on if we see a point to the strict discipline. For example, we are not likely to have an issue with exercise drills, training drills, target practice, etc...and other sorts of things that require strict discipline, if we find a value in it. Then there is stuff like: shine your shoes, keep your clothes pressed/nice, stand in this line in a certain pose for an hour, and salute the person above you when he walks by. To that, we say.....f*** off, and unlike some other types....wouldn't back down from it either.
 
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