Why YOU NEVER Volunteer In War First

War in general isn’t a pleasant place to be, however, it's quite clear that there are some jobs that are simply worse than others. While some soldiers may find themselves in unfortunate positions through direct orders of command, there are other roles that people have willingly volunteered for... and then discovered exactly why it was a terrible, terrible idea. Here are some jobs throughout military history you absolutely do NOT want to volunteer for.

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Credit:
Show Created by Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Script: Natasha Martell
Narrator:

Chris Kane

[TheBetterManInBlack]

"I need 5 volunteers."
"what for, Sergeant?"
"I need 4 volunteers."

[nsahandler]

Fun fact:
Half of this stuff he says "don't volunteer for" is not a volunteer position. It's punishment duty or part of a regular rotating duty that is passed among all members of a unit.

Latrine duty is rotated or is assigned as a punishment.
Night watch can't even be volunteered for - its on rotation so that day-time operations aren't hindered by a portion of your force constantly at risk of exhaustion

[GabeMillerSpoonsOfDoom]

You never want to be the first attacking wave.

[tuvoca]

"We have reviewed your case and determined your injury is not service related...." 😢

[indianheadlogan]

Thanks. I was debating it, but now i know that ill NEVER volunteer for WW1

[Snuffy]

An old Sgt told me, be first in the chow line, first in the pay line, and NEVER volunteer for anything. He also said, never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, and never lie down without copping some z's. Oh, and always eat all you can. When you can because you may not get another chance.

[hectorheathcote]

Mustard gas would also cling onto uniforms so when a soldier went from a cold environment such as out in the trench, where the mustard gas is a light fairly harmless powder, to a warmer environment such as oh, say a bunker where it's nice and warm, chaos ensues. Upon warming, the powder reverts back to a gas thus causing casualties amongst the bunker dwellers. Nasty, insidious stuff.

[ajinman]

The Marine Corps taught me never volunteer until you are voluntold 😂😂😂

[SenorGrandePP]

In Chess you send the Pawns first♟ ♟ ☠️☠️

[jamesboyle]

My grandfather (who was in the British Army) always told my father, who told me: "Never volunteer for *anything*." He knew that when somebody starts asking for volunteers, it is almost always for a job that is dangerous, unpleasant, or both. Why else would they have to try to find people to do it?

[cattledogjasper]

My friends dad volunteered to join the military during the Vietnam War. His draft number was pretty low so he decided to have a little more say in what branch he'd join and what'd he do. Because of this he was able to enroll in special forces training to become a green beret. He had to remain state side for a bit longer to complete his training and once his training was complete, the war was winding down and he was never shipped over seas.

[TheRealForgetfulElephant]

The US government testing mustard gas on active servicemen and not continuing the long term research is a classic government move.

[beepboop]

during my brief stint as a reservist, my section commander openly told me he didnt like me and if we didnt know where we were taking fire from, on exercise, it was me and my fireteam partner who were told to go first while everyone else would watch where we got shot from. good times?

[AproposDare]

When a draft is in effect, you _actually_ want to volunteer by joining the Coast Guard. Stay home and protect our waters while everyone else gets drafted onto the frontlines.

[anthonyfoutch]

My father was a WWII combat vet Silver Saar Bronze Star and 3 Purple Hearts. When I joined USAF in 1972 he said never volunteer for anything. He said his unit had been in combat for weeks when they got to rest. The Lt. said we need volunteers for truck drivers. Lots of the guys said great and volunteered. Later my father saw them using wheelbarrows hauling dirt and rocks. These were the only storied my father told about the war.

[koulikov]

The fastest way to clear a room in the army is for someone saying "I need 4 volunteers"

[VikingHawk]

Being a tunnel rat would be the worst. I think they wanted them to be 5’5” at the most? Thank god I’m 5’6”.

[MichaelGibbons-ukmc]

I was new out of basic training assigned to the engine room on an oiler in 1968. The NCOS thought they'd screw when they asked me to volunteer to look for some "shore line". It was 120 degrees in the engine room, but above deck, where I looked for the remaining 3 hours of my watch it was only mid 80s. When I went back they thought it was funny

[robertkarp]

I'm suffering chemical poisoning. "Oh we're sorry, here have a glass of milk, it will make you feel better."

[DrEtzor]

Knowing how military works, if they don't want you to sleep on duty, then they should let you sleep properly to begin with.