I have been trying to find the list of books on the military blacklist, as I have heard that books like The conquest continues by Noam Chomsky are forbidden to be read by active duty officers.
I ask because I want to join the army and I want to be sure I can read the Bhagavad Gita when/if deployed. If anyone has info in this, please let me know. Also, any info on military life / experience is very welcomed.
If this thread is out of line, please forgive me and delete it, thanks.

No offence meant to you at all but why would you want to join the military if your a krishna?
Isn't it against its teachings to pursue violence?
I'm pretty sure they don't accept pacifists!

Where did you hear of a blacklist? I was in the military until not too long ago, and I don't ever recall being told I could not read certain books or literature. I know you couldn't partake in certain anti-government events or production of propaganda, but nothing about restricting study of anything.

I've never heard of a blacklist of books. In fact, it would probably be the opposite.

You know, "Know your enemy".

Originally posted by the way
No offence meant to you at all but why would you want to join the military if your a krishna?
Isn't it against its teachings to pursue violence?
I'm pretty sure they don't accept pacifists!

Im not exactly sure, but I am pretty sure, that is buddhism, not hinduism. YEs hinduism expresses peace etc, but it also justifies defending the innocent.

There isn't any blacklist, you can read what ever you want: the Koran, Mein Kampf, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, The Communist Manifesto, and plenty of other controversial material.

Some stuff might set off red flags with the DHS though. The DOD on the other hand doesnt really care. They would like people to read Starship Troopers and Sun Tzu though.

When I was in the military I never heard anything about such a reading list. Lots of things have changed since then, but I've never heard anything about it.

As for military advice. My best advice is to get the shortest contract you can possibly get. Probably a 2 year contract, which will no doubt be extended to 3yrs by default(happened to my little brother).

You are either gonna love it or hate it. And if you love it, they will be all too happy to give you another contract, and when you re-enlisted you will be given a fast track on promotions because they feel you will stick around. And if you hate it, then you get out quick.

When people sign up for 3 years, they are usually around the rank of E-4 at the end of it. I never seen anyone go to NCO school before re-enlisting. But I did see people who re-enlisted early and got to go to NCO school while others weren't even mentioned.

You said officers, but I'd be willing to bet it's a similar situation. They don't want to waste money sending someone to NCO school or other forms of training if they are going to leave 6 months later.

Another thing is you can usually make a change in your MOS on re-enlistment if you want. My brother went from a NBC guy to a medic in his first re-enlistment.