History Is serving in the military a noble profession?

[LEWIS540]

Hoodwink the naive to think they are protecting their country when in reality, more often than not, they are risking their lives to boost the egos and bank balances of the social elite.

 

[Killer Whale]

Some people in here are ungrateful little twats!
Respect your military.
People that say no are spineless, I guarantee it.

 

[LEWIS540]

Some people in here are ungrateful little twats!
Respect your military.
People that say no are spineless, I guarantee it.

When you say “the military” are you talking about the soldiers risking their lives or the men in fancy suits who see those very lives as nothing but a statistic?

 

[Killer Whale]

When you say “the military” are you talking about the soldiers risking their lives or the men in fancy suits who see those very lives as nothing but a statistic?

Mostly the soldiers and personnel, but I’m certain that most of the ‘fancy suits’ don’t just look at them as statistics, although they do have to look at it through a different lens and I couldn’t imagine what I would be like having to make such hard decisions. Obviously there are disconnected bureaucrats but I think it’s a lot of good intentions in very complicated situations.

 

[LEWIS540]

Mostly the soldiers and personnel, but I’m certain that most of the ‘fancy suits’ don’t just look at them as statistics, although they do have to look at it through a different lens and I couldn’t imagine what I would be like having to make such hard decisions. Obviously there are disconnected bureaucrats but I think it’s a lot of good intentions in very complicated situations.

Honestly, regardless of your nationality, the idea of good vs evil is very rarely the case any more (if it ever was).

As a Brit, we probably have just about the most sketchy history of hiding behind the idea of us doing the right thing, whilst ignoring the horrors of the reality.

Is it a necessary evil? Probably, but it is also an absolute failure of the human race that we still spend trillions to “defend” ourselves.

And yeah, deaths are looked at as nothing but statistics. Again, a necessary evil, but probably not something an orphan or grieving mother is going to accept.

 

[FléauDeDieu]

I wanted to join the military when I was younger, but then I read some Horrible History books about life as a WW1 soldier and stepping on landmines, which put me off for good.

Every once in a while I do consider enlisting now that I'm older, the benefits aren't so bad. Free healthcare, a place to live in (albeit barracks) in the housing crisis so I could stop living with my parents, and 42k a year isn't a bad salary. But a diagnosis of ASD, being very chubby and not really a masculine man means I probably wouldn't survive in the military.

Still, I think about it. I'm not really patriotic or anything, I just always liked the idea of being in the military for a few years and saying I was a UN Peacekeeper.

 

[Thrawn33]

I think for the majority of those that sign up with one o the armed forces as an enlisted it is done as a way to pay for college. At least that has been my experience when talking with people. Noble isn't something so much thought about.

I've seen some mention too that they found the discipline good for them. I can imagine with so many boys these days growing up without fathers, military training and discipline could be well thought of.

Being a military officer tends to be well thought of. Well, the enlisted might have a good time making fun of officers at times, but out of military circles officers can be well viewed.

I had a degree before I enlisted with a plan to 4 and out, then get a civilian job

Then I thought, with my degree and when I make E5 I can go OCS

Then I made E5 and thought, you know what I get more respect as an E5 than an O-1

Then I made E6 earned a command (yes the USCG puts some enlisted guys in command of units and ships) and figured I'd go the W route because they were respected and feared by the enlisted and officer

Then I made E7 and saw Ws weren't all it was cracked up to be..

So I made E8, had a star above my Anchor and actually experienced Admirals asking for my insight on things. Then I retired after 23 years.

20 years ago my cousin said the military is great for those who can't do anything else, I reminded him even then I had more formal education, more money, and could beat his ass so I was 3 up on him, (he disputed the last point and he got tossed to the ground and humiliated)

Anyway, the idea that the enlisted ranks are a bunch of illiterate morons with no discipline is bullshit. Many have degrees and work experience, some are 18-20 with no direction but drive, and some are absolute rejects, but the amount I've experienced trended toward better than worse.

the Officers were the opposite.

 

[AFanNotAFighter]

I had a degree before I enlisted with a plan to 4 and out, then get a civilian job

Then I thought, with my degree and when I make E5 I can go OCS

Then I made E5 and thought, you know what I get more respect as an E5 than an O-1

Then I made E6 earned a command (yes the USCG puts some enlisted guys in command of units and ships) and figured I'd go the W route because they were respected and feared by the enlisted and officer

Then I made E7 and saw Ws weren't all it was cracked up to be..

So I made E8, had a star above my Anchor and actually experienced Admirals asking for my insight on things. Then I retired after 23 years.

20 years ago my cousin said the military is great for those who can't do anything else, I reminded him even then I had more formal education, more money, and could beat his ass so I was 3 up on him, (he disputed the last point and he got tossed to the ground and humiliated)

Anyway, the idea that the enlisted ranks are a bunch of illiterate morons with no discipline is bullshit. Many have degrees and work experience, some are 18-20 with no direction but drive, and some are absolute rejects, but the amount I've experienced trended toward better than worse.

the Officers were the opposite.

I did the same. Enlisted in the U.S. Navy after college and was trained as a photographer in A school and C school. Saw the world on Uncle Sam's dime and had a blast. I would have gone officer had I decided to make it a career for financial reasons and better living conditions. Met some dumb enlistees and some dumb officers. Ranks don't discriminate in that case.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I had a degree before I enlisted with a plan to 4 and out, then get a civilian job

Then I thought, with my degree and when I make E5 I can go OCS

Then I made E5 and thought, you know what I get more respect as an E5 than an O-1

Then I made E6 earned a command (yes the USCG puts some enlisted guys in command of units and ships) and figured I'd go the W route because they were respected and feared by the enlisted and officer

Then I made E7 and saw Ws weren't all it was cracked up to be..

So I made E8, had a star above my Anchor and actually experienced Admirals asking for my insight on things. Then I retired after 23 years.

20 years ago my cousin said the military is great for those who can't do anything else, I reminded him even then I had more formal education, more money, and could beat his ass so I was 3 up on him, (he disputed the last point and he got tossed to the ground and humiliated)

Anyway, the idea that the enlisted ranks are a bunch of illiterate morons with no discipline is bullshit. Many have degrees and work experience, some are 18-20 with no direction but drive, and some are absolute rejects, but the amount I've experienced trended toward better than worse.

the Officers were the opposite.

Thank you for your service.

 

[Bacco]

In the rare case you're risking life to save your people and defend your country

 

[JoeBobbaLou2]

Yes, for the most part. But I would say it is contingent on why you are joining.

 

[Possum Jenkins]

Not the American military but maybe elsewhere

Yup.

The US hasn't had its territory attacked in over 200 years (War of 1812) so the "fight to defend our country" thing isn't valid.

"Fight for our freedoms" is even more retarded. This isn't 1776.

 

[My Spot]

For the most part, it's just a job like any other job. Nice benefits though and it's a good option if you're about to graduate HS and don't know what you wanna do.
Post 9/11 GI Bill is awesome although I didn't need it since both FL and GA have lottery funded programs that pay for college.

 

[Jack Reacheround]

What if service was a family tradition but you want to kill people just a little bit...you know... like maybe 1%?

Idk, split the difference.

 

[TheNinja]

The people who serve are noble. The people who make the decisions the last 50 years aren't

 

[Sir Elzio Dennick]

I believe everything has its pros and cons, but I don't think it's as noble as it once was.

I don't know if you are fighting for the right cause at times.

Seems to me there are a lot of gray areas.

Although the intent is noble I would say.

I was in the Navy, been to Nam.

Talk about some incredible memories, I could write a book,

Highy recommend it, it is something you'll never forget.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I was in the Navy, been to Nam.

Talk about some incredible memories, I could write a book,

Highy recommend it, it is something you'll never forget.

Thank you for your service, sir.

 

[BB in Crazy!!!!]

Yes, for the most part. But it's not as noble as many people make it out to be. It's a job. And most aren't infantry doing dangerous work in the field. And even infantry isn't quite as noble as many would make it out to be. But, still pretty noble, especially since most of them are basically kids. I was a decorated combat vet by 22 years old.

 

[AFanNotAFighter]

Yes, for the most part. But it's not as noble as many people make it out to be. It's a job. And most aren't infantry doing dangerous work in the field. And even infantry isn't quite as noble as many would make it out to be. But, still pretty noble, especially since most of them are basically kids. I was a decorated combat vet by 22 years old.

Correct. And that is one of the biggest misnomers of military service and why many don't join.

 

[Trabaho]

I think war is a lot of fun. Killing people and stuff. It's noble to go out there and make the world smile.