General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why do we buy into the worship of the military? [View all]Redleg
(5,804 posts)I joined to serve my country, as my father had done in his 20 plus years in the Army. I enlisted in 1985, earned my commission as a 2LT in 1987 and served 5 years as a field artillery officer. The Soviet Union was still our main enemy at that time and I took my duties in a serious and professional manner. While I didn't always agree with how troops were used abroad, I believed then, and still do, that we need to have dedicated military personnel who understand the rigors and negative consequences of war and who use force in just war and according to the laws of warfare and who take seriously the responsibilities of the profession of arms.
I can also say that I am uncomfortable with the insincere labeling of all military people as "heroes" and treating all veterans as though they are the epitome of American patriots. I believe that most of our military people are proud to have serve as best they can and don't need to be called "heroes" or acknowledged at every public even they attend (e.g., football games). While they may not crave constant thanks and adulation, I believe they also don't want their sacrifices to be forgotten. As of now, many of our serving military have completed 5 or more deployments to combat zones and some of them bear wounds, physical and psychological. Their families also carry a burden of having a father, mother, sister, or brother away from home and at risk.
I am grateful that we have an all-volunteer military where each member has chosen to serve. And because our military represents a small fraction of our society, they take on a great burden during times of war. Be grateful that our nation doesn't have to resort to the draft again.