In the US what are the most common reasons for joining a voluntary military, especially during wartime?

Question

Researching the motivations and/or goals or reasons for leaving civilian life and joining the military in the U.S. where the draft is not implemented except in the case of national emergency/war. Looking for those that joined during the Iraq conflict, but will appreciate answers for WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm ...

Answer 1

Patriotism.

Answer 2

I believe the first reason a person joins the military today is to get paid while getting an education. Not to mention all the benefits. If there happens to be a war, I don't think most of them are there by choice. It's part of the training and risks they are taught. Some who are in special ops, like the seals, are probably more excited about the possibility of using their skills in combat. Those that join after war has broke out, are more patriotic citizens who feel that they have an opportunity to do whats right for their country.

Answer 3

I have never been in the military, but I have family members who fought in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam; some were drafted and some joined voluntarily. For many there was a sense that it was the right thing to do, but some were simply poor, uneducated and in need of a job. The military would take them as they were and train them and feed them. For the Vietnam war, I remember that young men were joining other branches of the service to avoid being drafted into the Army. Again, there was a hope of receiving useful training and of doing something intelligent while members of the Army were perceived as cannon fodder.

Answer 4

My take on the matter is that movies have made war look like fun. IT ISN'T. People who survive war are extremely happy and they have the highest regard for those that didn't survive because it could just as easily been them that didn't survive. We all want those who didn't survive to be remembered, but it is not always for the correct reason. Some want them remember because of the good they think was done in killing thousands of the enemy. Others think those who did not survive should be remembered because it is an indication of the horror of war and how it touches so many others. There are those who join the military for the mistaken belief they are defendying freedom (and maybe in some distorted convoluted way they maybe. Nevertheless, soldiers fight for each other, not for any doctrine, flag, or country. They fight to stay alive.
As for reasons for joining the military -- it's what is expected, patriotic press from family, friends, and country, to prove ones "manhood," and on and on. There are many reasons but in this day and age it is fortunate that none (I think) are drafted into involuntary servitude.

Answer 5

Food, shelter and, mostly, attractive income. I personally know two individuals who do not agree with USA foreign policies and, yet, signed up for the current Iraq war simply because of the attractive pay - the USA offers people 4 to 6 times the income they earned in the USA (even for unrelated performed jobs) or could ever possibly dream of earning in the USA for duties (skilled or unskilled) in Iraq or other foreign involvements. And, this knowledge is also one of the reasons why the natives are often hostile toward the invaders' crew - jobs are created after the destruction of their properties, and insteading of the rebuilding jobs going to the natives, the invaders bring in their own people to make more money at the expense of the natives.

Answer 6

Many High School graduates are clueless about current events. They are so surprised that they graduated and now have no plan for the future. No job, no money, no plan. And they can't wait to get away from home. Join the military and see the world! And everyday, I am thankful to these young men and women that join the military and defend our country. A grateful nation anxiously awaits your return and wishes you all a bright and successful future.

Answer 7

I think americans join to the army during the Iraq war for to can kill some peoples who americans don't consider human beans. May be americans enjoy to shot some poor and primitive persons.
The great majority of the Americans does not matter, after all, Iraqs are not white, are not pretty (for the American standards), do not speak English , and live so far.

Answer 8

When is it not wartime somewhere? My nephews joined because they have goals. Their fathers and grandfathers served in previous wars. The educational benefits were also cause for motivation. One nephew plans to make a career of the military while earning higher educational degrees. The other has moved on and is working on his goals. His college was paid for and he is attending grad school.

Answer 9

Let's not forget that we're often talking about young men who are not even twenty years old. I know a young man who joined the marines recently because he was unsure what he wanted to do with his life. The recruiters took him and a few friends out for a fancy dinner and put them up in a nice hotel and played up the glamor and adventure of being a marine. He signed up for the next six years. He regrets it now, but can't get out of it.

Military recruiters are finding it harder and harder to sign people up these days and are stooping lower and lower to fill their quotas.

I'm sure many people join up out of a sense of duty or pride, but there are also many who have no other options for education and employment and many who are seduced or coerced into joining the armed forces.

Answer 10

MOST of the time it has to do with opportunity. I know for a fact that WV has always provided a large number of soldiers. Think about it...men/women, if they stay home, most can't afford higher schooling (the military provides educational assistance), most want to do better than their parents (here's a chance in an economic area limited to farming, coal mining, and so on)... get the gist? Most people join the military to better themselves.

Answer 11

If I were youthful adequate certain. My Grandfather, Father and a pair of brothers joined for the period of circumstances of conflict. I volunteered my amenities on the ripe previous age of 18 back in seventy 9, protection stress rfile pronounced I had undesirable knees so I went into the hearth service.