What is the political persuasion of the average U.S. Marine Corps. soldier?

Question

I was talking to a guy today who was a Marine up until a year ago. He talked in detail about how he was very liberal, and I do mean very liberal. Atheist, pro-taxes, socialized medicine, defense cuts, pacifism, the works. I said that must set him apart from most Marines, and he swore up and down most Marines he knew were pretty liberal people.

Is this true? Is he just blowing smoke up my *** or are many U.S. Marines actual liberal Democrats?

Also, this guy is approximately 25, and said he didn't go to Iraq, and went to Afghanistan but never saw combat.

Answer 1

I am in the Army but I still think that I might be able to answer this... In My ten years in the military I have seen a wide range of views from ultra-conservative to nearly communist the main thing that draws people into the military is a sense of duty adventure and the benefits and those big three really aren't owned by any one party. True most people in the military are leaning to the right but they have a more relaxed view for example many soldiers are pro-choice mainly because of the loose moral standards they have on the weekends, pass, leave and would like an easy way out of any unwanted situation. Very few soldiers I know are regular church goers. On the other side I know very few soldiers that want to pull out of Iraq and we even have a waiting list in our unit of soldiers who are volunteering to go there. I think that if civilians really got to know soldiers they would realize that we aren't the trod upon duped into service nor are we the type going off to war with the bible in one hand an our rifle in the other. Either way you cut it I think you would see both sides taking the "support our troops" and the "bring them home" bumper-stickers off the SUVs and Hybrids.

Answer 2

You shouldn't call Marines soldiers. Soldiers are in the Army.

This guy is not telling you the truth. You do not have to be anything (conservative or liberal) to be a Marine. However, Most Marines are more right leaning than left. There may be some liberals in the Marines but they are in the minority. Keep in mind that people who agree with each other hang out together so this guy might not have been exposed to the other side.

"Birds of a feather flock together."

Answer 3

My husband is a 26 year old Marine Corp. Sgt; he has been to Iraq, Okinawa, and several other locations. He is a complete independent politically, neither Democrat nor Republic, although he is not really all that liberal. He just has his own opinions about things that no political party seems to match with. He is definitely a Christian, though.

Answer 4

I too find it hard to believe, and I live fairly close to a large Marine base. When you hear Marines express opinions they are usually gung ho pro war and pro Bush. Some might become liberal as a result of serving in Iraq, being denied adequate armor while there, then being denied their veterans benefits when they get home. And having to pay for their meals if they wind up in a military hospital.

Answer 5

What is you definition of liberal? I am a social liberal but a fiscal and foreign policy conservative. I think you will find that variety of person in the marines quite a bit. We like to fight and and don't want to be taxed that much, but we also think that we should be paid more for doing it

Answer 6

I doubt that they are because liberal democrats are not usually the first in line to enlist. This is not because they are cowardly or dont love their country, but the democratic side of the political compass generally supports dispute resolution through diplomatic means. Also, soldiers generally try to support the missions that they embark on so that they can tell themselves that they are on the just and righteous side. To support the war we are in right now would require conservative logic, and thus the common soldier would be conservative.

Answer 7

One of the things you should consider is that people in the military are examples of a wide range of views on a wide range of subjects.

If you take out views on defense and foreign policy (where by our very nature we will tend to be more conservative) you will find that our views mirror those of the general population.

In fact the question I have when somebody tries to describe another as 'liberal' or 'conservative' is: 'On which issues?'

Answer 8

my friends that are Marines are pretty much fence sitters. Two of them are hard core right wingers though. One of them always likes to say that Marines are Realists. They don't care about anything unless it can actually be done.

Answer 9

I find that very hard to believe.

Answer 10

Most are Repulicans and conservative