Are not the men and women in the U.S. military today among the best this country has to offer?

Question

Of those I have met who are serving they all strike me as being bright, motivated, selfless, patriots. I think we have a new "best generation". Who agrees?

dinodino.....By my use of the term new "best generation" I was referring to the level of patriotism and motivation of the troops themselves, not of everyone in the country. That was probably not the best choice of terms...I realize that those going through WWII had a completely different attitude.

Answer 1

I wouldnt lable us as the best generation. i still give all props to the vets of ww1 and 2 and vietnam. Those guys really fought!
We who do fight for our nation do it out of pride. Some do it to create a better life for themselves. Some have their own reason. The important thing is that no matter why they are here, they had the courage to stand up. God bless the soldiers and the U.S.A!

Answer 2

I don't agree. It's a mixed bag. As far as bright, I certainly don't think the brightest volunteer, they have better options. Motivated and selfless, sure for the most part, however many are in the Army because it's the only option. I don't like the implications of an all volunteer army.

As far as best generation, that referred to all the people who fought in World War II and supported the war effort at home a huge number of people who made sacrifices. The number of people making any sacrifice today is a small fraction of the population compared to WWII. While the volunteers are dying, the vast majority of their generation is in the US enjoying themselves. And we certainly haven't seen a big rise in this generation of people enlisting, in fact the opposite is true, and military is lowering standards. The lower number of recruits also indicates that a lot of people of military age don't support Bush policies.

I think this country should require universal military service, so everyone has a stake in what we ask the military to do.

Answer 3

When Aryan Nation graffiti began showing up on Baghdad's walls, I knew we weren't sending the "Best & Brightest". CBS "60 Minutes" did a program about that problem a couple weeks ago, but I'd heard about it through international news media. I'm a retired Army Officer, started out as a private in 1968.

I have points of agreement with nearly every answer so far. But the military is having an increasingly difficult time enlisting new people, to the degree that they've raised the maximum enlistment age to 42 and lowered the ASVAB test's passing grade. They are also giving re-enlistment bonuses of nearly $150,000 to highly qualified Special Forces Senior - enlisted NCO's (Officers are not eligible for bonuses or re-enlistment, when an officer signs on, he's there until he resigns his commission or retires).

The transfer of so many military specialities from the active duty forces to the reserve and Guard forces have caused a tremendous problem for the Military.

This is my soapbox, and I could go on and on about the problems we face in the nearterm future of our Armed Forces, but for now....the answer is yes, they are "among" the best, but the rest of the best are avoiding the military like the plague. We may have a new "Best Generation" but only 10-15% of that generation qualify to be included.

Answer 4

At least i can say a majority of today's Yanks (in the military) are actually bright (you've gotta be to man an M1A1/A2 tank or a sub or a F-22A), motivated (I havent heard any USA units retreat yet during a fight), selfless (why the frack are they in the armed forces then???) and patriotic (related again to why they're selfless).

Sad news is there are jerks (the rape cases, Abu Gharaib...etc.) who the moronic worldwide media (it aint just the US media that loves to put the USA in a bad light using idiot GIs...) seems to love to hype up...and the hippies and troop bashers fall for it all the time.

May the tribe of bright and good young guys and gals in your armed forces increase...

Answer 5

I think the men and women of today's military are the best. The military is made up of a wide range of people, from the rich and the poor. I have known people who have joined the military and left behind their good paying civilian jobs ($150,000 +) and the comforts of their homes to fight for our country and our freedom. These people have put the needs of our country and the people of the United States way above their own needs. I support these men and women for stepping up and answering the call to defend our country, and putting our needs above their own needs. This is the kind of people that you want to have on your side and in your military. I myself feel great when I know the man or women fighting next to me has this kind of motivation to help fight this war.

Answer 6

My grandson left last Sunday for our lastest conquest. He is a good man, but I'm worried about his attitude. I appears our military is making these young men a little too bloodthirsty.
He has left with the attitude that all middle easterners should die. Be they here in America or over there. I am trying to support him but we're supposed to be liberators not exterminators.

Answer 7

Those able to serve and do not, either in uniform or other public service, are not the best regardless of their talents or wealth. That means professional athletes, entertainers, and other 18-27 yr olds who choose not to serve their country.

Answer 8

Of course. They are ALL that the U.S. has to offer, so that makes them the best, and the worst we have to offer!

If you mean they are the best army we have ever produced, you know nothing about history and take delight in mindless flag-waving.

Answer 9

sure, no one there doing it for the money or benefits...I believe that you can be a fine upstanding american in the private sector, as well. Someday, hopefully, the war will be over, and the USA will be waiting for them to come home, with open arms, and hopefully our freedoms intact, so they know that who they fought for still care about what's important.

Answer 10

i agree, but the best of the best never make the news. sad isn't it? it shows you what perception of our sons and daughters the liberal media really wants you to have. how would you feel if you kids were on the honor role at school, but the local media only mentioned their school when test scores were low, or there were shootings or rapes? sad.