If the war is wrong,why are so many enlisting, is it because they can't find a job that pays as much?

Question

Everyone wants our soliders to come home. If they didn't believe in it, why did they enlist? Now, the death toll is over the amount of 9/11 and we are billions in the hole. Makes no sense to me.

Would you let your child,brother,father go to fight for something that we have never found?

But how is a Mother going to feel when they come knocking on her door to tell her son has been killed. And for what? These people aren't going to change, it's a big part of their culture to fight. Are we out to change the world to our expectations?

Answer 1

There are a lot of reason people join the military. Steady income, job security, college money. Pride. Honor. Sacrifice.

I think it's also important that people understand that of all of the jobs in the military, very, very few of them actually involve fighting or using a weapon of any kind. Some people who are in the military are hotel clerks, some are cooks, some a accountants, lawyers, doctors, pilots of unarmed aircrafts. The list goes on and on.

My point being, of all of the people in the military very few of them actually see combat and even fewer ever actually physically kill. It's only a select few who have the jobs we see in the media.

Answer 2

Oh boy. You have been listening to the wrong people. The military is voluntary. If it becomes mandatory through a draft every able-bodied person between the ages of 18 and 35 will be eligible. I take it you either fit or WILL fit into this category. Some people actually aren't selfish and WANT to serve the country they love. As far as death toll goes, while tragic, do some research and find out how many American soldiers died in almost 4 years of WW2, Korea or Vietnam.

Answer 3

All jobs get the same pay and benefits. You make just as much as an PFC infantryman as you would as a PFC cook or mailman. Some jobs may offer special duty pay but usually those jobs are the hardest ones to get into. The Army won't make you rich, but you will have plenty of benefits to take advantage of. A single private may only may around $1400-1700 before taxes but he has no bills to worry about. No rent, no utilities, and no food unless he refuses to eat in the dining facility.

Answer 4

Enlistment has been WAY down for awhile. Most enlist because they cant find a decent paying job and they think the sevice will help them out (ha ha).

If they were smart, they'd get a job working for Cheney's company over there, like Bechtel, or some security company. They get paid WAY more than the grunts and jars and squids over there. Plus they only have to be over there 9 months, then they are OUT.

It's one thing to fight against a country invading the US, it is another to attack a country that had nothing to do with the WTC attacks. I enlisted to defend my country, but this was before this bs with bush started.

Answer 5

The cost of life in the American Civil War was much higher than the attack on Ft Sumter, which violated the national boundaries of a nation accepted by many European Powers. WWII's death count was much higher than the body count for the Pear Harbour attack.

Now, as to why people join the military...

1) The military pays good. And, if it doesn't then we need to dramatically reduce the pay of the Executive and Legislative Branches of government to help fund an apropriate pay increase for our troops.

2) Maybe they believe in the country and its citizens. Being in the military is more than "Hey! Let's go shoot some folks and drink some beer!". It's about potentially sacrificing one's life for the rights and freedoms of everyone else.

Answer 6

Some sign up because they want to do something for our country. I asked my son and he told me that he joined because he has so much and he wants to help others.

Others join because they need direction, but may not be disciplined enough to make decisions on their own. They are not lazy or stupid, they just need a little guidance.

Some join because they feel it's a family decision.

Bottom line - it may not make sense to a lot of us as to why we are there, but we need to support the folks that sacrifice so much and are rewarded very little.

The second part of your question - would you let your brother, son, etc...go to fight for something we haven't found.

It's not my decision or yours - it's the person that took the oath and signed up. They are adults and while you may not agree with their decisions, they need your support.

Karley's last comment is my worst nightmare. I totally agree with your comments about these are people that hate each other, how do we help - I'm not sure of the answer. All I do know is that these souls are putting their lives on the line every day and wish they would all come home quickly.

Answer 7

Our military does so much more than just fight wars! Ever hear of humanitarian missions?

In 2006, U.S. military commands plan 556 humanitarian projects in 99 countries.

U.S. forces are improving water supplies in Ecuador, flood barriers in Bangladesh, a medical clinic in Uganda and schools in Kyrgyzstan. Military experts train local residents to remove land mines in Nicaragua and Vietnam.

By year-end, the U.S. military will have delivered 300,000 daily-rations packages overseas. Soldiers will have dug wells, built schools, and transported hospital equipment to villages from Croatia to Colombia. The Army will have trained officials from 11 African countries – Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Eritrea, Djibouti, Seychelles, Burundi, Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania – to respond to disasters and deliver medical care.

Also - there are the personal reasons for people to enlist. Mostly the outstanding benefits - including educational oppportunities. Too many to list.

Seems to me a lot of you have tunnel vison....

Answer 8

So your solution would be what?

First off, we have an unemployment of around 4%, so it has nothing to do with the job market.

The reason people are enlisting is because they understand that which the anti-war crowd does not. Some things are worth fighting for. I served for six years, not for college money, not because I couldn't find a job, but because I wanted to protect and defend my country. I know It's hard to believe for those who feel that nothing is worth fighting for, but there are those of us who would willingly sacrifice our lives for the protection of others. It is those people who allow you to walk around in relative peace, sipping your Starbucks, and being safe from gang rape because you aren't wearing a burka. Don't think that could happen here? Better take a look at what's going on in Europe and Australia with their Muslim communities.

The war isn't about body counts. It is about defending the world against the global expansion of Radical Islam. Do you think that FDR was watching the body count of WWII? Did he decide that once American casualties reached more than those at Pearl Harbor we would just quit and leave the world to Hitler and Hirohito? Of course not. He recognized Fascism and Japanese Imperialism for the global threat they were and decided that we would defeat them or die trying.

I am always amazed at how members of the anti-war movement who know little about history and nothing about the martial sciences, try to dictate war policy. It's like a vegan telling me how to cook my steak.

Answer 9

First of all who told you war is wrong! war of independence, civil war ww1 ww2 Korean war, have made it possible for millions of people including you and I to live in freedom.

Most young people can't see the big picture,but only what is happening to them today.
The attitude is basically a defeatist one they said the same things about the Germans and the Japanese that these people has no history of democracy they just like to fight.

Well 60 years later they are doing pretty good thank god our leaders didn't listen to all those with so much negativism.

Answer 10

Not everyone wants our troops to come home. Some of us still believe that there's a job to be done and our military can do it. I think what people tend to forget is that troops are trained to go to war. We are trained to protect our country and to follow through on a mission, even when we're tired, hungry, cold, out of ammo and out of hope. We just make it happen. I find the people who want to bring us home (i.e. cut and run) annoying. I don't want people to die, but I want our troops to have a chance to do their jobs and do them well.

With that said, the military's job is a lot bigger than a war in Iraq. There are a million Americans serving in the military in all corners of the world, doing all sorts of jobs. The war in Iraq is at the center of everyone's minds, and everyone knows there's a really good chance that he or she will go, but our country would cease to exist if people didn't sign up to protect our country, even if it means giving his or her life. I suggest you talk to some veterans of various wars (if you haven't already) and just listen to the stories of their experiences. They're amazing.

I wouldn't necessarily talk anyone out of it, but I would make sure he or she knew exactly what's going on. It's not a cakewalk, by any means, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life, personally and professionally.