Does the fact that it is an all volunteer military make the death toll easier for you to accept?

Question

I keep noticing questions and replies regarding this and it does come to my surprise when people reply or ask referring to the fact that since our military of today is an all volunteer service that it takes away a certain valor or dignity or just something special to the fact that they died while serving their country. I cant put my finger on it but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when i read these comments and wonder if anyone else feels that way too?

No one really expects to die (if some do, the number is not that high) when they join the army. Life throws at us so many different situations that we ought to realize that alot of people (i did NOT say all, but many) join the military for the fact that they dont see any other option in order to move forward with their life.

Answer 1

I think that there's only a little correlation, and the "all volunteer" thing is misleading. All of our service members volunteered but for a lot of different reasons, not necessarily to go to war.

The really meaningful part of "all volunteer" is when so many of our service members are in Iraq and volunteering for reenlistment. Now that's something very different...

Answer 2

23,000 men fell in one day at Antietam..... they are soldiers, warriors not innocents. All but a few were volunteers that day. I am in Iraq and I heard everyday the body count prior to joining. 3000 innocent men and women died just going to work never, getting the chance to consider the options. We made our choices, somedays it is hard considering today may be the day. Perhaps as a female I will be captured and raped! The women around me the civilians are raped a lot and usually do not have the training nor the weapon to try and stop it. Nope I am Here for the WTC friends I Lost and the Uncle I lost and these women and these children and the Old I see every G-D damned day.

EDIT only those at home have the luxury of calling this POINTLESS....... Tell that to the little girl I saw yesterday... we have our reasons!

Answer 3

Reading about the death toll is very difficult. A life cut short is never easy to hear about. Yes, no one really expects to die, but I do believe that these people who so bravely and honorably enlist DO realize that it could happen to them, but it is something they CHOSE to do, unselfishly serve their country . I feel it is a disservice to them to suggest that many don't see any other options. As difficult as it is for so many on here to understand, there ARE those who truly want to make life safer for the rest of us and I know that you appreciate them as I do. They make a lot of sacrifices. When there was a draft, young people were just sent to serve, whether they wanted to or not, the CHOICE was taken away from them, and in large part, these people came from poorer and middle class backgrounds, and so many lost their lives. No, there is no loss of valor or dignity because it is a volunteer military, just the opposite in fact. Thank God for all of them.

Answer 4

I am an officer in the Canadian Forces and have just returned from Kandahar, Afghanistan. I can tell you, I am proud to serve with all the NATO forces there, and if someone feels that it is somehow less valiant to volunteer than they are truly clueless. The fact is that most of us are proud to do our part in the service of our countries. Does anyone think we would be better served by forcing people to join the military against their will?

As is often said - if not us, then who?

Answer 5

You are right when you say alot of people join to change situations at home ( I joined because my mom was very ill and NO other employer would put her on my health plan so I joined and the ARMY paid for hospital ,doctors ,medicine and everything ,it added at least 10 years to my mothers life and it was worth the changes it meant for me both good and bad) but we live in a nation of 300 million people and 500,000 die every year from heart disease and 50,000 die on the freeways every year so 3000 deaths in 3 years is tragic to those who lost loved ones but think of the Kurds who are alive today and the women who are spared the horror of Sadams "RAPE" rooms .So those military personell DID NOT DIE FOR NOTHING ! and they are ALL HEROS -but they all get paychecks and they all made career/life choices thats what makes us HUMAN and ADULT

Answer 6

No, it does NOT make it easier. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was pick up the phone and call our son, who was C-school with Navy at the time, and tell him that a friend of his from high school wasn't coming home. Dustin may have volunteered, but there was nothing easy to accept about his death.

Answer 7

It is sad that people do unfortunately die in War but I do feel better about the deaths on account of it being an all Volunteer Military because although no one expects to die in War, every Soldier who joins knows full well they could die while in service.

Anyone who is willing to die that does in fact die deserves to have a Monument built to them so that we can thank the person for their willingness to die for our Freedoms.

Answer 8

“demise would not undertaking us, because of the fact as long as we exist, demise isn't right here. And while it does come, we no longer exist.” -Epicurus Christopher B is stable... They prepare you and outfit you so as that your opportunities of survival are bigger. As risky as a militia interest may well be, the militia DOES choose its squaddies to outlive and thrive. those interior the militia do no longer inevitably settle for demise. they simply stroll on the precipice of it. They danger demise. that's no longer the comparable as accepting demise. because of the fact which you reported "militia," that would desire to imply Coast shield, Air rigidity, or perhaps military, no longer in uncomplicated terms the marine corps and the army. you do no longer would desire to be a floor soldier, according to se.

Answer 9

We are taught to go to battle to win and win in overwhelming force and number. Casualties of war is the downside of any conflict. When you serve you serve for your fellow next to you in the fox hole. You do it for country but mostly for your buddy. Civilians will never understand the military but we are family and we fight for each other.

Answer 10

Nope.