Why do askers on here use our "all-volunteer military" to serve their political ends?

Question

Recently someone had the audacity to say that those of us in the military had "volunteered to face harm willingly" and went on to use this to justify our continued involvement in Iraq. I'm not here to argue for or against the war, I speak only of the military. WE ARE NOT CANNON FODDER.

Please keep a couple things in mind:

Though it is debatable whether your typical 17-year-old with no life experience can adequately evaluate a 2- to 6-year service obligation, technically we are a volunteer military. However, this is not a carte blanche to use us as human shields. We depend on the American people to make reasonable judgments as to the necessity of calling us to duty from our families, and what guarantees are in place for our safety. The claim that we "face harm willingly" makes it sound like we don't even value our lives. Certainly the person asking that question doesn't. We face harm when necessary to protect your rights whether you agree with any individual conflict or not.

Joy Full are you kidding me?

Let's talk about naivete for a minute here, shall we? I find it really reassuring that there are actually people like you out there that sleep so easily at night by convincing yourselves that because our superiors have "been where we are" (disregard the fact that there wasn't a war on before 9/11) you don't have to give a damn about the people who make your freedom possible. Have you ever even seen an AAFES advertisement poster with a captain standing next to his wife holding his child? Have you ever even talked to military members having doubts about whether their politicians are doing the best thing for them and for their country? I have. We in the military depend on a little bit more than our superiors to make it through and if absolutely necessary, may not come out alive. I'll just assume you wouldn't be so brazen to claim that I'm not in military without being in the military yourself, but I sincerely doubt you've been in for very long.

BTW I joined the Army in the months following 9/11, for those of you wondering.

Answer 1

Just do us the greatest favor and stay alive. The only person I see using "Troopisms" to defend an argument is your Resident Commander-in-Chief.

How is that moral doing these days?

Isn't it a tragedy to be in military that's underfunded, undermanned, ill-equipped, and stop-lossed to death?

I think so to.

Answer 2

Those in the military do not "depend on the American people to make reasonable judgments as to the necessity of calling us to duty from our families, and what guarantees are in place for our safety". They depend on their superiors in the military, who have all been where they are. You are truly naive if you think that the generals running the show are willing to just throw military personnel out there as "cannon fodder". Obviously you have never been in the military.

Answer 3

Well said.
Personally, I think you are under payed, well equiped, and nationally appreciated. Whether any ethical adjustment in your income occurs or not concerns me,..I am confident the equipment you are utilizing is as good as any in the world,,.. and, lastly, for those Americans who's ignorance so often out shines there understandings of what our military is all about, ..
they can never live knowing they earned the country they call home...they just get to take advantage of its opportunity's.
Be careful where ever you are...keep life and limb together... i promise to vote for every favor promised our military, regardless if it comes from democrat, or republican.

Answer 4

no one faces harm without fear,and everyone values life but yes you must face harm willingly, if you don't the enemy will win,
I have nothing but respect for the service people,I sincerely thank you for being where you are and I wish you Godspeed, and a safe return

willingly may not be the correct word,,would dutifully work better

Answer 5

I think that when it's mentioned that we have an all-volunteer military, it's usually done so in reponse to left-wing nutjobs who think that our troops were shanghaied into the service by Bush. Despite what John Kerry says, our troops aren't idiots.

Answer 6

thank you deeply for your service. i believe the love for and dedication to your country is being misused by our government. my disagreement with the Bush admin's foreign policy detracts not at all from my admiration for those who seek to protect us.

please stay alive. stay in one piece.

Answer 7

agree 100%!!!!