former, current soldiers: did you like war? what is killing like?

Question

okay, we will leave viet nam out of this if you are bitter, since it was the only undeclared war that we fought. and, we lost. if you wish to comment, though, go ahead:

i simply want to know, after having been indoctrinated to be killers, what did you feel like when you killed? was it good to be a soldier or not? why was it good for you, and/or why was it not good for you?

if you have children now, how would you feel if they went into the service in a time of war?

i mean no insult at all here: i am simply a female who never was in the service and i just want to know. kindly tell me.

Answer 1

First I'll tell you that I was a front line infantryman all across Europe during World War Two, until we met the Russians coming the other way. Did I like war ? No but it was a job that had to be done. What was killing like ? When bullets are flying, your good friends and army buddies are being shot right in front of your eyes, taking out those who are killing your friends is not that horrible. In fact, after a number of battles killing gets into your blood.
From a British poem " and my chaps, I just couldn't hold them. It's strange how it is with gore. In some ways it's just like whiskey.When you have some, you must have more".
My experience is something that I wouldn't give up for a billion dollars.
I have a son. He never cared to join the service, but if he wanted to, I certainly would support him. If he as in the service, and was sent to Iraq, I would be very proud of him.
Anyone who is unwilling to fight for his country deserves no country. Two types that I can't stand are liars and cowards.

Answer 2

I am sorry to tell you this, dear, but this q is in appalling taste. The memories and thoughts you seek are among the most painful and deeply buried a man or woman can have. They are usually kept private and only shared amongst comrades in arms.

It is extremely thoughtless to ask such a thing of someone who has already suffered to suffer again to satisfy your voyeuristic impulses.

I am sure you mean no insult or to hurt anyone, but please respect these men and women. They have already given enough for all the wrong reasons.

By the way, the morass in Iraq is intended, as was the war in Viet Nam, to sink your country into a decline of morale and as a first step towards even greater confrontation within the next while.

No one wants to send their children to war! But they do it if they must because that is how patriotism works.

Sweetheart, if you want to learn these things, look them up on the net or buy a book written by such a person who is willing to share their memories.

Answer 3

You have broken a rule that is unspoken... both military and civilians know that you never, ever ask a service person what it is like to kill. Why? Because if they tell you the truth you will think them to be monsters. Here's how it goes... my husband saw a lot of men he had been with his entire military enlitment killed in his last tour in iraq. IED, Snipers, hand to hand, you name it... I know he has probably killed and I know what he would say if I were to ask. He would say it was damn good. Why? Because it was the m*ther f*cker who killed his buddy... the guy that put someone else he knew in a coma... the guy that was set to sending him home in a pine box, no matter what it took. Civilians dont understand what happens to a man when he's in the military. How they trust eachother with their lives, because that's what is at stake. And when one of your buddies goes, then you see nothing but making the person pay for what they did.

See, I know for a fact my huband wasnt allowed to shoot unless shot at. I know that his friends were killed because of that. I know the tight reins that the government is holding on them because stupid civilians complain about Iraqi Civilians casualities. Let me tell you something... there is no Iraqi Civilian. They all have something to do with breaking the rules, something to do with trying to kill my husband. Anyone who wants to argue with me on that try, but unless you've been there, or know someone who has, you dont really know.

As far as my children going into the military I would have to say that I would support them in the life they want. There is pride in being in the military, no matter what is the popular opinon.

I am not trying to come across as rude... If I do, I'm sorry... it's simply passion. To be honest, though, I dont know that you'll ever get the answer you're looking for, even of it is said... because I dont think you will understand it.

Answer 4

I personally did'nt kill anyone. We were only to kill if attacked or threatend. Most of the time a soldier in Iraq has to kill anyone is when its a "kill or be killed" situation. When you are the target, you will feel different about killing another person. That does'nt make us feel any better about it. We are only trained to kill when we are ordered to, or to defend ourselves. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

that's a morale factor for the families of human beings that have died as nicely as for the residing service individuals that they heavily isn't left at the back of. The Joint workers restoration business enterprise (JPRA) is a joint employer whose sole job is to get well the lacking and are actively looking worldwide huge for lacking service individuals as far decrease back as WWI. the assumption of no longer being left at the back of is a huge motivator for service individuals and their families by way of fact it exhibits the dedication of the US to flow the heavens and the earth to stumble on the lacking and stop the ineffective from being desecrated or forgotten. Have squaddies been left at the back of? definitely, there have been distinctive circumstances the place squaddies have been killed without everybody understanding approximately it or the area became so dire that the physique could desire to no longer be recovered in the present day yet they're at last recovered. now and back, extraordinarily with armored crews, the bodies are so badly burned and torn aside that no longer even DNA samples are conclusive and all human keeps to be recovered are buried in a joint grave. In circumstances like WWI and WWII the place it became basically logistically impossible to return bodies to the States they have been consolidated and buried in united states of america. yet on the top of WWI and WWII families could desire to request the return of their family members at government price yet maximum chosen to go away them interior the national Cemeteries. as quickly as a service member dies he turns into 2nd in precedence in hassle-free terms to evacuating the wounded. they're moved to the casualty sequence element and deliver out on the 1st plane or automobile going decrease back to a considerable logistical hub (Balad in Iraq or Bagram in Afghanistan) the place that's hassle-free to place them on a resupply plane returning decrease back to the US.

Answer 6

No one likes war.

Answer 7

Thats a bad question. Why are you asking soldiers what is was like to kill. May you should join, go to Iraq and find out for yourself. Silly question.