Are there any rich whites fighting in the Iraq war?

Question

I've been told by a lot of people that mostly poor whites are fighting in the Iraq War. Is this true or false?

Thanks for the very edifying responses. I love you all. Peace.

Answer 1

Yes, dont you remember the pro football player who left and ended up sacrificing his life for this country?

Answer 2

There are some rich whites over there fighting.

The idea that almost no rich whites fight is an old one, though it does have some backing. The vast majority of those who join the army (or any military branch) do so because they are poor and see no other way out of their poverty. More than likely they would be stuck in poverty because they couldn't afford to go to college, and were unlikely to get a scholarship because the schools in the poor neighborhoods just couldn't measure up to richer neighborhoods (which are almost always white people with just a smattering of other minorities). But with the promise of monetary help from the government if they just join for a couple of years, they see a possible chance to get out and they jump on it.

On the other hand, the rich have no need to "escape," they are already well-to-do. And with the foreknowledge that if we go to war they may die, as a whole they avoid service.

Then there is the past history of the armed forces. During World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the first Iraq war the poor class (mostly minorities but did include poor whites) was the predominant makeup of the fighting force. This was especially true during WWII and Vietnam; which incidentally is when we also had the draft going. This was attributed to the fact that when drafts came up, the rich white parents would send a bribe in the direction of a congressman or senator or governor and get their kid out of the draft (or at least behind a desk where they were in no danger). The poor had no such ability to bribe, and so they became the fighting force.

But I don't see that as the reason for right now as to only poor fighting. Since we don't have the draft going as of yet, it is all volunteer and the poor don't have to join if they don't want to do so. So I can only think it is more the first one, they want out of poverty and this is the only way they can think of. Add on a little "you are doing it for your country" talk and you can really catch a lot of people, especially the more undereducated ones who still believe this country actually does something for them.

Answer 3

Depends on whose point of view you use. Most third worlders view all Americans as being rich. I say this as a person who used to be a dirt farmer, in rural North Georgia, so, I'm by no means rich, by American standards. Those with little opportunity, as well as those with plenty of opportunity fight in the service. It's, for the poor, an alternative to being poor; and, for the wealthy, a mark of prestige.

The poor do not enter the military to get an officer's posting. They enlist, unless they were lucky enough to get a scholarship and got a degree from college. Then they may have become an officer, as well. When a wealthy person joins, if they become an officer, they don't instantly get a cushy assignment, someplace. They have to contend with the officers already in service, so they get the bottom rung of the ladder, too. It's disturbing how people take such a divisive and Marxist slant on the military, when the GOP is in power, and then ease up and say it's one's civic duty, when the Democrats are in power.

Amazing that the poor can defend their own (the military service(wo)man) and be considered a poor answerer... See what I was saying about the Marxist slant? Hell! I'm not even a Conservative! Thank you, whoever thumbed me down for giving my argument the proof it needed.

Answer 4

Yes, there are. Especially in the Army Reserve and National Guard, you have a good number of folks who have made their own destines and lived the American Dream who are in the service because they love their country.

In addition, most military officers are extremely well-educated and can move on to other fields if they choose to. Your average Major to Lieutent Colonel has at least 1 masters degree, usually 2, and a wealth of leadership, management, logistics and analysis experience...skills that sell in the civilian job market. A COL (when you factor in benefits such as tax free housing allowance, etc.) makes over $100,000/year....not chump change.

I joined the Army at age 18, right out of high school, from a regular middle-class American family. My folks would have helped me foot the bill for college, but I wanted to do it on my own, thus joined the Army. I have been lucky and not sent to Iraq (yet), but may someday. I have been in for 17 years (between active and reserve), and it's still a great thing for me. I make a great living in my civilian job, but love the Army, too.

Answer 5

I'm not rich, but I'm pretty sure my family falls into that category or at least well off, I know my grandfathers company cleared over 5 mil last year and my fathers 1.5, and I've been in the millitary, active and reserve since I was 17, with one combat tour in iraq

Answer 6

False.
I believe there are more poor black and other ethnics fighting in iraq. The whites are mainly educated middle class. The Rich, you won't see any on the front lines.
Although a High paid NFL football player went to war and was killed by a friendly. Almost at point blank range.

So, not only are the poor fighting over there, but the insane, wackos, and jealous. To bad the US couldn't draft all the drug dealers.
Personally, I feel if you're sent to jail for more then a year you should have to serve in the army on the front lines or have you're jail time doubled.

Answer 7

I am not but my family is.
And dont say the army is only for dumb unsophisticated people because for the most part E6 and up and all officers have at least a 4 year collage degree. I have a bachelors degree in accounting and am working on another for my MBA.

Answer 8

The middle class and poor almost always do the brunt of the fighting, WW1, WW2 Korea, Viet Nam even the Civil War. This is not anything surprising.

Answer 9

Wealthy families are able to put their children through college so very few privileged folks are joining the military at this time. Those who are less fortunate (and color plays no role in when you are poor - poor is poor) join the military for the benefits - some just for a place to sleep and for meals. Others for the money for college and the ability to take care of themselves. All believe in our country and our right for freedom but not all are willing to fight for it. I believe the draft should come back into play - only add women to that as well.

Politicians have money, therefore, they are not able to represent the poor and middle class as they cannot relate to what it is like to live at a lower economic level where money is an issue. Would you send your kid to the army at this point in time if you had the resources to send them to college and can provide a nice comfortable home for them along with a car, clothes, fun money, etc. . . ? Probably not.

Answer 10

My Battalions S4 Happened to be a Multi-Millionaire who could have walked away from the deployment but stayed through the whole Tour.

He regularly went on Patrols, as did everyone else.


In Training at Ft. Hood, when funds for Weapons Cleaning kits werent available, he Purchased them for every Soldier in the Battalion out of his own Pocket.

Answer 11

Define "Rich"....

In general I think its False.... A great many there are middle class folks. Most reserve guys work for a living and are middle class. And the private security guys sure are getting rich -- so they're fighting there.