For those of you who believe that the soldiers dont want to be in Iraq, and that they are going against their?

Question

will.... think about this.

Weve been in this conflict since 2001, had roughly 5 years of actual war. Anyone who was already in the military prior to 9-11 has already come up for re-enlistment and if they wanted to could have left the army by now. Anyone who signed up after that WANTS TO BE FIGHTING THIS FIGHT, or is just a morron. Also, the re-enlistment rate is exceptionally high despite knowing the fact that they are going to spend at least 3 full years on tour. This shows the dedication our troops have to this objective of gaining stability in the middle east and also shows their trust in the commander-in-chief.


Also, we need Iraq to use as a point of launch for setting up attacks on Iran once they declare war with us. Its going to make things, easier, cheaper, and more effective.

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"obviously the troops aren;t in the midleclass most are low class people with low income, army provides income not for them but also their family... think about it, who wants to be there ?"


Your lucky we are on a website discussing this and not face to face. I would smack you for your lack of competence. I am in the army, as is my family, as was my father, as are many friends. It is NOT made up of mainly lower class low income people. It is however made up of a lot of men 18 or maybe 20 who arent right but not by any stretch an ARMY OF POOR AND HUNGRY!

Also, unless you are married, they do not pay you AND your family. It is liars like you sit who perpetuate lies such as there were no WMD's, Bush lied etc.

I mean seriousely.. you believe the military is made of the poor and impoverished who have no choice other than to fight wars for political dictators? I just joined and im 20 years old and make $40,000 a year, im selling my $30,000 car, canceling the lease on my nice apartment in the valley, all just to go fight with my brother in Iraq and you have the AUDACITY to claim it is because I have no other options?

"Do you think that the high rate of reenlistment might be the very large bonuses they are throwing at the troops? Especially when they reenlist in the war zone and it is tax free? Just a little? Maybe? I hate to sound cynical here, but I honestly think that the incentives for reenlistment have a lot more to do with it than "fighting this fight" I mean, the way that Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN) theoretically works is that if you reenlist for 4 years, only 1 of those 4 years will be spent in a deployment situation (maybe 2)."


Once you have served your 4 years and then come up for re-enlistment, you will understand that everything you just said is incorrect. Of course we love the money, but not as much as the fight. As someone who has never volunteered for such duty you should keep your remarks to yourself.

Answer 1

Been there 3 times. What liberals refuse to except is that the US has an all volunteer force...

Answer 2

Do you think that the high rate of reenlistment might be the very large bonuses they are throwing at the troops? Especially when they reenlist in the war zone and it is tax free? Just a little? Maybe? I hate to sound cynical here, but I honestly think that the incentives for reenlistment have a lot more to do with it than "fighting this fight" I mean, the way that Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN) theoretically works is that if you reenlist for 4 years, only 1 of those 4 years will be spent in a deployment situation (maybe 2).

You'll figure this out (maybe) when you get to your permanent station. The Army makes it EXTREMELY easy for a young servicemember to go into serious debt, all by their own programs. They provide access to way too much credit in the form of the military "Star" card, and through that credit, you begin to have access to regular Visa/Mastercards as well. In addition, AAFES is in the car business, and will sell you a car (or a Harley) if you are in Iraq or at another overseas location, and even steer you toward easy financing.


When I was on active duty, there was no war going on, I'll admit, but a large number of young Soldiers who reenlisted simply did so because they were so far in debt that they could not afford to get out. Back then it was called "DPP" or delayed payment program...


I am not saying that the Army purposely puts in folks into debt, but at the same time, I saw (and see) so many young Soldiers fall into the credit trap that I speculate that the need for a quick bonus doesn't hurt their chances of reenlisting.



Added for your addition...Pardon me? I've been in the Army/Reserve for the better part of 17 years. I have been lucky enough not to have gone (yet), but that day may come. I have, however been around many, many, many more Soldiers than you have, considering the fact that you're still pre-basic in the DEP program. I just asked you to consider another perspective.. I have read a lot of your posts...it seems as though you draw upon your feelings and those of your brother and immediate family who are serving or have served. I am drawing upon having been in the Army since 1990 (I went to basic on 2 August, same day Iraq invaded Kuwait), served overseas for 3.5 years, attended PLDC, BNCOC, WOCS, and WOBC. I have met and conversed with hundreds and hundreds of Soldiers, and although this particular topic has never come up, I do know that the money and bonus is a huge incentive for reenlistment. Why do you think these programs exist? I mean, if it were purely for the fight, the government could save itself a lot of money. They don't give bonuses based on a job well done, rather as an incentive to stay in.

To the poster below me: That being said, I guess I should go ahead and make a submission to the Army Suggestion Program (yes this exists) telling them to stop giving out the reenlistment bonuses, as people will re-up without them. I have been a DARN (duty appointed retention NCO), a company commander, and have dealt with many, many Soldiers in my career. I think in the case of some, they reenlist for the lifestyle...for many others, though, money talks. Why else do they give them? Why do they continue to give them until you reach 14 years into your career (at least on the Army Reserve side), and why do they STOP giving them after you reach 14 years?

Answer 3

I really wish more people thought like you. I'm enlisted in the Army Reserve and have other family members serving in the military and I'm so sick and tired of people who have nothing to do with the military complaining on our behalf. Very few of us don't support the war. So everyone needs to shut up and let us finish whats been started.

Answer 4

So, simply due to the fact our proper to loose speech was once threatened and defended "decades in the past" method it is endlessly nontoxic and untouchable?! Wrong. The persons we're combating in Iraq HATE the proposal that us on this nation have that proper. Put down your indicators and open your ears. Talk to persons who have been there, who truthfully KNOW what is going on as an alternative of depending on CNN or another biased crap that handiest feeds you what you desire to listen to. We have enemies, and sure we did create them........ now not by way of seeking to free up their nation, however by way of workout the very proper you declare is not at stake.

Answer 5

Thank you for the points made w/your query. I have a son whom is a career Air Force non-com & scheduled for his 2nd tour in the middle east in April as well as a grandson who got his commission to ensign upon completing OCS @ Pennsacola, Fla & is now in his second phase of flight training to be a Naval Aviator. He also graduated from K-State U as the outstanding graduate of his class with a straight 4.0 for 4 straight yrs!! He will have an 8yr commitment after he gets his wings & will be promoted to LtJg in Dec. So much for Sen Lurch Kerry's insuation that only dummies end up in our military. God bless you sir!

Answer 6

Very well said but it still won't sway them to rational thought. They think they know better than the people who signed up for the job and people actually think that we'd be better off with people like that running the government.

If it comes to that, this country is going down the tubes fast and I want no part of it.

Answer 7

for the one cat who thinks people stay in the Army because of bonuses...

The majority of people aren't walking into my recruiting station saying they want to make a bunch of money OR go to Iraq and fight.

They join the military based on the whole concept of changing their lives, even if it means doing time overseas. People who stay in the military stay because of the lifestyle, not for ten grand tax free.

Answer 8

the liberals do not want to listen to what the troops have to say. We may say something that they do not want to hear.

It is instructive to notice that the conservatives tend to listen to people who have been in Iraq and the liberals tend to listen only to people who have never been there.

It is also noteworthy that troop morale did not start to decline until after the November elections.

Answer 9

just because you want to be there doesnt mean you should be there. im sure there were plenty of strapping young german boys who thought anchluss was a hell of a time. history will condemn you, i can wait. until then semper fi. the death of the american empire will be a fun history to write.

Answer 10

I reenlisted in 02! go figure!!

Vu-don;t say stupid stuff, you have no idea what your talking about!! I didn't do it for the money!!

The re-up bonus wasn't all that much either, I just missed my weapon!