Has the courage of soldiers changed?

Question

When I was in in the 1980's I was in a unit that lets just say was never "anywhere" at least not where we could be reached by phone or US Mail :-) . I never attempted to get out of being deployed to any bull dookie like that. In fact I once failed to report a fractured foot so that I would deploy with my buddies. Some say that it was because we were so called "elite" troops I say bull shirt it was because we were proud to serve our country.


What do you think !!!!!!

Answer 1

I think not, being a veteran of the the 80's cold war then being a civilian contractor in Afghanistan, and in Iraq in 91 and 2003. I dont doubt the US moral or the courage of these young troops. In 1991 most of the senior non-coms were cold war vets instilled with the knowledge if they failed could the "commies" take root, with in 2003 most of the elite warriors and the "grunts" knew nothing of the cold war and the mentality of what was instilled in us as the 80's generation. That takes nothing from them. Being the "old man" with a company of young recruits, well these boys were piss and vinegar, they were warriors. Yes, the Internet has taken something from the weak ones that cry home to mama every night and post there blogs. BUT, those are rear end troops that anit in "harms way" so to speak. BUT to anyone that has ever patrolled a deserted street in some god forsaken war zone, IT TAKES BALLS. So if you had to ask this question, were you a supply troop grunt, or NOT on the business end of the stick. You enlist in this day and age, and for any young trooper out, well GOD SPEED and hope you a safe return. I have been there, I hope you all come back. I AM PROUD OF YOU ALL FOR SERVING. PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN OF THE USA.

Answer 2

NO, I may be opposed to the war but I have nothing but admiration for the troops who are out there every day. Many of them are on thier THIRD Deployment. It's down to the nitty gritty now, M-16 vs. AK 47. All the billion dollar toys are out of the way and it's soldier vs soldier.

How can you judge someone who has been there twice about going back the third time. During Vietnam the Army had a major problem with Senior NCOs camping in Europe while in Vietnam there were 21 year old Platoon Sergeants like myself on thier second tour. I pulled the plug on a career after two tours.

Answer 3

I think today's media just covers the negative sides of it. Like soldiers who want out and all the deaths. By the same fact you get nothing but positive info from military channels so every thing i see hear in the news i take with a grain of salt of three.

Answer 4

There are still soldiers over there like that. My husband was shipped out for a cardiac cath and was given the option of going back to Iraq or back to Virginia. He remains in Iraq and will possibly be extended. Everyday that he is there he has to struggle with his problem but he remains for his soldiers.

Answer 5

Morale in an army is proportionate to the level of public support. In the late sixties and seventies the public turned it's back on the military and consequently morale was low. In the Reagan eighties(when I was in) morale was high because the folks were behind us.
No one wants to go to Iraq and die when the political leaderships has turned against the war and the public is apathetic.

Answer 6

I think it's just human nature to look down on the 'younger generation' when you get to be our age.

Answer 7

No, the courage of soldiers has not changed, but neither has the cowardice of democratic liberals.

Answer 8

No not our service men and women. The courage of our country has changed

Answer 9

Wow - there really was an "A Team!"