Military stereotypes??

Question

Why is it that, when we join, we are stereotyped as degenerates almost, too poor or stupid to go to college. Unfit or under eduacated for any job in the civilain world. We send our poor men off to fight the rich politicians war. These sterotypes enfuriate me. Is it too hard to understand that some men actually want to serve their country under their own free will. I personally work with many men whom I'd consider boarderline genious, who could easily be working as an egineer for boeing or sikorsky. We have officers from some of the best academies in the world. While my friends live off their parents, and complain about how hard their finals are going to be, I myself deal with real world problems. Flying a multi-million dollar helicopter, making decisions that could cost the lives of me and my crew. Whom would you consider to be "smarter"? We do a job that most civilians wouldn't be able to handle. I know we have support, but why doesn't a kid who is thinking of joining?

Answer 1

When people don't understand something or (better yet) are afraid of it they like to believe the worst about it. "Non-military oriented people" (god knows I don't want to call a liberal a liberal that wouldn't be PC) have never known the pride and self respect that goes along with serving the country. They don't understand why Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen (whatever your branch is/was) share a bond with one another. They have no clue why we would volunteer to go forward into something they would rather run away from.

Because of that it is easy to ridicule and belittle us. We're violent, stupid, whatever because they can't wrap their mind around what we've done.

For the most part though the vast majority of the public loves and respects the veterans. I just wish I'd seen more American flags being flown on the 4th of July.

Answer 2

It's probably because the French have always been considered a bit... feminine. It could also be a result of the animosity felt between the French and the English- the other country renowned for its military prowess. It tends to go like this- no one likes the French except the French. It might be a distaste of the French stereotype, it may be a form of jealousy. It's a very long history of hatred, not necessarily based on facts.

Answer 3

There are just some people out there that think they are smarter than everyone, and their way of thinking is the only way to think. They have no experience with military people, and have no clue about what it takes to do the job. They have no concept of why the job should be necessary.

Quite frankly, some are anti-military and just don't understand the desire to serve. They just can't wrap their head around the idea of the necessity to kill a fellow human being in time of war. It's a pretty heady subject. It's not a subject that is taken lightly by anyone involved. Nobody wants to kill. They don't get that. They think that military people are all killers. They don't understand that the military is there to limit how many people are killed in the world, especially the people who protest you or talk down about you.

But hey, it's a free country. That's what you are fighting for. They have a right to their opinion.

Don't worry. There are plenty of us out there that will support you. Thanks for serving.

The young adult who is thinking about joining needs to know that it is their choice and that it is a serious choice. You don't want anyone serving next to you that doesn't know exactly why they want to be there. They have to work their way through the naysayers and figure it out for themselves.

Answer 4

As easy as it'd be to make "liberals" the scapegoat for this, that's not the case.

People believe the educational requirements to join the military aren't particularly high. And for the majority of positions, it's true - check out the recruiting sites for the US, British or Australian militaries for clarification.

For the average middle-class person growing up, it's practically drilled into them that going to university is a stage of life. The final years of high school seem to be focused on preparing you for university rather than life, and it's practically expected that you apply. Sadly, people just don't see any reason for joining the military other than for the simple purpose of being employed. It's often perceived as a cheap cop-out. People are given the impression that one can simply 'join' the military like clubs and associations, rather than apply.

That and people think military training is all about pack marching, doing pushups and standing on a parade ground. Nobody bothers giving them an idea of how much theory work we do.

Answer 5

Liberals in this country have infiltrated our schools , courts and News stations and perpetratea these lies on the American people

I can tell you as a vet the military are some of the most highly educated Americans you will ever meet. Alot of them are from Middle income families but I have know senators sons who have served proudly with me.

Not sure about some of the officers though. Radalt doesn't work with plane inverted? IFF doesn't work in the OFF position. ( Sorry have to pick on the pilots, they are great flyers but some of them don't have a good working knowledge of the planes they fly, probably nor should they)

Answer 6

Chief, it's like I told the young latina: those too cowardly to stand up for anything cannot understand the motivation of those who are willing to protect them.

LTC Grossman, a PhD in psychology actually did a pretty good analysis and analogy on this subject. It's on his website: http://killology.com

I believe his book "On Combat" should be required reading for all military leaders.

On my own enlisted team I was the least educated, with well over 130 credit hours and no degree. Another on the team had to forego finishing his thesis to go to Afghanistan. I assume he did finish his PhD after he returned.

I'm the dumbest soldier I know

Biology Geek: As a former WM and a college student, surely you have experienced those that think along the lines expressed. As a liberal, surely you have seen your colleagues express the view.

As an independent, I'm free to choose to vote for the politicians with the national interest in mind.

Answer 7

Well just look at all the myths about Vietnam that still survive today.

1.that minorities made up most of the soldiers
2. that minorities died more than whites
3.that most were draftees
4. that most were only 18 or 19 yrs old


Even today, there are myths about who is serving in Iraq.

but we really shouldn't call them myths, we should call them what they are.

Flat out lies !!!!

Told purely to advance their political agenda.

Answer 8

Read the answers posted by most of the stereotyping liberals. They are full of misspellings, grammatical errors and third grade literary skills. Do you think a soldier cares what their opinion might be? I never did in the 20 years I served.

Answer 9

I feel the need to answer this for two reasons.

First, I am a former marine and I am working on my thesis for my masters right now, so I know first hand the stereotype is out there.

I do have a bit of problem with many of your answers stating "liberals" think this way. I am very liberal. I am so far left I will never make it to the middle , although I never want to
I am also a proud, educated, female Marine, so please stop the generalizations. They do nobody any good, just as your question demonstrates.

Answer 10

man i just recently joined the military and that is a question that i have been askin myself since i made the choice to join .. i have learned that a lot of people just dont fully undersatnd how the military works... i have had friends ask me if military people go to college lol ive already learned to deal with it.