Has the all-volunteer military created a groups of people that think military service is beneath them?

Question

I don't believe for a second that everyone in the military is there by choice, when looked at in the larger context. Speaking from my experiences in the Army, many Soldiers were there because they really had no choice - unemployment, bad home life, etc. Generally, they came from poor or uneducated backgrounds.

Many posts on here indicate a general mindset of "well, they volunteered, so it's their choice, why should I worry." I find this dangerous, especially when we're in a conflict with thousands deployed and no end in site. If the full impacts of armed conflict are realized by the entire country, if we all aren't effected by a war in some way, what's the impetus to look at war as the last resort?

24 year Army veteran.

Answer 1

I salute your service..I had 9 years to boast..my Son is in his second year..

it's not that it is beneath them..it's that commitment is below them in general..

there is no challenge..they've been told they will be paying for ours and our parent's wasteful spending of their assets..

they are fed up with anything that the status quo offers..
once they find out they've been duped..learn what investment
brings to them..they'll learn that there is an element of fight that goes into keeping what you earn..

the idealism wanes quickly when they see what is out there..

Answer 2

There was a time in America, about a half-century ago, when most Americans, men and women alike, felt that serving their country was a duty. That has been called "the greatest generation", and rightly so. Many of these people were middle aged when they entered military service and fought four years, on two fronts, to insure that America remained free. I doubt that many of them envisioned an America that would deteriorate over a 50-60 year period to the point that half of the country thinks that military service is only for the poor or uneducated, and that promoting the political party that fostered that idea, as well as the idea that patriotism is for fools, the individual is all that is important, and that every kind of aberrant behaviour should be protected. The cream of our society is the military. Most of them share, at least in part, the values of their grandparents, and are proud to serve others. Much of what you see in this forum comes from the dregs of our society, those who have never known hardship, have no love of their country and it's freedoms and who do feel that military service is beneath them. Financial status doesn't affect their attitude, a lack of character does. And the sad part is that most of them never had a chance to be anything but what they are. They were bombarded from every side with the idea that weakness is the preferred status of modern Americans. They learned it from their parents in many cases, from their teachers in most cases, and from the entertainment industry that has such a hold on their empty little lives. John Stuart Mill said, in so many words 150 years ago, that the state of moral decay that makes a person feel that nothing is worth fighting for, that nothing is more important than that person's own personal safety, makes him a miserable creature who will never be free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. As long as there are human beings on this earth, there will be war. It is our nature. No amount of rhetoric or spin will change that simple fact. This battle against radical islam may well be lost if America loses it's will to fight. The "americans in name only" who are doing everything possible to insure our defeat will be the ones that screech the loudest when the scimitar falls on their neck, and they will have no idea how it happened.

20 year Air Force veteran

Answer 3

As an Army veteran (2 years in 1980s), I agree. The all-volunteer force is wartime is a strange organism. The standards are much lower, so old people, felons and high school dropouts are let in. And people like you describe, who have few other choices, join. Meanwhile, children of the wealthy do anything but join the military. It's a dangerous cycle. I agree about being affected by the war. Few actually are. If the draft was reinstated, children of the wealthier classes would be forced in and then many classes of people would be affected and put war in the proper perspective--as a last resort.

Answer 4

While I couldn't find up to date info, most of your comments are wrong.

They might have been at least somewhat true in 1980 or earlier, but by 1987:

Military recruits scored higher on ASVAB tests than the average youth.
A higher percentage of military recruits were high school graduates than the average youth.
Less military recruits came from the top 20% in family income, but virtually matched the average youth for all other income levels (after adjusting for the lack of representation from the top 20%).

I will grant you one thing. A higher percentage of recruits from lower income families (average and below) stay in the military as a career. The military is a good career and looks even better if you've had little exposure to other good career opportunities.

When we did have a draft, youth from high income families were usually able to avoid active duty in one way or another. The fact that most politicians come from higher income families reflect that (Bush, Clinton, Cheney all managed to avoid active duty).

There has been a class of people that think military service is beneath them long before the all-volunteer army.

Answer 5

I think that "they volunteered" is a callous answer. Many enlisted after 9/11 to go after Osama Bin Laden and they believed Bush's lies about wmds. Now they're being deployed 3 or 4 times and can't get out. Many others volunteered strictly for economic necessity.

Answer 6

I think it was more the hippy movement and Vietnam. Before that it was considered an honor to serve. Now people think there is something wrong with wanting to sign up. It only makes it harder for the military.

Answer 7

They are there by CHOICE. For every person that signs up for the reasons you give, there are thousands that live under the same conditions and don't join.

Answer 8

No, but it's given such people the option of not serving...

Answer 9

this should help you understand his bs a little better
http://www.bilderberg.org/skulbone.htm#brotherhood

Answer 10

look at my profile solder