Why is it that it's ok for a soldier to die but not for a cilivian?

Question

Aren't both just as bad? I guess it is a bit different for me as my husband and father-in-law are in the Army, and when you know the person in the armed forces, they are more than the fighting force for your country, they are your loved ones, your dad, mom, sister, brother, husband, wife, uncle, aunt, cousin....But why do some make it seem like it's ok when they do die?

Smilemuch-
Thanks; my father-in-law leaves in a few days to begin his year long tour in Iraq. We are all hoping he comes home soon. Hell, I'm not even religious and I am praying he has a safe return! It is true that they sign the contract, but it kills me to see people say "OMG, a civilian died!" but say a military member was somehow asking for it, as it was in the job description. No one ask for it, it just some are wiling to have a higher possibility of it happening to protect those who don't want to get shot at. I just wish people could see what the military member's family's see...and just how much they really care for people they have never met. My husband joined after 9/11 because he never wanted people in this country to have to go through that again...I

Answer 1

It's never "ok" when anyone is killed in action (let's face it, war is never acceptable however "necessary" it seems). There are two issues here though...

1. Military personnel don't "choose" to be shot, but except for drafts, they do make a choice to join the forces and therefore take on a certain risk of seeing action.

2. Stalin said "One death is a tragedy, One million deaths is a statistic". Deaths in combat, sadly, become statistics for all but the families.

Saying that, I truly hope your relatives stay safe.

Answer 2

If this is in reference to wars, which I assume it is, please don't think that I believe that it is "okay" for anyone to die. I grieve at all unecesarry losses of life. However, soldiers CHOOSE to go into combat situations, and they can fight back with weapons. Civilians are forced into combat situations and can't fight back, which is why people are usually more shocked when they die. I mean, soldiers (and terrorists and militants, etc) knowingly and willingly go into a firefight knowing that there is a possibility that they will die. Civilians are tying to live their lives when war is taken to their doorstep. Thus, it's less "okay" when they die. They didn't choose a military life.

Once again, all death is horrible. But civilians never asked to be put in a warzone. Most people (including myself) have the view that a soldier understood the risks when he/she joined the military, and if they die fighting their country's cause, then they have done their duty. And I believe that they are some of the most courageous people our country has ever produced.

Answer 3

I think the days of the "Gentlemen's Wars" - those removed from civilian populations and low in civilian deaths are over. In the U.S. they ended during the American Civil War (1861 - 1865), and in Europe they ended during the Great War (1914 - 1918). Yes, both civilian and military deaths are just as bad, but determining if a civilian was or was not directly supporting the military forces has always been difficult to do.

Answer 4

i'm not saying that it's ok for a soldier to die but you have to realise that the choice some people make will affect their future. people join the army mostly with the feeling that they want to protect the person or things they loved most . for that to happen they have to go fighting into war or battle or whatever they might call it. it's just the attributes that comes with it that i think sucks. soldiers are sent to the battleground to defend what the " higher authorities " thinks even if it's wrong . when they are wounded / killed in action they are supposed to be heroes as they were fighting to protect the country. they might get some medals or whatever but is it really worth it ? i don't think so. but if my country were to be invaded by some country and the only choice is to fight and be killed then i would gladly be the first to die . that is my answer.

Answer 5

its not OK exactly
if a soldier is killed in action
but unfortunately that is sometimes
exactly what does happen,it is part and parcel
of the job they are doing,joining the military
is a big decision to make,and even the youngest
recruits dont need telling that they could possibly be killed
you just know that it is a high risk career,especially if you are posted to places like iraq where insurgents are not afraid to strap explosives to themselves and get close to their targets
but a lot of things have been learnt by the military what to watch out for now,more than they would have known at first,intellegence gathering and advanced weaponry and first class training do reduce the risks of being killed in action significantly,im sure your husband and father in law are well trained and will be fine,its something they as soldiers will be keen to do ,but keen to come back home too,which they will
but no one can promise you that,its something you will have to learn to accept if you are married to a serviceman/woman.

civillian deaths are shocking because who would think going to a store to get some bread and milk would end up seeing that person being hijacked and then killed for their car
its not in any way to be expected for any reason,unless there was a civil war going on,murderers arent fighting for their country or for other people,they are cold blooded killers
who are doing what they do for money or for kicks,and it is totally unexcusable and unnacceptible for any member of society to do this to another person who was just going about their daily buisness

Answer 6

It's bad for both to die. But it IS in the job description that there is a possibility of death. Soldiers know what they're getting into. Civilians on the other hand don't volunteer for that, and thus, shouldn't have a possibility of dying due to violence.

Answer 7

As Soldiers, Sailor, Airmen, and Marines, we VOLUNTEERED to go out and fight. We VOLUNTEERED to put Our bodies on the line so that the civilians do NOT have to.

That said the loss of any of the Men and Woman in our Armed Force is still a loss of a Human Being. It should NEVER be OK.

Answer 8

They signed up and knew there would always be a chance to die in their field.

It comes to be accepted in any dangerous work environment that getting killed can be a part of the job, unfortunately, such as Police Officers, Military Personnel, Law Enforcement, Border Patrol, etc, etc.

Answer 9

A soldier is more inclined to die for their country. They're under a contract where they know that they may die. A civilian more or less has no reason to die from war-related reasons.

Answer 10

It is never OK for any innocent people to die. But (as you know) when one signs the contract to protect and defend he/she is putting their lives out there. As apposed to the civilian, who never asked to give up his/her lives.

It isn't OK, but it is their DUTY.

That's why as a soldier I will always defend any other soldier against ridiculous and persecution. All they are doing is following orders and protecting those they care about.

So remember ALWAYS SUPPORT YOUR TROOPS!