glamorising the armed forces?

Question

Why dont the adverts on the box tell the truth about joining up. The government portrays it as some kind of friendly club to attract young impressionable young men. the harsh reallity is far from this, losing limbs, crippling, loss of sight and worst off all loss of young peoples lives give them all the facts including the mental trauma. I know we must have deffence but not invasion forces. Who agrees or dissagrees.

Answer 1

Glamorizing war is a bad habit throughout society. It's not a special fault of recruiters.

It mostly goes on in times when the people haven't had much experience in war, especially right before a war, but it can happen any time really.

The main thing they tend to lose sight of, that they shouldn't I mean, isn't so much the possibility that Johnny might lose some body part that he really likes, however.

I'd say it's the possibility that they themselves, the little old folks back home, singing all these patriotic songs, marching around in their little parades and so on, might one day suffer a great deal, because they were too eager to throw their nation into a war they should not have started.

Ask the old folks in Germany, in Japan.

This is mainly what I have against such romanticization. It trivializes risk, emphasizes only glory. It encourages people to believe they cannot lose. Which is never the case.

Answer 2

Getting killed or wounded is a reality, but that only happens to a small fraction of the military. Even at this war. Once again, someone focuses on a single truth, but not the entire truth.

1.2 million currently in the US Armed Forces. About 30,000 killed or wounded. Less then 3% of the total number of the current force. When you factor in that thats over 4 years, and the turnover in the military of people that joined and left, that percentage number shirnks even more. As of a year ago, there were 2,000,000 troop rotation (soldiers that had done 1 tour in Iraq, obvioulsy some were new soldiers that joined during the time and some were on a second tour) to Iraq since the start of the war. Only about 1% casualties of those troop rotations to that point in the war.

So I guess in your estimation, the other 99% of us who serve don't count into what military life is.

Yes, getting killed or wounded is a possibility. We dont deny that. But there is a lot more to the military then that. So it is not a far flung reality. Getting killed in Iraq is no different then getting killed as a police officer, or even just driving a car, but they dont show that in a car commercial either.

And national security then defense of the borders. If the world is in chaos, then the US will be in chaos too. Isolationism didn't work in WWI and WWII, it still wont work.

Answer 3

Are you stupid or something? You'd need to be a right mong to not understand what the armed forces is all about. Its like all these soldiers and parents of soldiers who join up and then when they are expected to fight they or are KIA they try to sue the government. What part of being in the forces do you not understand mate? Doesn't armed and force give you a hint?

Did you not see that advert for the marines a few years ago?
Also you can go for weekends away with the army to give you an idea of what you might expect.

Answer 4

If you knew anything about anything, which I really doubt, you'd know that nothing is ever quite as advertised. Despite TV shows that glamorize being a cop, a lawyer, a spy, or a cowboy, the facts of such a life are a lot different. All of them have endless stretches of boredom and drudgery. Shoes don't really make you play a better game of basketball. Wearing a certain perfume isn't going to make a prince or princess stop what they're doing and throw themselves at you. The costly exercise machines that promise to burn off fat in minutes a day won't do much more than a walk around the block.

Why do you want to hold the military to a higher standard than ... well, anyone else? Oh, is it because they are the government, and should tell the truth?

Riiiiiiiight.

Answer 5

That's got to be one of the dumbest things I have seen written here in awhile. If a person joining the Military isn't aware of what it's purpose is...they must have an IQ of 5. I think several years into the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan people are well aware of what's happening. Have you ever met a person who has lost a limb or been severely wounded? Most don't feel sorry for themselves or regret their service. Maybe you should think about that before you "take up their cause!"...they don't want your sympathy.

Answer 6

Until you join and see what it is like you can’t judge what military life is like. I find it very satisfying. I have served fro 16 years and have been to combat 3 times, once during “Desert Storm” and two times in OIF. I have a Purple Heart for wounds received during an IED attack in 2004. I have seen many people shot and have shot at many people. I do not have any adverse effects of combat stress I am not missing any limbs and I am not going crazy from combat stress. The current four year “Death Toll” is far less then soldiers and civilians that die from traffic accidents every year in the US. I don’t see you complaining about the auto industry glamorizing cars and trucks. It does not glamorize military life unless you think sleeping in a tent in a combat zone eating a meal from a brown plastic bag is glamorous. No one pretends it is a safe job and that you cant get wounded or killed but there are some aspects of military life that are very exciting. For instance jumping out of airplanes, repelling off of helicopters and cliffs, learning how to use explosives, or just being able to move and visit a foreign country every 3 to four years. How many countries have you visited in the last ten years? I have been to no less then six, ranging from 24 hours to two years. I am currently in Iraq again and my duty station is Hawaii. I work with people from all over the U.S. and the world. I fly for free to most of the places I have gone. So what that I have risk my life I volunteered to do so of my own free will and would do it again. What have you done in the last 24 hours that you can say was really fun or exciting. I can tell you that I have thought Romanian Soldiers how to shot US weapons and had dinner with soldiers from the Australian Army in a combat zone and did not even loose any sleep much less a hand, arm, or leg.. I don’t mean to trivialize the los of life of my fellow soldiers but you think that we are all getting killed and wounded over her and it is that bad. Join before you criticize the methods of recruitment.

Answer 7

I strongly disagree................ARE YOU IN THE MILITARY? Doesnt sound like it. Okay who in the right mind believes that when you join a branch of service, you will not go to war?? Anybody?? When you walk threw that door to the recruiting office or when they come to your place, you should have already considered the consequences on putting on that uniform. BOTTOM LINE GUYS AND GAILS! What is the problem. I know alot of soldiers in all branches that will do it all over again.

Get a clue: Why dont you ask your local Police officer the same question about joining the police force?

Answer 8

Well lets face it, it's not exactly going to help recruitment if you show 30 seconds of people getting blown to pieces is it. Everyone knows thats a risk of being in the army, all the government is doing is shown the positive aspects of army life.

Answer 9

Well a government has to support its military and one of the ways it does this is to encourage people to join the armed forces.

Obviously they stress the career aspects of military service. Should they produce a media campaign that stated, "Join the Army and have a chance of being maimed or killed!", they wouldn't get a massive response.

Nobody likes he idea of conflict, of our soldiers dying or getting wounded physically or mentally, but the fact is that to secure peace we have to prepare for war.

Answer 10

I would do anything to stop my kids wanting to join up!
Saying that I think they have a good idea about what the army can really be like.
My late Dad was in the army and on active service from the age of 18. He rarely spoke about his experiences, but when he did they made horrific listening, believe me he toned it down but we got the picture.
Join the forces sure but be prepared for seeing friends shot to pieces, having to kill another scared young lad because if not he will kill you and suffer the atrocities of war that we never (thankfully ) have to know about!
Before he died he watched Saving Private Ryan, his view was not too bad but nothing like the real thing.
Did you know the one word someone cries out when they are dying? MOTHER. . .