In this day and age, is Britain going to war (as in sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan) such a bad thing?

Question

After all, we DO have a professional army, whose job it is to fight. Nobody made them join up, unlike previous major wars, where men were enlisted to fight, whether they liked it or not. As a National Serviceman, along with many others, I was sent to fight in Korea, (of all places!) Aren't we being a bit "soppy" about our boys abroad? Nobody in their right minds wants them harmed in any way, but they DID take it on as their job. Or have I missed the point about their being professionals (or even mercenaries)?

Answer 1

The most important thing for a soldier is to have support at home. No politician should commit troops without strong public support. No war should be engaged without careful consideration, certainly of good military intelligence

Fighting wars is relatively easy. Historically it has been the most technically advanced wins the battles. Keeping the peace and dealing with the aftermath of war is much more problematic. This is where wars are really won or lost.

If you go bang bang in a country and destroy the infrastructure, surely you are morally obliged to rebuild the infrastructure. One could almost say that the ancient Roman Legionaires were civil engineers first, soldiers second. Though then the objective was for Roma paxa (forgive my Latin).

Where there is peace there is prosperity. There is actually no glory in war. A general once said, 'There is only one thing worse than winning a war - losing a war.' And he'd won.

The only newsworthy thing that happens when keeping the peace is that your servicemen get killed. That is why it is so necessary to have a project on which minds can be focused, especially something that can give hope to the indiginous population.

As for Afghanistan and Iraq, it was bad for our status that they were put in and it will be even worse if they are pulled out, but in this age of spin even the military are saying 'blow this for a game of soldiers we want to go home.'

There is no doubting the professionalism of our armed forces, but they are human. Forgetting that is the quickest route to defeat, and from what I'm hearing that is what the Military leaders are griping about.

So what it seems the answer to your question is regard the person and they will show their professionalism. Win your public before committing troops, and have a definite project for during peace keeping that actually does win hearts and minds of the indigineous population.

And don't expect to be praised for it. Not in this day and age.

Answer 2

Well being a veteran myself as u-r I am a Vietnam Era veteran as we r called here in the states n-ur-right nobody made them join just like nobody made me join either but I did it for my country and the veterans that came before me but they r- there n we need to support them in Britain and the US.
My father fought in Korea,as well front line combat n came back all messed up he passed away in 1983 but the point is this like u he did not have much of a choice he was drafted what difference does it make if were drafted or enlist like u said there professionals n they knew as we all do who join the military that this could happen and they do it for our respective countries and that is why I will always support my fellow veterans past,present,and future no matter what so no u did not miss the point at all I got were u were going with this and so did they we have lost and can't bring back they did too that is why they r there right!

Answer 3

I know President Obama was opposed to the war in Iraq, but eventually supported the war in Afghanistan. Yes, Obama did say that he will began a phased withdraw of troops from Iraq, with most of the troops being out within a year. Since 9-11, our purpose has been to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden and destroy The Al Qeada terrorist group and their allies. I believed then and I believe now that Afghanistan was the only place in which troops should have ever been sent to carry out this objective.

Answer 4

I AGREE.
Professional soldiers doing what their trained and paid to do.
Its not easy for the families thats for sure but are they under no more risk than a deep sea fisherman, a fireman or a construction worker and many other professions, in some cases probably even less.
Support them, they've not got an easy job but they are all volunteers.
The political side of things is of course another story but again nobody is forced to join the army and if its too hot in the kitchen there are legitimate ways of getting out.

Answer 5

I can understand what you are saying, but personally think that in any day and age, any country going to war and sending troops is a bad thing.

Unfortunately, the professional army we have is one grown out of necessity due to others waging war, and the people taking on such jobs, do so in a bid to protect their country, but I'm sure they would rather be employed in a less dangerous occupation.

If only people could learn to live in peace...

Answer 6

yes i agree. Anyway, the British people have always grown up with wars. Britain gets involved in anything, which is ethically right an feel honoured we strive to maintain freedoms elsewhere. So, British troops knew they would see combat in their life and so want to fight. They accept the risk in which i am proud they do a fantastic job in what they do. The British public support our boys 100%, its just the politicians we dont trust. Lions led by donkeys as they say.

Answer 7

I agree with your points there.People join the services to train for war and to protect our lands. We might not always agree with the reasons for politicians choosing the wars we end up fighting,but I for one think we should be supporting our troops not bitching about them being sent out to where ever and complaining that they should be brought back.(It's there job) What we need to do is hassle Parliament to support our troops and send them the equipment and support they need to do the job they have to do.FFS stop calling them murderers and mercenaries they are trained professional soldiers doing what the government told them to do, you don't like it then vote for someone else.

Answer 8

Iraq was never justified, but I daresay Afghanistan was.

Besides, operational experience is essential for potentially higher-intensity wars of the future.

Answer 9

You miss a big point and by miles. What are British forces doing in Afghanistan? And that is the point. Just because they are conscripts does not mean invading any old third world country does it?

Answer 10

It breaks my heart that our forces were sent to fight in a war that neither the UN nor the country as a whole supported.