Quote:
Originally Posted by Saccogoo
I like that. Warrior. Gets you off, doesn't it? So, tell me Mr. Warrior, what stirs you to serve in the military for the past couple of years during our occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan? I'd really like to know what your motivations are, especially considering that as it stands, over 4,000 Americans dead, over 30,000 wounded, as well as 250,000 plus Iraqi's dead (and that's on the low side estimate - there are numerous international agencies that put that total over 1,000,000). So, since I have no idea what stirs a "warrior" to serve in wartime (although, since I myself have served (infantry), my brother has served, my sister-in-law lost her father in Vietnam, my two uncles served in Vietnam, one of my best friends has a purple heart and a bronze star from his time in Vietnam, and my grandfather served in WWII, I'm sure I have no clue whatsoever) what's your motivation? What stirs you?
I never insulted the original poster, nor did I ever try to dissuade them. An adult should be capable of making their own decisions - as long as they have all the facts regarding that decision. However, having a child (and a 17 year old person is, by the very definition, a child) hounded by military recruiters in an effort to get them to serve in the military, especially while that military is in a current state of armed conflict, is a different story altogether. And that's what the original poster was asking.
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Getting back to this late. But thought it deserved a response.
Yep; one who serves honorably as a professional soldier in combat is a warrior. It doesn't get me off. It is a title.
So you have friends and family members that served in World War II and Vietnam, and some of them did not make it back, or were wounded. Some of them, from what you say were awarded the Bronze Star Medal. And you served as an infantryman. I respect that.
But
you, do not
know what motivates those in combat. You experienced life as a grunt, but not in combat. To know is to have been there, and done it. Knowing someone, or being related to someone, does not equate to knowing. Hearing stories about putting body parts in human remains pouches does not equate to doing it, and ruining your uniform and boots with bodily fluids of your comrade (go ahead and roll your eyes at that word, too). Hearing or reading stories about mortars exploding 15 meters from you, does not equate to knowing what the overpressure feels like and to see your own knee bouncing and jangling uncontrollably with fear. Attending a memorial service for someone who died of a disease, or car crash- although tragic- is far different from going to one for a 19 year old you saw 8 days prior with both legs traumatically amputated, and so doped up on morpine that he keeps apologizing for getting wounded. How about cleaning the blood, hair, and stinking gore out of the inside of a Stryker in 120 degree heat with your weapons cleaning kit and Qtips while flies land in human goo and then land on your face? Did you watch a movie or talk with someone who let you know what it's all about? So. I don't owe you an explanation of what 'stirs' me. To use your own words, no- you do not have a clue.
And yes, you did insult that 17 year old person, by insinuating that he or she will be at high risk of contracting PTSD and becoming suicidal ("
Look at the statistics!") or abuse drugs, or even a murderer if they enlist in the military. Your disdain for all things military is readily apparent.
Yes, yes. By all means, don't enlist. Run away. Mock those that do instead. It's dangerous out in the world. Other people will do what must be done in spite of personal consequences, or personal dangers.
Congratulations! You actually got me to write shit down that I havent thought about in a few weeks! Suffice it to say- you and I operate and think180 degrees out from eachother.