If anyone volunteers for the military and doesn't realize the dangers, they've been in total isolation for the past 6 years. The endless horror stories about war is all 99% of the press ever publishes. Left wing main stream media has their agenda.
We have the best military in history -- and one of the few true voluntary ones. But to keep it that way, we need good young men and women to step up.
Boy, are they. Out of 10 active duty and reserve services, only one (Navy Reserve) fell short of its recruiting goal in fiscal year 2008. That's amazing, considering the controversy over the Iraq War. And it's telling about the fortitude of our young men and women.
One caveat, and it's a big one: As the economy has soured, more folks have streamed into recruiting offices. While that's good news, we hope none of the new recruits sees the military only as an employment service. This is a dangerous world. Our Armed Forces are on the front lines of it. Occasionally, as we are now, we go to war. This isn't just a job. It isn't just an adventure, as the ad used to say. It can be hell. Go in with eyes open.
Comments
If anyone volunteers for the military and doesn't realize the dangers, they've been in total isolation for the past 6 years. The endless horror stories about war is all 99% of the press ever publishes. Left wing main stream media has their agenda.
No matter how intelligent, educated or prepared one may consider themselves, no one is prepared for the realities of war. The bravest of the brave; the strongest of the strong; the fittest of the fit have all lost their nerve at one time or another during battle. One of the many reasons we send our young to fight is they have longer to get over it's effects. Thank God for these wonderful young men & women.
This may be a dangerous world, but precipitous U.S. military action coupled with a misguided foreign policy has definitely made it more dangerous. United States has the right & the responsibility to defend itself, but it does not have the right to impose its will on others by force or to seek hegemony over entire regions & peoples. An enlightened foreign policy that seeks justice, equality & respect for human rights as its centerpiece is key to a secure United States of America. We should celebrate the peacemakers including diplomats & non-governmental aid workers every bit as much if not more than the warriors who are obliged to follow (legal) military orders whether they are wise actions or not. United States has destroyed its economy over the anvils of Iraq, Afghanistan & now Pakistan. A lesson of history is that great empires often destroy themselves in stupid foreign military entanglements. It isn't just foot soldiers on the ground or high tech warriors ensconced in comfy chairs in Nevada flying drones over Pakistan who keep this country safe. It is wise men & women who understand that war should always be the last resort not a war of choice by a unitary commander-in-chief.
Standards have been lowered plus age limits have been raised and a rapidly falling economy = more recruits and they will say I want to fight for my country. Would you say, I am broke, my family is living with the in-laws and I no longer feel there is a chance that things will change in the next couple of years. Hey i needed a job and this is a job.
Yeah Cain, Switzerland has done well with the ostrich act. Of course, if America were the size of Aiken county we could do the same thing...and be no more then Switzerland. Why do you stay here?
Cain, I'll tell you what I told my Tac officer in Infantry Officer Candidate School. Our job begins when diplomacy fails. A Vietnam era draft dodging weasel like you wouldn't understand that, would you?
While I agree it is TRUE that when we speak of recent times YES we do have the greatest military , but in history ? Sorry not even close . The military under Alexander the great was far superior to that of ours today and considering this was long ago in B.C. it makes it even more astonishing what he accomplished.
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