Don't soldiers seem like...complete idiots?

[SUPA FRANKY]

I was reading the One Piece manga recently, and a certain quote got to me. A soldier had said that "Doesn't all the people losing their lives look like complete idiots?"

That really got to me. Don't soldiers ever stop to think what there fighting for? I understand the "protect their love ones" argument, but were their love ones in danger to begin with? It just seems most soldiers across the world go and die and kill because someone had told them too.

Thoughts?

 

[Rasputin1]

As long as the pay's good I don't think most people care.

 

[Gotham Soul]

As long as the pay's good I don't think most people care.

I absolutely love your avatar.

OT: I dunno, a lot of schools these days add some kind of nationalist ritual (like saying the pledge of allegiance) into the elementary routine.

Or hell, maybe some of them wanted a chance to shoot things (and get shot at, and get bombed, and shelled, etc. etc.) without being arrested.

 

[WrongSprite]

They don't do it for fun, there's a paycheck at the end of the day.

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

It is a soldier's duty to follow orders, no matter what they be. If not, what would war be?

 

[Marter]

The soldiers fight for our freedom. They take the freedom of a nation above their own lives. It's really a pretty heroic act if you ask me.

 

[tsb247]

It is a soldier's duty to follow orders, no matter what they be. If not, what would war be?

And to expand on this, war is inevitable - There will always be a need for it in the world. It's just how nations behave.

 

[WINDOWCLEAN2]

SOldiers arn't stupid, their suited to their role. the politicians and commanders are the idiots.

Lions for Lambs comes to mind.

 

[TheFacelessOne]

Not when there's videos to make.

 

[captainwolfos]

I'm sorry, but the only thing I can think to say to back up your thread's title is:

UNLESS IT'S A FARM.

That's my input.

 

[dnnydllr]

Soldiers can fight for many reasons. It's true that many get into the service for the money, but there are even more who join to fight for what they believe in. When they are ordered to do something, they see it as being done for their country. That is why they have no problem following orders. No, they are not stupid. Most soldiers are some of the most intelligent people you will find.

 

[Baron Von Evil Satan]

Soldiers think about what they're fighting for every day. The preservation of their country. The protection of their lives, and the lives of all the people inhabiting their country. The stability of the world.

Those are the things that the SOLDIERS fight for. The POLITICIANS, on the other hand, fight for selfish reasons.

 

[Jedoro]

Soldiers aren't the brightest in the bunch. Hell, neither are the officers, because I'm in Army ROTC right now, and quite a few of the people who are contracted are, well, idiots. Here are a few reasons I've seen people sign up for:

-Fight for their country
-Steady paycheck
-Can't get a job
-Want to blow shit up
-Get the uniform so they can get laid

I'd like to add that the first one is probably the least common answer I've gotten. Well, the least honest one, because I can usually tell when these guys are bullshitting, either when they answer or by how they live. Yes, there are some good people in there, but there are a ton of morons, too, just like everywhere else.

 

[Marter]

The soldiers fight for our freedom. They take the freedom of a nation above their own lives. It's really a pretty heroic act if you ask me.

No, they don't, that's what they want you to think.
They are -NOT- fighting for my Freedom, the only one who fights for my freedom is myself.

Maybe not at this moment, but if another World War were to break out, and there was a chance that your country were to be taken over, then your soldiers would be fighting for your freedom.

 

[Quad08]

I'm not going to respond to this thread. I spent ages typing out a massive response but I realised it would get me some good mod wrath.

I disagree completely.

I completely agree with your comment so instead of rewriting my own explanation I'm going to quote you.

 

[Doctor VonSexMachine]

They either join because they have to (conscription, of lack of other options - need the GI bill for a better life), because they think they will enjoy it, or because I believe in the mission.

Do you honestly believe that all soldiers, everywhere are idiots? I'll agree that we've not always had a good impression of the US cannon fodder they send out, but are you really going to call a French Foreign Legion member an idiot, and expect to retain your knee caps? Without people willing to go out into insane conditions, what stops people from deciding to take what they want, with no regard to others?

 

[GundamSentinel]

Soldiers aren't complete idiots, but thinking they do what they do because they are noble and selfless is just ridiculous. It's just a choice of career, for whatever reason. The pay apparently is good.

I don't support my government in all its actions and I don't think every soldier does either. They aren't morons (well, some are, but that has nothing to do with being a soldier).