Poll: Do soldiers deserves the title of hero?

[DukeOfYork]

it all depends on witch side of there weapon you are on. they are ether heros or villains

 

[bobknowsall]

Do bomb disposal experts count? If so, then I definitely think some soldiers deserve such a title. But I'd define wartime "heroism" as "an altruistic act that saves the lives of others, preferably non-combatants", not "killing a bunch of fellows who are also trying to kill you". That's just a very extreme form of self-defense.

 

[internetzealot1]

Yes they do. That facebook group is just a bunch of anti-war neo-hippies who use the fact that no one is perfect to slander the men and women who take bullets for us. Seriously, our soldiers are killing terrorists, not "innocent people."

 

[deleted_scifidownbeat]

DELETED

 

[Gotham Soul]

They deserve my respect for facing death, but heroes? No.

 

[YoUnG205]

wow that facebook group is really messed up...
OT: Yes I think theya re because they risk their lives.

 

[RN7]

Soldiers can't really be called heroes, since they're neither good or bad. If you had to give them a title, it'd be closer to...anti-hero. It all depends on the perception of multiple societies. If the soldiers are fighting for a country, sure. Their countrymen would consider them a hero for defending them, but the opposing nation sees them as "evil" for threatening their way of life.

It all depends on your views. They're neither good or bad. It's simply a conflict of opinion.

 

[Tdc2182]

First of all, a group like that really shouldn't exist. Even if it is the result of dirty politics, these men and women are risking their lives. The least you can do is be nice to them.

And while I'm certainly not rushing to sign up for the group, I have to admit that they're right in some sense. Becoming a solider doesn't necessarily make you a hero. Being a soldier does.

how does killing someone make you a hero? because thats what a soldier does. and they dont have to be a soldier. they can choose not to be a soldier.

No one said anything about killing making you a hero. Facing head on mortal danger for the good of someone else makes you a hero. Many people who have earned medal of honor have not killed one person. A soldier does not just kill people. Do you know anything about military? Carrying weapons are in case of emergencies. They are for worse case scenarios. You need to grow out of your propaganda controlled world and learn the facts.

 

[Tdc2182]

People that live through many wars are still not heroes. They are survivors.

People that join the army because they want to are idiotic, in my opinion. You know there's a chance you're going to get shot and that you're going to kill someone. You're a murderer, not a martyr.

You are very ignorant of why most join the army. Sure, there are some creeps who do that, but they join the army to stop others from being murdered. They do know there is a chance that they will get shot, but the word you are looking for is brave not "idiotic". Being idiotic is wanting to be shot at. No one in the army wants to be shot, they want to defend others.

Maybe I get war and people that join the army mixed up. War is idiotic, Joining the army is serving a government/military that's idiotic. Being a servant to the people that don't care if you die or not isn't brave. Sure, you may seem like you're the big brave tough-guy that joins the army to protect his homeland but not having an army at all would be better.

I care if a soldier is killed. So does everybody that I know. Yet again with the ignorance about soldiers, they do not think that they are big tough guys. They all hate war, I would know, my brother is in the army.

And as soon as you can make it so that every single nation in the world is at peace with each other, I am sure that we will get rid of armies. Welcome to the real world. Not everyone is an innocent civillian who wants peace, people hurt each other. Without our militaries the world would be in complete chaous.

 

[gigastrike]

They have to earn it like everyone else. The term "hero" is thrown around very liberally nowadays. Seems like anyone who dies automatically becomes a hero, regardless of the conditions. Not really sure why people are so quick to label them.

 

[sokka14]

i joined that group!
though more of a "fuck you" to everyone inviting me to join the other group that's trying to shut it down. i agree with the title of the group, though very little of the content...

 

[Undo]

Some are. Some imagine they are. But not for just putting on a uniform and following, possibly dodgy, orders or politics. Many I pity as, they only took the call for the possibility of going to college. No-one should have to face death to do that.

But hey, I'm German and we have a different history and view on soldiers, especially heroic ones. We got centuries of "noble causes" equalling blood and pain for idiotic reasons. The question if it's legal to say "soldiers are murderers" even went to the highest court.

I can recommend "The Guns of August" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guns_of_August] and of course "All Quiet on the Western Front" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Quiet_on_the_Western_Front] to see some of the idiocracy of war. And "Guerreros" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerreros], while not a good movie, shows scarily well how easy it is for fighting men under pressure to lose humanity and return to an almost feral, animal state. Nothing heroic about fighting and scratching and biting, struggling to survive. I rather doubt that soldiers think of themselves as heroes.

 

[Hypocratic Oath]

Huh...odd topic, armed forces certainly are not bad people or anything, but i've got to agree that putting on a uniform doesn't make one a hero, the only thing that seems to make one a hero these days is a 1). Uniform 2). Gun 3). hazardous workplace. That's why police officers or soldiers are regarded as humanitarians and not like...coal miners, uniform and deadly environment but there's no badguys shot so they go under the radar.

But like i said, that doesn't make them bad per say, just they deserve as much love as the next guy over.

 

[Tdc2182]

People like that really puzzle me, they assume they know everything. It's not like they were there. It's a bunch of people on Facebook.

Not every soldier is hero by default but that doesn't mean they can't become one. They still have to brave war, and face death.

Those people haven't fought, they know nothing about it. They really should stay out of things that don't concern them.

there is no need to fight and kill people. they choose to wear that uniform. there is no good reason to join the army

Jeez dude. You need to get out of your propaganda and video game controlled world and learn something. People join the army to prevent the murder of thousands of others. Are you saying there was no reason for anybody to step up to hitler? Maybe you are forgetting about the man who nearly killed every Jew in europe. These people are dying for you, so that you can keep enjoying the simple pleasures. Yet you treat them like they are monsters. Here is a suggestion for you, move to a third world country where there is no army to protect you. You tell me whether or not you feel the need for protection

 

[MagicMouse]

IMO

It doesnt matter what a soldiers actions in a war or peace time are (as long as no atrocious crimes of course)

ALL soldiers are heroic (a more accurate word is NOBLE) simply for WILLINGLY sacrificing their lives, time, and freedom while endurin many hardships for the cause of protecting their nation, their peoples beliefs and safeguarding the world from many forms of evil.

 

[MagicMouse]

No. Soldiers do not deserve the title Hero. Many of them are violent sociopaths who sign up just because they can not fit in to every day life.
So the government trains them up, gives them weapons, then lets them loose on the poor civilians in these unfortunate countries who do not even know why they were invaded.
I am not saying that all soldiers are low lives but no, just putting on the damn uniform never makes you a hero. Going to other countries and harassing the natives does not make you a hero. Giving your support by participating in a unjust war does not make you a hero.
These soldiers are scum and should serve as target practice. Some of the real heroes are those who choose not to put on the uniform.

what about the ones that join to try and make the world a better place? soldiers do more than fight, they deter threats, distributes supplies/food and set up communities.

 

[ShotgunShaman]

I posted a picture of a kitten in an attempt to stop the fighting. You guys should help.

 

[comet5002]

I'm going to take a breather before I go into rage mode on the 61 people who said "no". First off, I did a little research. According to Webster's Dictionary, a hero, by definition, is "a man of distinguished courage or ability".

I'd say that anyone willing to give up their lives for their country or their family is plenty courageous, and they sure learn a lot of abilities along the way, so, to coin a phrase, OF COURSE THEY FREAKING ARE. Anyone who said "no" is a douchebag and a twat all in one, and I'm not afraid to call those out on it either. I'd like to see YOU give up your LIFE to protect someone. What would have happened if no one had enlisted in either of the World Wars? Or in the Civil War? To my knowledge, the only war that has required a draft was the Vietnam war, so setting that one aside, I'd say anyone who would go out into a battlefield knowing that they could die at any moment is certainly heroic enough.