The Public image of the Military

[Gaz_mcMillan]

Popular culture would have you think that the army is for people with poor education, who are mentally detached from the rest of the world or who have a death wish but don't want to off them selves. But I am a long range support gunner(sniper) in the British army and most of my friends(who are also in the army) are not like that at all in fact most of them are the complete opposite. But is there will is a minority are in some way mentally depressed.

I personally did not join because of I was mentally depressed but because my Grandfather was in the army(during WWII), and I actually wanted to join to see what it was like.

The other point I want to make is that most people think that a majority of soldiers are psychos or don't care for other people, thing is that in this situation there are a lot of groups. there are people who still care for people which are the first group is most the ones who are new to the army or have not a lot of combat, then there is the other group which has been in the army for a bit of time and don't care for others as much as "normal" people or no care at all. Then there soldiers like me which are slowly losing emotions towards things like death but still care for people close to me

 

[AceDefective]

i personally think people in the army are the only symbol of protection in my eyes
if you realy are in the army sir or mam you are my hero

 

[Kajt]

In my opinion, they're brave people willing to give their lives in protection of their country.

 

[ranc0re]

The military as an institution is just odd for me. The effects of post-traumatic stress have completely changed the ways a number of my friends who have served in the army act, think, and feel. They're all completely different people from who I used to know.

While I realise that it is a necessary element of our society, I tend to view the military as an organisation that completely destroys individuality and free thought. You must alter your appearence, lifestyle, and ways of thinking in order to fulfill your role in this system. It's not something I admire.

 

[Tech Team FTW!]

I only know 1 person in the army(Israel) and she is a woman. She seems alright, especially givent that military service is mandatory in Israel and women have the same rights as men in terms of combat participation.

 

[Dmatix]

I only know 1 person in the army(Israel) and she is a woman. She seems alright, especially givent that military service is mandatory in Israel and women have the same rights as men in terms of combat participation.

I myself am an IDF soldier, and since most of the 18 year olds join the army, the situation is actually reversed- If you DONT join people look at you funny.

 

[Matronadena]

I've met a few who were utter douches and fit the stereotypes... but on the other hand some of my closest friends and family are in the service of the U.S, or Her Majesties forces.. and most are brilliant, very personable, and have a high level of honour and dignity.

you'll have those who want to decry a military in every group, it's been that way for thousands of years, and I don't see it going away...

but know deep down in your heart, that the vast vast majority know we owe near everything of who we are, and what we are to those who took up a blade, or a firearm, or even a communications array. And that we respect, and honour those who give so willingly...even those deemed as " the enemy" deserve honour for their sacrifices, even if it may seemed scewed to others.

 

[InifniteWit]

In my opinion, they're brave people willing to give their lives in protection of their country.

Which is why the marines are the best military infantry force in the world.

My brothers are all in the USMC and I'm waiting to finish school before I get my commission.
ROTC is a pretty sweet deal.


@ Rancore.

The military, at least he marines does nothing to destroy free thought. If the military destroys free thought why have each and every one of mankind's great technological advances come from wars? The internet, GPS, modern avionics, synthetic fabrics, and countless other neat stuff all came from the military.

 

[Motti]

I only know 1 person in the army(Israel) and she is a woman. She seems alright, especially givent that military service is mandatory in Israel and women have the same rights as men in terms of combat participation.

I myself am an IDF soldier, and since most of the 18 year olds join the army, the situation is actually reversed- If you DONT join people look at you funny.

Sorry but what nationality is the IDF?
Anyways, I think that the men and women in the defence forces are heroes, doesn't matter what war they fight in. The job of the military once you get there is not to make sure you kill the enemy, it's to make sure as many people possible in your unit get out alive.

 

[InifniteWit]

I only know 1 person in the army(Israel) and she is a woman. She seems alright, especially givent that military service is mandatory in Israel and women have the same rights as men in terms of combat participation.

I myself am an IDF soldier, and since most of the 18 year olds join the army, the situation is actually reversed- If you DONT join people look at you funny.

Sorry but what nationality is the IDF?
Anyways, I think that the men and women in the defence forces are heroes, doesn't matter what war they fight in. The job of the military once you get there is not to make sure you kill the enemy, it's to make sure as many people possible in your unit get out alive.

IsrealiDefenseForce

 

[Zephirius]

Considering the image popular media has created in my mind of "Boot Camp" you'll have more luck getting me to take up drawing for a living (I suck horribly and would probably have no income) than join the army.

Otherwise I guess the army's okay. Some disputes cannot be solved through words and nukes these days are far too overkill.

 

[Perfect-Insanity666]

Yeah I agree,wait when was the last time america won a war that didn't turn into a quagmire?

 

[Snor]

Most people here in the army are lower educated men and women that are not stupid but i think more off them as average joe's with bad education and a tunnelvision of the world.

 

[Ignignoct]

Navy enlisted is Diet Military for kids who need money for college, a job, citizenship (Africans and Filipinos abounding!),or court-ordered to avoid a prison sentence. Patriotism plays a small role.

It's not that bad. Just boring and unsatisfying, but you'll get that anywhere.

However, if you're willing to dedicate 6+ years of your life to the Navy, and have a college education and meet the requirements, you can fly jets in the Navy.

I almost envy them.

...

Okay, I do envy them. I'm just an IT. I get to see the mechs working on the pilots' jets and hear the launches/landings on my way to reloading a Blue Screen of Death for the maintainers =p.

 

[McClaud]

Popular culture would have you think that the army is for people with poor education, who are mentally detached from the rest of the world or who have a death wish but don't want to off them selves. But I am a long range support gunner(sniper) in the British army and most of my friends(who are also in the army) are not like that at all in fact most of them are the complete opposite. But is there will is a minority are in some way mentally depressed.

I personally did not join because of I was mentally depressed but because my Grandfather was in the army(during WWII), and I actually wanted to join to see what it was like.

The other point I want to make is that most people think that a majority of soldiers are psychos or don't care for other people, thing is that in this situation there are a lot of groups. there are people who still care for people which are the first group is most the ones who are new to the army or have not a lot of combat, then there is the other group which has been in the army for a bit of time and don't care for others as much as "normal" people or no care at all. Then there soldiers like me which are slowly losing emotions towards things like death but still care for people close to me

Hey, that happened to me, too.

Don't worry, hang in there. You need to chat, let me know. I spent time with the Canadians over in Bosnia and that was pure Hell for the first two months. Eventually, when you get back to being a civilian, you'll get your emotions back. Although it's tough, since you also seem to grow some issues.

I was Air Force Intelligence, btw. It's a good place to start, but once you get good at it and reach a highly desired status, you get deployed everywhere that you don't want to be. I spent time in Kuwait in some of the worst crap a guy can be surrounded by.

 

[Skeleon]

Personally, I chose to replace my military with civilian service because...
a) I don't like getting shouted at and...
b) it was actually useful for my career choice.
But I can understand people who choose military service or even a career in the military.
We need soldiers, police officers, watchmen and so on. I'd never work in security but I'm glad there are people that do.

 

[Sevre]

I'm not sure about joining the army, how do they actually give you a specific job? Like sniper or some sort of artillery engineer. Or is it all frontline infantry?

 

[oliveira8]

The military, at least he marines does nothing to destroy free thought. If the military destroys free thought why have each and every one of mankind's great technological advances come from wars? The internet, GPS, modern avionics, synthetic fabrics, and countless other neat stuff all came from the military.

Cause we needed ways to blow other countries without moving? Guided missiles was germany's idea cause sending troops to Brittain was to expensive. So they decided to bomb them from afar. See we have neat technology cause we need it to wage war.

Nothing good comes from war, no matter how you paint it.
The pioneers of a warless world are the youth who refuse military service.-Albert Einstein

 

[GothmogII]

The military, at least he marines does nothing to destroy free thought. If the military destroys free thought why have each and every one of mankind's great technological advances come from wars? The internet, GPS, modern avionics, synthetic fabrics, and countless other neat stuff all came from the military.

Cause we needed ways to blow other countries without moving? Guided missiles was germany's idea cause sending troops to Brittain was to expensive. So they decided to bomb them from afar. See we have neat technology cause we need it to wage war.

Nothing good comes from war, no matter how you paint it.
The pioneers of a warless world are the youth who refuse military service.-Albert Einstein

Also, I don't think it was the soldiers themselves that came up with those things. True, the wars may have provided the incentive, but it was the thinkers and scientists that did all the inventing.