How America Screws Its Soldiers

[GratefulCitizen]

Those who write the blank check for "up to and including my life" deserve (among many other things) from those who send them in harms way:

A clearly defined political objective.

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http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...ce/powell.html

[akv]

Originally Posted by Penn

The article reflects the blatant disconnect between society and the military.

I agree, and don't believe this disconnect will be remedied until either some sort of compulsary national service is reinstated, or we next find ourselves in a declared war. I concur with the notion civilians have no idea what the military is about until they serve or have someone serving.

I'm not sure if it's an issue as deep as moral compass, I believe it is a matter of lack of interaction and familiarity. For example the average resident of a big city is blissfully ignorant of the extent of crime LEO face. At the same time LEO who limit their interaction to fellow LEO or criminals, have told me it is easy to fall into an "us vs. them" mindset, and have a jaded view of the citizenry as a whole. I believe this lack of familiarity and interaction is even more applicable to US society and the US Military as a whole.

It seems even civilian paramilitary activities such as scouting are on the wane. The net result is ignorance towards the military from those they protect, without some sort of interaction vehicle to quell this disconnect. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do believe this is one negative byproduct of an all volunteer force.

[Deadhead 63A1]

Originally Posted by Pete

The above statement says a lot more than I want to get into right now.

I see where you're going with this one, and I pretty much agree.

[akv]

Originally Posted by Broadsword2004

Not everyone can serve in the military though, as the population is too large, and not everyone in the military can serve in combat arms.

Agreed, but there was a time when a much broader spectrum of American youth were exposed even if briefly to national service. There is now little to no contact between civilians and the military unless as mentioned you or someone close to you serves.

For example a friends dad spent a brief time in the army in 1962 before college,maybe six months active duty and the reserves for a few years. The life was not for him and he went to college very motivated and became an architect. However he said he learned discipline, got in shape, learned to fold a flag and fire a rifle, most of all he grew to respect those in the service, particularly combat arms. I could think of significantly worse uses of an 18 year old's summer.

[AngelsSix]

Originally Posted by akv

Agreed, but there was a time when a much broader spectrum of American youth were exposed even if briefly to national service. There is now little to no contact between civilians and the military unless as mentioned you or someone close to you serves.

For example a friends dad spent a brief time in the army in 1962 before college,maybe six months active duty and the reserves for a few years. The life was not for him and he went to college very motivated and became an architect. However he said he learned discipline, got in shape, learned to fold a flag and fire a rifle, most of all he grew to respect those in the service, particularly combat arms. I could think of significantly worse uses of an 18 year old's summer.

This is so true. I think that our society in general lacks discipline and respect, not just for the military personnel and their families, but for other members of society. The main reason in my mind is that they have never had to sacrifice and neither did they experience that through their family. Some folks grew up in the military by way of a parent and said "no way I am doing that to MY family". People all make their choices in life, the rest of us just have to live with it.