What does being in the military mean to you?

R o c k e t · October 26, 2014, 11:54:01 PM

People who want to serve their Country. Unfortunately the country isn't respecting that sacrifice like it used to. Veterans have trouble finding jobs, some end up homeless.

Most of my high school friends joined the military, and I respect them for it. They are putting themselves in a situation where their lives could be at risk. They'd fight for our freedoms.

They have my respect, and I hope they make it back home safe.

maverick · October 27, 2014, 12:32:35 AM

Stereotypes vary based on rank, job, etc.

Jake · October 27, 2014, 01:23:02 AM

They instantly earn respect from me. I have deep gratitude that they are willing to put their life's on the line for us; a job I could never do. I make it a point to thank them when I see them.

CIS · October 27, 2014, 01:31:22 AM

Quote from: Naja on October 26, 2014, 12:49:28 PM

Scum to be spat on

Just as expected.

aMetroid · October 27, 2014, 01:33:34 AM

Government tools

Super Irish · October 27, 2014, 03:43:59 AM

Depends. I have respect for the military, but it only goes so far when they invade another country and then spout constantly that "they're defending our country". How the fuck is invading a 3rd world country several thousand miles away "defending our country", when the only reason they attack us now is because we invaded?

Plus the huge service funerals. Yes, I get that it's horrible for a father/brother/son to die, but frankly they chose to do an occupation that when doing their actual job (as in, fighting and not just training to fight) that it is likely that they are going to be injured, even fatally. I would be less ranty about this if we were actually defending our country, but refer to the above paragraph regarding that, so imo I think it's just opportunistic propaganda so the average man hates the country we invaded more for a false reason.

TLDR:I get serious wars and respect the military for conlifcts like WWI/II or the Falklands (kind of), but the more recent wars in the Middle East have had the military as a tool of government greed rather than defence of their home country. Hell, despite my dislike of Israel, at least their military is fighting and defending their ground (although "their ground" is debatable).

BaconShelf · October 28, 2014, 05:13:39 AM

I respect that someone is willing to do the dirty work and defend their country. Though I wouldn't want to do it myself.

Korra · October 28, 2014, 09:08:12 AM

I can't really say because I'm not a military person.

Mad Max · October 28, 2014, 10:14:15 AM

I don't think much of it. I don't think you're automatically a hero, or thank you for your service. In all likelihood, you didn't do anything important.

I see a lot of military members as making poor choices. Getting married and having kids at a young age, many before they have anything more than a high school education or plan for civilian life.

I also find it funny how conservative many military members are, when their paycheck and benefits are funded by the taxpayers.

Word Wizard · October 28, 2014, 11:22:35 AM

They are like that person that holds the door for you then thinks you owe them a thank you when you didn't ask them to.

Dopameme · October 28, 2014, 04:38:24 PM

Quote from: DAS B00T x2 on October 26, 2014, 01:00:27 PM

Quote from: Dustin c00lerth4nu on October 26, 2014, 12:59:19 PM
Quote from: DAS B00T x2 on October 26, 2014, 12:57:46 PM
Quote from: Dustin c00lerth4nu on October 26, 2014, 12:46:52 PM
I tend to think that they're fit, brave, and responsible.

also inb4 kiyo
Good sir, I assure you that I am neither of those things.
Were you at one point?
Still in the Guard.

my oldest brother is in the Guard as well

DAS B00T x2 · October 28, 2014, 04:39:34 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on October 28, 2014, 10:14:15 AM

I see a lot of military members as making poor choices. Getting married and having kids at a young age, many before they have anything more than a high school education or plan for civilian life.

Oh god is that true... dumb fucking privates...

Bright Wind Eternal Stars · October 29, 2014, 11:25:23 PM

I am a convicted pacifist so sad to say I kind of look down on their choice of profession. I am cordial to them and respect what they have done but I do not treat them as heroes as others do.

Forgewolf · October 30, 2014, 09:38:20 AM

All troops need to come home to the mainland and actually fight for our freedoms. *Eyeballs our government*

gats · October 30, 2014, 09:52:14 AM

means i get to rape people in the name of freedom

Mad Max · October 30, 2014, 10:30:50 AM

Quote from: Rocketman287 on October 26, 2014, 11:54:01 PM

They'd fight for our freedoms.

Our freedoms haven't been in danger since WWII

R o c k e t · October 30, 2014, 10:35:17 AM

Quote from: Mad Max on October 30, 2014, 10:30:50 AM

Quote from: Rocketman287 on October 26, 2014, 11:54:01 PM
They'd fight for our freedoms.
Our freedoms haven't been in danger since WWII

They'd means "they would" in that sentence. Future tense, not past tense.

Super Irish · October 30, 2014, 10:35:53 AM

Quote from: Mad Max on October 30, 2014, 10:30:50 AM

Quote from: Rocketman287 on October 26, 2014, 11:54:01 PM
They'd fight for our freedoms.
Our freedoms haven't been in danger since WWII

I suppose "Freedom to have Oil under $100 a barrel" is considered a freedom under threat.

bang bang · October 30, 2014, 12:21:34 PM

To the people who claim to not care for the military or say it's unnecrssary, would you rather us just dismantle our military altogether? Do you think we even need a military post WWII or just maintain a guard?

Mad Max · October 30, 2014, 12:28:02 PM

Quote from: bang bang on October 30, 2014, 12:21:34 PM

To the people who claim to not care for the military or say it's unnecrssary, would you rather us just dismantle our military altogether? Do you think we even need a military post WWII or just maintain a guard?

I'm pretty sure nobody thinks we should dissolve the military entirely.

bang bang · October 30, 2014, 12:30:51 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on October 30, 2014, 12:28:02 PM

Quote from: bang bang on October 30, 2014, 12:21:34 PM
To the people who claim to not care for the military or say it's unnecrssary, would you rather us just dismantle our military altogether? Do you think we even need a military post WWII or just maintain a guard?
I'm pretty sure nobody thinks we should dissolve the military entirely.

So just maintain a national guard? Given the situation in the Middle East (Isis, al Qaeda, etc) it'll be tough for any nato country to stay passive.

Mad Max · October 30, 2014, 12:35:43 PM

Quote from: bang bang on October 30, 2014, 12:30:51 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on October 30, 2014, 12:28:02 PM
Quote from: bang bang on October 30, 2014, 12:21:34 PM
To the people who claim to not care for the military or say it's unnecrssary, would you rather us just dismantle our military altogether? Do you think we even need a military post WWII or just maintain a guard?
I'm pretty sure nobody thinks we should dissolve the military entirely.
So just maintain a national guard? Given the situation in the Middle East (Isis, al Qaeda, etc) it'll be tough for any nato country to stay passive.

Why do we need to intervene? There's obviously no solution. It's a shitty situation, but it just needs to burn itself out.

bang bang · October 30, 2014, 12:40:06 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on October 30, 2014, 12:35:43 PM

Quote from: bang bang on October 30, 2014, 12:30:51 PM
Quote from: Mad Max on October 30, 2014, 12:28:02 PM
Quote from: bang bang on October 30, 2014, 12:21:34 PM
To the people who claim to not care for the military or say it's unnecrssary, would you rather us just dismantle our military altogether? Do you think we even need a military post WWII or just maintain a guard?
I'm pretty sure nobody thinks we should dissolve the military entirely.
So just maintain a national guard? Given the situation in the Middle East (Isis, al Qaeda, etc) it'll be tough for any nato country to stay passive.
Why do we need to intervene? There's obviously no solution. It's a shitty situation, but it just needs to burn itself out.

I feel you. It is one of those internal conflicts of that region we shouldn't concern ourselves with. Granted I wouldn't put the weight on military personnel. I know a few down on their luck fellas who had to join to make a better life for themselves or those who just wanted to learn a trade or put their way through college. I feel like the guys behind the desk should be given the side eye. Troops are just gears in the machine essentially.

Mr. Psychologist · October 30, 2014, 12:45:45 PM

Quote from: JimTheAdmin on October 26, 2014, 12:45:10 PM

When someone says they serve in America's, or your country's, armed forces what does that mean to you?

They are in a dangerous profession that not everyone can do, role rank and branch dependant of course. Even if it's just the footsloggers getting shot at, the rest of the cogs keep the machine working <.<
Mostly.
The profession itself deserves a little respect, but to automatically treat them like saints and martyrs because of their job is... a bit silly. Heroes should get the recognition they deserve, no matter their specific job title.

Quote

When you see a woman or man in ABUs, ACUs, BDUs, or Service Dress, what do you think immediately?

'Well, they made it back alive then.'
Usually because the only place I see people wearing uniform is at service stations on the Motorway on their way home, presumably from a deployment overseas.

Quote

What stereotypes do you have about a person when someone say's they serve in the Army, in the Marines, in the Coast Guard, in the Air Force, or the Navy?

I don't really know of any for the bongistani armed forces, there are plenty of countryless military jokes like the Navy being full of sodomy or the Chairforce.

Quote

When someone's uses any quote involving patriotism or they say they'll die for your incorrect opinion, what do you think.

I think it's pretty meatheaded.
If you would honestly die over the right for some random meatbag in the street to call you a baby eating butcher then... I don't really see the logic of that.
Defending innocents, whether they are of your own country or not is to be applauded and that's what I would give the respect over. I don't put enough value in the opinions of the plebiscites to see what's worth dying to defend though.

challengerX · October 30, 2014, 12:58:17 PM

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Xboxdotcom · November 01, 2014, 12:11:20 AM

Quote from: Meta Cognition on October 26, 2014, 12:49:14 PM

I see the military for what they are: generally unintelligent grunts who sign their lives away to the State. I have no love for patriots who want to die for their country.

In saying that, no matter what those grunts are like, I have immutable respect for the individuals willing to enter service and kill for my security. I may not like a lot of them as people, but they're doing an unfortunately necessary job in combating Islamic Nazis and genocidal maniacs.

*kills self*

Flee · November 01, 2014, 04:07:31 AM

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Release · November 01, 2014, 04:11:43 AM

I don't like the cocky ones. Everyone else I have a moderate respect for

Forgewolf · November 01, 2014, 02:42:07 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on October 30, 2014, 10:30:50 AM

Quote from: Rocketman287 on October 26, 2014, 11:54:01 PM
They'd fight for our freedoms.
Our freedoms haven't been in danger since WWII

TAHNK YOU! I've been saying this for a LONG time. I was waiting for someone to say this.

R o c k e t · November 01, 2014, 07:55:01 PM

Quote from: Forgewolf on November 01, 2014, 02:42:07 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on October 30, 2014, 10:30:50 AM
Quote from: Rocketman287 on October 26, 2014, 11:54:01 PM
They'd fight for our freedoms.
Our freedoms haven't been in danger since WWII
TAHNK YOU! I've been saying this for a LONG time. I was waiting for someone to say this.

I guess you didn't see my response after this.
I meant "they WILL fight for our freedoms" if they become endangered.