Why do people join the Army and then...

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 11:52am

complain when they have to go to battle. YES this war is pointless. Yes I want it to end. But if you were so against war, why would you join the Military in the first place? I just had to suffer through a news program when these soldiers were complaining about leaving their family, having to go to another country, etc.

For me, its like working at McDonalds and complaining you have to touch meat or working at the GAP and being pissed that you have to talk to people or fold jeans. It makes no sense to me.

I grew up as a Military child. My dad was gone all the time. I hated it. He was in the first Iraq war, and I never once remember anyone in my family complaining about it. It was my Father's choice to join the Military and going into battle is part of the job.

Again, this isn't a pro-war thread, but merely, me trying to understand why the news is filled so much with "Why won't my husband come home" stories, instead of focusing on the actual war and the innocent people that we are destroying.

I just don't get it. For me, everything in life is a choice. Yes, we all have things that limit us. Decisions we may have to make because we need the money, but...there isn't a draft. Joining the Military to go to school, and then pitching a fit because you have to DO YOUR JOB, just doesn't make sense. Yes I feel for the troops. Yes they've been there way too long and do deserve to see their families, but...isn't it the nature of the job they CHOSE to take?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:03pm

They couldn't find a real job?

At least that is my brothers story.

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:04pm

Well I agree life is a series of choices. I also think the US Government should just have a contract that says nothing except signing on the dotted line entitles you or your family to whatever we feel like giving you. Nothing. Less than nothing. After bravely defending your country, you can go home with a tattoo on your ass that says "I lost a limb in Iraq and all I got was this lousy tattoo."

Hey BobbyBubby!

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:05pm

There are a lot of reasons why people join the military. You really can't generalize like this.

[chicolini]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:10pm

I totally agree, but some of the blame belongs on these "news" shows. I've seen some of them where they are practically interrupting the family's final goodbyes. Of course they are going to be angry about leaving and will say so when a microphone is shoved in their faces.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:11pm

Wait...what is he generalizing?

When you joing the army, you should be prepared to leave your home and fight for your country. That's it. Now...I do believe in the concept of the conscientious objector. And I believe that our government has put these soldiers in harm's way needlessly.

BUT...it's not like it should be some big surprise that the government may call upon you to do your duty. I mean...that's what you signed up for. And I think THAT, very specifically, is what Bobby is talking about.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:12pm

I'm just going by my brother.

He could have started his own auto shop or something like that, but he spent his youth just slacking off. He graduated a year late with a GED and didn't know how to manage his own life.

He joined the Air Force to learn structure. It's now his career. But to me, he still doesn't have any structure. He's just being told what to do.

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:12pm

I understand where you are coming from BobbyBubby but the problem is that even the men and women who signed up to "fight" are complaining.

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:16pm

But complaining about the innate aspects of your job is the American way.

Just like how I, a writer, always am complaining about not having any money.

[chicolini]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:18pm

Then join the army! They have a writer's division, no?

Edit to fix grammar, but now I'm not sure. The division is made up of writers, so it should be plural. Or is it possessive because the division is "of the writer"? Plural possessive?
This doesn't bother me on other boards - you people have me on edge.

Updated On: 3/9/07 at 12:18 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:19pm

Here's tree fiddy....


Sush.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:19pm

Here's tree fiddy....


Sush.

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:19pm

Ha! The marine recruiters tried to tell me that in high school. I could've been the next Al Gore.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:24pm

Well, due to double posting, you now have 6 dollars from me.





*Edit for spelling*

Updated On: 3/9/07 at 12:24 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:32pm

Also, why do Army wives get pregnant knowing full well their husband is going to war, and then complain that the Army is taking a Father away from his child that this couple CHOSE to have.

I've had sympathy for these types of people too long and today I just lost it!

You could always join the Navy! Much safer.

[DG]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:32pm

There are always some who join up to take advantage of the benefits offered, but have no real thought about what it is they are actually volunteering for - and those people essentially are functional idiots.

However, in this specific case, I think there are arguable grounds to claim that the government is not holding up their end of the good faith agreement with the military to not put them in harms way without justifiable cause. If the 'complaining' is about that specifically,I have no problem with it being heard - and I think we ARE hearing that more and more.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:37pm

Agreed, DG. It's one thing to be shocked when your are called upon to do your duty. It's another thing to look at the situation and feel that your employer is not holding up their end. Especially when what is at stake are your life and/or limbs.

[tazber]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:38pm

Diva,
3.50 + 3.50 = 7
I think.

Cal is right, complaining is the American way. And a lot of people join the military because they feel strongly about the ideals on which this country is built upon.
Defending those ideals takes a lot of sacrifice. I can not imagine how hard it must to not see your family for over a year.
They can complain all they want b/c at the end of the day, they are the ones who may not live to see another.

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:50pm

Lt. Watada

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:50pm

Whoo Hoo!

That worked!


Can I Pay Pal you the $1.00...You know, for like, a cash prize?

[tazber]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:56pm

And don't forget their tours have been extended repeatedly.
I can see how hearing the wives complain could get to be annoying, but I have such compassion for our men and women over there that I just try to empathize with them.

My anger lies with the gov't.

Posted: 3/9/07 at 1:20pm

Their families don't live in a bubble. They are part of our national debate. If we can all agree on one thing it is that no matter what the Armed Services contract may say, it does not bar them from exercising the freedoms that their sons, daughters and spouses are trying to protect.
Updated On: 3/9/07 at 01:20 PM

[chicolini]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 3:25pm

I think the complaining bothers me because I do value what the military does for us. They are out there fighting to protect us while I sit on my lazy ass eating cookies, so if I hold them (soldiers and their families) to a higher standard it is because I think they deserve it. They're doing something I don't think I could ever do, so I somehow expect that to carry over into all aspects of their behavior.

It's like Batman complaining he never gets a quiet night at home - just doesn't fit in with what I'd expect.

[lildogs]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 3:29pm

I would imagine that their disillusionment or unhappiness with the military also stems from the fact that most of the military is very young and not terribly well-traveled. It's very hard to be away from home when you're that age.

Posted: 3/9/07 at 3:57pm

Think Progress

Yesterday at the House Armed Services Committee hearing on veterans care, Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) attempted to stand out from the rest of Congress and argue that the conditions in Building 18 weren’t that bad. Instead of criticizing the cockroach infestation, he said, “I was glad to know that those cockroaches were belly up. It suggested to me that at least someone was spraying for them.”

He also tried to blame the soldiers for the conditions, stating, “And, of course, if you leave food around in a motel room or a dorm room at a college, you’re going to get some mice show up at some point in time.”
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I think hearing our government blame the the soldiers for the conditions at Walter Reed, might cause some of them to complain.
ThinkProgress.com