AnthonyRichkas said:
Sorry General. I just get tired of people in the military acting like heroes. The guy said EARNED the right to wear the uniform. Well if you got drafted you may have earned it. But if you enlist, it is your JOB. You get paid to do a job. Thats like a football player saying he earned the right to wear his jersey and nobody who didnt play football should wear one. Thats stupid. If you enlist it is your job. Doesnt make you a hero. You dont earn nothing. If you enlist it is your job to put your life on the line for this country. You get paid for that. Then when people get killed in active duty their famalies want me to feel sorry for them. Not a chance. Stupid enough to enlist. Thats their problem.
Okay, A.R., so according to your logic, teachers, priests, missionaries, astronauts, etc. should not be respected for their accomplishments because they "chose" to go into their chosen professions and weren't drafted or forced to do so?
People in the military do not earn our respect simply by enlisting, not any more than teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc. earn our respect by choosing to go into their professions. They all earn our respect by virtue of what they accomplish in their professions, i.e. living by a code of ethics/honor, sticking up for the weak, defending the innocent, prosecuting the guilty, striving for higher ideals, and just showing up for work another day when they don't feel like it.
Those in the military have passed rigorous physical, mental and emotional challenges and live their lives by a code of ethics. Some fail the physical examination or training. Some fail in the mental and emotional aspects. Some fail to conduct themselves honorably. If they do not, they are dishonorably discharged, and they forfeit their privilege of wearing the uniform.
I will be the first to admit that, although the military has more than their share of intellectuals, strategists, and outstanding individuals, they get their share of mental and physical "slackers," too. But the slackers don't last long until they can get into mental & physical shape and conduct themselves accordingly. Then, they have earned the right to wear the uniform. They may "choose" their lifestyle and commitment to the military, but that makes it no less honorable that they are able and willing to follow through with their choice.
I hope you're just trying to get a rise out of us and you don't really have such contempt for the members of our armed forces. If you spend any time at all around our soldiers in the right atmosphere, i.e., not at the titty bars, you will likely change your tune.
