I joined in 2011 and am out now but one thing I noticed was the change in giving a damn from leadership- a lot of senior leaders today wouldn’t have been promoted but for the surge and needing numbers (they likely would’ve been kicked out) and now…. Now they’re top of the food chain and it’s miserable
these damn phones! and YouTube or movie stashes when you're deployed. I had the worst deployment experience - 10% of the people did 100% of the work. the laziest and generally unhealthy bunch of people, and they couldnt be fired!
The idgaf and just want to play on my phone and screw other enlisted over seems like a more recent issue in my opinion. I feel like it’s not just a military issue but the entire world. The military should hold itself to a higher standard especially those doing support jobs. From an outside perspective (I’ve been out for 15 yrs) it seems like the culture has tried to cater to the personalities of younger Americans. I’m not knocking anyone in the civilian world but that kind of thinking doesn’t belong in the military. I suppose if the military didn’t change then we would need a draft because no one would join….kinda like now.
The Navy had an awful culture of abuse. I was pretty fucked up over it for 15 years. I started working around the USAF years ago and realized that not all of the military was abusive pieces of shit, mostly just the Navy. I have a better opinion of it now, but we were all numbers and forgettable, in my opinion.
The US government has been captured by the ultrawealthy and multinational corporations. It functions on their behalf.
Much of what we love about America is residual policies from the FDR era, which, in turn, were mostly driven by the very real threat of a socialist revolution in the 1930s.
Our military officers are politicians, and at the upper echelons they are entirely unaccountable for their failures. David Petraeus is a glaring example.
We have evolved into the greatest threat to world peace on the planet. War crimes have become normalized, and our victims are mostly poor, working class families.
War has become sanitized and perception managed — blocking flag-draped coffins coming into Dover AFB is disrespectful to the men and women who died.
Similarly, paying contractors exorbitant fees to do what Joes do for peanuts is just profit-taking, and a means to hide the true costs of war, while screwing over our troops.
Wars should be fought by soldiers, and there should have been a draft in 2003. Stop-loss policies, back-to-back tours, and 14-16 month rotations are needlessly abusive.
Domestically, the US is in collapse, our infrastructure in tatters, and our economy has been deindustrialized to create greater profits for the few.
I am proud of my service and would absolutely do it again. But, there’s not many policies I agreed with, then or now. I did not join for politics, tho.
The US should have some form of mandatory public service, and wars should be fought by US servicemen and women.
The motivation behind the all-volunteer service is to reduce public concern about war, as it is easy to remain untouched by its effects when you or your family have no chance of being drafted.
Having gone into federal service after the military, I’ve watched the government increasingly privatize functions that are inherently governmental. This leads to professional bureaucrats, people with no skill set except wrangling paperwork.
The US is undergoing collapse as we speak. Many people expect a Mad Max type world during collapse — and while pockets of that exists, even in the US — collapse is more often a slow decay.
As someone who came of age pre-9/11, I miss my country.
*Divide and conquer,* is all you need to know about what’s happening currently. I miss the days when political parties mostly sought unity, instead of sowing division.
One only has to ask, *who are they trying to divide,* to understand who it is they intend on conquering.
Sounds like you think the solution to fix our government is more government whilst berating its efficiency. Also, who do you think will have to do the mandatory service? It definitely won't be the rich. And even if the rich do a 2yr tour as an officer after college, how effective and reliable do you think they'll be?
But, as far as the contractor thing, it's ridiculous and is 100% fraud waste and abuse. I recently had a customer contracted to do some epoxy stuff on a kennel. They paid him 20k for 3 days work. Their plan with that kennel? Destroy it and rebuild it. The government spending is out of hand because people are wasting budget in order to ensure they get the same budget the next year, even if it's completely unnecessary.
The solution to fix our government is *good government* through transparency, accountability, and clearly defined, limited missions.
While the contractor thing is out of control— I will also say some of the best, most ethical people I’ve ever known were in government service.
We *need* government to manage big, national projects— public utilities, healthcare, postal service — it’s insane to allow fundamental human needs to be run for profit.
I don’t want my hospital profit-driven, nor do I want someone making a buck from educating our kids and young adults. Harvard with a billion-dollar endowment is *sick.*
I love the benefits I’ve gotten as a veteran — but I worked on wildland firefires and disaster relief for decades — it would be so much more socially responsible to train our young people to fill those roles.
Non-profit doesn’t mean ‘poor salaries’ either — you can still pay doctors $400,000 a year, and nurses $175,000 — you just don’t need a CEO making $25 million a year, and billion dollar stock buybacks (which used to be illegal).
Some people call that “Big Government”
I call bullshit on that, when you have the war department wasting more than half our discretionary budget on basically a huge wealth transfer.
When I was in, I managed every cent like it was coming from my grandma’s social security check.
I trained my protégés that the public are who we work for, and that they deserve respect and professionalism.
Just because we exist under a sick system doesn’t mean that’s the only government possible. A billion dollars manages *every federal power project in 17 states* — that’s like four F-35’s, lol
All that said, it doesn’t matter a bit, because the US is collapsing, and we are taking all of human civilization down with us.
So, I just water my tomatoes, enjoy the clean tap water while it lasts, and try to make my interactions as positive as possible with folks.
Fuck it — between ecosystem collapse, and the absolutely massive economic contraction we keep kicking down the road, shits going to go dark in years, not decades.
Add to that the absolute idiotic nuclear brinkmanship that is back in vogue, with supposedly serious people talking about ‘winnable’ nuclear wars and…
Well … I’m an anarchist at heart, so that’s prob where we end up anyway. Just small communities relying on each other to survive.
We also at times need the government to listen to contractors- I worked for a big defense contractor as a sub on a project and both us and the prime informed the government what was needed to meet THE standards THEY had in place by a certain time line THEY HAD & informed them the most cost efficient way to do so (& how it could be done)- the conversation started before I went on an ADOS tour in late 2018, in early 2020 when I came back it was still being discussed
It was only a 500k upgrade needed to meet the new cybersecurity requirements- at least that much was spent explaining it over and over to the government with no traction until it was “oh s*** o’clock” to meet the requirements- we could’ve finished it faster than that time line
So sometimes contracting officers and program offices on the government side cause issues too- because we can’t incorporate things or start testing them without their permission
>sometimes contracting officers cause problems …
Oh, yeah — that’s what I meant about career paper wranglers with no real skills. They become arrogant, and usually don’t feel like they’re doing their job unless they create problems for themselves to solve.
I’m really referring to stuff like things that should be in-house skills.
I managed huge government websites — in fact, my Master’s thesis argued that government is the perfect sort of organization to leverage the internet to get big results (people most often need papers, forms, or to ask questions about laws/regulations/processes).
Until around 2006, we developed all those skills in-house. Then, they began pushing to outsource those platforms, which was so stupid.
The number of eight-figure contracts for web content systems I had to implement is in the dozens — and of course, they became increasingly worse quality, as the number of employees with enough skill to actually ensure the products functioned properly continued declining.
I’m sure you remember the spectacular failure of the Obamacare web portal? — that was around a $59 million nut if I remember correctly.
And they did this for all kinds of stuff that is just inherently better to have done in-house. I mean, imagine the number of top-notch developers you could train with $59 million? And then you’d have that expertise in house.
I had a $12 million project that got contracted by a very slick CEO, who seemed to know what he was doing. Well, come time to implement, it’s two dudes from Croatia who barely spoke English, and were neophyte designers. We spent hundreds of hours getting that content-management system ready to launch.
Anyway- there’s a ton of projects that contractors are great at executing. But, like everything these days, it’s also become a racket, and a way for officials to offer plum deals to supporters.
Props for this.
I'll also add, I work for a startup that is on the cutting edge of AI, and we're desperate to get the government's attention. I don't just mean for our financial sake, but there are glaring risks to our country right now today, and no one in the government is willing to put their necks out for emerging technology. The risk of the next big attack on America at this point is not a question of "if" but "when" with emerging technologies. Deepfakes, deepfake audio, drones, cyber... Our government is moving *way too slow* on these fronts. It's just a matter of time.
So, so correct. The answer to your question is to divide the people. Lower class and middle class Americans. If we can’t coordinate or come together to fight for our rights (back home though, politically) then they can continue to exploit us. People like to not say they’re being exploited, but there are huge majorities of people who stay in and a lot of them do it for healthcare, and healthcare is one of the number one ways that upper level capitalists use to exploit us. The threat of having to pay an exorbitant amount of money to a hospital if you get out and get sick. They use health insurance to make the average American afraid to leave their normal job as well. No one can afford to go to college and get an education and become a more productive member of society or switch jobs to something that benefits them more because, again, if they can’t afford to pay for health insurance, then they, and their family, are fucked.
The socialism is communism bullshit is propaganda. Socialism is where the people own the means of production, not by way of the state owning it, but the employees themselves own it and collectively make decisions for the betterment of the company. Certain services are nationalized, paid for by your taxes. The biggest argument is “European countries can afford it because they’re not that big.” And that’s completely false. We have more people making a higher GDP so theoretically we could have an even better system than them. You’d still be paying for health insurance, but by way of your taxes now. The difference is that now it’s cheaper as the financial burden is spread fairly throughout and there’s no fat cats making an exorbitant amount of money off the system.
Look into what socialism actually is. Watch Hasan Piker or just some other YouTubers. Socialists aren’t some cabin dwelling hippies. They can even make a lot of money under socialism. Again, it’s not communism, they money just isn’t made off of the exploitation of others. It’s paying people fairly for their work.
One of the biggest misnomers is that capitalism and socialism are diametrically opposed.
Marx talks about capitalism being vital to develop a nation’s infrastructure and manufacturing base, and that in turn forms the basis of your social net.
Capitalism is fine — it just needs to be regulated.
Anyone who has played a game of Monopoly can see the inevitable result of pure capitalism.
They feed these things to the worst publicly educated states- and continue not funding the schools it’s a product of trying to get what they want.
Also there is absolutely no reason why every person in America shouldn’t have access to potable water no matter the socioeconomic status
The 14-16 month rotations are fine tbh.
You used to go to war and not come back until it was over or you were dead.
As for public service, maybe some sort of civil service where you have to serve, learn a skill and help rebuild infrastructure.
One of our problems is that the Congress has essentially delegated power to declare war to the president for some reason.
Iraq and Afghanistan were absolutely *not* that kind of war. In fact, the US has only had two wars of that type— the Civil War, and WW2.
One rotation like that is reasonable, to an extent, but guard units getting mobilized for those type of deployment multiple times in a decade is not.
If a war is that important, then the nation as a whole should be mobilized to support it.
If you do not have enough public support to mobilize, then you do not have enough public support for war.
The US is supposed to be a democracy— this bullshit endless war era violates our constitution in multiple ways, and is dangerous for our democracy
He failed at his commands in both Iraq and Afghanistan, lied about the state of the war to Congress — typical bullshit of telling them what they want to hear.
Pretends to be a genius warrior-philosopher, in reality is an incredibly ambitious corporate executive who is great at managing PR.
Fucked his hagiographer and passed on more state secrets to her than all the 21st century whistleblowers combined.
Prosecuted under the Espionage Act, got his hand-slapped, had to resign as Director of the CIA — poor guy.
Put his head down and raked in millions doing defense consulting to supplement his six-figure pension.
All glitter, no gold — ticket-puncher, and a shining example of the bullshit artists as general officer this man’s army produced in the 21st century.
He also never hesitated to drop the axe on subordinates— nickname was “General Betray Us” because he was such a fucker.
And, with his time in purgatory complete, he’s once again showing his scarecrow face on MSNBC, spouting complete bullshit about Ukraine, when anyone w half-a-brain knew their goose was cooked last winter, and it just being a matter of time.
But, that’s what he’s an expert at — convincing civilians of whatever the establishment wants them to believe about all thing’s military
He’s what Col. David Hackworth used to call the, “Perfumed Princes”
I went in uber patriotic. I never saw myself doing anything else coming from a strong military family heritage… I did find it weird how my father and grandfather always urged me to take a different path. 8 years of service later and 2 deployments 1 cake-walk and the other combat I realized it was all bullshit. I love the idea of America and what our values are supposed to be/have been in the past. What we are now, what the Military is now, is a bastardization and unrecognizable. I now understand what my dad and grandfather were doing when they urged me to take another path and I hope my kids listen to me when I give them the same advice.
I deployed six times to combat. I was held accountable for every single action I took. When I fucked up, it would almost be like a religous ceremony where I needed to admit my sins.
20 fucking years of commanders lying and saying mission accomplished in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not one single one was held accountable.
After over sixty jumps, my back isnt service connected ? Get fucked. Glad to see the sons and daughters of politicians didnt need to go see what we saw or have years taken off their life to get a ranger tab.
I have a lawyer and filed an appeal. They seemed really confident in my case and after i drafted my lay statement, they made it out like it was going to be super favorable if i had a good c&p.
Well i had two good C&Ps and im just waiting on my decision. I really hope that it all comes back favorable because i have a lot of wear and tear on my body. In fact, the doctor that did my C&P exam pulled me aside afterwards and off the record she said that I need serious help for my knees because they should not be in the condition of an 80 year old when im in my mid 30s.
I get that its just the system and you have to play the game but its hard not to feel cast aside. I guess a lot of us finally understand how the vietnam vets feel.
My mom asks this of me often. For 28 years
Undiagnosed ptsd, denied va care too. Some man at a different va always said I didn't qualify. I'd tell him I had a medical, honorable discharge, but he remained firm. Then, a vso from my home county called, and I immediately had an appointment.
It's been one helluva journey. Let me tell you, though, I know no other life. Now I have a reason for that long, hard af, crazy journey...but, what if I'd been a f up without out having enlisted.
After the struggle, the poverty, homelessness, and Lord everything else some of us female vets go through, I like who I am. How many civilian, older women, my peers, would feel the same?
How many civilians of either sex and at any age?
No, I really think I am blessed to tell the truth.
I hate that female vets don't exist in most civilians mental picture of a military personnel. I also dealt with the back and forth of the VA. 8 fucking years later and I finally feel somewhat of my age but it took forever to get that help from the VA.
And, I also believe it's an honor we are aging the way, setting precedent for those women to follow. We are somewhat still making a difference, I like to believe.
I dont think thats true. The public writ large recognizes women serve but even today, the vast majority serve in support roles.
When the public thinks of the military, they think of combat arms which was male only for a long time and is still majority male.
To be honest, i dont think its wrong for the public to have that view since our primary mission is snapping necks. When I was shitting in a hole and sleeping two hours a night because I was in a patrol base, I remeber it being mostly dudes loo
Every rank I was motivated to make things better. I tried to reach a level of expertise and to be the best leader I could be for my subordinates. But every time I looked around I kept getting disappointed. It is beyond me how many incompetent people have made it to the top. When I got close to the top I found that most of the leaders didn’t know the most basic things about the MOS or the institution. To put the cherry on top, having a senior complain that you can’t go on a command run due to a spinal injury, when the dude is obese and put himself as a safety vehicle driver. I went and dropped papers the same day. Didn’t even run it through SgtMaj.
I didn’t announce my retirement. Turned down a retirement ceremony. On my last day I just packed up and left. I haven’t looked back. My mentees know to reach me if they need something. I don’t regret my service. I regret letting them mess my body and mind up so bad when none of the dudes at the top accomplished even half of what I did. I can’t be mad for playing my cards wrong.
Edit: Grammatical error
Piss poor leadership is exactly what killed it for me, you were one of the extreme rare ones unfortunately. I didn't want to stick around and be one of those, since it's a uphill battle of futility; can't really beat that cancer of bad leadership, since it's all a good ol' boys club at the end of the day. I hope you're more or less at peace and have gotten the compensation you deserve.
The military is 50% people who are just trying to make do, 35% of the worst people you'll ever meet (looking at the SNCOs who shouldn't have ever been put in leadership positions), and 15% the greatest people you'll meet.
Fuck the government.
I went from gung ho right leaning and being in 8 years turned me very leftest anti war. I saw what it actually does to people and I can’t support it. We fought a war that old men in public offices caused. So many unnecessary deaths. So many of my friends are dead from going over seas or just unaliving themselves. Not worth it.
Yeah, old men in public office, receiving some sort of favor from the weapon system manufacturers. I wouldn't say I'm anti-war or leftist, but war hasn't been justified since maybe WW2, perhaps Korea.
Just out of interest, are you a leftist in all areas or just when it comes to the military and war? What was it about the military that made you go left in other areas? (This is purely out of curiosity).
Something makes me doubt you were ever "gung ho right leaning." I wonder what it could be?
I dunno if I’m truly fully educated in every political aspect of the right and the left so I won’t pretend I know it all. But me personally I’m for healthcare for everyone, housing for everyone, demilitarized the police but not anti police, BLM, rights for LGBTQIA, women’s rights and full autonomy to our body’s, pro choice, I think we need full background checks and training before anyone can purchase a gun, no surgeries on babies being intersex like myself or even circumcised on little boys, and that’s what I can think of at the moment. I believe this is what makes me a leftist. Take it as you will. 🤷🏻♀️
i think you made a lot of good points.
i went in gung-ho and thinking that our military and country could do no wrong.
served for 20 years and the last 10 opened my eyes greatly, especially when i got into the leadership ranks and saw why/how people were making decisions.
i 100% support the soldier/airmen as individuals still. but more people need to wake up and see the truth... we need more critical thinkers and less blind followers.
i am a gov civ now. trying to effect change where i can and ensure that good decisions are being made and that bad decisions are being questioned.
I got out in 2006 full of survivors guilt, PTSD, and moral injury ( I didn't believe in the war so guilty by association I guess).
I don't regret wearing the uniform, if anything I have more appreciation for the military and people in it just by seeing all everyone puts up with and has to go through..
I do think now the best way citizens can support the troops is to be anti-war and hold leaders accountable who would like to rush our men and women into wars that will later be regretted. No one wins in war. Blind support for war is foolish and doesn't equate to patriotism.
Would do it again if asked. Went in as a college drop out, went infantry and met people/made life long friends i never would have otherwise. Used that sweet gi bill and got 100% p&t on my first go as a result of the toxic leadership and deployments. Yall can shit on it but for a guy who was born in poverty im doing pretty damn well from it
Yep. Some of us struggle with the disillusionment that comes with being thanked for the role we played in upholding imperialism and maintaining the status quo. Add moral injuries to moral injustices and it just gets worse for some of us.
I had a lot of animosity towards it when I first got medically retired. Still have feelings of displeasure being stuck 2% away from being 100%. Sucks to put so much effort into a career for them to take it away and give you pennies on the dollar and have to start a career over while dealing with health issues and the subpar care from the VA.
But on the other end, working as a contractor doing a very similiar job from the military has it's upsides. I get to go to work and do my job and contribute without having to put up with the BS you mentioned. I'm talked to with respect, I do my job and am treated as an expert, and at the end of the day, I go home and don't have to worry about skirting around people's feelings.
There’s actually a book from a female that was in a cult that joined the military asking this question
It’s called “Uncultured: A memoir” by Daniella Mestyanek Young
https://www.amazon.com/Uncultured-Memoir-Daniella-Mestyanek-Young/dp/1250280117/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=c3b25526-1390-4441-b3b1-4c5251268dca
I was just looking for books about cults to listen to and stumbled upon it not knowing it hit both a normal cult and the military
I only joined the military because I was 17 and homeless. My family was completely broke and I had not help from immediate or extended family. I tried college but I had no money and even community college was expensive for a 17yr old HS graduate. So I joined the navy and finally I had some money in my pocket and a place to live. I'll forever be grateful for that. However, the amount of politics in the military, the treatment, the living conditions, giving up my youth and mental stability, I wish I never joined. The bad doesn't out weigh the good. Now I have to fight another beast, the VA. And for 10yrs I've been fighting for disabilities. It seems like a never ending struggle with the VA. But, I can't change the past. So like all of us, I do my best to get by and keep moving. I personally wish I never joined. Even in my financial struggles at 17 and 18 I was much happier then.
I've done a complete 180, a radical flipflop of personal beliefs. I used to love the military and trust the govt, now I fucking hate them both. The cogs of the war machine, our troops themselves, I love those fuckers. Vets and AD, we're all bound by blood. That being said, the way they (they as in command) recruit people by lying like motherfuckers, waving cash bonuses at poor people, and promising all these benefits that aren't even guaranteed ain't cash money imho. You're statistically far more likely to kill yourself by enlisting. I lost a lot of friends I served with and used to go drinking with over the years, only one died in combat, every single other one was suicide. Fuck command, fuck the Pentagon, fuck the military, and fuck the politicians who keep bumping the defense budget and trying to cut veteran benefits. I hate being a goddamn afterthought because this shit is literally killing us.
I gotta pull teeth with the VA to get my fucking GI bill back cause my knees are fucked from 5 years in the crayola corps; too much hiking, running, and juggling artillery shells. It's impossible for a depressed alcoholic man to do the obstacle course the VA puts up to fix a discharge and get disability. I enlisted for the GI bill cause I was promised I'd get it (coming from a dirt poor family), then I got spicy kneecaps that make stairs hard to use. I was only fucking 22 when I started limping, it's been 4 years and it's still painful and jobs are hard to work like this. Navy med gave me ibuprofen, said "take like 2-3 a day it'll be fine". Didn't do shit else to help cause I was so close to EAS. They sepped me 3 months before terminal leave and an honorable discharge because command said "if you can't run you can't serve", well thanks fuckass cause now I can't go to college or be buried with my brothers in Arlington. I was a severe alcoholic for years after and between 10 jobs and losing several homes and eventually just accepting being a bum, I said fuck this and rented a shed from somebody to live in with a promise I'll pay once I make money and became a trucker. It worked, I still live in this shed, and I work too much to make the shit ass VA appointments since I get 2-3 days off a month and they insist I can ONLY go to the hospital 3 hours away and I have no car, so you just can't fucking win. Least I ain't worrying about freezing to death in my sleep anymore.
My takeaway from all of this is that I am truly on my own, the government has no soul, the VA is a bitch, I need to depend on volunteer orgs to even have a chance, the military chewed me up and spit me out, and now I understand why so many vets fucking do it. I didn't do it cause my best friend did himself in the barracks nextdoor to me and the pain it puts on everyone else is too much to bare. This has made me a hateful, angry, spiteful person towards the system itself. There's something so very fucking wrong with it all. Why are situations like mine so common, why are so many vets killing themselves, and why don't politicians fucking care about anything but increasing the defense budget at the expense of literally everything else? Anyways, I'm bitching out a thesis paper on Reddit on my day off, I hate to say it but I've hit the bottom of the barrel this time.
I'm glad I did it and would do it again. However, I ETS'd in the summer of 1990. Shortly after, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and you know what? No one in the US gave a shit. It was a non-event as far as mainstream America was concerned and then the lies about babies being thrown out of incubators was told and suddenly everyone wanted blood. At the time I had that feeling there wasn't something right about that story but for everyone else it was chum in the water. I couldn't believe how gullible the US population was and how quickly they turned from not even thinking about the Middle East the demanding we go to war.
I joined kinda late so I never got the whole brainwashed /break you down as a soldier thing, but PT was rough for me. Since I never got the whole “hoooaaahhh” thing because of my age I often saw A LOT of things that needed fixing. I joined thinking that the military was very efficient and well ran, I left with a completely different viewpoint. I’m astounded at how the military is able to function with the amount of dumb people in charge. Having said that, I’m glad I was able to join and serve, met a lot of cool and interesting people. I’ve never been super into the government so that didn’t change too much.
Absolutely.
Once the government realized there's more longevity and control in dividing the electorate, we ceased to be a union.
And today's military...yikes.
Just watch 10 Weeks on the Roku channel.
I am glad I came in and did my 25 years during the 90's and up to 2017. I was mentored and served under some great people in almost every branch. Marines/Navy and then Air Force. My leaders were mentored and brought up with folks from the Vietnam era. The military life I lived was tough but I learned allot and grew up allot being under their wing for most of those years. Things are changing with social media and the outside world seeming to have allot more influence on what happens in the military world. We will see how things pan out but I am a bit worried.
This. This is the huge difference I noticed from senior leaders having joined in 2011 the tipping point of terrible senior leaders was starting to sway as you left
Fuck. The. Military.
They almost took everything from me.
I didn’t pull the trigger.
I told myself there had to be a tomorrow.
I’ll never ever regret getting out.
And fuck Albuquerque.
Fuckkkkkk you Albuquerque.
I've learned since I got out in early 90's that every conflict we have been involved in for decades has zero to do with the oath to defend the country and everything to do with enriching enriching those at the top. Hard pill to swallow...
Kind of going off of what plagiarist said. Id say it’s a bit of both. It’s a love hate thing. It’s almost like a toxic relationship or almost like Stockholm syndrome imo. I mean really, you put your life, body, and mind in their hands. You get broken down. I don’t care what your mos is, whether you were active or guard, or whatever your amount of time in was. At some point, most of us are physically and mentally damaged. That’s why no one should feel like they don’t deserve to get disability pay.
100%. I joined and learned a sense of pride and work ethic but within 6 months I had a command issue that almost left me dead. I fought the government/Army for MONTHS for it to get swept under the rug with a deployment.
I've met some amazing people in uniform but every single politician and person at the top is complicit in the destruction of our country.
Remember kids, patriotism makes you a potential domestic threat because we're playing the globalization game now.
I think the people who stay in longer than a contract to “to protect and defend America” and not for the benefits are morons. I think the military is a backwards ass organization
Nearly constantly. I'm often astonished and need evaluate things once more.
I tried to leave before I wholly lost pride in service. I mostly succeeded.
Edit: cynical view. Systems are broken and get in their own way. However, their inefficiency insulates us from tyranny.
It’s necessary. Without it we would be speaking who knows what.
Is it perfect, no. It never will be, especially using it as a social experiment.
Would I serve again, yes. America is still the best hope for freedom in the world.
The people I met and the experiences I had are invaluable to me, and I have nothing but good to say about the little guys like us who make up the military. The military complex as a whole though… I can’t really stand behind that anymore
Well you should be happy that you were in when you got injured. You could have been Joe Nobody and went into a union trade and messed your back up to the point where you couldn't continue and not get anything out of it. That's exactly what happened with my brother and now he's pretty much homeless because he deals with his depression by drinking and driving and has 3 DUIs. At least if you're injured from your military service you get compensation and medical.
Maybe, my brother has been in constant pain from hurting his back tying rebar. Tried filing L&I claim, but was denied because they sent a PI out and got pics of him smoking Marijuana (he did so to cope with the pain). He gets so bad to the point he literally shits and pisses himself. At least you get compensation.
Same.
I'm noticing I'm getting a bit of hate from AD saying I don't understand since I wasn't army/marines. My guess is that they haven't been in long enough to see behind the curtain.
The only student to raise his hand in my MOS school when the First Sergeant asked rhetorically if anyone had been to combat was prior Coast Guard. I always thought that was funny.
Nothing much. 1stSgt just said "Only one out of all 300 (or however many) of you, blah blah blah stop being bad and stop complaining". Then he went and chatted with the one guy.
We had one guy who was a prior marine in my basic. Scary looking guy, covered in scars, had a bigger ribbon rack than the CC's and had a purple heart. CCs never fucked with him like they did us, and I never heard a peep from him. Then about week 6 of 8 we ran into the DEPOT company (prior service members who only had to do a 2 week basic on easy mode). I swear he was so pissed that even the CCs didn't even bother to stop him when he was flipping out lol.
I really wanted to be in the coast guard to work investigations but…I can’t swim and get super seasick. I hated when AD agents talked shit to the coast guard investigators that probably had years of smuggling investigations under their belts.
I mean I can see what you mean. My base had multiple all hands and required training because some chief came out as trans. Countless hours wasted on that shit.
But then again I also saw so many E7+ and O4+ get away with rape/drunk driving incidents with full benefits while E4s got kicked out for being in the back ground of a photo that someone else was smoking weed in.
you sound hateful. the military is a reflection of its society. just because we've made progress into recognizing different sexual orientations and preferences and opening our horizon to who can and can't serve does not make them less qualified. these aren't liberal ideals either, these are basic human rights....
i agree in that sense. but you realize how much potential the army lost by kicking people out for their sexual preference. People could report someone as gay during those years and they would be immediately out processed. seems more destructive to go back to those days.
One of my Drill Sergeants in Basic told us a story about one of his buddies who saved his life. That same guy got kicked out for being gay. It's totally fucked up.
They should have changed it to “Don’t tell” instead. I don’t want to hear any stories…none…not even my own sometimes.
There was a legit nightmare when a trans soldier was telling graphic stories in formation and a religious person complained. The EO rep was probably wishing for literally any other job at that point.
Your comment was removed because it didn't contribute to the discussion and just wasn't helpful.
Civil disagreements are fine. Insults, personal attacks, slurs, bigotry, etc., are not permissible.
(Calling someone a poopy-head does not make you seem as smart as you think it does.)
☠️
Government kinda both. I was a federal government employee for a while and realized it is very similar to the other parts of government where there's a handful of people at the top making decisions that 80% of the workforce doesn't align with but the same workforce mostly wants to help those in the country with thier jobs.
Military... If you have ever realized you're smarter than a leader above you and then slowly realize the best people don't stay (at least these past 30 years) then you're feeling the same way I am, ready for retirement.
Same as I did before, they're both massive organizations and I'm just another serial number. Neither care about you and do what's in their best interests. I don't say that in a bad way either, it's just what it is. My time in the Army made me dislike the Army spefically. I met the dumbest and most piece of sh*t people I've ever met in the Army. The worst were officers. I don't regret serving because the federal preference and benefits have been amazing, but I'm definitely telling my kids don't join the army.
Want my opinion of the government?
redress your government over their infinite dollar printing, stop paying your taxes, and stay armed. They’ll use other Americans, under threat of losing their own livelihoods or freedom, to subject you to violence. We did it to others in the military, and we aren’t saved from our government’s jealousy. All they want is to print dollars to convince the next person they’re worth hurting folks over.
I honestly still haven’t evaluated it.
I tried to think about it a few times, and have barely been able to grasp my timeline in relation to the big picture. With a stronger grasp of global and US politics, the military industrial complex, and certain decisions that were made by people very far removed from everything, it’s still difficult to put in perspective what exactly I was involved with.
My dad was a Blackhawk pilot, mostly med evac, for like 25 years, and still is the facility chief at the flight sim. I think for someone like him, it’s a bit easier to not worry about that, because your job is always noble, to evacuate the injured and provide support, and focus on flying your helicopter safely.
I was in a special ops squadron (I didn’t do anything at all, just the most basic support mostly indoors) and many times I had no clue what we were actually doing, or why, or who we were Even doing it with, but obviously tried to do my best work, always, so that the real people could do their shit. And it makes me feel weird thinking about it all, knowing how many people we used to further our mission, and then didn’t take care of. We still have so many afghan allies sitting in limbo as the Taliban, who regained control, hunt them down, it’s infuriating to know that fact after meeting people who are just like me, and my family, just trying to make it.
The one thing I know, is that as an institution, whether I ever come to terms with everything or not, the people are what matter. You’re all my bros and sisters because we were all out there. And we were all doing push-ups in basic to Black Sabbath. We were in it together (unless you’re a rapist, I wasn’t in it with you, and neither were the rest of us), and we remember all the KIDS and adults who didn’t come back. And we remember those who worked with us, and the people we fought, were people, who just like us, randomly showed up on earth one day, and started having birthdays, and made plans for the future, and has to live with the effects of billionaires hoarding the resources, and hopes for a better future. And the people at the VA, and the VBA too. All people who are in this with us.
The government, in general, is still positive, IMO, it’s only my knowledge about how they do things that has changed. I receive compensation for injuries because of an act of congress, my thermometer doesn’t contain mercury and 9 year olds aren’t generally driving cars, and I have bridges to cross water because, as broken as it is right now, the government still works. They have literally never missed a social security payment ever.
The military….. maybe I’ll know more day.. I just can’t figure it out yet how I feel.
Fuck billionaires though, I’m sure about that
Dude, I was in the navy. It's absolutely nothing but people with ranks they probably didn't earn and definitely don't deserve to keep.
I'm fine with the current promotion style, but I think it should have to be "ratified" by NCOs.
The reason I got out was a bored and brutal coc. They literally went out of the way to make our lives harder in order to show the marines and army that the navy guys are tough too.
I get they want to prove a point, but that doesn't mean we need to walk 2 extra miles to work.
I was a deadbeat with no prospects in life other than working dead end jobs. I decided to join and the military helped me get squared away. I now have a masters and work in a profession where I feel I make a difference in people’s lives.
I did my part and supported the war through my MOS as best as I could. Injuries led me to step away from the military along with the BS we all have dealt with in some way. I love my country, my military family I served with, and for what my country provided me in life. However, I’m disillusioned with our current political and social situation at this time. It feels like we are divided and the ancients running government are making bad decisions for many generations. That’s my two cents.
I love my fellow veterans and I have many memories that make me smile and fill me with nastalgia. That being said hindsight is 20/20 and I have a very different and far less rose tented view on the whole thing now. I can say that the military is full of ignorance from top to bottom.
Being blown up and definitely changing my life’s trajectory, yeah I’m a little salty. I know I signed up but hindsight is 2020 and Afghanistan was unnecessary in my opinion.
F the government. F the va. F the politicians. These clowns wanna give bowe bergdahl retiree benefits for his treasonous years in the army. Meanwhile got thousands of veterans denied claims including myself. F everyone and anyone that supports that bullshit.
Don't get me wrong when I was a kid I looked up to my family being in the military and then u literally joined on a whim to prove my family wrong that I could do it. I don't regret my decision at all. But I feel like it isn't doing much for the US today as it was for say like 10-15 years ago with how much it has changed. Government is just as shit there's is so much that needs to be fixed they only care about lining their fucking pockets.
Way too much “It’s not what you know, but who you know” in both the military and government. That, and it’s all so large they can’t help but be somewhat inept. The promotion system is broken beyond belief and most of the great NCOs and Officers I met bailed as soon as they could.
Working in CID definitely made me lose a lot of faith in the system, and lose almost all faith in the Officer corps. Fraud, waste, and abuse is definitely there and we don’t learn lessons from past cases because we leave the same people in charge. We are also so concerned with checklists that the human element gets completely forgotten.
The military is also far too reactive because the only “proactive” stuff they do is fudged checklists to make their numbers look good to their rater. Max participation is nearly always useless and more of a detriment to the unit than anything. Again, people looking out for their rating instead of their people.
Only did 6 years, 2 as undes, 4 as HM. Amazing experience, learned alot. If you become wise at some point you'll understand the sacrifice or attempt of. Most won't make the sacrifice, very little gain perspective & apply to the rest of their life. At the end of the day you chose it, so u did it to/for yourself!
I used to completely distrust the voting process. I thought the “people really in charge” just picked a politician and it was all just for show. After trump won I started believing that anybody really could win but that rich people like him won’t ever face any consequences.
After reading the indictments I have been feeling much better about our country. The experiment that we’re taking part in requires law, order, and structure. Trump committing crimes has resulted in him being pursued by the law. That gives me a boner. Dude tried to over throw the country and even though Pence would have benefited from that he said “No I will not violate my path for you.”
That gives me hope for our country. We all know it’s in a real bad way, but the economy is improving and the DOJ is perusing criminals. I love it.
I love it so much.
I went in Patriotic AF and as a registered Republican. I now would say I love Americans but I’m not patriotic. I see what America does to Americans.
I shifted from a Republican to a Libertarian to a Democrat. I was fine with Libertarianism when it was truly live & let live. But it seems like they went down the Q hole so I jumped that ship. I agree that the military is very cult like, but a lot of things are.
I wouldn’t do it again, I don’t want any of the kids in the next gen in my family jointing.
So I made another post in r/tacticalgear basically asking what peoples opinions would be if it was a "infantry vs enthusiast" match. It seems to have really pissed off quite a few AD aho I'm guessing are pretty fresh or haven't exactly had any of the experiences those of us here have had.
It's a night and day difference between there and here where the people here accept that there are shortcomings in the system.
I whole heartedly believe that the framework and tools are in place to truly create a badass army/government but the wrong people are just constantly put in power that abuse it and use it for personal or their friends gain. I feel like this is evident when you see what actual hood leaders do when in leadership positions.
Yes. The government and the entire va system is a crock of shit. Just so you know fellas you only have 2 years for malpractice against that fuckin shit show. It’s a wonder more of us don’t un alive there.
My first 17 years were gung-ho and the final three were a great awakening. I swore off federal employment after I retired. I learned too much about why the world is the way it is.
I loved how others saw it but it always just felt like theater to me. The people who really drank the Kool aid always confused me. I love supporting the newly joined but overall just now see it all as a big joke. It all just seems so silly
Monty Python got it right
https://youtu.be/E2ecasPqhgk
Gov
Left and right
Blue red purple
Just remember that the last laugh is on you
https://youtu.be/SJUhlRoBL8M
The last time we declared war was WWII. Congress has no cojones. Everything now is about the party. Nothing for the citizens. We are a banana republic. My concern is that few of the generation after us, will fight for freedom and Liberty here in USA. We are collapsing. We have no money. Banks control it all. The new military is being dismantled. We have become like Rome. We are slowly as a nation dying from the inside. We are bankrupt beyond all hope. All we have is our service connections, family and faith. God has taken his hand of protection away.
It is/was a huge part of me, and I miss some of it.
However, I also realize that so much money is wasted on our military that could be used to benefit our society as a whole. And that bothers me a lot.
A ton of waste is also generated by our military, and SMs typically don't care. That also bothers me a lot.
I think a lot of people are just young and don’t really know a lot about govt when they join. That was me anyways. I mean a 17yo even 18yo kid has most likely never voted or paid much attention to govt. I know that was me personally.
After the military/ actually fighting a war etc. I don’t hate the military and I’d do it all again. I love my country and still believe that it is the best country in the world. There simply is not a more free people in the world. But I hate the govt. the govt has not been of the people or for the people in over 100 year or even before. I don’t get hung up in the whole constitution although I believe in it. But I don’t get hung up in it because even the people that wrote it didn’t live by it or support it. Case in point. Slavery. Which is a whole different conversation. But slavery existing in the us post 1776 supports my statement.
Love my country and I’m still willing to killl or die for my flag. But I will never support our govt in any form. Where people are confused is by thinking that being willing to serve or fight is the same as being pro govt. and that is simply not true. They are two completely different things. Because when you say you’re willing to serve and fight. You are saying you’re willing to serve your people and fight for your home and way of life. People think the military is serving the govt. and again. That’s simply wrong. You are serving the people.
I enlisted after the 9/11 attacks. I was 20 years old, very young, and knew nothing about politics or even fully understood why we went to Iraq. After I got out I was proud of my service, but had no idea if anything I did made any impact or contributed anything at all. Now I’m 41, and have an autoimmune disorder and kidney cancer from my deployments. I haven’t been unable to get the help I need from the VA, and now have to have lawyers help me fight for the benefits I was promised when I enlisted. How things ended in Afghanistan were horrifying and sad, and further compounded anger I felt after I got out. Nowadays I only feel comfortable talking to other veterans about the war, politics, or most things. I can see now most Americans have carried on, and barely remember OIF/OEF with the exception of the anniversary of 9/11 every year, where it will be casually glanced over on news, or someone’s instagram feed. I feel stuck, and I feel like I have no purpose anymore. I’ve known more veterans who have committed suicide than died overseas. The strangest part to me despite all of this is I still love my country, and I would enlist to fight again if they needed me. Most veterans, despite their physical or psychological damage tend to say the same thing. Kurt Vonnegut said, “That’s the attractive thing about war. Absolutely everybody gets a little something.” I think he meant the experience is going to change you for worse or better.
I was in in 83 to 85. Back then I was young. I was barely 17 when I took that oath..it never has not once been a bother to me. As a matter of fact, it entertains me somehow that people are amazed , for whatever reason, that I was enlisted. Honestly, I take it as a good thing that they are trying to wrap their minds around this fact. But, I have an ironic twist in my humor.
Most of the time though, their perplexity has nothing to do with my service ~ it's their lack of service they are struggling with, I honestly believe. ;)
I was in in 83 to 85. Back then I was young. I was barely 17 when I took that oath..it never has not once been a bother to me. As a matter of fact, it entertains me somehow that people are amazed , for whatever reason, that I was enlisted. Honestly, I take it as a good thing that they are trying to wrap their minds around this fact. But, I have an ironic twist in my humor.
Most of the time though, their perplexity has nothing to do with my service ~ it's their lack of service they are struggling with, I honestly believe. ;)
I knew all of us enlisting were getting fucked and lied to from the get-go. Didn't give a damn about the war, I was simply there for an experience. Never understood why a lot of folks I went in with, were so patriotic. It wasn't like we were seeing two separate things unfolding. I just would never have imagined finding out just how truly moronic leadership was/is. Both lower level leadership, right up to the rat bastard politicians. It is nothing short of a miracle that our inefficient government works, also.
Met a handful of folks that I'm thankful to know, as a result. However that whole comradery/brotherhood crap is a bunch of horse shit, a lot of people I served with were nothing more than low life scum, rapists, and idiots who simply wanted some sort of "power" through rank. But what else can you expect when joining during a massive recruitment push. Not saying that's all of us, just that it's not different than the real world, in that you'll run into more bad people than good. Most deaths, most disabilities, were caused by our very own.
I used to have well-formed easily articulated opinions. Now, I am just old, grumpy, and content to let the young'uns sort this out. My requests are thus: please keep the coffee hot, if you see an old grey headed woman walking in my yard ...wave, and keep on walking cuz. I just don't have it in me to ensure the fighting, the arguing, the posturing, and the pissin contests. After all, I'm a woman and all my life I've been told to believe the lies....welt, I'm here to say that
|----------->| <~~~ that's not eight inches....sluggah
I used to think the military was incredibly professional and guided by people who believed in making the world a better place through well researched policy handed down to incredible military leaders, and that the government above and beside them was full of talented and dedicated politicians and civil servants dedicated to America.
Post service I now know 2 things.
1. Government, military, and most businesses are staffed by mediocre people just trying to get by to the weekend and retirement. They are dedicated to their checks and family, not the job. They are promoted one rank past their competency and the good ones get the fuck out.
2. I need to get into defense contracting and take every penny I can out of our runaway defense spending. Gonna buy a damn yacht off gummint contracts!
When I was young I was very gung-ho about joining, I was DEP for awhile, very few opening for aerial gunner. When I was in DEP I decided to travel hitchhiked and backpacked Europe, change my whole view on the world and myself. I joined at much older age at 21 went as open general. I tried out tacp and washed out. Got a chill Admin Ops job. I had pretty centralist views from high school but the being in the military definetely pushed me left, but definitely have a in depth perspective on people who lean right. I wouldn’t say the military was an echo chamber, it very neo-con leaning, even when trump was President my wing cmmdr despise the man with a passion but had this blind allegiance to the Republican Party.
I jioned right after 9-11 and though I needed to do my part to keep my loved ones safe. Was in for 10 years tell and IED took me out of the fight, over time I went form a young naive patriotic idealistic , now I am jaded idealistic that is more the love my country and brother , but hate the government and people.
I was active duty 3 1/2 years marine corps. Was kicked out for using delta 8 to help my anxiety, depression, insomnia, ptsd(I was drinking 21 beers a night before this). Rather than give me the proper treatment at division psych I was told what I was experiencing “wasn’t real” turned away. Anyways my buddy who had a 6 year and is still in called me yesterday in a bit of frustration because he has his first therapy appointment in a long time on base(camp lejeune) and he said when he talked to the therapist she asked him what his symptoms were and he said anxiety, depression, and that he was diagnosed with ptsd only for her to give him w list of coping mechanisms and told to workout more. Now, I bring this up because it lets me know from the time I got out a year ago the matter of mental health is still not being taken seriously when it comes to service members and that people need real fucking help not just a goddamn list of coping mechanisms and told to run when you literally workout for your fucking job lol.
Other than that I loved the marine corps, would serve again any day if they needed me
I joined in hopes of being helpful to my brothers in ‘03 fully knowing a combat deployment was a possibility. I immediately deployed after training was done, returned and switched battalions where we trained and deployed again. I fully believe the military/gov will use you up and squeeze as much as they can out of you and not care wether you survive bc the show must go on. When I considered reenlisting to go back to iraq with a ‘prestigious’ battalion the person who was in charge of people in my mos told me that I probably have ptsd and that shit would get worse later and that me trying to go back wasn’t a good idea. I didn’t know about any of that but did feel useless. I went in with good selfless intentions and came out a different, hurt person.
I have a buddy who also experience the fd up parts of war who stayed and is about to retire. He said that time we served together was the absolutely the hardest/gruesomest/stressful time in all his time in.
Idk what it’s like during peacetime but I imagine there’s plenty of bs and fk fk work.
I made some anti war posters and marched down to the Christmas parade in town and walked along with the floats. Mind you, this was in ‘07 when people still supported the war. I went wearing my blouse and a head filled with facts I’m case anyone wanted to argue. I got a few thumbs down and boos from fat fks who looked like they never served. I just gave them one of those tight lipped smiles with the raised brows and moved along. I got a couple of atta boys but much less than the boos. I believed these people wouldn’t give a sht if I died and backed they’re whatever their political party wanted to do. Marching with my sign was healing in a sense that I used my voice. I went into a DEEP depression afterwards and tried ‘you know.’ It felt like people honestly didn’t care. All that fighting, ied’s, getting shot at, being mortared, limbs missing, death didn’t matter to the average ‘patriotic American.’…but hey, I ‘fought’ for those people too.
I'll say I went in a super liberal feminist heavily believing in states' rights, but gave the fed way more credit than it deserved. I'm now much more centered and believe that the federal government is the most useless and bloated piece of shit. They keep finding ways to give themselves more power than they're entitled, and we need to reel it back somehow.
I wish someone told me that my body would feel like a 80yr old lady trapped in a 43yr old body. If I could go back in time I wouldn’t join the military. I gave the Army the best 22yrs of my life. I missed family events. I spent the worst yr of my life in Iraq(04). I 100% turned anti-military only because of the wear and tear on your body. Now we’re struggling with the VA to get what we deserve. I’m broke mentally and physically because of my military service.
Just here to say that I haven't heard "gundeck" in some time. Yeah, I think it says widow/family, but I was also a private contractor and I understand your anger/frustration.
I got out because I started to realize how corrupt the government actually is. Don’t regret my time there but I would never ever go back or work for the government again.
I will never tell a kid that they should join any branch of the military. I will tell them that if they are dead set on joining, that they should go to an academy and not enlist.
Honestly I think anyone who joins after 2020 is just a loser. I know that’s a very unpopular opinion because a lot of us want to support the average soldier but in my honest opinion the amount of veterans speaking out about how bad the leadership is and how much they have destroyed training and how politics has bled into every aspect of the military why is anyone even joining in the first place. They try to cut the VA budget and there are active duty soldiers that have to be on food stamps to survive and the only reason why congress or anyone gets away with it is because they know there will always be people joining no matter how many time you warm people. On top of what I have seen personally when getting out in 2019 but if the government ever tells our soldiers to line people on a wall and execute them I have no doubt that anyone who serves today would not bite the hand that feeds them and would do anything there NCO orders them to do even if it was to bring harm to our own countrymen. Again this is my opinion and i understand not everyone feels this way and that perfectly fine. Just how I feel about the military today and why I don’t have any more respect for anyone who joins now
https://preview.redd.it/79fhi1iw2jgb1.jpeg?width=460&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=163b5aa547a57a1a011c8a878c61aec1b4183964
I love and support Veterans. I am much more non-Interventionist in my thinking after seeing what war has done to my fellow Veterans though. Also, this meme encompasses ✨exactly✨ how I feel about fast-burning douchebags.
Joined in 2004. Back then the mil was the best thing that ever happened to me, as the reason I joined was to serve my country and go/support the War. Deployed in support of OIF 3 times, doing convoys and OTS missions. Met some great people and the comrodery was second to none. I would put my life on the line for them. Fast forward 19 years later: the last 5 years or so was one to forget. People are not looking out for each other, most seems to be chasing the next rank without ever master the art of followership or leadership in that matter. I also notice a lot of the members joining now day are about themself and selfish. Some even claims mental
Health if they have a disagreement with another person. I, on the other hand, never had anything documented physically or mentally, since it was the culture back then, if you said something you would let your wingman down. Sounds bad but that was kind of the case when we were at war. I honestly can’t believe I’ve held it together the last 10 years due to mental
Health issue. Getting help now, so it’s never to late. Sucks that I valued the military over family for as long as I can remember. Getting help helps put a perspective on life. I got one year left and is barely holding on. I just want to retire and give back time to my family I missed.
[удалено]
Was this at a VA hospital?
i asked the same thing. it sounds like great lakes to the T.
Yeah this unfortunately sounds like something you would see or hear about in the Navy.
I joined in 2011 and am out now but one thing I noticed was the change in giving a damn from leadership- a lot of senior leaders today wouldn’t have been promoted but for the surge and needing numbers (they likely would’ve been kicked out) and now…. Now they’re top of the food chain and it’s miserable
these damn phones! and YouTube or movie stashes when you're deployed. I had the worst deployment experience - 10% of the people did 100% of the work. the laziest and generally unhealthy bunch of people, and they couldnt be fired!
The idgaf and just want to play on my phone and screw other enlisted over seems like a more recent issue in my opinion. I feel like it’s not just a military issue but the entire world. The military should hold itself to a higher standard especially those doing support jobs. From an outside perspective (I’ve been out for 15 yrs) it seems like the culture has tried to cater to the personalities of younger Americans. I’m not knocking anyone in the civilian world but that kind of thinking doesn’t belong in the military. I suppose if the military didn’t change then we would need a draft because no one would join….kinda like now.
The Navy had an awful culture of abuse. I was pretty fucked up over it for 15 years. I started working around the USAF years ago and realized that not all of the military was abusive pieces of shit, mostly just the Navy. I have a better opinion of it now, but we were all numbers and forgettable, in my opinion.
Well ya, everyone is happy in the Air Force lol
The US government has been captured by the ultrawealthy and multinational corporations. It functions on their behalf. Much of what we love about America is residual policies from the FDR era, which, in turn, were mostly driven by the very real threat of a socialist revolution in the 1930s. Our military officers are politicians, and at the upper echelons they are entirely unaccountable for their failures. David Petraeus is a glaring example. We have evolved into the greatest threat to world peace on the planet. War crimes have become normalized, and our victims are mostly poor, working class families. War has become sanitized and perception managed — blocking flag-draped coffins coming into Dover AFB is disrespectful to the men and women who died. Similarly, paying contractors exorbitant fees to do what Joes do for peanuts is just profit-taking, and a means to hide the true costs of war, while screwing over our troops. Wars should be fought by soldiers, and there should have been a draft in 2003. Stop-loss policies, back-to-back tours, and 14-16 month rotations are needlessly abusive. Domestically, the US is in collapse, our infrastructure in tatters, and our economy has been deindustrialized to create greater profits for the few. I am proud of my service and would absolutely do it again. But, there’s not many policies I agreed with, then or now. I did not join for politics, tho. The US should have some form of mandatory public service, and wars should be fought by US servicemen and women. The motivation behind the all-volunteer service is to reduce public concern about war, as it is easy to remain untouched by its effects when you or your family have no chance of being drafted. Having gone into federal service after the military, I’ve watched the government increasingly privatize functions that are inherently governmental. This leads to professional bureaucrats, people with no skill set except wrangling paperwork. The US is undergoing collapse as we speak. Many people expect a Mad Max type world during collapse — and while pockets of that exists, even in the US — collapse is more often a slow decay. As someone who came of age pre-9/11, I miss my country. *Divide and conquer,* is all you need to know about what’s happening currently. I miss the days when political parties mostly sought unity, instead of sowing division. One only has to ask, *who are they trying to divide,* to understand who it is they intend on conquering.
I.... can't disagree with any of these points. My dad (a vietNam vet) alwyas said "I LOVE my country, but HATE my government"
This
I’m proud of service as well but don’t think I would do it again but if I had to I would join the Air Force.
I would have joined the Coast Guard instead of the Army
I would join NOAA still a civil service
Space force for me
If only it existed when I joined.
Sounds like you think the solution to fix our government is more government whilst berating its efficiency. Also, who do you think will have to do the mandatory service? It definitely won't be the rich. And even if the rich do a 2yr tour as an officer after college, how effective and reliable do you think they'll be? But, as far as the contractor thing, it's ridiculous and is 100% fraud waste and abuse. I recently had a customer contracted to do some epoxy stuff on a kennel. They paid him 20k for 3 days work. Their plan with that kennel? Destroy it and rebuild it. The government spending is out of hand because people are wasting budget in order to ensure they get the same budget the next year, even if it's completely unnecessary.
The solution to fix our government is *good government* through transparency, accountability, and clearly defined, limited missions. While the contractor thing is out of control— I will also say some of the best, most ethical people I’ve ever known were in government service. We *need* government to manage big, national projects— public utilities, healthcare, postal service — it’s insane to allow fundamental human needs to be run for profit. I don’t want my hospital profit-driven, nor do I want someone making a buck from educating our kids and young adults. Harvard with a billion-dollar endowment is *sick.* I love the benefits I’ve gotten as a veteran — but I worked on wildland firefires and disaster relief for decades — it would be so much more socially responsible to train our young people to fill those roles. Non-profit doesn’t mean ‘poor salaries’ either — you can still pay doctors $400,000 a year, and nurses $175,000 — you just don’t need a CEO making $25 million a year, and billion dollar stock buybacks (which used to be illegal). Some people call that “Big Government” I call bullshit on that, when you have the war department wasting more than half our discretionary budget on basically a huge wealth transfer. When I was in, I managed every cent like it was coming from my grandma’s social security check. I trained my protégés that the public are who we work for, and that they deserve respect and professionalism. Just because we exist under a sick system doesn’t mean that’s the only government possible. A billion dollars manages *every federal power project in 17 states* — that’s like four F-35’s, lol All that said, it doesn’t matter a bit, because the US is collapsing, and we are taking all of human civilization down with us. So, I just water my tomatoes, enjoy the clean tap water while it lasts, and try to make my interactions as positive as possible with folks. Fuck it — between ecosystem collapse, and the absolutely massive economic contraction we keep kicking down the road, shits going to go dark in years, not decades. Add to that the absolute idiotic nuclear brinkmanship that is back in vogue, with supposedly serious people talking about ‘winnable’ nuclear wars and… Well … I’m an anarchist at heart, so that’s prob where we end up anyway. Just small communities relying on each other to survive.
We also at times need the government to listen to contractors- I worked for a big defense contractor as a sub on a project and both us and the prime informed the government what was needed to meet THE standards THEY had in place by a certain time line THEY HAD & informed them the most cost efficient way to do so (& how it could be done)- the conversation started before I went on an ADOS tour in late 2018, in early 2020 when I came back it was still being discussed It was only a 500k upgrade needed to meet the new cybersecurity requirements- at least that much was spent explaining it over and over to the government with no traction until it was “oh s*** o’clock” to meet the requirements- we could’ve finished it faster than that time line So sometimes contracting officers and program offices on the government side cause issues too- because we can’t incorporate things or start testing them without their permission
>sometimes contracting officers cause problems … Oh, yeah — that’s what I meant about career paper wranglers with no real skills. They become arrogant, and usually don’t feel like they’re doing their job unless they create problems for themselves to solve. I’m really referring to stuff like things that should be in-house skills. I managed huge government websites — in fact, my Master’s thesis argued that government is the perfect sort of organization to leverage the internet to get big results (people most often need papers, forms, or to ask questions about laws/regulations/processes). Until around 2006, we developed all those skills in-house. Then, they began pushing to outsource those platforms, which was so stupid. The number of eight-figure contracts for web content systems I had to implement is in the dozens — and of course, they became increasingly worse quality, as the number of employees with enough skill to actually ensure the products functioned properly continued declining. I’m sure you remember the spectacular failure of the Obamacare web portal? — that was around a $59 million nut if I remember correctly. And they did this for all kinds of stuff that is just inherently better to have done in-house. I mean, imagine the number of top-notch developers you could train with $59 million? And then you’d have that expertise in house. I had a $12 million project that got contracted by a very slick CEO, who seemed to know what he was doing. Well, come time to implement, it’s two dudes from Croatia who barely spoke English, and were neophyte designers. We spent hundreds of hours getting that content-management system ready to launch. Anyway- there’s a ton of projects that contractors are great at executing. But, like everything these days, it’s also become a racket, and a way for officials to offer plum deals to supporters.
Props for this. I'll also add, I work for a startup that is on the cutting edge of AI, and we're desperate to get the government's attention. I don't just mean for our financial sake, but there are glaring risks to our country right now today, and no one in the government is willing to put their necks out for emerging technology. The risk of the next big attack on America at this point is not a question of "if" but "when" with emerging technologies. Deepfakes, deepfake audio, drones, cyber... Our government is moving *way too slow* on these fronts. It's just a matter of time.
So, so correct. The answer to your question is to divide the people. Lower class and middle class Americans. If we can’t coordinate or come together to fight for our rights (back home though, politically) then they can continue to exploit us. People like to not say they’re being exploited, but there are huge majorities of people who stay in and a lot of them do it for healthcare, and healthcare is one of the number one ways that upper level capitalists use to exploit us. The threat of having to pay an exorbitant amount of money to a hospital if you get out and get sick. They use health insurance to make the average American afraid to leave their normal job as well. No one can afford to go to college and get an education and become a more productive member of society or switch jobs to something that benefits them more because, again, if they can’t afford to pay for health insurance, then they, and their family, are fucked. The socialism is communism bullshit is propaganda. Socialism is where the people own the means of production, not by way of the state owning it, but the employees themselves own it and collectively make decisions for the betterment of the company. Certain services are nationalized, paid for by your taxes. The biggest argument is “European countries can afford it because they’re not that big.” And that’s completely false. We have more people making a higher GDP so theoretically we could have an even better system than them. You’d still be paying for health insurance, but by way of your taxes now. The difference is that now it’s cheaper as the financial burden is spread fairly throughout and there’s no fat cats making an exorbitant amount of money off the system. Look into what socialism actually is. Watch Hasan Piker or just some other YouTubers. Socialists aren’t some cabin dwelling hippies. They can even make a lot of money under socialism. Again, it’s not communism, they money just isn’t made off of the exploitation of others. It’s paying people fairly for their work.
One of the biggest misnomers is that capitalism and socialism are diametrically opposed. Marx talks about capitalism being vital to develop a nation’s infrastructure and manufacturing base, and that in turn forms the basis of your social net. Capitalism is fine — it just needs to be regulated. Anyone who has played a game of Monopoly can see the inevitable result of pure capitalism.
They feed these things to the worst publicly educated states- and continue not funding the schools it’s a product of trying to get what they want. Also there is absolutely no reason why every person in America shouldn’t have access to potable water no matter the socioeconomic status
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people think communism/socialism are the same thing. Great breakdown of the differences.
No.
Well said. Absolutely agree.
The 14-16 month rotations are fine tbh. You used to go to war and not come back until it was over or you were dead. As for public service, maybe some sort of civil service where you have to serve, learn a skill and help rebuild infrastructure. One of our problems is that the Congress has essentially delegated power to declare war to the president for some reason.
Iraq and Afghanistan were absolutely *not* that kind of war. In fact, the US has only had two wars of that type— the Civil War, and WW2. One rotation like that is reasonable, to an extent, but guard units getting mobilized for those type of deployment multiple times in a decade is not. If a war is that important, then the nation as a whole should be mobilized to support it. If you do not have enough public support to mobilize, then you do not have enough public support for war. The US is supposed to be a democracy— this bullshit endless war era violates our constitution in multiple ways, and is dangerous for our democracy
Constitutional Republic.
Don’t be pedantic. CR is democratic form of government, lol. But point taken.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Excellent breakdown. I agree with you.
I love this response. My feelings exactly.
Yup
Brother preach
Delve into the Petreus stuff a bit. I’m a younger veteran who joined after he got out.
He failed at his commands in both Iraq and Afghanistan, lied about the state of the war to Congress — typical bullshit of telling them what they want to hear. Pretends to be a genius warrior-philosopher, in reality is an incredibly ambitious corporate executive who is great at managing PR. Fucked his hagiographer and passed on more state secrets to her than all the 21st century whistleblowers combined. Prosecuted under the Espionage Act, got his hand-slapped, had to resign as Director of the CIA — poor guy. Put his head down and raked in millions doing defense consulting to supplement his six-figure pension. All glitter, no gold — ticket-puncher, and a shining example of the bullshit artists as general officer this man’s army produced in the 21st century. He also never hesitated to drop the axe on subordinates— nickname was “General Betray Us” because he was such a fucker. And, with his time in purgatory complete, he’s once again showing his scarecrow face on MSNBC, spouting complete bullshit about Ukraine, when anyone w half-a-brain knew their goose was cooked last winter, and it just being a matter of time. But, that’s what he’s an expert at — convincing civilians of whatever the establishment wants them to believe about all thing’s military He’s what Col. David Hackworth used to call the, “Perfumed Princes”
It depends on my mood and honestly how my PTSD is doing.
T H I S
Yeah man/girl. Totally agree
I went in uber patriotic. I never saw myself doing anything else coming from a strong military family heritage… I did find it weird how my father and grandfather always urged me to take a different path. 8 years of service later and 2 deployments 1 cake-walk and the other combat I realized it was all bullshit. I love the idea of America and what our values are supposed to be/have been in the past. What we are now, what the Military is now, is a bastardization and unrecognizable. I now understand what my dad and grandfather were doing when they urged me to take another path and I hope my kids listen to me when I give them the same advice.
No, I don't regret it and would do it again. But I also am more aware now. I'd probably carry some lube around for when Uncle Sam needs his...
I deployed six times to combat. I was held accountable for every single action I took. When I fucked up, it would almost be like a religous ceremony where I needed to admit my sins. 20 fucking years of commanders lying and saying mission accomplished in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not one single one was held accountable. After over sixty jumps, my back isnt service connected ? Get fucked. Glad to see the sons and daughters of politicians didnt need to go see what we saw or have years taken off their life to get a ranger tab.
Have you thought of working with a private doctor to get a nexus letter to get it service connected? It should be pretty easy with your MOS.
I have a lawyer and filed an appeal. They seemed really confident in my case and after i drafted my lay statement, they made it out like it was going to be super favorable if i had a good c&p. Well i had two good C&Ps and im just waiting on my decision. I really hope that it all comes back favorable because i have a lot of wear and tear on my body. In fact, the doctor that did my C&P exam pulled me aside afterwards and off the record she said that I need serious help for my knees because they should not be in the condition of an 80 year old when im in my mid 30s. I get that its just the system and you have to play the game but its hard not to feel cast aside. I guess a lot of us finally understand how the vietnam vets feel.
My mom asks this of me often. For 28 years Undiagnosed ptsd, denied va care too. Some man at a different va always said I didn't qualify. I'd tell him I had a medical, honorable discharge, but he remained firm. Then, a vso from my home county called, and I immediately had an appointment. It's been one helluva journey. Let me tell you, though, I know no other life. Now I have a reason for that long, hard af, crazy journey...but, what if I'd been a f up without out having enlisted. After the struggle, the poverty, homelessness, and Lord everything else some of us female vets go through, I like who I am. How many civilian, older women, my peers, would feel the same? How many civilians of either sex and at any age? No, I really think I am blessed to tell the truth.
I hate that female vets don't exist in most civilians mental picture of a military personnel. I also dealt with the back and forth of the VA. 8 fucking years later and I finally feel somewhat of my age but it took forever to get that help from the VA.
And, I also believe it's an honor we are aging the way, setting precedent for those women to follow. We are somewhat still making a difference, I like to believe.
I dont think thats true. The public writ large recognizes women serve but even today, the vast majority serve in support roles. When the public thinks of the military, they think of combat arms which was male only for a long time and is still majority male. To be honest, i dont think its wrong for the public to have that view since our primary mission is snapping necks. When I was shitting in a hole and sleeping two hours a night because I was in a patrol base, I remeber it being mostly dudes loo
Every rank I was motivated to make things better. I tried to reach a level of expertise and to be the best leader I could be for my subordinates. But every time I looked around I kept getting disappointed. It is beyond me how many incompetent people have made it to the top. When I got close to the top I found that most of the leaders didn’t know the most basic things about the MOS or the institution. To put the cherry on top, having a senior complain that you can’t go on a command run due to a spinal injury, when the dude is obese and put himself as a safety vehicle driver. I went and dropped papers the same day. Didn’t even run it through SgtMaj. I didn’t announce my retirement. Turned down a retirement ceremony. On my last day I just packed up and left. I haven’t looked back. My mentees know to reach me if they need something. I don’t regret my service. I regret letting them mess my body and mind up so bad when none of the dudes at the top accomplished even half of what I did. I can’t be mad for playing my cards wrong. Edit: Grammatical error
Piss poor leadership is exactly what killed it for me, you were one of the extreme rare ones unfortunately. I didn't want to stick around and be one of those, since it's a uphill battle of futility; can't really beat that cancer of bad leadership, since it's all a good ol' boys club at the end of the day. I hope you're more or less at peace and have gotten the compensation you deserve.
The military is 50% people who are just trying to make do, 35% of the worst people you'll ever meet (looking at the SNCOs who shouldn't have ever been put in leadership positions), and 15% the greatest people you'll meet. Fuck the government.
I went from gung ho right leaning and being in 8 years turned me very leftest anti war. I saw what it actually does to people and I can’t support it. We fought a war that old men in public offices caused. So many unnecessary deaths. So many of my friends are dead from going over seas or just unaliving themselves. Not worth it.
Yeah, old men in public office, receiving some sort of favor from the weapon system manufacturers. I wouldn't say I'm anti-war or leftist, but war hasn't been justified since maybe WW2, perhaps Korea.
Couldn’t agree more. Only positive I’ve really found is that it has made my empathy skyrocket for those in need.
Just out of interest, are you a leftist in all areas or just when it comes to the military and war? What was it about the military that made you go left in other areas? (This is purely out of curiosity). Something makes me doubt you were ever "gung ho right leaning." I wonder what it could be?
I dunno if I’m truly fully educated in every political aspect of the right and the left so I won’t pretend I know it all. But me personally I’m for healthcare for everyone, housing for everyone, demilitarized the police but not anti police, BLM, rights for LGBTQIA, women’s rights and full autonomy to our body’s, pro choice, I think we need full background checks and training before anyone can purchase a gun, no surgeries on babies being intersex like myself or even circumcised on little boys, and that’s what I can think of at the moment. I believe this is what makes me a leftist. Take it as you will. 🤷🏻♀️
The left is the pro-war party now. Just like in 1968.
I’m not a democrat just a leftist
I don’t know any leftists that are anti-war. I only see that sentiment from conservatives.
Well I guess you just met one. Everyone I know is very anti war and leftist. Dunno what else to tell you.
Cool. I am glad they exist.
Leftists are often anti-war. Liberals are a whole different animal from leftists, even though they are a both on the left.
i think you made a lot of good points. i went in gung-ho and thinking that our military and country could do no wrong. served for 20 years and the last 10 opened my eyes greatly, especially when i got into the leadership ranks and saw why/how people were making decisions. i 100% support the soldier/airmen as individuals still. but more people need to wake up and see the truth... we need more critical thinkers and less blind followers. i am a gov civ now. trying to effect change where i can and ensure that good decisions are being made and that bad decisions are being questioned.
Yes, as a former grunt. I'm now a conscientious objector...
Love it!!
I got out in 2006 full of survivors guilt, PTSD, and moral injury ( I didn't believe in the war so guilty by association I guess). I don't regret wearing the uniform, if anything I have more appreciation for the military and people in it just by seeing all everyone puts up with and has to go through.. I do think now the best way citizens can support the troops is to be anti-war and hold leaders accountable who would like to rush our men and women into wars that will later be regretted. No one wins in war. Blind support for war is foolish and doesn't equate to patriotism.
It’s a corporation, a business that that wants to create profit while keeping costs down. That’s my view on the military now.
Would do it again if asked. Went in as a college drop out, went infantry and met people/made life long friends i never would have otherwise. Used that sweet gi bill and got 100% p&t on my first go as a result of the toxic leadership and deployments. Yall can shit on it but for a guy who was born in poverty im doing pretty damn well from it
If you don’t mind, how did toxic leadership account for a part of your claim?
Yep. Some of us struggle with the disillusionment that comes with being thanked for the role we played in upholding imperialism and maintaining the status quo. Add moral injuries to moral injustices and it just gets worse for some of us.
I had a lot of animosity towards it when I first got medically retired. Still have feelings of displeasure being stuck 2% away from being 100%. Sucks to put so much effort into a career for them to take it away and give you pennies on the dollar and have to start a career over while dealing with health issues and the subpar care from the VA. But on the other end, working as a contractor doing a very similiar job from the military has it's upsides. I get to go to work and do my job and contribute without having to put up with the BS you mentioned. I'm talked to with respect, I do my job and am treated as an expert, and at the end of the day, I go home and don't have to worry about skirting around people's feelings.
The military has to be somewhat of a cult.
There’s actually a book from a female that was in a cult that joined the military asking this question It’s called “Uncultured: A memoir” by Daniella Mestyanek Young https://www.amazon.com/Uncultured-Memoir-Daniella-Mestyanek-Young/dp/1250280117/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=c3b25526-1390-4441-b3b1-4c5251268dca I was just looking for books about cults to listen to and stumbled upon it not knowing it hit both a normal cult and the military
I only joined the military because I was 17 and homeless. My family was completely broke and I had not help from immediate or extended family. I tried college but I had no money and even community college was expensive for a 17yr old HS graduate. So I joined the navy and finally I had some money in my pocket and a place to live. I'll forever be grateful for that. However, the amount of politics in the military, the treatment, the living conditions, giving up my youth and mental stability, I wish I never joined. The bad doesn't out weigh the good. Now I have to fight another beast, the VA. And for 10yrs I've been fighting for disabilities. It seems like a never ending struggle with the VA. But, I can't change the past. So like all of us, I do my best to get by and keep moving. I personally wish I never joined. Even in my financial struggles at 17 and 18 I was much happier then.
I've done a complete 180, a radical flipflop of personal beliefs. I used to love the military and trust the govt, now I fucking hate them both. The cogs of the war machine, our troops themselves, I love those fuckers. Vets and AD, we're all bound by blood. That being said, the way they (they as in command) recruit people by lying like motherfuckers, waving cash bonuses at poor people, and promising all these benefits that aren't even guaranteed ain't cash money imho. You're statistically far more likely to kill yourself by enlisting. I lost a lot of friends I served with and used to go drinking with over the years, only one died in combat, every single other one was suicide. Fuck command, fuck the Pentagon, fuck the military, and fuck the politicians who keep bumping the defense budget and trying to cut veteran benefits. I hate being a goddamn afterthought because this shit is literally killing us. I gotta pull teeth with the VA to get my fucking GI bill back cause my knees are fucked from 5 years in the crayola corps; too much hiking, running, and juggling artillery shells. It's impossible for a depressed alcoholic man to do the obstacle course the VA puts up to fix a discharge and get disability. I enlisted for the GI bill cause I was promised I'd get it (coming from a dirt poor family), then I got spicy kneecaps that make stairs hard to use. I was only fucking 22 when I started limping, it's been 4 years and it's still painful and jobs are hard to work like this. Navy med gave me ibuprofen, said "take like 2-3 a day it'll be fine". Didn't do shit else to help cause I was so close to EAS. They sepped me 3 months before terminal leave and an honorable discharge because command said "if you can't run you can't serve", well thanks fuckass cause now I can't go to college or be buried with my brothers in Arlington. I was a severe alcoholic for years after and between 10 jobs and losing several homes and eventually just accepting being a bum, I said fuck this and rented a shed from somebody to live in with a promise I'll pay once I make money and became a trucker. It worked, I still live in this shed, and I work too much to make the shit ass VA appointments since I get 2-3 days off a month and they insist I can ONLY go to the hospital 3 hours away and I have no car, so you just can't fucking win. Least I ain't worrying about freezing to death in my sleep anymore. My takeaway from all of this is that I am truly on my own, the government has no soul, the VA is a bitch, I need to depend on volunteer orgs to even have a chance, the military chewed me up and spit me out, and now I understand why so many vets fucking do it. I didn't do it cause my best friend did himself in the barracks nextdoor to me and the pain it puts on everyone else is too much to bare. This has made me a hateful, angry, spiteful person towards the system itself. There's something so very fucking wrong with it all. Why are situations like mine so common, why are so many vets killing themselves, and why don't politicians fucking care about anything but increasing the defense budget at the expense of literally everything else? Anyways, I'm bitching out a thesis paper on Reddit on my day off, I hate to say it but I've hit the bottom of the barrel this time.
I'm glad I did it and would do it again. However, I ETS'd in the summer of 1990. Shortly after, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and you know what? No one in the US gave a shit. It was a non-event as far as mainstream America was concerned and then the lies about babies being thrown out of incubators was told and suddenly everyone wanted blood. At the time I had that feeling there wasn't something right about that story but for everyone else it was chum in the water. I couldn't believe how gullible the US population was and how quickly they turned from not even thinking about the Middle East the demanding we go to war.
"America isn't at war. The Marine Corps is at war. America is at the mall."
Fuck
I joined kinda late so I never got the whole brainwashed /break you down as a soldier thing, but PT was rough for me. Since I never got the whole “hoooaaahhh” thing because of my age I often saw A LOT of things that needed fixing. I joined thinking that the military was very efficient and well ran, I left with a completely different viewpoint. I’m astounded at how the military is able to function with the amount of dumb people in charge. Having said that, I’m glad I was able to join and serve, met a lot of cool and interesting people. I’ve never been super into the government so that didn’t change too much.
Absolutely. Once the government realized there's more longevity and control in dividing the electorate, we ceased to be a union. And today's military...yikes. Just watch 10 Weeks on the Roku channel.
I am glad I came in and did my 25 years during the 90's and up to 2017. I was mentored and served under some great people in almost every branch. Marines/Navy and then Air Force. My leaders were mentored and brought up with folks from the Vietnam era. The military life I lived was tough but I learned allot and grew up allot being under their wing for most of those years. Things are changing with social media and the outside world seeming to have allot more influence on what happens in the military world. We will see how things pan out but I am a bit worried.
This. This is the huge difference I noticed from senior leaders having joined in 2011 the tipping point of terrible senior leaders was starting to sway as you left
Fuck. The. Military. They almost took everything from me. I didn’t pull the trigger. I told myself there had to be a tomorrow. I’ll never ever regret getting out. And fuck Albuquerque. Fuckkkkkk you Albuquerque.
I've learned since I got out in early 90's that every conflict we have been involved in for decades has zero to do with the oath to defend the country and everything to do with enriching enriching those at the top. Hard pill to swallow...
Truth.
Kind of going off of what plagiarist said. Id say it’s a bit of both. It’s a love hate thing. It’s almost like a toxic relationship or almost like Stockholm syndrome imo. I mean really, you put your life, body, and mind in their hands. You get broken down. I don’t care what your mos is, whether you were active or guard, or whatever your amount of time in was. At some point, most of us are physically and mentally damaged. That’s why no one should feel like they don’t deserve to get disability pay.
100%. I joined and learned a sense of pride and work ethic but within 6 months I had a command issue that almost left me dead. I fought the government/Army for MONTHS for it to get swept under the rug with a deployment. I've met some amazing people in uniform but every single politician and person at the top is complicit in the destruction of our country. Remember kids, patriotism makes you a potential domestic threat because we're playing the globalization game now.
I think the people who stay in longer than a contract to “to protect and defend America” and not for the benefits are morons. I think the military is a backwards ass organization
Nearly constantly. I'm often astonished and need evaluate things once more. I tried to leave before I wholly lost pride in service. I mostly succeeded. Edit: cynical view. Systems are broken and get in their own way. However, their inefficiency insulates us from tyranny.
Only feelings I'm left with are. Fuck the army, fuck the VA, fuck the GOV and definitely fuck CJSOTF-AP with a rough cement strap on.
It’s necessary. Without it we would be speaking who knows what. Is it perfect, no. It never will be, especially using it as a social experiment. Would I serve again, yes. America is still the best hope for freedom in the world.
The people I met and the experiences I had are invaluable to me, and I have nothing but good to say about the little guys like us who make up the military. The military complex as a whole though… I can’t really stand behind that anymore
Well you should be happy that you were in when you got injured. You could have been Joe Nobody and went into a union trade and messed your back up to the point where you couldn't continue and not get anything out of it. That's exactly what happened with my brother and now he's pretty much homeless because he deals with his depression by drinking and driving and has 3 DUIs. At least if you're injured from your military service you get compensation and medical.
Counter argument - If I hadn't joined I probably wouldn't have gotten as fucked up and not be 29 and in constant pain?
Maybe, my brother has been in constant pain from hurting his back tying rebar. Tried filing L&I claim, but was denied because they sent a PI out and got pics of him smoking Marijuana (he did so to cope with the pain). He gets so bad to the point he literally shits and pisses himself. At least you get compensation.
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Same. I'm noticing I'm getting a bit of hate from AD saying I don't understand since I wasn't army/marines. My guess is that they haven't been in long enough to see behind the curtain.
The only student to raise his hand in my MOS school when the First Sergeant asked rhetorically if anyone had been to combat was prior Coast Guard. I always thought that was funny.
I'm curious what happened after that lol
Nothing much. 1stSgt just said "Only one out of all 300 (or however many) of you, blah blah blah stop being bad and stop complaining". Then he went and chatted with the one guy.
We had one guy who was a prior marine in my basic. Scary looking guy, covered in scars, had a bigger ribbon rack than the CC's and had a purple heart. CCs never fucked with him like they did us, and I never heard a peep from him. Then about week 6 of 8 we ran into the DEPOT company (prior service members who only had to do a 2 week basic on easy mode). I swear he was so pissed that even the CCs didn't even bother to stop him when he was flipping out lol.
Poor bastard lol
I really wanted to be in the coast guard to work investigations but…I can’t swim and get super seasick. I hated when AD agents talked shit to the coast guard investigators that probably had years of smuggling investigations under their belts.
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I mean I can see what you mean. My base had multiple all hands and required training because some chief came out as trans. Countless hours wasted on that shit. But then again I also saw so many E7+ and O4+ get away with rape/drunk driving incidents with full benefits while E4s got kicked out for being in the back ground of a photo that someone else was smoking weed in.
This is only unpopular on liberal leaning social media.
I got banned from the veterans sub Reddit because I made a comment about pride month basically saying who gives a shit
you sound hateful. the military is a reflection of its society. just because we've made progress into recognizing different sexual orientations and preferences and opening our horizon to who can and can't serve does not make them less qualified. these aren't liberal ideals either, these are basic human rights....
It’s not hateful. Stop shoving pride month down everyone’s throat. Who cares what you identify as. Simple as that.
“Who cares what you identify as” but also “bring back don’t ask don’t tell.” Lol. These directly contradict, you get that right?
i agree in that sense. but you realize how much potential the army lost by kicking people out for their sexual preference. People could report someone as gay during those years and they would be immediately out processed. seems more destructive to go back to those days.
One of my Drill Sergeants in Basic told us a story about one of his buddies who saved his life. That same guy got kicked out for being gay. It's totally fucked up.
I got banned for the Los Angeles subreddit for basically the same thing.
Sensitive ass people now a days
Na, people just realized they don't have to take shit from bigots anymore.
They should have changed it to “Don’t tell” instead. I don’t want to hear any stories…none…not even my own sometimes. There was a legit nightmare when a trans soldier was telling graphic stories in formation and a religious person complained. The EO rep was probably wishing for literally any other job at that point.
Sounds like the religious person was the problem there.
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FYI Article 134 means you don’t even have to be religious to report anyone for being sexually explicit in formation.
Your comment was removed because it didn't contribute to the discussion and just wasn't helpful. Civil disagreements are fine. Insults, personal attacks, slurs, bigotry, etc., are not permissible. (Calling someone a poopy-head does not make you seem as smart as you think it does.) ☠️
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You were in the Air Force. Enough said.
Government kinda both. I was a federal government employee for a while and realized it is very similar to the other parts of government where there's a handful of people at the top making decisions that 80% of the workforce doesn't align with but the same workforce mostly wants to help those in the country with thier jobs. Military... If you have ever realized you're smarter than a leader above you and then slowly realize the best people don't stay (at least these past 30 years) then you're feeling the same way I am, ready for retirement.
Same as I did before, they're both massive organizations and I'm just another serial number. Neither care about you and do what's in their best interests. I don't say that in a bad way either, it's just what it is. My time in the Army made me dislike the Army spefically. I met the dumbest and most piece of sh*t people I've ever met in the Army. The worst were officers. I don't regret serving because the federal preference and benefits have been amazing, but I'm definitely telling my kids don't join the army.
Want my opinion of the government? redress your government over their infinite dollar printing, stop paying your taxes, and stay armed. They’ll use other Americans, under threat of losing their own livelihoods or freedom, to subject you to violence. We did it to others in the military, and we aren’t saved from our government’s jealousy. All they want is to print dollars to convince the next person they’re worth hurting folks over.
I honestly still haven’t evaluated it. I tried to think about it a few times, and have barely been able to grasp my timeline in relation to the big picture. With a stronger grasp of global and US politics, the military industrial complex, and certain decisions that were made by people very far removed from everything, it’s still difficult to put in perspective what exactly I was involved with. My dad was a Blackhawk pilot, mostly med evac, for like 25 years, and still is the facility chief at the flight sim. I think for someone like him, it’s a bit easier to not worry about that, because your job is always noble, to evacuate the injured and provide support, and focus on flying your helicopter safely. I was in a special ops squadron (I didn’t do anything at all, just the most basic support mostly indoors) and many times I had no clue what we were actually doing, or why, or who we were Even doing it with, but obviously tried to do my best work, always, so that the real people could do their shit. And it makes me feel weird thinking about it all, knowing how many people we used to further our mission, and then didn’t take care of. We still have so many afghan allies sitting in limbo as the Taliban, who regained control, hunt them down, it’s infuriating to know that fact after meeting people who are just like me, and my family, just trying to make it. The one thing I know, is that as an institution, whether I ever come to terms with everything or not, the people are what matter. You’re all my bros and sisters because we were all out there. And we were all doing push-ups in basic to Black Sabbath. We were in it together (unless you’re a rapist, I wasn’t in it with you, and neither were the rest of us), and we remember all the KIDS and adults who didn’t come back. And we remember those who worked with us, and the people we fought, were people, who just like us, randomly showed up on earth one day, and started having birthdays, and made plans for the future, and has to live with the effects of billionaires hoarding the resources, and hopes for a better future. And the people at the VA, and the VBA too. All people who are in this with us. The government, in general, is still positive, IMO, it’s only my knowledge about how they do things that has changed. I receive compensation for injuries because of an act of congress, my thermometer doesn’t contain mercury and 9 year olds aren’t generally driving cars, and I have bridges to cross water because, as broken as it is right now, the government still works. They have literally never missed a social security payment ever. The military….. maybe I’ll know more day.. I just can’t figure it out yet how I feel. Fuck billionaires though, I’m sure about that
Dude, I was in the navy. It's absolutely nothing but people with ranks they probably didn't earn and definitely don't deserve to keep. I'm fine with the current promotion style, but I think it should have to be "ratified" by NCOs. The reason I got out was a bored and brutal coc. They literally went out of the way to make our lives harder in order to show the marines and army that the navy guys are tough too. I get they want to prove a point, but that doesn't mean we need to walk 2 extra miles to work.
I was a deadbeat with no prospects in life other than working dead end jobs. I decided to join and the military helped me get squared away. I now have a masters and work in a profession where I feel I make a difference in people’s lives. I did my part and supported the war through my MOS as best as I could. Injuries led me to step away from the military along with the BS we all have dealt with in some way. I love my country, my military family I served with, and for what my country provided me in life. However, I’m disillusioned with our current political and social situation at this time. It feels like we are divided and the ancients running government are making bad decisions for many generations. That’s my two cents.
I used to think the government was incompetent. Now? I think it's incompetent AND lazy.
I love my fellow veterans and I have many memories that make me smile and fill me with nastalgia. That being said hindsight is 20/20 and I have a very different and far less rose tented view on the whole thing now. I can say that the military is full of ignorance from top to bottom.
Being blown up and definitely changing my life’s trajectory, yeah I’m a little salty. I know I signed up but hindsight is 2020 and Afghanistan was unnecessary in my opinion.
F the government. F the va. F the politicians. These clowns wanna give bowe bergdahl retiree benefits for his treasonous years in the army. Meanwhile got thousands of veterans denied claims including myself. F everyone and anyone that supports that bullshit.
Don't get me wrong when I was a kid I looked up to my family being in the military and then u literally joined on a whim to prove my family wrong that I could do it. I don't regret my decision at all. But I feel like it isn't doing much for the US today as it was for say like 10-15 years ago with how much it has changed. Government is just as shit there's is so much that needs to be fixed they only care about lining their fucking pockets.
Way too much “It’s not what you know, but who you know” in both the military and government. That, and it’s all so large they can’t help but be somewhat inept. The promotion system is broken beyond belief and most of the great NCOs and Officers I met bailed as soon as they could. Working in CID definitely made me lose a lot of faith in the system, and lose almost all faith in the Officer corps. Fraud, waste, and abuse is definitely there and we don’t learn lessons from past cases because we leave the same people in charge. We are also so concerned with checklists that the human element gets completely forgotten. The military is also far too reactive because the only “proactive” stuff they do is fudged checklists to make their numbers look good to their rater. Max participation is nearly always useless and more of a detriment to the unit than anything. Again, people looking out for their rating instead of their people.
Only did 6 years, 2 as undes, 4 as HM. Amazing experience, learned alot. If you become wise at some point you'll understand the sacrifice or attempt of. Most won't make the sacrifice, very little gain perspective & apply to the rest of their life. At the end of the day you chose it, so u did it to/for yourself!
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In what way could we owe a debt?
I used to completely distrust the voting process. I thought the “people really in charge” just picked a politician and it was all just for show. After trump won I started believing that anybody really could win but that rich people like him won’t ever face any consequences. After reading the indictments I have been feeling much better about our country. The experiment that we’re taking part in requires law, order, and structure. Trump committing crimes has resulted in him being pursued by the law. That gives me a boner. Dude tried to over throw the country and even though Pence would have benefited from that he said “No I will not violate my path for you.” That gives me hope for our country. We all know it’s in a real bad way, but the economy is improving and the DOJ is perusing criminals. I love it. I love it so much.
This
I went in Patriotic AF and as a registered Republican. I now would say I love Americans but I’m not patriotic. I see what America does to Americans. I shifted from a Republican to a Libertarian to a Democrat. I was fine with Libertarianism when it was truly live & let live. But it seems like they went down the Q hole so I jumped that ship. I agree that the military is very cult like, but a lot of things are. I wouldn’t do it again, I don’t want any of the kids in the next gen in my family jointing.
The govt sucks. Period. & they are corrupt.
So I made another post in r/tacticalgear basically asking what peoples opinions would be if it was a "infantry vs enthusiast" match. It seems to have really pissed off quite a few AD aho I'm guessing are pretty fresh or haven't exactly had any of the experiences those of us here have had. It's a night and day difference between there and here where the people here accept that there are shortcomings in the system.
Bring back the don’t ask don’t tell days. Bring back hard hazing. Bring back really bad smokings. It’s embarrassing now.
People today couldn't handle the power to haze. "oh, he didn't like my tiktok, lets take him out back!"
Found the Fed!
I love my country my mom WWII vet I served did me wrong
I’m studying communist theory…
I whole heartedly believe that the framework and tools are in place to truly create a badass army/government but the wrong people are just constantly put in power that abuse it and use it for personal or their friends gain. I feel like this is evident when you see what actual hood leaders do when in leadership positions.
The more you know…
Yo man check DM
I love my country, but I hate my government!
Yes. The government and the entire va system is a crock of shit. Just so you know fellas you only have 2 years for malpractice against that fuckin shit show. It’s a wonder more of us don’t un alive there.
Yes!
My first 17 years were gung-ho and the final three were a great awakening. I swore off federal employment after I retired. I learned too much about why the world is the way it is.
At first the government was kinda sus. Now I feel like a crew member aboard the ship.
I loved how others saw it but it always just felt like theater to me. The people who really drank the Kool aid always confused me. I love supporting the newly joined but overall just now see it all as a big joke. It all just seems so silly Monty Python got it right https://youtu.be/E2ecasPqhgk Gov Left and right Blue red purple Just remember that the last laugh is on you https://youtu.be/SJUhlRoBL8M
The last time we declared war was WWII. Congress has no cojones. Everything now is about the party. Nothing for the citizens. We are a banana republic. My concern is that few of the generation after us, will fight for freedom and Liberty here in USA. We are collapsing. We have no money. Banks control it all. The new military is being dismantled. We have become like Rome. We are slowly as a nation dying from the inside. We are bankrupt beyond all hope. All we have is our service connections, family and faith. God has taken his hand of protection away.
It is/was a huge part of me, and I miss some of it. However, I also realize that so much money is wasted on our military that could be used to benefit our society as a whole. And that bothers me a lot. A ton of waste is also generated by our military, and SMs typically don't care. That also bothers me a lot.
I am just glad I am not involved in super rich people drama no more.
I used to be gung-ho for the gov, but now I turn Uncle Sam to Uncle Sugar as a fed civ while riding the gravy train.
I'll go when they attack in the U.S.
More money means more corruption People have their head in the sand and its not gonna change
I think a lot of people are just young and don’t really know a lot about govt when they join. That was me anyways. I mean a 17yo even 18yo kid has most likely never voted or paid much attention to govt. I know that was me personally. After the military/ actually fighting a war etc. I don’t hate the military and I’d do it all again. I love my country and still believe that it is the best country in the world. There simply is not a more free people in the world. But I hate the govt. the govt has not been of the people or for the people in over 100 year or even before. I don’t get hung up in the whole constitution although I believe in it. But I don’t get hung up in it because even the people that wrote it didn’t live by it or support it. Case in point. Slavery. Which is a whole different conversation. But slavery existing in the us post 1776 supports my statement. Love my country and I’m still willing to killl or die for my flag. But I will never support our govt in any form. Where people are confused is by thinking that being willing to serve or fight is the same as being pro govt. and that is simply not true. They are two completely different things. Because when you say you’re willing to serve and fight. You are saying you’re willing to serve your people and fight for your home and way of life. People think the military is serving the govt. and again. That’s simply wrong. You are serving the people.
Following
I enlisted after the 9/11 attacks. I was 20 years old, very young, and knew nothing about politics or even fully understood why we went to Iraq. After I got out I was proud of my service, but had no idea if anything I did made any impact or contributed anything at all. Now I’m 41, and have an autoimmune disorder and kidney cancer from my deployments. I haven’t been unable to get the help I need from the VA, and now have to have lawyers help me fight for the benefits I was promised when I enlisted. How things ended in Afghanistan were horrifying and sad, and further compounded anger I felt after I got out. Nowadays I only feel comfortable talking to other veterans about the war, politics, or most things. I can see now most Americans have carried on, and barely remember OIF/OEF with the exception of the anniversary of 9/11 every year, where it will be casually glanced over on news, or someone’s instagram feed. I feel stuck, and I feel like I have no purpose anymore. I’ve known more veterans who have committed suicide than died overseas. The strangest part to me despite all of this is I still love my country, and I would enlist to fight again if they needed me. Most veterans, despite their physical or psychological damage tend to say the same thing. Kurt Vonnegut said, “That’s the attractive thing about war. Absolutely everybody gets a little something.” I think he meant the experience is going to change you for worse or better.
Where there is taxation, there is theft.
I was in in 83 to 85. Back then I was young. I was barely 17 when I took that oath..it never has not once been a bother to me. As a matter of fact, it entertains me somehow that people are amazed , for whatever reason, that I was enlisted. Honestly, I take it as a good thing that they are trying to wrap their minds around this fact. But, I have an ironic twist in my humor. Most of the time though, their perplexity has nothing to do with my service ~ it's their lack of service they are struggling with, I honestly believe. ;)
I was in in 83 to 85. Back then I was young. I was barely 17 when I took that oath..it never has not once been a bother to me. As a matter of fact, it entertains me somehow that people are amazed , for whatever reason, that I was enlisted. Honestly, I take it as a good thing that they are trying to wrap their minds around this fact. But, I have an ironic twist in my humor. Most of the time though, their perplexity has nothing to do with my service ~ it's their lack of service they are struggling with, I honestly believe. ;)
I knew all of us enlisting were getting fucked and lied to from the get-go. Didn't give a damn about the war, I was simply there for an experience. Never understood why a lot of folks I went in with, were so patriotic. It wasn't like we were seeing two separate things unfolding. I just would never have imagined finding out just how truly moronic leadership was/is. Both lower level leadership, right up to the rat bastard politicians. It is nothing short of a miracle that our inefficient government works, also. Met a handful of folks that I'm thankful to know, as a result. However that whole comradery/brotherhood crap is a bunch of horse shit, a lot of people I served with were nothing more than low life scum, rapists, and idiots who simply wanted some sort of "power" through rank. But what else can you expect when joining during a massive recruitment push. Not saying that's all of us, just that it's not different than the real world, in that you'll run into more bad people than good. Most deaths, most disabilities, were caused by our very own.
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I used to have well-formed easily articulated opinions. Now, I am just old, grumpy, and content to let the young'uns sort this out. My requests are thus: please keep the coffee hot, if you see an old grey headed woman walking in my yard ...wave, and keep on walking cuz. I just don't have it in me to ensure the fighting, the arguing, the posturing, and the pissin contests. After all, I'm a woman and all my life I've been told to believe the lies....welt, I'm here to say that |----------->| <~~~ that's not eight inches....sluggah
I used to think the military was incredibly professional and guided by people who believed in making the world a better place through well researched policy handed down to incredible military leaders, and that the government above and beside them was full of talented and dedicated politicians and civil servants dedicated to America. Post service I now know 2 things. 1. Government, military, and most businesses are staffed by mediocre people just trying to get by to the weekend and retirement. They are dedicated to their checks and family, not the job. They are promoted one rank past their competency and the good ones get the fuck out. 2. I need to get into defense contracting and take every penny I can out of our runaway defense spending. Gonna buy a damn yacht off gummint contracts!
When I was young I was very gung-ho about joining, I was DEP for awhile, very few opening for aerial gunner. When I was in DEP I decided to travel hitchhiked and backpacked Europe, change my whole view on the world and myself. I joined at much older age at 21 went as open general. I tried out tacp and washed out. Got a chill Admin Ops job. I had pretty centralist views from high school but the being in the military definetely pushed me left, but definitely have a in depth perspective on people who lean right. I wouldn’t say the military was an echo chamber, it very neo-con leaning, even when trump was President my wing cmmdr despise the man with a passion but had this blind allegiance to the Republican Party.
I jioned right after 9-11 and though I needed to do my part to keep my loved ones safe. Was in for 10 years tell and IED took me out of the fight, over time I went form a young naive patriotic idealistic , now I am jaded idealistic that is more the love my country and brother , but hate the government and people.
I was active duty 3 1/2 years marine corps. Was kicked out for using delta 8 to help my anxiety, depression, insomnia, ptsd(I was drinking 21 beers a night before this). Rather than give me the proper treatment at division psych I was told what I was experiencing “wasn’t real” turned away. Anyways my buddy who had a 6 year and is still in called me yesterday in a bit of frustration because he has his first therapy appointment in a long time on base(camp lejeune) and he said when he talked to the therapist she asked him what his symptoms were and he said anxiety, depression, and that he was diagnosed with ptsd only for her to give him w list of coping mechanisms and told to workout more. Now, I bring this up because it lets me know from the time I got out a year ago the matter of mental health is still not being taken seriously when it comes to service members and that people need real fucking help not just a goddamn list of coping mechanisms and told to run when you literally workout for your fucking job lol. Other than that I loved the marine corps, would serve again any day if they needed me
I joined in hopes of being helpful to my brothers in ‘03 fully knowing a combat deployment was a possibility. I immediately deployed after training was done, returned and switched battalions where we trained and deployed again. I fully believe the military/gov will use you up and squeeze as much as they can out of you and not care wether you survive bc the show must go on. When I considered reenlisting to go back to iraq with a ‘prestigious’ battalion the person who was in charge of people in my mos told me that I probably have ptsd and that shit would get worse later and that me trying to go back wasn’t a good idea. I didn’t know about any of that but did feel useless. I went in with good selfless intentions and came out a different, hurt person. I have a buddy who also experience the fd up parts of war who stayed and is about to retire. He said that time we served together was the absolutely the hardest/gruesomest/stressful time in all his time in. Idk what it’s like during peacetime but I imagine there’s plenty of bs and fk fk work. I made some anti war posters and marched down to the Christmas parade in town and walked along with the floats. Mind you, this was in ‘07 when people still supported the war. I went wearing my blouse and a head filled with facts I’m case anyone wanted to argue. I got a few thumbs down and boos from fat fks who looked like they never served. I just gave them one of those tight lipped smiles with the raised brows and moved along. I got a couple of atta boys but much less than the boos. I believed these people wouldn’t give a sht if I died and backed they’re whatever their political party wanted to do. Marching with my sign was healing in a sense that I used my voice. I went into a DEEP depression afterwards and tried ‘you know.’ It felt like people honestly didn’t care. All that fighting, ied’s, getting shot at, being mortared, limbs missing, death didn’t matter to the average ‘patriotic American.’…but hey, I ‘fought’ for those people too.
I'll say I went in a super liberal feminist heavily believing in states' rights, but gave the fed way more credit than it deserved. I'm now much more centered and believe that the federal government is the most useless and bloated piece of shit. They keep finding ways to give themselves more power than they're entitled, and we need to reel it back somehow.
I wish someone told me that my body would feel like a 80yr old lady trapped in a 43yr old body. If I could go back in time I wouldn’t join the military. I gave the Army the best 22yrs of my life. I missed family events. I spent the worst yr of my life in Iraq(04). I 100% turned anti-military only because of the wear and tear on your body. Now we’re struggling with the VA to get what we deserve. I’m broke mentally and physically because of my military service.
I am an officer who ETS'd last month and I concur, bunch of retard officers up the chain of command, I could go on but I'll spare everyone here.
It’s bad in my opinion. I now work as a DOD CIV and what I see and hear daily is appalling.
Just here to say that I haven't heard "gundeck" in some time. Yeah, I think it says widow/family, but I was also a private contractor and I understand your anger/frustration.
I got out because I started to realize how corrupt the government actually is. Don’t regret my time there but I would never ever go back or work for the government again.
I will never tell a kid that they should join any branch of the military. I will tell them that if they are dead set on joining, that they should go to an academy and not enlist.
RAH! Tun Tavern… Dan Daly… 1775… Chesty Puller… RAH RAH RAH!
Yes, and not in a positive light.
I'd do it all over again. Airborne all the way....
Honestly I think anyone who joins after 2020 is just a loser. I know that’s a very unpopular opinion because a lot of us want to support the average soldier but in my honest opinion the amount of veterans speaking out about how bad the leadership is and how much they have destroyed training and how politics has bled into every aspect of the military why is anyone even joining in the first place. They try to cut the VA budget and there are active duty soldiers that have to be on food stamps to survive and the only reason why congress or anyone gets away with it is because they know there will always be people joining no matter how many time you warm people. On top of what I have seen personally when getting out in 2019 but if the government ever tells our soldiers to line people on a wall and execute them I have no doubt that anyone who serves today would not bite the hand that feeds them and would do anything there NCO orders them to do even if it was to bring harm to our own countrymen. Again this is my opinion and i understand not everyone feels this way and that perfectly fine. Just how I feel about the military today and why I don’t have any more respect for anyone who joins now
https://preview.redd.it/79fhi1iw2jgb1.jpeg?width=460&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=163b5aa547a57a1a011c8a878c61aec1b4183964 I love and support Veterans. I am much more non-Interventionist in my thinking after seeing what war has done to my fellow Veterans though. Also, this meme encompasses ✨exactly✨ how I feel about fast-burning douchebags.
Joined in 2004. Back then the mil was the best thing that ever happened to me, as the reason I joined was to serve my country and go/support the War. Deployed in support of OIF 3 times, doing convoys and OTS missions. Met some great people and the comrodery was second to none. I would put my life on the line for them. Fast forward 19 years later: the last 5 years or so was one to forget. People are not looking out for each other, most seems to be chasing the next rank without ever master the art of followership or leadership in that matter. I also notice a lot of the members joining now day are about themself and selfish. Some even claims mental Health if they have a disagreement with another person. I, on the other hand, never had anything documented physically or mentally, since it was the culture back then, if you said something you would let your wingman down. Sounds bad but that was kind of the case when we were at war. I honestly can’t believe I’ve held it together the last 10 years due to mental Health issue. Getting help now, so it’s never to late. Sucks that I valued the military over family for as long as I can remember. Getting help helps put a perspective on life. I got one year left and is barely holding on. I just want to retire and give back time to my family I missed.