General Discussion

MineralMan

(150,781 posts)

19. Yeah, that's an excellent question.

Sun Jan 4, 2026, 03:28 PM

Jan 4

I'm not sure how many in this thread have been in the military, but I suspect not many.

Is our military its senior officer corps or the mass of people who do what that officer corps tells them to do? Which "military" is being discussed?

I'm a veteran, but I was never near any place where there was warlike activity happening. I have an expert marksman ribbon that I earned, but other than at the range in basic training, I never saw a weapon. So, was I military? I don't know, but I wore the uniform for four years and got paid no more than $256 per month at any time. Why did I do that? I don't have a sensible answer for that question, but I don't regret those years.

It's relatively stupid to talk about "the military" without being very specific about what you're talking about.

Such threads as this one rarely do much of anything to enlighten anyone.

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Texas_Blue_Dem

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Highlight:

When people brag about the US military I feel embarrassed for them. [View all] milestogo Jan 4 OP

People also mistake expense for effectiveness, and "best" is so vague of an assessment RockRaven Jan 4 #1

And Vietnam. AverageOldGuy Jan 4 #10

I get really pissed when I hear him say things like "we won World War II". "We "? Walleye Jan 4 #2

A good retort is, "As did Rome" Kennah Jan 4 #3

In countries where history is measured in multiple millennia, I can only imagine the depth of their reaction. Tetrachloride Jan 4 #4

When I was a kid in the 60s most of the dads, including mine, were WWII vets. I don't Gaugamela Jan 4 #5

The thing about people who served in WWII is that they saw friends milestogo Jan 4 #6

Exactly. Gaugamela Jan 4 #9

My dad. Cherokee100 Jan 4 #15

Yes. WWII was brutal and horrific. Irish_Dem Jan 4 #26

Most of the WW II veterans I was around, including my Father thought crime Jan 4 #28

but it's a tried and true formula that has worked for ever HAB911 Jan 4 #7

Something sounds fishy to me AverageOldGuy Jan 4 #8

They were shot at...but the ground defense systems we're destroyed Melon Jan 4 #17

We hacked them, shut off their radar Johonny Jan 4 #32

You could do want Hegseth did. He ordered it All stuff is figured out by specific expertise and practice. RoeVWade Jan 4 #11

I could beat up my 2 granddaughters SCantiGOP Jan 4 #12

So what do have to say about those who served? marble falls Jan 4 #13

Yeah, that's an excellent question. MineralMan Jan 4 #19

Didn't he Cherokee100 Jan 4 #14

"...world bully". Yep. Rogue nation not to be trusted or even respected. Credibility in the crapper. n/t Evolve Dammit Jan 4 #16

Bragging about the military lonely bird Jan 4 #18

Were you ever in the military? MineralMan Jan 4 #20

No, I wouldn't survive. milestogo Jan 4 #21

OK, I see. I was in the USAF from 1965-69. There were women in MineralMan Jan 4 #22

I think it also depends on whether or not you came from a military family. milestogo Jan 4 #23

I suppose so. MineralMan Jan 4 #24

btw, thankyou for your service. marble falls Jan 4 #31

I really don't need to be thanked. MineralMan Jan 5 #33

I joined because I wanted to. I enlisted after my exposure to the draft. I didn't want to be taken, I wanted to ... marble falls Jan 5 #34

The military isn't right for everyone. But is necessary, the next time a national threat comes up ... marble falls Jan 4 #30

Never ceases to amaze how some people are so willing to send other people's kids off to die. paleotn Jan 4 #25

And not want to pay for that service. marble falls Jan 5 #35

I am still angry at that display yesterday. Irish_Dem Jan 4 #27

WW2: We are here to save the day! Aussie105 Jan 4 #29