Why do so many people disrespect the military and anything related to it?
141410
because i actually got that response too. many people say that whehn you go its only to kill because whats a military without guns? and also they told me that if you go you have nothing to do and you are stupid. But there is something that people do not understand without the military there surely be still existing the Nazi org and others and much more massive killing, so i dont know why people say they hate the Military.
1134769
The most powerful and divisive weapon that any army has is to instil hate and contempt for the supposed 'enemy' into its personnel. It is backed up, of course by weaponry and the army machinery masquerading as 'justice'.  Now and again this machine chooses to sacrifice a few personnel for being caught demonstrating how they have been taught to think and behave. These 'investigations' are always made very public, so that the 'Hate Machine' can continue behind the scenes in secret. It's classified ... I shall not be surprised if I am mysteriously removed from Yahoo Answers for mentioning it. America and all other military powers possess and use that weapon.
668534
Anyone who chooses to join for genuine defense of their country (eg. World War II) I have no problem with.  People who blindly obey and take part in objectionable acts (regardless of the person's opinion of them) I openly criticize.  \n\nThe British doctor who refused to serve in Iraq, the US soldiers who refuse to return to Iraq, the US general at Guantanamo who told the prisoners their rights under the Geneva Conventions are heroic and deserve the public's support.  "I was only following orders" wasn't a good enough excuse 60 years ago, so why should it be good enough now?\n\nThose who are uninformed, uneducated, or simply uninvolved should not join until they know right from wrong.  \n\nThose who disagree with their military have a duty to be a conscientious objector, and be willing to face punishment by a corrupt command structure if necessary.  \n\nThose who agree with and commit reprehensible acts are war criminals.
986912
Yes they frigging well have! They blow things out of all proportion and now everyone is against it because troops are being killed. When we sign up we know that we are at risk of being mobilised to warzones and the consequences this can bring. I am only in the Territorial Army (reservists) and if my time comes to serve Queen and Country over in Iraq i will.
1029919
The US military is a perfect slice of Americana.  You have people of all walks coming in for various reasons.  Jews and Muslims.  Christians and Pagans.  Black, Caucasian, Arabic, etc...  Straight and gay.  Liberal, conservative and plain old apathetic.  A collection of good people, with some bad apples thrown in because that's society.  The point being is that military folks aren't really any different than what you encounter in your own neighborhoods.  It is the perfect melting pot and almost a pinnacle of what America should be; acceptance of diversity.\n\nWhat they should also know is the history of the US Military.  All of it.  Both it's triumphs and defeats, as well as the honor that most of us in the profession of Arms withhold juxtaposed with the shame that some in a very small minority live and die with.\n\nYour children should know that good people die so they can ask these questions.  Military members provide for defense of this country and its freedoms.  Hopefully those elected officials who have their hand in the military governance, have a enough sense to know what freedom really means.\n\nIf you want a history lesson, don't read a book; talk to a vet.
494394
That, my friend, is the problem with those people that think that way.  They do not think about the fact that they enjoy the freedom to speak out against their government because millions of men and women have died defending that right.  Anyone who ever says taht we should just dump the military all together is woefully ignorant of the truth.  not only does the military fight to rpeserve our rights, and show the world what it feels like to have those rights, but it also provides millions of jobs in not only the US, but around the world.  Having a massive military helps our defense and our economy in a big way.  If we got rid of the military all together in just an instant (historically speaking) the US would fall into absolute turmoil economically and would likely sink bacck deeply into the depression that plagues us still today.  Gettign rid of the military woudl make us defenseless to attack by our enemies, powerless to defend our friends, and knock out from under us a major economic leg that we stand on.  All in all, it would just be plain stupid to get ris of the military.
209059
You know it always amazes me when people talk sh*t about the military. They only see the bad things that go on in Iraq and never the good things because they far outnumber the bad. many of the Iraqi people wanted us there and they supported us. Granted we should now pull our troops out  and let the people of Iraq finish getting their country back up and running. Bush did not go into Iraq for oil. I really have no idea where everybody gets that from. Oil was not even thought about when we went into Iraq. \n  for those people who are bashing the military are a bunch of cowards that do not have the guts to serve their own country. Anybody can sit at home and talk shit about how the country is going and about the miltary. So if you really cared about waht is going on then get off you a** and do something otherwise just shut the f**k up. we serve our country becasue we have honor and courage. every man and women in the military know what our ultimate sacrifce can be by serving our country. Beleive me the men and women who have died serving did so doing what they wanted and did so in honor and courage. For some people to talk bad about the military and our country are just a bunch of cowards who have no balls to do something themself. All they know how to is just open their mouths. I think that Bush is overstepping his boundaries but he is doing what he feels is right for us and the iraqi people. If you think that you can do better then get up off your sorry a** and run for president
574615
I don't think the way troops are being treated the way they were in the Vietnam era. Americans today are far more apathetic at the whole political process, and even about the war. Many Americans seem to be more content watching the latest 'American Idol', and other reality TV shows, than to care enough about having an informed opinion about world matters.
1030554
People get upset because we expect so much more from our own people.  We are the liberators, the good guys.  We should not be lowering ourselves to the standards of our enemies.\n\nOur boys and girls are doing one HELLUVA job in Afganistan and Iraq, but they are only human.  Mistakes can/will be/have been made.\n\nAlso, war brings out the worst and best in people.  Some folks make mistakes, other revel in the bloodshed.
988536
You obviously know nothing about the military or military life.  There's a chain of command just as there is in any large corporation, there's structure, rules and regulations to follow.  Post boot camp there's defense training, MOS schools, they learn codes of conduct and warfare and are held to a higher standard than sloppy, low moral civilians.  You don't see ANY service member wandering through Wal Mart in their pajama bottoms like you do civlian slobs.  There's an actual education to be had upon enlisting that goes well beyond the confines of a classroom....an education and lifestyle, pride in your job and pride in defending your country and the Constitution.
867688
The only people that have to salute the flag are active military personnel.  What bothers me is when people don't respect the flag by not removing their hats during the National Anthem(rednecks at NASCAR races).  People who think it's part of the freedom of speech to desecrate the flag( i.e. burning it, defecating on it, etc.).
175239
For one people do not understand our military.  It is not that our soldiers choose to kill they choose to defend our freedom (yes theirs ignaorant a** too) by whichever means possible. I will always be grateful for any one person who chooses to put other peoples freedom and lives in front of their own. If we didnt have our soldiers people would not be allowed to speak freely about thier views. So personally I think we should all give thanks to anyone who wears a military uniform and wears it proudly.
1133773
First off, they ask dumb questions with incorrect grammar such as, "why isn't there any military bases".  The last thing the military needs is a bunch of dumb hicks corrupting our service people.  Second, we hope some one invades it and takes it off of our hands since it is so damn poor it is a burden on the rest of the USA.
221906
I think it's people in the military.  All kinds.\nGays are currently in the military, whether people want them there or not.\n\nPeople need to get over themselves and work together toward a better world.
828325
There have been so many changes in the government--I don't feel the military is effected at all.  I'm not in the military but have been a dependent for the past 20 years (daughter and wife).  My father has disliked several people who have run our country and its department of defense.  Did that make him go into early retirement?  No.  I've notice the people I know (not all) who are in the military don't really care about officials.  Sure, they vote but in the end they have sworn to be a part of the military.  Despite who is "in charge" they will continue doing their job.  I also believe the benefits will continue to convince people to join because it seems that's all people care about these days.  This is why I do not feel it will effect the military.
1027205
I admire those that are not mindless zombies ... the few in there capable of thinking for themselves.\n\nBut then, if they were totally capable of thinking for themselves...they wouldn't be in the military. \n\nBasically the military is for low IQ people who cannot get a job anywhere else that requires a thinking creative and individual mind.
82226
Two personal points: 1. the military serves to uphold our constitutional rights - among the most important is our right to free speech. Even if a soldier were to find public opinion running against the war, in a sense, it's the responsibility to protect the right to hold and express that contrary opinion that lies at the root of duty; and 2. if a military action is unjust, a soldier has the responsibility not to follow illegal orders. This is a contentious point, but think of the prosecution of East German soldiers who shot people trying to escape over the Berlin Wall during the period in which Germany was divided. The soldiers got serious prison time for following orders that were later adjudged to have been illegal.\n\nThere is a narrow line between personal responsibility and insubordination, but in the case of Iraq, there are situations in which I think that that line needs to be pointed out, if we're doing that on the homefront, well, it may be because our civilian leaders have lost track of the ethical basis on which just wars should be waged.