The military lies
If you're male, live in the United States, and are between the ages of 16-25, you have definitely received a phone-call or some other form of obnoxious solicitation attempting to get you to join the military.
Don't get me wrong, there are cases (though very few) where war is justified -- but the U.S. hasn't met these cases for along time (at least, not in my lifetime). If you're in the lower-classes, then this problem becomes two-fold:
- Fighting for "freedom" or "your country" is the right thing to do.
- The military will pay for your school, plus a bonus signing offer.
These are lies.
The fight for "freedom"
Everyone has an inclination to fight for something higher than themselves,everyone wants to fight for a greater good than themselves.
Unfortunately, the military, any military (with the exception of a few
extreme scenarios) feeds an idea of defense. In the United States, this
is the defense of freedom and liberty.
In Iraq (as is our current dilemma) this defense is of your country and your family's lives. In Iraq, you or someone you know has lost a life, a home, a job, or their dignity to violent "Americans." Though we don't intend this to be the case, sadly it becomes the case: in war people die. The blame of course, will be shifted around, but in the end, it is your fault. As an invading party getting into or supporting the fighting, you hold the blame. Their perception is actually reality.
Iraqi sectarian violence is only the result of a U.S.presence that creates and catalyzes an uneasiness about those forced into power. It exemplifies the differences and causes war. These people can't go outside without the fear that their head will be separated from their body, that they may never see their children again.
Insurgents do not fight because they fear their own deaths, for why would they commit a suicidal act? No, it isn't the fault of their fear, but a fear of their children and family. They believe that this is the only way to protect their lives and as long as the US remains committed to its war of terror, they are right.
Yet we fight for freedom?
Our freedom is only under attack by those who want you to believe it's the fault of those abroad. The people in power would rather have a rallying against a foreign entity, and use that rallying to create a state of fear. Are we really fighting for freedom? Does the U.S. really stand for freedom? NO. Between wire-tapping of civilians, and the removal of human rights, between the wars we create, and the ones we make worse it becomes clear that the US has one answer for the preservation of freedom: NO.The only thing this country stands for is its revoking of other peoples' freedoms, and the military is just another tool to do so.
So much for freedom.
Freedom isn't free, but we'll pay for your school anyways
It's drilled into every ROTC cadet's head: "I get to serve my country and pay for school" This is the mantra of brain-washing that convinces otherwise good people to go and take part in the "necessary" evils of the military. If more people knew the following fact, their structure would fall apart: There is more than one way to serve your country, and actually achieve a higher good. If you really want to do "good" in the world and still get paid, you could engage in many, many other activities.There are plenty of scholarships for many different backgrounds, but they're not advertised as much as the military's constant ad-campaigning.Selling the fight: the mantra of brainwashing
The most disgusting aspect of the military, to me, is the mantra of those already in the military. One can find and talk to people in the military who really don't want to be there (though they wouldn't let you quote them directly). But those who are "committed" will shut down everything you say with pre-packaged words, thoughts, ideas, and"values" -- no of which has truly come from them, but is rather forced into them in such a way that they believe they come up with these ideas on their own. There is another term for this practice: brainwashing.There are a few whom have actually taken the time to think about their decision to join the military, and have committed to it in the hopes of making things better for the human race. I respect these jewels, these icons of human being. But they are a dying breed, because more and more idiots continue to eat up the idea that this is a good way to live your life.It is sad to think that once in the military, these people don't stand a chance of re-formulating their ideas, goals, and values without losing a part of their sanity. For how can one live with the guilt that they were used as a tool to annihilate the lives and well-beings of others? Unfortunately, I've seen this person too,shell-shocked and constantly depressed. They never stood a chance.Between the constant torrent of marching hymns to the propaganda of movies and speeches these women and men of the military have lost contact with the reality of what makes a homo-sapien a sentient human being.
Conclusion
I live right next to a military base on my campus. I hear the screamed orders and the rank-and-file treatment of human beings. Today, a whole platoon of troops jogged across campus, in a mini-celebration of being the highest ranked Army ROTC in the United States. Nothing that out of the ordinary, until they started towards the library. Fuck them. Stay away from my final haven, away from your stupid decision.If you're in the military now, get out while you still can. If you can't, then I know you can find a way -- go to Canada, join the Amish, something, anything. And I'll think about you often. Just get out.
