Supporting Our Troops and Politics

[ecivon]

This post isn't intended go get into a discussion on bashing politics and politicians. It is about recognizing the need to keep a separation between our military and the politics behind the war. Whether or not we personally agree, or disagree, on the legitimacy of any conflict, what cannot be denied is the fundamental requirement that every person in the U.S., fully and unconditionally, support our troops whenever and however we can -- and nearly not enough is being done in that regard.

A soldier never refuses to serve, or to fight. A soldier will never hide, or cower, even under horrendous firepower. There is a saying that covers the thoughts and behaviour of all soldiers and it is true: "Death Before Dishonor."

Soldiers could give a crap less about the politics of war, or about any individual politician and their individual beliefs and positions behind any war. They just don't plain care. They are there to do their duty and they will not disobey, they will not leave the sides of their brothers and they will not leave a comrade behind. These are the guiding principles behind the mindset of a soldier -- not politics, or politicians.

The only politicians we ever listened to were the ones who stepped up to do what they could in Congress to provide legislation that protected the benefits and rights of soldiers.

There is no comradeship, or brotherhood, anywhere that equals that of the soldier.

We need to fully support our troops in every way we can and never let politics come between our support and our soldiers.

[DNoMac]

I agree that we should unconditionally support our troops, but its almost impossible to separate our military and the politics that govern it. I also disagree that soldiers could care less about the politcs behind the war. Politicians and there politics dictate so many aspects of there life including going to war and facing death. I don't know how somebody can't care about that.

[zimmy]

I agree...whatever the war the politicans dictate...doesn't change the fact that the soldier enlisted to protect us.

[QuieTSToRM33]

Soldiers could give a crap less about the politics of war, or about any individual politician and their individual beliefs and positions behind any war. They just don't plain care.

We need to fully support our troops in every way we can.

Are you enlisted ? ... I'm guessing not.

Saying that soldiers could care less is so far from the truth. You think that the majority of military personnel enjoy being in unbearable conditions ? Talk to anyone who's been in combat, and ask them if they would do it again willingly. Since politics usually dictate war, i'm sure that most care why they would be going to war.

Of course we need to support our troops ... they are the reason why we can live the way we do.

[ecivon]

Are you enlisted ? ... I'm guessing not.

Saying that soldiers could care less is so far from the truth. You think that the majority of military personnel enjoy being in unbearable conditions ? Talk to anyone who's been in combat, and ask them if they would do it again willingly. Since politics usually dictate war, i'm sure that most care why they would be going to war.

Of course we need to support our troops ... they are the reason why we can live the way we do.

Actually I was in the military. I come from a military family. I was in the air force and the army . And I have been in battle.

And soldiers could give a crap less about politicians and the politics of war. There is a strict separation between soldiers and politicians that is indoctrinated and ingrained in the mindset of soldiers beginning in boot camp.

I went through enlisted boot camp in the air force and ocs boot camp in the army. Both clarified and ingrained that a soldier never questions, or challenges the politics behind any conflict, that the soldier did his duty to the best of his ability and the politics was left to the highest chain of command.
See what happens to any soldier below 0-7 that would criticize any politician, or the politics behind a conflict.

[CSAR]

I don't know... we bitched a lot about the politicians playing with our lives to get re-elected and the REMF'ing officers using us to get their medals/promotions. Bitching is a soldier's prerogative - we just made sure it stayed among ourselves. To say that soldiers don't care about politics sounds rather naive. I know I cared. But we cared more for our buddies, our squad and our platoon. I don't know of anyone who enlisted to protect US citizens - sounds like a Jerry Bruckheimer film. Many were looking for a better life, some wanted a different experience, and others wanted money for college. I just wanted to shoot guns and blow shit up 'cause I was bored.

Also, we could have cared less about people back home "supporting" us. With what? Little yellow ribbons on their car antennae or bumper stickers? Another country/western song? We needed that shit like we needed a 2nd a-hole. What we really needed was support in the form of better pay, bulletproof vests, armored humvees, and radios that actually worked. You wanna support the troops? Write your congressman or senator and tell him/her that our soldiers need better pay and equipment. Better yet, have your friends and neighbors and their friends and neighbors send letters. Organize fund raisers to help buy troops what they need.

And above all - don't forget to mail the porn!!

[NightTrain]

ima leave this topic alone................. been "OVER THERE"

[DNoMac]

I don't know... we bitched a lot about the politicians playing with our lives to get re-elected and the REMF'ing officers using us to get their medals/promotions. Bitching is a soldier's prerogative - we just made sure it stayed among ourselves. To say that soldiers don't care about politics sounds rather naive. I know I cared. But we cared more for our buddies, our squad and our platoon. I don't know of anyone who enlisted to protect US citizens - sounds like a Jerry Bruckheimer film. Many were looking for a better life, some wanted a different experience, and others wanted money for college. I just wanted to shoot guns and blow shit up 'cause I was bored.

Also, we could have cared less about people back home "supporting" us. With what? Little yellow ribbons on their car antennae or bumper stickers? Another country/western song? We needed that shit like we needed a 2nd a-hole. What we really needed was support in the form of better pay, bulletproof vests, armored humvees, and radios that actually worked. You wanna support the troops? Write your congressman or senator and tell him/her that our soldiers need better pay and equipment. Better yet, have your friends and neighbors and their friends and neighbors send letters. Organize fund raisers to help buy troops what they need.

And above all - don't forget to mail the porn!!

Word.

[Foskamink]

I agree that we should unconditionally support our troops, but its almost impossible to separate our military and the politics that govern it. I also disagree that soldiers could care less about the politcs behind the war. Politicians and there politics dictate so many aspects of there life including going to war and facing death. I don't know how somebody can't care about that.

after 6 months i finally understand ur avatar. that is u next to a mirror! i get it now

i thought u were monsterish with a butterfly torso.. abs bulging each side.. shoulder blades right out ect..

[Pac8541]

This is my 4th trip over here, only one of which was on the DoD payroll. I DO care about the politics behind the wars I am sent to. I did in '91 and I did in '04/'05. I care about them because of the way they affect the length of my stay, the reasons my brothers die or are injured, and indirectly, the type of missions I'm tasked to complete. However, with time it becomes less and less important as the bond between my brother Marines and I becomes stronger due to a common suffering and a desperate need to cling to something that is truly important: survival for you and those you serve with, returning to the woman and sometimes kids you love, enjoying life the way we're supposed to and not in freezing my ass off in a muddy ditch in a country that constantly smells like burning sh!t. Politics behind the war have an effect on us but it trickles down to you in various ways and tends to become more about how it affects you personally, right this moment, than it does about the big picture of why are we really here and what are we fighting for.

US foreign policy and world politics may have brought us into the fight but getting through it and out of it is all about the dude on my left and right. Simple as that.

[cfiler]

I do support the troops. I have tremendous respect for the individuals who risk their lives everyday, so that I can live in peace.

Never thought of sending porn, but that is a good idea. I'm sure it would be welcomed.