I've already posted my opinions, much of it based on my personal experience as a soldier and with women in the military. Can you add anything to the subject at hand?
What I've seen are attempts to flame the thread. Did you actually post an opinion on this thread? If so show me where and I will reply.
This is a very valid question. Because they want to kill basically. War has become a recreational-killing-sport. Survive or not. You get to experience the ultimate fight between life and death. Then the "offical" reasons, like protecting your values, countries, economic interests etc are just excuses, excuses to kill. These are sick people. Well, not really, but people who still carries the "caveman"-gene and have the urge to hunt/kill. Which we all do to some extent, but in the "civilized society" we have been taught to channel it into other areas in life. War has become such an industry, like lazerdome. Reality has stopped. They join the army instead of doing a school-shooting for example, because in the army it's legal, they won't go to jail..if they survive. Then I suppose some join because they have no chance of getting any other job, it's their "only" alternative. As a sidenote, this was my post number 5000, after a bottle of wine too. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Perhaps: Rich people start wars and get poor people to fight them. Simple? Tank the economy and the job hungry enlist. If all else fails----- institute a draft and let the local political elite chose who will be drafted. ..... 5K wowie zowie
BwS, bowser's observations are pretty on-the-mark. It is certainly apparent that you have been trying to derail the thread with flaming tactics. If you want people to not dismiss everything you've said, it would behoove you to not troll, don't you think? You're putting yourself in the same boat as birch. Why not let others carry on the discussion at-hand?
There are as many reasons as there are enlistments. I joined at the young age of 18, when we were looking at a potential conflict with Iran. Much of it was patriotism, but also a need for adventure. Though I value my experience, I wouldn't want it for one of my children.
If you read this thread most except for a couple have just been flaming and trolling it with absolutely nothing to add or you can tell they are feigning interest. Truly bizarre.
There is some truth to the above. Some join out of a desire to defend their country, or a sense of honor and nationalism. I don't believe I ever met someone in the military who lusted after death, but there is an allure towards the life of a soldier. As mentioned before, there's more involved than just pulling the trigger. It requires a degree of mental and physical strength to endure. I have never been in better physical shape than when I was in the military. I've done and seen things that otherwise would have been impossible. It's its own culture. As for those with no other options, yes, that is true. I knew many who had no high school diploma or any other options in life. But in contrast, I also knew those who had college degrees and still opted for the military.
1967---I was drafted. Then, after being "in" for awile, in an act of temporary insanity, I enlisted.(3 different serial numbers--US 7 numbers--RA 7 numbers--RA 9 numbers) .......... A few years ago, I was chatting and drinking with some other Nam vets. We all seemed to have enjoyed the experience-----really crazy stuff that. Then, it dawned on me---------we were having fun in the adventure because we were all young then. I too was in great health and physical strength at that time. I too did not want my sons to join the military. And, they didn't. ...................... As a lad, I was an avid hunter. Every day after school after the first frost, I would go hunting. I got so good that I could take a running rabbit with a head shot with a .22 rifle(better'n with the 12 gauge---no pellets in the meal). One of my stepdad's friends asked me why I loved hunting so much-----------I replied that I just got a kick out of killing. Magic at a distance---aim, fire, and the target falls dead---------for a 12 year old, it was really fun(made me feel "like a man"). And then, the m14-----wow, what a sweet weapon, it was almost impossible to miss at 400 meters. Regrets? yeh i got a lot of them, Shame? yeh, a little. Good memories, buddies, yeh that too. Life and experiences are complex. ........... Back to women in combat. It ain't about brawn. The only guys I saw leaving the base with the big packs were LRPs(they were a scruffy odd bunch with little regard for rank). The S and D guys traveled light. Most others went in in vehicles or choppers.