Military Malfeasance

It is, I believe, one of the costs that we bear being a hard man killing other hard men. It is also one of the reasons most warriors do not talk much of combat to POGs (people other than grunts). No matter how you explain, have pictures or even, now days videos. No one other than another vet truly knows and understands. Often even other vets who have not been in combat have a clue. 

In effect we are often closer to our enemy than to the nation we defend. There are many organizations who do a good job to habituate combat vets and what we now call PTSD can be helped with counseling and some drugs, but in the long run it is up to the vet. Some, for reasons often complex and contradictory never recover. These are the guys most likely to eat their gun.

Others turn to drugs or alcohol to redress the pain. For myself, it was a year of solid drinking and the love of the best women I have ever loved. I still feel separated from the larger culture, but I understand the reasons and the cost. I will never eat my gun. 

On the other hand, we who have mostly adjusted have come terms with the sad fact that the culture we defended and love has no use for us unless we are in combat. We stand apart from from our culture always loving it and never completely a part of it. 

My mother had four brothers. All were involved in WWII. I think two were in Italy, one was a cook stationed in Europe, and another may have been in the Pacific. Three of them drank themselves to an early grave. My mother would often say that none of them would talk about the war. That's why I don't know much more than vague generalities.

I'm not kidding, Mr. Flu. I was just thinking the other day about whether that all-volunteer military had created a different dynamic.

Indeed it has. In the early 70s the draft was still an event every man had to deal with. Military benefits for short term draftees were minimal unless they stayed in the service as a career and served 20 years. It is surprising how many did in spite of underfunded weapons systems, slow promotion and an iron core of elite officer class that did not take to mustangs. (officers promoted on ability from the ranks).

Today the only people in the military are those who want to be there, wether officer or NCO all signed the same contract. On the surface this sounds like a more fair and equitable system. However, what it has created is a large number of POGs, (people other then grunts) who have no understanding of the military or the special qualities of leadership required to order other men into battle knowing that some, or all of them may be killed. 

To a real leader these men and women are not part of some video game and if the shit turns bad just reset and start over. This large number of families who have continued to volunteer their service through our forever wars of the late 20th and early 21st century are held to a different standard by our culture and unfortunately kept separate from it. 

Just about every time I go out to the store or a restaurant some one thanks me for my service. I do appreciate the gesture and the notice, but I always wonder, where were you when some communist or jahadi was trying to kill me? Where were you when people I respected and loved were killed or wounded? Where were you when I could't get home for the Hollidays? Often the only person a vet in trouble can talk to is another vet. 

Veterans are a large underclass in our culture but in terms of numbers still about 1/10 of 1% of the total population. The larger culture doesn't want to see or hear form us. The often harsh realities we talk about is more than their delicate ears can handle. 

To my knowledge the only Western country that still has universal conscription is Israel and there are some big loopholes in that, as it allows for a significant section of the population to use a religious exemption. However, even with that the bulk of Israeli high school grads do two years active and as much as 30 years in reserve.

Conscription brings elements of society together that normally would never meet. It reinforces the common goals of fellowship and citizenship. It keeps the command structure involved as the privates and NCOs are just as likely to be as well educated as the officers. It broadens the officer corps when new officers come into service based on ability rather than birth. 

Please don't get me wrong. I know that millions of men and women are more like you and Kung and I truly do accept your thanks as sincere and heartfelt. 

My father  left the Marines in 1947 to marry my mother and in 1949 to make a little extra money joined the National Guard. He thought it grand that he got a bump in rank to 1st sergeant from Marine Gunny and only had to commit to occasional weekends and summer training. One year later his was the first guard unit called up for Korea. He spent several hours on the phone getting out of the army national guard and back into the Marines. I believe he actually talked to Chesty Puller to get back to the 1st Marine Division. 

I asked him years later why? His response was classic, "son don't you know people get killed in the army?" What he was saying was when the shit is the heaviest, and you need someone to have your 6, he did't think the army was a place to be. I have told that story to vets and non vets all my life and from vets I get understanding and from non vets just a puzzled look. 

Switzerland still has universal conscription for males. I don't recall the exact details, but I believe they have to spend a year or two in active and something like 20 years in the reserves. Officers have to spend more time in the military than soldiers. I also believe they still keep their weapons at home. 

When I was living in Switzerland this is weapon which I saw in a couple of homes. 


SG 510      

Amazingly, the Swiss didn't go around killing each other left and right. 

I think as a generalization and until recent event are proving the opposite. Marine officers are better leaders than army. More skilled at war fighting and better trained as leaders.

There is a Marine joke that goes, what do you call a Marine Lance Corporal in the army? Answer, Sir!

More likely Lake Lucerne. 

I haven't heard of servicemen being spat on or called baby-killers since 1973 or so. Even then, I never saw any of this personally. Maybe it's because I am from Texas. 

After the First Gulf War, all I heard was a relief in the voices of Americans. The "shame" of Vietnam was past. America was back. Since then, what I have heard about American servicemen has been almost 100% appreciative.  This was particularly the case after 9/11. 

As Artler has alluded to, I will bet you a dime to a dollar that many, if not most, servicemen tire of hearing such things after a while. Is its constant use a sign of guilt that one didn't personally serve? I don't know, but I do know that saying thank you to a stranger for an undefined job, which you don't have any details about is not worth much. Do you even know what your are thanking him for? If you know the serviceman, know what he or she went through and what it may have cost them, well ok. But in too many cases, I believe it is about the equivalent of the "Have a nice day" mantra which never meant much, but has now lost all meaning, perhaps is insincere most of the time. Just filling  a few seconds of silence.  The overuse and insincere use devalue the words and thus the sentiment for many. 

Yes, I know I am probably overthinking this, but that is something I often do.