Why are soldiers treated with so much respect?

The US is saving lives by killing millions of civilians? Also, my life would've pretty much been the same.

 

Soldiers are literally low iq personas with declining self esteem. If a veteran ever mentions his position to me, I'll slap him back to his senses.

 

Millions of civilians you say?? Really curious as to where you got that number from.

 

You won't find an accurate source even if you tried. The numbers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan range from 250-500' caused by direct military attacks (yeah, millions could be an exaggeration). Syria alone is 400-500'. The number is even higher considering indirect causes. Now tell me, you think terrorists have done more damage than an invasion led by The US on false premises?

Lastly, if you've ever been in Afghanistan, Iraq or even Pakistan then you'd know very few people like The US.

 

I have been, and you're wrong for Iraq and Afghanistan, Pakistan is probably true. The common people and especially those in the cities DO NOT support the extremist groups that the coalition is working to oppose. The Taliban and ISIS extort the villagers and force them to look the other way to their crime with fear tactics

 

No one supports ISIS or other extremist groups. I've lived in Afghanistan and other areas in that region for a couple of years. I can tell you while they hate the extremist groups, they also dislike western intervention especially when it comes to destroying infrastructure for "democracy and peace".

 

No clue. I come from a country where soldiers aren't as respected. It's a profession you choose to take. Risking your life to protect us? Well, so does firemen. The exaggerated respect for soldiers is ridiculous imo. But what a boring world if we all had the same opinion!

 

Not sure why people openly choose to disrespect soldiers for little to no reason other than "lol stupid", but I get the disdain when it comes to the US - however keep in mind this comes down to the individual people. As well as their orders, depending on the case. But I'll explain below why the US is a lot better in history than people think.

I respect soldiers immensely. Just how I respect doctors (most lol), firemen/women, policemen/women, all that. Marines. RCMP. Public service workers too. They are doing a job that not only I would never want to do, minus RCMP/FBI (rip that dream job, too mentally ill), but a lot do it for very good reason. Of course you'll always have some fucking nutjobs that are like "lol I joined the military cos I wanna kill people legally, pew pew". But again, small small minority.

Also, a lot of people disregard US as having done anything good but lmao that's pure bullshit. You probably don't remember WWI (obviously you were not alive.), but a lot of people were literally force-drafted in because of how severe it was in both Canada and the US, and in WWII, there was a potential fascist takeover at the hands of Hitler and the US did a fucking LOT by intervening, far as I can recall from a lot of history classes lmao. The US was a MAJOR contributor in both wars. Basically pushed its side to victory both times with either resources/food/etc. (WWI) or sheer headstrong power along with the aforementioned (WWII).

I personally believe people should respect those that do important things they wouldn't do, or couldn't do. You can be edgy and shit on soldiers, marines, airforce pilots etc. as you really wish (I mean if you have a valid reason, no it's not edgy lol), but they do an important job and usually end up scarred for life because of it. (PTSD/shellshock and red rage anyone? Yeah, not something you want.)

There's actually a senator who lost both legs and the use of one arm, she was actually interviewing an ex-millionaire con artist who killed his ex-wife (this was prior to the murder when she was a congresswoman). She was a pilot for the US Air Force. That incident happened when she was flying a chopper in Iraq. Her name is Tammy Duckworth. She's one of the many reasons I just cannot disrespect veterans.

tl;dr They deserve high respect (unless they're the nutjobs who join just to kill people), but not needless praise. Treat them like people too. This also applies to basically any extreme job you wouldn't want to do either. Especially cops.

This is just opinion tho.

 

I don't know that the U.S. military has done very much good recently.

WWI was morally ambiguous, but the U.S. did (in my opinion) fight a "just war" during WWII. The majority of their contribution was their industrial capacity, though, not their invasion. The expression "WWII was won with British intelligence, American steel, and Russian blood" is a bit oversimplified (the Polish helped tremendously with the cracking of German codes), but solid enough.

I don't think that we should respect them for volunteering to be part of unjust wars, but at the very least, they deserve compassion.

I read a little bit about her, but I'm not sure why you're saying she's a reason that you can't disrespect veterans in general.

I have respect for them in the sense of "wow, I couldn't do what you do", but I also feel that way for those weirdos who climb skyscrapers with minimal safety equipment. I don't have respect for them in a "thank you for what you do" way, though.

 

Speaking as a Marine Veteran, I dont want anyone to thank me, offer me free stuff, or even acknowledge that I have even served. This is, surprisingly how a vast majority of veterans feel. We don't care about the discounts, the free food, the parades - we are too busy trying to find our ways in the real world all while trying to stomach the messed up stuff we've seen. Regardless of whether you've been to combat or not, there's still very haunting things that happen aboard military installations that goes overlooked by the general public because of the isolation.

We don't want or feel entitled to anything, in fact sleeping on the floor or in literal cow manure for 3-8 months with no cover, no a.c., zero showers and only bottled water really puts life into perspective. Its a very humbling experience and its one I will never forget when I crawl into my nice bed alongside my wife every night.

We just want to make it through life like everyone else. Thats just my opinion on this matter, however I know at least 20+ buddies of mine who feel the exact same.


Edit: When it comes to war, just remember its the individuals at the top that make the decisions. Much like any other job, a decision is made and the enlisted folk are required to carry it out. 94% of the time its not what we want to do or even agree with, its about those to our left and to our right that are fighting beside us.

 

I appreciate you saying this. It's refreshing to hear from the other side.

While I still reserve judgment on those who join a military that engages in unjust wars, any nation that professes to love its military members that doesn't actually honour its military members is a joke.

That is, the U.S.A.

 

Anytime I have the ability to educate individuals from the outside looking in as to the day to day life of Military members I always try. These days it's as political as ever and with the incredibly strict ROE (Rules of Engagement) implemented proceeding the initial invasions of Iraq, alot of views are based off previous encounters.
What I try to educate people on is the fact that a majority of us "bottom of the barrel" members of the armed forces of whom are tasked to do the actual dirty ground fighting 9 times out of 10 aren't behind the idealistics of those of which make the decisions. Its a very different world in the present day military and while I will always be proud to have served the citizens, it didn't necessarily mean I was behind the decisions that were made by top brass. However, diralection of duty is a phrase that is thrown around quite often in the forces, and we are taught from the get go that we shouldn't ever let the decisions of politician's dictate our morality. There have been times that I had to step back and say "What effect will this decision have on not only the future members of the Marine Corps, but also on my future once I decide my time is up." Having the ability to think about certain consequences is one of the reasons why I decided 20+ years in the military wasn't for me, however I will always attempt to fight for those who don't have a say in what they do because someone who isn't right beside them in the front lines is able to make the decisions.

The great thing about alot of countries is the freedom to speak your mind. And I think that freedom is vital for humanity in order to progress as a human race. And I will continue to do such in a professional manner regardless of whether I get attacked for it or not because in the end, we are only as strong as our weakest link and in order to progress in life we need to realize that.

Edit: I don't deserve anything from the citizens of the U.S. so that doesn't bother me at all. Everyone needs to be focused on living their life, I am in no way, shape, or form any better than anyone for any reason. However, Memorial Day and Veterans Day aren't the only days I spend thinking about those who lost their lives fighting (whether in an injust war or not). That includes any (at the time) foreign enemies, everyone who lost their lives fighting for their country have my utmost respect and are in my head 365 days a year.

Tl;dr I know

 

Well, I read your full post, and you're one of the most reasonable armed forces members I've met. I can't say that I agree or support your decisions on joining the US military, but thank you for shedding light on the reality of what goes through the minds of the rank and file.

I also appreciate that you don't think of the "enemy" as subhuman. It feels very weird to thank you for something as basic as that, but thanks.

 

Cuz theyre sacrificing their lives everyday

 

In my opinion they should be rewarded more than what they are already.

 

Maybe in America but I don’t see much respect for them in the UK :/

 

Why do ' i ' show them such respect? because i was raised to always respect those who fight for your freedom and there beliefs etc.. And i have a bunch of friends & family who served in the past, or currently serve.. I have the upmost respect for them as they sacrifice there time and even lifes and limbs for what they believe in, granted they might not always be fighting for the right cause, but they aren't always going to know that.

Since we're on the subject of why they are treated with the upmost respect tho, i wish this was the case but in the UK it isn't always the case. You will hear of numerous occasions when squaddies 'Soldiers home off tour, or training' out on the town and people will attack them just to 'prove a point' or because he thinks hes a big'dog.

Also, alot of the soldiers who come back from tours in the UK aren't given all the support they should be receiving when going from the Army lifestyle back to Civilian life, bunch of them are left with fuckall or with a bunch of mental health issues + PTSD. a high percentage of them end up in a casket because they cant cope anymore god bless :/.

Lastly not all the folks in the Army are good guys, alot of them are a bad bunch but thanks for your service eitherway.