I am sure you feel very proud of abetting unspeakable war crimes against defenseless women and children in Vietnam.
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The defenseless "women and children" were shooting back. I actually saw what happened since I did not run off to safety.
You obeyed orders eh? There's nice. It was the normal excuse of those who did Hitler's dirty work too. And we all know just how secret the 'secrets' Ms Manning 'revealed' were. Amongst us, regular servicemen have normally signed on because they can't get a decent job anywhere else, but far be it from me to generalise.
No - anyone who expects to be admired simply for being in the military without discussing what it was FOR will never get any respect from me. I've had far too many relatives killed as volunteers in decent wars to be impressed by regulars.Apples and oranges!
You obeyed orders eh? There's nice. It was the normal excuse of those who did Hitler's dirty work too. And we all know just how secret the 'secrets' Ms Manning 'revealed' were. Amongst us, regular servicemen have normally signed on because they can't get a decent job anywhere else, but far be it from me to generalise.
Why be so offensive?
The military has rules of engagement. I saw no violations of those rules. I saw nothing which any normal person would object to. However, if you believe all the anti military propaganda, there is no point of discussing it.
I did not join the Air force because I had to. My original intent was to fly, but my eyes were not good enough. I went through AFROTC and after a few years, I decided I liked it. The pay was not near what I might get as an engineer, but I believed I was doing something worthwhile. I have had no regrets. And as I have said previously, I am very proud of my service.
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Yes. You cannot compare atrocities against civilians with prudent military operations against hostile military personnel & enemy combatants!
Unfortunately military service does not carry the same...not sure of the right word...honour.... in the UK as it does in the States unless you've actually got the t-shirt. Pay him no mind and don't be offended.
....seriously...no mate not like that at all.... its a euphemism....you've either been there or you haven't....nothing more.....no real t-shirts are required!
It is not about offending me. The problem with such rhetoric is that ends up being battle of insults rather than a meaningful conversation.
Personally, I think that referring to everyone in the military as a hero is silly. There are genuine heroes in and out of the military. Loose use of that word dilutes its meaning. I have never asked anyone honor me for my service. However, I will insist on treating me fairly and not mis-characterizing my service.
All of that said, being in the military is unlike most other professions. We took an oath that will defend the constitution which means we may have to lay our life on the line at any time. A by-product of that is long separations from our family and being sent to locations that are undesirable by any definition. Many are very unpleasant and some are just plain dangerous.
They offered me aircrew if I'd sign on for a nice long time. Thanks, but no thanks. I heard quite enough of what went on very much to admire those who wouldn't touch the bloody business.
Hearing, especially from very biased sources, is very different from being there and actually seeing what is going on. I was there.
Well, I was in the RAF at the time, so I heard it from those who were doing it. I was learning Chinese to take flowers to Chinese-flower-arrangers - or something! There's nice!
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Obviously not - but you know who was ultimately in charge of it, and to let you into a secret not covered by the Official Secrets Act (I hope) it was not her Majesty!
I am sure you feel very ashamed of abandoning your country when you were called. unfortunately that is too painful a pill to swallow , so your defense mechanisms step right up to prevent you feeling those painful emotions (America bad and evil...there I feel better already)
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When you've got half as much guts yourself, do let us know so that we can congratulate you. It was a filthy war run by scumbags and liars, as very well you know, and the decent people of the world repudiated it.
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