I never said that and I don’t believe that. You are the only one of us who’s used those words. I did not and I would not because I don’t believe that.
Just because I believe that there are people in high places that have used, and those that are using the military for their own ends/benefits, that does NOT follow that I think the military are stupid, or dupes. THAT IS YOUR WHACKED OUT PERSONAL INFERRED LOGIC. Maybe you need to check your cynicism at the door and turn off a few of your own bias filters.
I don’t believe they are stupid or dupes. I believe most believe the reasons they are told, whatever that happens to be. I don’t believe many in the lower ranks ever know the upper echelons’ multitude of reasons why.
Is that how you felt when you were in the military, like a “pawn” and a “merc”?