The Volunteer army (military) has only been in effect since the 1970's. Under your belief none of the foregoing wars this nation has fought since the Revolution would have been fought or won. The true reality is that the front line grunt doesn't fight for national pride or freedom or anything. Once your butt is incountry and on the line...grunts fight for each other. Why do you think the re-enlistment rate overseas is far higher than the initial enlistment rate? Grunts think if they ETS while they're buddies are still on the line and one of those buds gets killed they're at fault for not being there.
I was a recon scout. I was in to protect my country. Of course what you say about the desire of the grunt to protect his unit are true.
However, making the jump to say prior to 1970s as being failures in my opinion is not at all what I said. I said I don't want to rely on a guy who wants to be somewhere else, jodying a soldier's girlfriend.
I want someone I can rely on aiding me if I am putting my life on the line.
And of course I don't mean the guy who once the shooting starts, wishes he were somewhere where he isn't being shot at. Anyone who is sane doesn't want to be in a position where they can be shot. But, there are those who are willing to be in a place where they can be shot because it is needed for them to be there.
I am afraid my inability to express myself is making me sound like I am floundering. I hope that a level head can understand what I mean.