How To Make Sense Of Military Service In A Culture That No Longer Understands It

The Federalist ^ | 05/25/2020 | Casey Chalk

[marktwain]

Casey Chalk, the author, comes off as incompetent, completely self-absorbed, lacking in humility, and a jerk.

It is far more important to him to further the Progressive Project, than any allegiance to the United States or the Constitution.

[Alberta's Child]

Interesting perspective. I’m of the impression that U.S. military culture hasn’t been culturally relevant in decades. Its demise began in Vietnam and was complete when the military became nothing more than a mercenary force for globalists and Islamic royal families.

[joma89]

Great points. The US military has become a mercenary army paid for by the highest bidder and in its most recent cases, those payers have been islamic countries.

JoMa

[suthener]

“Its demise began in Vietnam and was complete when the military became nothing more than a mercenary force for globalists and Islamic royal families.”

My 20 years service in the U.S. Navy was something more than serving as a mercenary force for globalists and Islamic royal families.

[suthener]

You guys do realize this is Memorial Day, right? The day we remember those who have died defending our country and its freedoms? I don’t know who you think you’re criticizing, but calling our military members mercenaries....I don’t know. Once again I learn a new lesson about the people on FR.

[Alberta's Child]

Well, that’s true. The Navy was always a different story because it’s designed to operate on the open seas where no country has any legal jurisdiction.

[Magnatron]

My 20 years service in the U.S. Navy was something more than serving as a mercenary force for globalists and Islamic royal families.

As another squid who served as a line officer as a tin can man, I would disagree.

Since World War II our mission has strayed dramatically. We find ourselves more often ignoring Washington’s “foreign entanglement” warning and are frequently sending our sons — and now daughters — to die for causes far from our own defense.

Personally, I would prefer we bring our people home from across the globe — Japan, Korea, the Middle East, Germany — everywhere. Out of every sh*thole on earth. Keep a naval presence on the sea and that’s it. With today’s technology, we can be where we need to be very quickly. We don’t need to be a standing — yes — mercenary force to protect peoples who don’t appreciate, or pay, for our service.

[Alberta's Child]

No offense, but when was the last time the U.S. military defended anyone’s freedom here in the U.S.? That was the whole point of my historical reference there.

Maybe I missed the media coverage of the Army protecting barbers in Michigan or the Marines guarding beachgoers in New York who were threatened with arrest by totalitarian thugs.

[outofsalt]

"Casey Chalk, the author, comes off as incompetent, completely self-absorbed, lacking in humility, and a jerk."

Ellsworth Toohey

[suthener]

“Well, that’s true. The Navy was always a different story because it’s designed to operate on the open seas where no country has any legal jurisdiction.”

I don’t even know to respond to that. I guess the aircraft on those carriers, around which almost our entire Navy is structured, just operate in open waters, as well as the next level of Naval force projection, amphibious task groups.

[suthener]

“when was the last time the U.S. military defended anyone’s freedom here in the U.S.? “

You want the U.S. military to operate here? Are you freakin nuts? That would only go against.., I don’t know, everything this country stands for.

[Bonemaker]

“No offense, but when was the last time the U.S. military defended anyone’s freedom here in the U.S.?”

Probably the Revolutionary War. When you boil the military experience down the only thing you really give a shit about are your mates...comrades in arms...and that’s for life.

[Afterguard]

Are you serious? I recognize the handle but did you just slide over here from the DUmp?

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, including me. My opinion of you now is that you’re just stupid. Just my $.02.

[ASOC]

cogent point and well made.

I ‘gave up’ on the senior leadership while and active duty Zoomie.

The classic O6 gets a pass while the enlisted guy takes in in the neck soured me.

Funnest? When the base commander got named in a paternity action - the publicity forced his wife to file for divorce... All well known across the installation before the **** hit the fan.

Punishment?
He wasn’t allowed his next star.....

[marktwain]

You have your perspective. Mine is different.

The Military culture has been far more conservative than any other government agency.

The Military promotes merit more than most of the bureaurcracies.

The Military promotes love of country, nationalism, more than the other bureaucracies.

Your attitude that we can ignore the rest of the world in fortress America, is short sighted. We could not afford to do so in 1801-1805, or later.

The problem is, since 1965, most of the Media and much of the ruling elite (part and parcel of the same), no longer have allegiance to America. They actively seek global government and the decline of America.

We lost Vietnam in the American Media. We did not win decisively in Iraq, in the American Media.

We cannot afford to ignore the rest of the world. The whole world is smaller now, than the American colonies in 1776, as far as communication and transportation.

President Trump is working hard to return America's military to protecting America's interests, as he should.

[suthener]

Definition of mercenary (Entry 1 of 2)
: one that serves merely for wages
especially : a soldier hired into foreign service
mercenaries who guaranteed the success of the rebellion
— B. F. Reilly
mercenary adjective
Definition of mercenary (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : serving merely for pay or sordid advantage : VENAL
also : GREEDY
2 : hired for service in the army of a foreign country

If you’re okay with being called a mercenary, more power to you. I’m not. I don’t disagree with the rest of your post, but criticizing politicians who set policy and military members themselves are two different things.

[BwanaNdege]

I’m of the impression that U.S. military culture hasn’t been culturally relevant in decades.

How have you gained this deep insight? Your "About" page makes no mention of any military service by you. Did you acquire it in Alberta or Zambia?

What areas of American "culture" do you consider to be "culturally relevant in (recent) decades"?

[Alberta's Child]

There’s a reason why the words “army” and “navy” are used separately in the U.S. Constitution. This country was never supposed to have a large standing “army” at all. Instead, the Federal government was given the authority to raise an army by compelling states to put their state militias under Federal control when a war declaration was passed by Congress.

No such arrangement exists for a “navy,” because individual states had no legal authority to conduct military operations in international waters. That’s why the U.S. Navy was a Federal institution from the founding of the country.

By the way ... to the extent that those aircraft and amphibious tasks forces you described were engaged in military campaigns that had nothing to do with the defense of the United States — then they WERE nothing more than mercenaries.

[PIF]

He’s upset about an affair, but likely supports all sorts of gayness and pedophilia in the name of diversity.