Posted on Nov 11, 2014
Can anyone 'do better' than serving in the military?
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When I was on recruiting, I would occasionally run into someone who would tell me that they could do better than the Army. Aside from filling me with indignant rage, it got me to thinking. People like this fundamentally fail to understand what it is we actually do.
We, and by that, I mean everyone who wears the uniform, perpetually create American society. It is not an exaggeration to say that we are the wellspring from which everything in the American experience emerges. Everything that 311 million Americans have in their lives ultimately comes from us. Every right, every privilege, every opportunity, everything that they either cherish or take for granted, value or squander, only exists as a direct result of our efforts to protect and preserve the American way of life.
Peace isn’t a naturally occurring phenomenon. You never hear about peace breaking out in some part of the world. The conditions for prosperity do not sustain themselves. The creation of material wealth is not left undisturbed without cause or reason. George Orwell once said, “People sleep peaceably in their beds because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” Although an oversimplification, the idea is absolutely correct.
Our way of life continues through its various iterations because there exists a group of Americans who value its perpetuation more than their own lives. A small percentage of the population recognize that the American way of life – and everything that happens as a result of it – is something that must be defended and is worth fighting for. Peace doesn’t occur as a result of the absence of conflict. It is created by a group that has shared values, - shared love of life, liberty, and prosperity – and the willingness to fight for those values more ferociously than their opponent.
I have spent the last 20 years of my life contributing to that fight. I have had the rare privilege of both having the ability and the perspective necessary to be able to contribute to that fight. There are some who do quite well with the prosperity that we provide. But I have been part of a group that does nothing less than continually recreate the United States of America every single day. That is what we do, and no one can do better than that.
What are your thoughts?
We, and by that, I mean everyone who wears the uniform, perpetually create American society. It is not an exaggeration to say that we are the wellspring from which everything in the American experience emerges. Everything that 311 million Americans have in their lives ultimately comes from us. Every right, every privilege, every opportunity, everything that they either cherish or take for granted, value or squander, only exists as a direct result of our efforts to protect and preserve the American way of life.
Peace isn’t a naturally occurring phenomenon. You never hear about peace breaking out in some part of the world. The conditions for prosperity do not sustain themselves. The creation of material wealth is not left undisturbed without cause or reason. George Orwell once said, “People sleep peaceably in their beds because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” Although an oversimplification, the idea is absolutely correct.
Our way of life continues through its various iterations because there exists a group of Americans who value its perpetuation more than their own lives. A small percentage of the population recognize that the American way of life – and everything that happens as a result of it – is something that must be defended and is worth fighting for. Peace doesn’t occur as a result of the absence of conflict. It is created by a group that has shared values, - shared love of life, liberty, and prosperity – and the willingness to fight for those values more ferociously than their opponent.
I have spent the last 20 years of my life contributing to that fight. I have had the rare privilege of both having the ability and the perspective necessary to be able to contribute to that fight. There are some who do quite well with the prosperity that we provide. But I have been part of a group that does nothing less than continually recreate the United States of America every single day. That is what we do, and no one can do better than that.
What are your thoughts?
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Freedom
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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To imply that someone can't do better than the military is to imply that being in the military makes you better than those who aren't. This idea is absolutely ridiculous. What's "best" for any given person changes on an individual basis. What brings out the best in a person? How can an individual best benefit their nation/ideals? The military isn't always the answer to that. I'd much rather have a brilliant person in a STEM field work in and advance that field than join the military and waste their talents.
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SFC Josh Jackson
Is it so ridiculous? Without us and the opportunity we safeguard, who would excel to any height? I'm not denying that there are civilians who are more talented, smarter, or better capable than service members, but I challenge you to consider that we are the only reason such talented individuals have the chance to excel.
As for being better, there is no doubt that a handful of people in our society have climbed to extraordinary heights. They've made a tremendous impact on our society and western civilization. But what chance would they have had to do anything of the sort if not for our efforts? They've done great things in their relative fields, but we protect and preserve the stage on which they shine.
Are you and I smarter or more talented that Bill Gates or Steve Jobs? Certainly not. But like you, I am a member of a group of organizations that made their spectacular success possible. The work we do is the underlying means to everyone's ends. What is better than that?
As for being better, there is no doubt that a handful of people in our society have climbed to extraordinary heights. They've made a tremendous impact on our society and western civilization. But what chance would they have had to do anything of the sort if not for our efforts? They've done great things in their relative fields, but we protect and preserve the stage on which they shine.
Are you and I smarter or more talented that Bill Gates or Steve Jobs? Certainly not. But like you, I am a member of a group of organizations that made their spectacular success possible. The work we do is the underlying means to everyone's ends. What is better than that?
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SGT (Join to see)
SFC Josh Jackson I get what you're saying, but I refuse to take that extra step and declare myself, and all others like us, better than civilians. Respectfully, that is some top level arrogance. To place one demographic of people above all others is completely contrary to my egalitarian ideals, and history has some damned horrific examples of what happens to a society when they pursue that line of thinking.
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SFC Josh Jackson
I can respect that, and I confess to feeling a sense of moral superiority over those who have never pitched in for the defense of the society that affords them unlimited opportunity. But I definitely stand by my original post. Thanks for reading!
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On point SFC Josh Jackson. I love the Orwell quote.
I think that with this subject you are touching on perspective. As it is said, "everything's relative." So, what does one mean by better? More money -- a better salary? Sure, you can do better than military pay. More geographic stability? Sure, the Army moves people often.
Now, if the thought is, "you couldn't do anything else", then I take issue with that statement. Military service is quintessential public service. Low pay (relatively); high risk (war, death). But our reward isn't in our pay. It's finding fulfillment in service to the greatest nation in the world.
Ironically, when I was in basic, my drill sergeants perpetuated this idea. "You have college degrees and you enlisted, huh? I guess you couldn't do anything else." That attitude enraged me.
I think that with this subject you are touching on perspective. As it is said, "everything's relative." So, what does one mean by better? More money -- a better salary? Sure, you can do better than military pay. More geographic stability? Sure, the Army moves people often.
Now, if the thought is, "you couldn't do anything else", then I take issue with that statement. Military service is quintessential public service. Low pay (relatively); high risk (war, death). But our reward isn't in our pay. It's finding fulfillment in service to the greatest nation in the world.
Ironically, when I was in basic, my drill sergeants perpetuated this idea. "You have college degrees and you enlisted, huh? I guess you couldn't do anything else." That attitude enraged me.
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SFC Josh Jackson
That's an outrageous notion, the idea that because you started out enlisted with a college degree, that even Drill Sergeants thought your chosen profession was a last resort. As for me, I surpassed the point where the Army was the most prosperous job I could get years ago. I can make more money outside (although I'm pretty comfortable), but I can't make a difference, at least not to the degree that I do now.
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