Posted on Dec 15, 2015
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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Did you know that A World War II Veteran has Surprising Words for Millennials Who Won’t Join the Military?

A new poll reveals that even when most Millennials support military intervention against ISIS, they are overwhelmingly unlikely to join the military themselves.

RP Members what do you think?

https://www.ijreview.com/2015/12/491627-harvard-poll-millennials-wwii-vets-draft/

Does that sound cynical? Well, a World War II veteran doesn’t blame them.

Legion of Merit recipient Gaetano Benza, who joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and fought in Normandy, told Independent Journal that during World War II:

“Guys would quit school and quit jobs to go to war. I can understand why people would not do that today because America is not America anymore.

“Yes, it’s still the greatest country in the world but we’re involved in so many things. During World War II we were out to take out a tyrant; but ISIS is out to take over the world.”

Benza told Independent Journal:

“The enthusiasm (today) is not there like we had when we were joining for the war.

“I was ready to quit school. I was in my last year of graduation. I was going to a navigation school at that time and when war was declared I was 17. And a lot of my friends were ready to quit school. … But you needed mom and dad’s signature to join at 17 so when I was 18 I immediately went into the Army. …

“When we were there we were out there to do a job and complete that job. We fought all the way through to the end.

“The way we plan today is not the way we planned and they don’t have the generals we had: (Douglas) MacArthur, (George) Patton, (Dwight) Eisenhower. They were the ones who fought these battles and they led us into battle.”
Edited 10 y ago
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LTC Stephen F.
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Edited 10 y ago
COL Mikel J. Burroughs I am not surprised that a World War II Veteran has disparaging words for millennials who won’t join the military.
However I am glad to learn that a new poll reveals most Millennials support military intervention against ISIS. With our decisions to use air power alone it is not surprising that people outside teh military are not inclined to join the military since we have not been engaging ISIS at a point where most people would be able to fight. Only pilots and special operators have been actually fighting.
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1SG Clifford Barnes
1SG Clifford Barnes
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They need to step up and do their part by serving
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Capt Retired
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Polls and studies have one thing in common. They usually result in a conclusion that supports the views of the people paying for the poll/study.
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SPC David Hack
SPC David Hack
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Isn't that the truth ain't it sir?
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SFC Deputy Station Commander
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs I'm a millennial, don't be fooled by this survey it's pure BS, of course a 30 year old male or female who has something going on or have seen their better days would not want to serve if they haven't already did so like I did when I was teen.
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SFC Deputy Station Commander
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PO3 Steven Sherrill that is a true statement, and I agree 100%
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I agree. I personally might not have joined if I were 29 and married with a kid, or in any sort of similar situation. Joining at 18 was no problem, because I had no other real obligations to think about.
SPC David Hack
SPC David Hack
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PO3 Steven Sherrill - So, THAT'S why they don't do a general poll! Because they're afraid of the truth!
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SFC Deputy Station Commander
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That's the point that I was trying to make sir. They need to figure out what happens when Millennials get to old to join, and these Generation Z folks decided that they don't have or, they don't need to
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Did you know that A World War II Veteran has Surprising Words for Millennials Who Won’t Join the Military?
SMSgt Emo McParland
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I can only speak for myself; but I have to respect the person looking back in the mirror at me, & I do. If millineals aren't willing to help Our Nation, what are they willing to do?
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SrA Airborne Mission Systems
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Curious, what do you think the age range is for the people who make up the largest part of the military? 30 and younger (what this survey is referring to as millennials.) I may be misinterpreting what you are saying, but I get the feeling you are putting down the majority of the military. It is estimated that about 66% of out military is 30 years or younger. That seems to suggest to me that millennials are more than willing to help.
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SMSgt Emo McParland
SMSgt Emo McParland
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I'm not referring to the hard working Men & Women of Our Military. I thought that was obvious-I would never cheap shot my Brothers & Sisters. My comments refer to the 18-28 year olds still living with Mommy & Daddy
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PO1 John Miller
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
I can't say I blame him!
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SFC Deputy Station Commander
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs it doesn't even take into consideration if these people are even physically, mentally or financially stable enough to join the military.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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SPC David Hack
SPC David Hack
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Very good point as a matter of fact! Talking about the point SGT Davidson made sir, and I can see where he's coming from on that because I don't think I would have either if I had a mountain of debt to take care of first. I was physically and mentally OK, just like quite a few of us were when we went in and maybe still wet behind the ears, but if the financial situation wasn't good that's another can of worms!
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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Thank you for the great share COL.
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SPC David Hack
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For me raising my right hand at nineteen and going through basic at twenty was a 'no brainer,' basically because I had no prior commitments and I wasn't going anywhere. SGT Benza's correct on one point, and that is that we don't have the generals like a Eisenhower, MacArthur, Patton, Abrams etc, unless you want to count Gen. Mattis, Gen. Franks, Gen. Horner and Gen. Schwartzcoph in with the others I just mentioned.
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GySgt William Hardy
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Thus far I have heard many say they support the military, but few actually join. Remember the phrase from the Vietnam days? You talk the talk. Do you walk the walk? A single digit percentage walk the walk....seems kind of low to me and speaks volumes, both about the millenniums and about our government.
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PV2 Glen Lewis
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Nobody wants to join during wartime, millennial, baby-boomer or whatever dividing term you want to use.
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