Do you think it is true that U.S. military and civilians are increasingly divided? What makes you think that?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sun, 24 May 2015 06:55:06 -0400

While the U.S. waged a war in Vietnam 50 years ago with 2.7 million men conscripted from every segment of society, less than one-half of 1% of the U.S. population is in the armed services today - the lowest rate since World War II. America's recent wars are authorized by a U.S. Congress whose members have the lowest rate of military service in history, led by three successive commanders in chief who never served on active duty.

Surveys suggest that as many as 80% of those who serve come from a family in which a parent or sibling is also in the military. They often live in relative isolation - behind the gates of military installations such as Ft. Bragg or in the deeply military communities like Fayetteville, N.C., that surround them.

The segregation is so pronounced that it can be traced on a map: Some 49% of the 1.3 million active-duty service members in the U.S. are concentrated in just five states - California, Virginia, Texas, North Carolina and Georgia.

The U.S. military today is gradually becoming a separate warrior class, many analysts say, that is becoming increasingly distinct from the public it is charged with protecting.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-military-and-civilians-are-increasingly-divided/ar-BBkaN9f

U.S. military and civilians are increasingly divided

Jovano Graves' parents begged him not to join the Army right out of high school in 2003, when U.S. troops were fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. But their son refused his parents' pleas to try college. He followed them both into the Army instead.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 7:28 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 07:28:12 -0400

Seems to be. But, still better than in the 70s and vietnam.

The divide will always be because too many have no concept of the military.

Response by Sgt Martin V. made May 26 at 2015 2:17 PM

Sgt Martin V. — Tue, 26 May 2015 14:17:46 -0400

Great article, thanks for sharing.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 6:41 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 18:41:51 -0400

If the division today that exists between the military and civilians can be viewed as the distance from the New York City to Los Angeles, then the divisiveness we felt coming home from Nam would be viewed as the distance of the Earth to Mars!!! Things are infinitely better today for our military personnel and I applaud the efforts made by Americans to not repeat the nastiness of the Viet Nam era.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 10:42 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 22:42:27 -0400

This story has an agenda. I hate to bring politics into this, but there is a segment of the liberal elite that wants to bring back the draft, because they believe it to be more democratic as a representative cross-section of American society. That's the point of view that this article is pushing. It makes no mention of the utter hatred that many people had of the military during the Vietnam era, or what we're thought of now. It only focuses on the silly notion that we're somehow a separate class that's somehow completely disengaged from American society.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 9:29 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 09:29:46 -0400

I know living here in Colorado. I can see Ft. Carson from my Bedroom window one of the issues here is with Active Duty soldiers getting in trouble with the Law IE; Rapes, Child Molestations, and even murders have caused a substantial rift between the Civilians and all of the Military stationed here. Also there is a large portion of the Married soldiers living within the surrounding Comunities. Considering there are 4 Military bases here in one city. The Civilians here support the Troops when they return from deployment. But their support fades soon after because of the issues they have with returning from a combat area. And not being able or having difficulties adjusting to normal life.