Is an All Volunteer Military creating a New WARRIOR Class?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:26:09 -0500

The draft ended almost 40 years ago, and even though the U.S. population has grown, the size of the military has declined.

The service is now all-volunteer and often staffed by members of so-called "military families." According to a Department of Defense 2011 Status of Forces survey, 57% of active troops today are the children of members of the armed forces.

Are you first, second, third or fourth generation military?

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2014 8:33 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:33:08 -0500

I'm sort of the 4th generation. My great grandfather served, my grandfather served, my father tried to enlist, but was medically disqualified, then me. My grandfather on the other side served as well, but I never met him.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2014 8:40 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:40:58 -0500

We are now sort of like modern day samurai, those who serve.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2014 8:55 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:55:38 -0500

I know for sure that I'm at least 3rd generation on both sides. I think 4th on my mothers side.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Nov 25 at 2014 9:07 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 21:07:12 -0500

I have had family in the military all the way back to the Civil War, with family on both sides of that war.

Response by A1C Thomas Leary made Nov 25 at 2014 10:55 PM

A1C Thomas Leary — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 22:55:13 -0500

My father served in the USAF during the Korean War, and my mom served in the Naval Reserves in the early 60's

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2014 11:10 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 23:10:29 -0500

My mother's father was an Army Chemical Corps Lieutenant, and my father's father was an Airman at one point. My parents met at West Point as Plebes (Freshmen) in 1985. They eventually split in 1999 and both remarried, having more children with new spouses. Of my 11 siblings across all of the various marriages that comprise my family, I am the only one of my parents' children who chose to go into the military, and the rest express no desires to follow in my footsteps. Our volunteer nature and the inherent isolation of Army bases, overseas tours, and deployments has indeed created a new culture from the early 2000's onward, but I do not think this is inherently a bad thing. The sense of entitlement that many young Soldiers exhibit is the main cause for alarm and should be discouraged by leaders at all levels though many current and prior service members have made great strides towards communities as volunteers and charitable patrons. It is the responsibility of leaders at all levels to ensure that our culture promotes supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States at all levels.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Nov 25 at 2014 11:53 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 23:53:54 -0500

It skipped a generation for me. Both of my Grandfathers were WW II Veterans. My parents, aunts, and uncles never served.

Response by PFC Dave Liter made Nov 26 at 2014 2:41 PM

PFC Dave Liter — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:41:14 -0500

A couple of my grand children are planning a military life. A chain unbroken.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Nov 26 at 2014 2:52 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:52:04 -0500

4th Gen on both sides.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Nov 26 at 2014 2:52 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:52:25 -0500

I think its' not necessarily a good thing when you have a cultural seperation of the military from the people they serve.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 26 at 2014 3:06 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:06:10 -0500

Father and all uncles=WWII, both grandfathers=WWI, six of eight great, great grandfathers (maternal & paternal)=Civil War and four ancestors (maternal & paternal)=Revolutionary War.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 26 at 2014 3:41 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:41:54 -0500

Like CW2 Joseph Evans it skipped a generation for me. But there is a warrior class, without a doubt. The good news is that ours is a voluntary one. The bad news is this class separation is very real and if uncorrected in the long term portends very negative consequences.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 4:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:45:17 -0500

Family military service dating back to the Civil War . Would have ended with my father until I decided to carry on the family tradition and joined at age 40.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Nov 26 at 2014 5:21 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:21:18 -0500

I'm first generation US Army....kinda. My paternal great uncle served with the USAFE under Gen MacArthur during the Bataan campaign in 1942. He was a Death March survivor. However, I'm not sure if he was Philippine Army or a member of the US Philippine Scouts.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 1:44 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 13:44:16 -0500

I am second generation. My dad was a ww2 B17 navigator. As for "Warrior Class" it seems to be present but mostly positive; the public sees veterans in a positive way like WW2 but unlike Vietnam era, probably since Pearl Harbor and 9/11 reminded us of the dangers to the homeland. There is a special brother-sisterhood/camaraderie among military members and veterans. The public now seems to be going as far as putting veterans on a pedestal--finally getting the recognition they need since getting spit upon during/after Vietnam. I don't really see a danger to this. Our rugged Constitution and civilian control of the military keeps us from having a "7 days in May" military coupe. We have sent military heroes to the Presidency (ie Grant, Eisenhower, and other vets like Kennedy) and Congress, but they above all respect our constitution even more so than non-vets; Eisenhower himself warned of the military-industrial complex" The only slightly negative thing is that some people (subject of another post) may have feel disconnected with our military; ie most bases being closed to public since 9/11 (for good reason, of course) ; however, the military has made great efforts to reach out to the public; ie Fleet Week, a wildly successful event even in liberal San Francisco, air shows, base open houses. Fortunately, as we rely more on reserve participation, that helps bring military people interacting in business and the civilian community. Also for people who cannot qualify for the military for medical or age, they can be part of the team with such groups as Civil Air Patrol, Coast Guard Auxiliary or State Defense forces.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 2 at 2015 2:02 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:02:55 -0500

I did not want to become an accountant so I joined the Army. More fun!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 3 at 2015 4:05 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 16:05:46 -0500

My son went into the Army Reserve. Now he is finishing up his degree. It's a plan he made.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Mar 7 at 2020 1:04 PM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 13:04:33 -0500

They creating a new warrior class alright, a chickenshit class of little turds!