Is there anything wrong with being gung ho and wanting to fight for your country/go to war if there is one?

PV2 J M — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 20:38:49 -0500

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Dec 7 at 2017 8:52 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 20:52:09 -0500

I would tweak it a bit... there is nothing wrong with being gung ho about being a professional. I would not say that it is cool to want to go to war. But that is me...

Response by Col Jim Harmon made Dec 7 at 2017 8:56 PM

Col Jim Harmon — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 20:56:01 -0500

Nothing wrong with being Gung Ho. The only people who want to go to war, are the ones who have never been. It's an ugly business, and it leaves lasting pain. Nobody prays for peace harder than the military.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2017 9:03 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 21:03:45 -0500

PV2 J M Being Gung Ho and willing to fight for your country is ok. Wanting to go to war is not. War is hell for everyone involved. You will be changed forever, and many of these changes are not good. Serve your country, but pray that you do not go to war.

Response by SCPO Ysmael Ramos made Dec 7 at 2017 9:20 PM

SCPO Ysmael Ramos — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 21:20:52 -0500

You have to be wired that way from birth. Can it be your DNA or just in the genes.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Dec 7 at 2017 9:24 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 21:24:25 -0500

As noted by my esteemed Brothers "Train for war Pray for peace" had a very small piece of war quite awhile ago ,still have the memories and the ghosts, Good luck young man.

Response by MSG Frederick Otero made Dec 7 at 2017 10:30 PM

MSG Frederick Otero — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 22:30:38 -0500

No, nothing wrong but be damn careful what you ask for you might just get it. I believe that Gung Ho meant something like pull together or work together, nothing wrong with that.

Response by SPC Robert Coventry made Dec 7 at 2017 10:41 PM

SPC Robert Coventry — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 22:41:21 -0500

Be careful what you wish for I think most vets want to fight for our country but war is hell

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2017 10:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 22:41:45 -0500

Jordan think of it this way being patriotic and wanted to join the military in anticipation of a war breaking out is okay I've read stories of stock brokers quit their job to join the military as a Marine Corps officer or is an officer in the military. I think with other guys are talking about here is where you find out your best buddy is killed in combat or you end up being severely wounded or killed yourself. I was lucky and Iraq and Afghanistan that I did not get wounded or killed. I lost my first sergeant to a suicide car bomber a week before he came back. That traumatized me. I went to about 5 or 6 different what they call ramp ceremonies were someone who was killed in combat in a rollover accident is now in a casket with six soldiers carrying him onto the C-130 followed by the chaplain. We are all at present arms in the middle of the night or in the afternoon whenever they call the formation for the ramp ceremony. It's good that you ask these questions. Some people here have been traumatized by losing their buddies. If you want to serve your country, go for it! If you want to join the Marines, the army, the Air Force or the Navy, it is your choice! Feel free to ask us any more questions

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Dec 7 at 2017 10:46 PM

Cpl Rc Layne — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 22:46:21 -0500

Response by SGT David T. made Dec 8 at 2017 8:30 AM

SGT David T. — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 08:30:38 -0500

You are young so it is somewhat to be expected. Idealism and glorification of war are prevalent in those who have not experienced it. No words of mine can explain it better than how Eisenhower did in 1946:
"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity."

For me all it ever brought was pain and suffering. The messed up back and knees are daily reminders of it. So take from that what you will.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 8 at 2017 8:37 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 08:37:38 -0500

Nope. Just remember war isn't all it is cracked up to be.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2017 9:28 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 09:28:07 -0500

PV2 J M - My duties involved helping our troops, their troops, and ordinary people caught in the middle recover from their wounds, go on with their lives, and live to fight another day. The idealism of youth is fine - just don't let it override your common sense - or take your life or the lives of others without reason. I have personally seen far too many good young men die for their country - and their families grieve. There can be so much more to life than focusing primarily on killing and/or being killed - so much we can do just by standing guard over our own troops and others whose lives are in danger. Be gung ho and fight when needed - but pray for peace - and focus on what it takes to make you whole and to feel that your life is worth living.
Warmest Regards & Much Love, Sandy :)

Response by SPC David Willis made Dec 8 at 2017 10:02 AM

SPC David Willis — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 10:02:43 -0500

Gung Ho is great. Id even argue that IF there is already a war on its not bad to want to go and do work. However, if you ever find yourself actively hoping for a war seek help.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2017 10:19 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 10:19:27 -0500

The only ones who yearn for war are the ones who have not themselves been through it.
If duty calls, it is my profession to be ready to answer the call, be it war, standing a post, responding to a disaster, or doing stability operations. I am ready and proficient and should the call come I will do all I can to further our cause and defeat any adversary.
But I would much rather that call would never come again.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 8 at 2017 1:32 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 13:32:17 -0500

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Dec 8 at 2017 2:03 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 14:03:38 -0500

Wanting to fight for your country is fine. Hoping for a chance to go to war is bad. Nothing good about war for wars sake.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2017 2:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 14:16:58 -0500

Has to be someone to do it, if not then we go to the draft. I think we're more effective with volunteers.

Response by PO2 Hank Kaczmarek made Dec 8 at 2017 2:29 PM

PO2 Hank Kaczmarek — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 14:29:17 -0500

A feeling of many who have not been in combat. 90% of combat is waiting for the 10% to take place. And when it does, it's terrifying. Nothing wrong with serving your country in the military. But given the choice between the listening post on the front line, and "in the rear, with the gear", I'll be standing in that LONG line every time.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Dec 8 at 2017 2:50 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 14:50:22 -0500

Grab yer rifle and go shoot somebody

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Dec 9 at 2017 9:49 PM

SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 21:49:01 -0500

I think defending and fighting for our country is what we have always done in order for us to have the freedom we enjoy here. However just because the politicians want to send our troops to war it should be for that defending and protecting our freedoms. Not because some jacked up phony reasons to cause distractions for domestic issues.

We shouldn't be so gung ho in sending our troops off to war. We should be very much gung ho for holding the politicians accountable for taking care of all those that have previously served or went off to war. Who have come back, with illnesses and many injuries. I say let's fixed those Veterans before we go jumping off sending more into harms way.

Peace!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2018 2:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 14:51:32 -0400

I was once similar, until I starting having kids and a family....now every time I deploy it’s the most heartbreaking thing I have to go thru. Necessary but depressing.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2018 6:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 18:50:14 -0400

First understand what is the true meaning of, "Gung Ho." The Chinese meaning, who's words are "Gung Ho", you might have it out of context, young troop.

Response by SPC Vonnie Jones made May 24 at 2018 6:38 AM

SPC Vonnie Jones — Thu, 24 May 2018 06:38:43 -0400

Nothing wrong with wanting to fight for your country, but war is hell. However the fight sometime continues for you way after the war is over. Its not like on TV, pray for peace