is war ever the answer?

2019-12-20T15:12:54-05:00

So I'm walking back to my office building today (US Federal Court, Hartford CT) and there are a handful of protestors. One is carrying a sign "War is not the Answer". The majority of us are Veterans or active duty. Is war ever the answer? Why or why not.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 20 at 2019 3:14 PM

2019-12-20T15:14:52-05:00

Not really, because there is really no winner in war.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 20 at 2019 3:25 PM

2019-12-20T15:25:39-05:00

Silly question. "Answer" would imply a question. What is the "Question"? There is none. War is an act of diplomacy (the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country's representatives abroad). Most people think of war as a failure of diplomacy, but it is just another form of diplomacy, aggressive diplomacy, but still a "skill" of "managing" international relations. (If you can't talk them into it, force them into it) Even defense is aggressive diplomacy. (No, you can't force me and I'll use force to stop you from trying) Now, some may argue that they're merely using "answer" in the metaphorical sense of the word. Good luck with that. Then I'll respond using diplomacy in its metaphorical sense. Oh, wait. I already did that...

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Dec 20 at 2019 3:30 PM

2019-12-20T15:30:57-05:00

Maybe.If you're in Poland, France, or England in late 1930s, early 1940s...I'd say war was inevitable and perhaps the only answer. If you're a resident of Saigon circa 1975...maybe one would be inclined to ask, "what was the point?" As far as I'm concerned, war is always the result of the failure of mankind to live up to its own best intentions...but sometimes, the only way to correct the deficiency.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Dec 20 at 2019 3:36 PM

2019-12-20T15:36:21-05:00

War is not THE answer- but it is a strong arguement to those you disagree with to change their course of action. It should always be the last course of action- but brave hard men and women stand at the ready to ensure our way of life and national security are kept safe. Great question John- I also leave you with some 5FDP to answer the question.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gL3WDlZ3J4

War Is The Answer - 5FDP (Live)(Concierto) [HQ]

12 War Is The Answer LIVE War Is The Answer - 5FDP (Live)(Concierto) [HQ]

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 20 at 2019 4:03 PM

2019-12-20T16:03:49-05:00

Pearl Harbor, 9/11, etc.

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Dec 20 at 2019 4:07 PM

2019-12-20T16:07:57-05:00

It depends on the purpose of the war. If war is necessary to gain or preserve liberty, then war may be necessary.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2019 4:52 PM

2019-12-20T16:52:54-05:00

Sometimes it is.

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Dec 20 at 2019 5:02 PM

2019-12-20T17:02:33-05:00

Well, in one case Japan was the "winner" though losing hundreds of thousands in battles and the two A bombs but---look at them today.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 20 at 2019 5:25 PM

2019-12-20T17:25:25-05:00

We won our freedom from England with a war. Sometimes war is necessary to blunt the imperialism of offending nations.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Dec 20 at 2019 6:27 PM

2019-12-20T18:27:02-05:00

The key words for me “handful of protesters “ sets off painful memories from my past,it seems like the privileged and protected can pose this question “War is not the answer” and all that serve give them that right,

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 20 at 2019 6:36 PM

2019-12-20T18:36:42-05:00

Ask a holocaust survivor. Ask a Yazidi survivor of ISIS. Yes, sometimes war is the answer. But only when the national will is there to do what it takes. America has not had that will for a very long time.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 20 at 2019 7:50 PM

2019-12-20T19:50:25-05:00

Sometimes war is the only answer and the most definitive answer on the resolution.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Dec 20 at 2019 10:01 PM

2019-12-20T22:01:15-05:00

There have been times it has been and times it was a total waste. Since it has been the answer in the past and other times not, our job is to be able to discern when it is and isn't. Easier to type than figure out

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 20 at 2019 11:04 PM

2019-12-20T23:04:13-05:00

The answer to what? There is nothing to answer but I’ll give it a shoot!

Here is the thing. War is the continuation of politics (Clausewitz). In other words. When diplomacy - or the lack of it - fails, then military operations gets ongoing. But at the end of they day, no one wants peace more than the one who has to do the fighting.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Dec 21 at 2019 7:42 PM

2019-12-21T19:42:58-05:00

You're sitting at home with your family. An unknown man enters your home, starts gathering your valuables into a bag, your wife asks him to stop, he ignores her, you ask him to stop and, pushing your son aside from something he was protecting, the man ignores you. What do you do? Or perhaps the same thing happens to your elderly neighbor who unable physically to do anything and you are aware of the situation. No police available. Expand the situation to a national level.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2019 2:58 AM

2019-12-26T02:58:11-05:00

Not the best answer

Response by SGT James Sherman made Nov 19 at 2021 7:52 PM

2021-11-19T19:52:19-05:00

War is never the answer. Often a result pf diplomatic failure, but not always. We had no alternative on.911. We answered the call - had to! NEVER FORGET!!!