Millennials support 'boots on the ground' to fight ISIS, but not necessarily their 'boots'. Is this survey surprising to you?

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 23:06:36 -0500

The institute has asked millennials about the idea of American boots on the ground at three different times this year, and the survey results have fluctuated somewhat, but there seems to be a "hardening of support." In this most recent survey, 60 percent of the 18- to 29-year-olds polled say they support committing U.S. combat troops to fight ISIS. But an almost equal number (62 percent) say they wouldn't want to personally join the fight, even if the U.S. needed additional troops. The disconnect in joining the fight comes down to how millennials feel about the government writ large, according to Harvard IOP Polling Director John Della Volpe. "I'm reminded of the significant degree of distrust that this generation has about all things related to government," said Della Volpe. "And I believe if young people had a better relationship with government ... they'd be more open to serving."
http://www.npr.org/2015/12/10/459111960/millennials-want-to-send-troops-to-fight-isis-but-not-serve?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20151213&utm_campaign=bestofnpr&utm_term=nprnews

Millennials Want To Send Troops To Fight ISIS, But Don't Want To Serve

A comprehensive new poll from the Harvard Institute of Politics dives into the politics of the nation's 18- to 29-year-olds. The poll also looked at support for Bernie Sanders and immigration.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 13 at 2015 11:12 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 23:12:40 -0500

Today, "leaders" send troops into battle. In days gone by, many leader were in front of the troops on the battle field. Just too bad we don't have leadership from the front any more!

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 13 at 2015 11:26 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 23:26:32 -0500

By way of a crossover topic (Swiss gun laws) I would the following concept also be U.S. custom and law: "Since 1291, when the [Swiss] landsgemeinden (people's assemblies) formed circles in the village squares, and only men carrying swords could vote, weapons have been the mark of citizenship. As a Military Department spokesman said, "It is an old Swiss tradition that only an armed man can have political rights." This policy is based on the understanding that only those who bear the burden of keeping Switzerland free are entitled to fully enjoy the benefits of freedom."
http://www.guncite.com/swissgun-kopel.html

"What America can learn from Switzerland is that the best way to reduce gun misuse is to promote responsible gun ownership."

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Dec 13 at 2015 11:30 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 23:30:21 -0500

One word comes to mind when reading the title of the thread and that is millennials are cowards, and I will not be silent with that.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Dec 13 at 2015 11:36 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 23:36:31 -0500

It has been going on for a while. Right after 9/11 I was on recruiting duty. Talked to a kid who was all pumped up about the US pending war over the attacks. The only problem, he wanted others to go. He even said there are other people to fight the war. At the time the US had no idea who was to blame. We as Marines knew war was pending. We begged to get into the fight.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 12:59 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 00:59:20 -0500

I have 3 boys (a 23 yr old that just graduated Cal Poly Tech and started a job at CGI; a 20 yr old at Alfred State doing Automotive Tech and 16 yr old Junior in High School). Not only do none of them have any desire to join the military but they also don't think the US should have ground troops fighting ISIS. And, I assure you, they have great respect for their Uncle (my brother, who has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan many times during his 17 yrs) as well as, for me as a Veteran. So, actually those results wouldn't have been what my millennial boys would've surveyed.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 14 at 2015 2:18 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 02:18:58 -0500

Now where's the surprise - that the 99% don't want to get involved? What's new?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Dec 14 at 2015 2:20 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 02:20:28 -0500

Sadly I am not surprised. "We should fight, but I don't want to." So what that tells me is that these people love our Constitutionally guaranteed rights, they just don't want to defend said rights. Rights that men like your son are about to defend when he graduates Marine Boot Camp.

Response by PO3 Brad Phlipot made Dec 14 at 2015 2:24 AM

PO3 Brad Phlipot — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 02:24:55 -0500

15yrs of war and countless lives destroyed. How many more do we need to put some skin in the game? Maybe we need to break out the larger munitions and make a few of these countries really hurt then the message we are serious just might unravel a few pajama warriors. This is really getting old and expensive (In Human Costs)

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 14 at 2015 2:57 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 02:57:34 -0500

The Survey I saw said they weren't interested and did not feel a vested interest. Guess we need either better or more Right Wing Propaganda to get them Properly Fired Up (Fortunately I think they can see through BS pretty good).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 4:05 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 04:05:04 -0500

Politicians have always been brave with the blood of others.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 6:23 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 06:23:14 -0500

Kinda whats wrong with some of these kids and America right now. They want action but don't want to be a participant. Pretty much what our government and many professors from universities are teaching these kids. That there always will be someone else who will do the heavy lifting. So just sit back and let others carry the burden.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 14 at 2015 7:01 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 07:01:39 -0500

First, we only have a million man military (give or take). There are not enough slots for every millennial anyway. The concept of them all serving is unrealistic at best and would likely be destructive to the military readiness by trying to force them.

Plenty of them are serving right now. My son is in the Marines right now and has been for the last 5 years with a tour to Afghanistan. Others on this site have sons/daughters serving right now that would fall into the millennial camp.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 7:24 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 07:24:41 -0500

I laugh at this kind of stuff . It's so much easier to lump everyone into one group . And blame the "millennials" I guess it would be okay to assume that the baby boomers generation got us into this mess to begin with and now that they are getting ready to retire it's the millennials time to clean to up the mess even if some Americans don't approve of where we stand.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 9:08 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:08:46 -0500

Did anyone poll middle aged and senior citizens to see if this same feeling does not exist in those age groups as well?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 9:50 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:50:55 -0500

This pretty much sums things up. "Send somebody else"...
Ok, send me then.

Understand that a ground conflict here would be very dirty business, if we expect to win. Winning entails isolating and drawing into decisive combat a suicidal enemy in urban ground populated with civilians. It will take the unrestricted application of firepower and brutally going house to house in order to clear them out.
Being a leader means you'll be writing letters. Count on it.
I think that this is a fight worth taking on, but I do not think that we have the will to do what would be necessary.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Dec 14 at 2015 10:22 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 10:22:46 -0500

This a bit misleading. While Millennials recognize the threat of ISIS, its not that they don't want to serve because they want someone else to or are afraid. It's because post 9/11, young Americans don't trust our leadership in Washington to make the right foreign policy decisions necessary to defeat ISIS.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2015/1212/Why-Millennials-want-war-against-ISIS-but-don-t-want-to-serve

Why Millennials want war against ISIS, but don't want to serve

A new poll shows how young Americans take a strong line against terrorism, and perhaps the Islamic State in particular, but don't trust their own government.

Response by SPC David S. made Dec 14 at 2015 11:22 AM

SPC David S. — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 11:22:45 -0500

Millennials are disabled and done so by the hands of their parents.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 11:35 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 11:35:19 -0500

My supervisor and I just discussed this. So, many people my age are very selfish, and only care about what's best for other people when it benefits them as well. Many people my age that serve with me in the Air Force only joined for the benefits, the guaranteed pay. I'm one of the few people that I have met that joined because they felt an obligation to serve. That perceived obligation is slowly fading away.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 14 at 2015 11:59 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 11:59:12 -0500

More contradictions from the so-called millennials. I want what I want, with no investment on my part. Just give me my freebies at someone else's expense.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 14 at 2015 12:06 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 12:06:28 -0500

What a bunch of REMFs.

Response by CPO Randy Francis made Dec 14 at 2015 12:43 PM

CPO Randy Francis — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 12:43:16 -0500

What did the Harvard guy say? That millennials "distrust the government"? Is he kidding? They're the ones who elected this current government. What do they "mistrust"? That they haven't gotten more free stuff? That they're actually going to have to pay back student loans?

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Dec 14 at 2015 1:08 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 13:08:38 -0500

I think very few Americans are ever truly invested in something like this. Support always grows as the danger grows but it is always left to a few...like those on RP.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Dec 14 at 2015 1:37 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 13:37:56 -0500

Every one always thinks it is a great idea as long as it does not effect them directly.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Dec 14 at 2015 1:56 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 13:56:58 -0500

Easy to volunteer others...smells like cowardice.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 2:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 14:01:09 -0500

no, not surprising at all, from what I gather about milennials(sp) they 'support' the boots on the ground, as long as it isn't THEIR boots. "Oh and gimme that too! But I don't want to work for it!" *SMH*

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Dec 14 at 2015 4:01 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 16:01:16 -0500

Not really surprised. Their outlook on life is different than the generations before. That in and of itself is not unusual. As each generation has its own unique perspective on life based on their own experiences. A mandatory draft (for both males and females) would give them a different perspective on things.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 4:07 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 16:07:01 -0500

I would like to know how much different this is to every other generation. Veterans are only a small number of the population (less than 1% currently serving, and like 7% includes all veterans.) So the idea that 62% don't want to fight seems inconsequential and not the least bit out of the norm. I am sure we aren't seeing a huge difference between this generation and past generations. That's what draft dodgers where all about. Maybe we should all be more calm about this.

Response by SGT K G made Dec 14 at 2015 7:46 PM

SGT K G — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 19:46:36 -0500

I'd just like to point out that I'm what many older generations would label as a "millennial" and would say that you can't label us. Many didn't grow up in our circumstances where we saw how successful previous generations were; yet, our attempts to do the same have been futile due to the economy. Stop labeling us.

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Dec 14 at 2015 8:20 PM

TSgt Marco McDowell — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 20:20:55 -0500

Not only Millennials. There plenty of people from all generations who say this. It's prefaced with "I'm too old, but...or my so and so served and I support..." or my favorite, "I'm the child of a military vet and I think...". This was one poll, I won't lay it all on one group. One percent of those same Millennials have served or will, so this is terrible troll bait. The entire nation hasn't mobilized since WWII yet every generation since lays claim to something they didn't do because they were alive during the following conflicts. If they would've posed this poll 50, 40 or 30 years, heck 15 years ago, the poll would look similar.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 14 at 2015 9:45 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 21:45:17 -0500

LOL 'someone else should do something about this!'

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 6:56 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 06:56:19 -0500

Most animals are born with teeth for eating grass. A very few are born with teeth for eating meat. The grass eaters are "sheep" (no insult implied or intended.) The meat eaters are "sheep dogs." We have more in common with the wolf than we do with the sheep we are sworn to protect. We make the sheep nervous. Sheep want us to eat grass like they do, and to bark and snarl less. But you can't chase off a wolf by pretending to be a sheep.

I regard it as a positive when the sheep see the value in the sheep dogs, even if they don't want to grow fangs.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 7:16 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:16:03 -0500

Not all, since the propaganda from the White House is so acrimonious.

Response by PO1 Cameron Rhyne made Dec 15 at 2015 8:43 AM

PO1 Cameron Rhyne — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 08:43:54 -0500

Really not surprised by this. There are plenty of people that are cool with military action, until it actually affects them. Send their kids to go to college to avoid the draft, avoid the draft themselves but still call for boots on the ground, because it's not their family who is going to risk anything.

There's also a version of this where people are very anti-war until the age of 25 become a lot more pro-war once they're past draft age.

It's not a new thing by any means.

Response by SSgt Liam Babington made Dec 15 at 2015 9:56 AM

SSgt Liam Babington — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 09:56:10 -0500

While it is understood that no one wants to fight this bunch needs to not open thier pie holes and talk tough wheni comes to putting thier butts on the line....the meme says it all!

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 15 at 2015 10:54 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 10:54:44 -0500

There are many who view military service as being "pedestrian" or the job of someone else....I am not one who subscribes to that. The only way that this Nation stays great is for Americans to stand up, call bullshit and take it to them. There will always be that group of people who are willing to let others do the work.
There will always be those who are too happy to send Troops over, then question the manner in which they fulfill their duties....
The rest of my opinion will be available after I become a fully retired member of society.....LOL

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 15 at 2015 11:50 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:50:48 -0500

That's a BF mentality.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Dec 15 at 2015 12:31 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:31:02 -0500

It's not a millennial thing. Look at congress and those running for office. Note how few of them have any military experience other than knowing someone who knows someone else who served and voted for them. If knowing someone was all it took to get promoted, I should be a retired General by now. I know a lot of folks and pissed most of them off at some point. And it's always those who know they have ZERO chance at going that want the most done by the military. How many of their kids are going or have gone? Bidens son went, I'll give him that. Did Carson, Clinton, Cruz, Fiorina, go or have immediate members of their family roll out? I think the phrase is "Everyone's a Gangsta, until it's time to do some Gangsta sh*t".

Response by LCpl Jesse Foust made Dec 15 at 2015 1:31 PM

LCpl Jesse Foust — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:31:57 -0500

I saw a report that 18% of them are currently willing to serve. That seems reasonable to me.

Response by SGT Aaron Barbee made Dec 15 at 2015 1:33 PM

SGT Aaron Barbee — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:33:30 -0500

It has been my experience, especially having served, that most in my generation couldn't seem to care any less about what is going on as long as they don't have to be involved directly. You see it in daily activities and politics. There is a very small percentage, no more than maybe 2-5% in my opinion, that have convictions strong enough to actually involve themselves in anything that contributes to the greater good for society/government/others overall.

Response by SGT Jay Ehrenfeld made Dec 15 at 2015 3:36 PM

SGT Jay Ehrenfeld — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:36:21 -0500

No, because they gave Been protect by over protect parents. It time they uh understand they going live in thus world because mammy and daddy won't be around to protect them from bad man

Response by SGT Jay Ehrenfeld made Dec 15 at 2015 3:36 PM

SGT Jay Ehrenfeld — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:36:41 -0500

Have *

Response by MSgt Jim Bain made Dec 15 at 2015 5:41 PM

MSgt Jim Bain — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:41:35 -0500

Wonder what the response would be if their were a draft in place?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 6:01 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:01:02 -0500

I don't think a little over 2000 people can represent a whole generation. There were plenty of millennials that fought in OIF and OEF. It seems every generation before always thinks their generation was the greatest. It's a vicious cycle.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 6:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:25:33 -0500

We have media beating a drum beat for war, even though no one can explain why Daesh (ISIS) poses a serious threat to the US. Sure every now and then a demented extremist or two decide that it's time to commit an act of terror, however the threat those individuals represent will never rise to the level of that caused by traffic accidents.

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/united-states-road-traffic-accidents

Last year 33,838 people died in traffic accidents... If the media focused on traffic accidents the way they do on terror we would all be driving around in giant bumper cars that couldn't travel more than 15 mph.

Road Traffic Accidents in United States

See the total deaths and age adjusted death rate for Road Traffic Accidents United States.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 6:46 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:46:00 -0500

Surprising, no not really, but it is sad. They want to commit the military to a costly ground war and then turn around and complain about the rising cost of the DoD and the rising cost wounded veteran care. They let their Representatives and Senators cut the military and their budgets to the bone in some cases and expect us to be happy about it. Some even have the nerve to say we deserve it because we were not "smart enough" to go to college and call the military a form of welfare when looking at our entitlements. Its just sad that we support and defend their sorry asses when they cannot do the same in return.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Dec 15 at 2015 8:23 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:23:47 -0500

Sp4 Byron Skinner. The answer to the question is not surprising in the least. But I think a better question might be: Do you support fighting Radical Islam even trout it would add a 25% non refundable war contingence surcharge to you income taxes?

Response by MAJ Steven Szymurski made Dec 15 at 2015 10:02 PM

MAJ Steven Szymurski — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:02:50 -0500

Reportedly 60% support boots on the ground, but 62% wouldn't want to personally joint the fight.

So does that mean the other 32% would personally join the fight if needed? Or did the survey have other options like not comment?

It would be interesting to know what percentage responded that they would be willing to join the fight if needed. I trust that the number willing to serve, although not a high percentage might well be more than enough. After all like marines always say they only need A FEW GOOD MEN. Likewise the Army, Navy and Air Force would only want good men and women in their ranks.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Dec 15 at 2015 10:13 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:13:39 -0500

Too many of the younger generation don't have a clue...seem to not care....it's me me me and give me give me give me....
Personally I think we should do what Israel does...if you are able....not in full time college and not disabled in any way or the only care taker of your parents, then it should be MANDATORY to join the Military for a minimum of a two year period. I think this would be GREAT for the younger generation...to instill discipline and humility into them...which are two things that seem to be greatly lacking in society these days.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 11:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 23:11:06 -0500

Can't agree with this at all. Saying millennials don't want to fight isn't correct. A vast majority of our current force is of those ages.

Response by LTC Jack Regan made Dec 15 at 2015 11:35 PM

LTC Jack Regan — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 23:35:38 -0500

Anything is possible - as long as you can get somebody else to do it.

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Dec 16 at 2015 12:39 AM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:39:33 -0500

Most American's could care less about fighting ISIS, they are more concerned with getting laid on a Friday night. Sad World we live in.

Response by SPC Joel Quey made Dec 16 at 2015 4:17 AM

SPC Joel Quey — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 04:17:25 -0500

You mean just like every generation, ever since we've had a volunteer fighting force?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 6:05 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 06:05:57 -0500

The military isn't for everyone and I am good with that, because I do not want someone next to me that isn't 100% committed to the job at hand. I ask that the 60% that don't want to join up and fight keep their mouths shut and support the ones of us that have volunteered to do so, because nothing pisses me off more that some civilian trying to say how we should do things when they have no clue as to what they are talking about. Just because you watch the news and read the newspapers doesn't make you all-knowing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 9:18 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 09:18:53 -0500

People are more invested with what Kim Kardashian wore on her night out with Kanye than they are with anything to do with ISIS...

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 16 at 2015 11:25 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 23:25:43 -0500

Screen out for the moment that a large proportion of the services are millennials, but that proportion is minimal compared to the total number of millennials, less than a percent. The serving millennials have my respect. The non serving millennials (ah, the 99%!) are well versed in seeing something, mastering a power point "depth" of understanding of said thing, expressing complete and utter social media level outrage over it, then follow up with nothing tangible. It is easy to have ideals when you don't have skin in the game. Put up or shut up. They have no tradition of service and in many cases, no family role models to look to for service. They also learned from a previous generation, that ingrained a disdain for all things government and war fighting.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Dec 17 at 2015 12:11 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:11:23 -0500

I am not really surprised, war is not a video game, there are no "do overs," and that blood sprayed on you is real. This generation is the next step in the erosion America, and more like most of the Western Europeans, gutless. Not all of them, but unfortunately, the majority are this way.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2015 2:31 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 02:31:43 -0500

The biggest chunk of servicemembers who are lower leadership and below are mellenials. Really dont like constantly having my whole generation denegrated all the time. Your generations all had their own problems, and your parents generations, and their parents, and so on.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 12:05 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 00:05:05 -0400

The same not in my back yard mentality. In theory they want to fight ISIS so long as it doesn’t interfere with their Starbucks latte and Snapchat.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 24 at 2018 12:19 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 00:19:30 -0400

I'm pleasantly surprised 38% were anywhere near saying they would go.