Posted on Dec 13, 2015
Millennials support 'boots on the ground' to fight ISIS, but not necessarily their 'boots'. Is this survey surprising to you?
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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
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
ISIS
Service
War on Terror
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 59
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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
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."
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LCpl Jesse Foust
MSgt John Carter - I don't think there is a good answer to the question, but I do observe that even rights protected in the Bill of Rights seem to be becoming more negotiable as time goes on.
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SSG Gerhard S.
Great information regarding the Swiss in this book review.... Hitler said he would be the "Butcher of the Swiss"..... http://www.davekopel.com/2A/Mags/TargetSwitzerland.htm
Book Review
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
SSG Gerhard S. - Thanks for a great share. I especially loved this part of the review: From the Anschluss of Austria to the Fall of France, Hitler swallowed nation after nation where cowardly ruling elites surrendered the country to the Nazis—either before the shooting began, or a few weeks afterward. But such a surrender would have been impossible in Switzerland, explains Halbrook. The Swiss governmental system was decentralized, with the separate 26 cantons, not the federal government, having the authority. The federal government did notify the Swiss people that in case of a German invasion, any claim that there had been a Swiss surrender should be disregarded as Nazi propaganda. And because the military power was in the hands of every Swiss man, the federal government would have been unable to surrender had it ever wanted to. Nothing could stop the Swiss militiamen from fighting to the very end.
America’s Founders admired Switzerland as a “Sister Republic” amidst the despotisms of Europe. The American Founders—like the Swiss—understood the moral implications of a universal militia system: a people who are trained to self-reliance and responsibility will defend their freedom to the utmost. But a people who rely on a professional standing army may not have the nerve to resist tyranny.
When, as William Shirer wrote from Berlin, the lamps of freedom were going out all over Europe, they burned brighter than ever in Switzerland, as the Swiss people maintained their democracy, their right to assemble, and their freedom of religion. And the Swiss people saved thousands and thousands of refugees from the gas chambers. A well-regulated militia really was necessary to the security of a free state
America’s Founders admired Switzerland as a “Sister Republic” amidst the despotisms of Europe. The American Founders—like the Swiss—understood the moral implications of a universal militia system: a people who are trained to self-reliance and responsibility will defend their freedom to the utmost. But a people who rely on a professional standing army may not have the nerve to resist tyranny.
When, as William Shirer wrote from Berlin, the lamps of freedom were going out all over Europe, they burned brighter than ever in Switzerland, as the Swiss people maintained their democracy, their right to assemble, and their freedom of religion. And the Swiss people saved thousands and thousands of refugees from the gas chambers. A well-regulated militia really was necessary to the security of a free state
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SSG Gerhard S.
Indeed, Switzerland is a great model to consider from a security, and responsibility aspect! It IS the model the US began with. Unfortunately we have no lack of interlopers intent on weakening our inherent security.
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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!
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
Infantry changed from Follow Me to After You long ago. It is true you can control action from behind much easier than from front. You get the big picture of what is happening and not constantly turning around to see what is going on with your troops.
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PO1 Aaron Baltosser
I was raised to lead by example. That was expected of me wherever I was stationed. That one thing remained constant throughout my career. I retired in 2011 and the principles of leadership from the front were still strong then. Having worked in the civilian workforce since I have seen much of millenial after me attitude. It bothered me to such a degree, I accepted a pay cut and just flat retired completely so I didn't have to mess with them. There was a lot of just pay me and don't expect me to work hard I had to see as a civilian worker. That population is not going to stand up and do what's required for this country.
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SGM Mikel Dawson
PO1 Aaron Baltosser - For you, it was the same for me. One thing I know if you're not out there you don't get complete feel of things.
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
The poll is very subjective to the adience . The answers to college students being polled would be completely different then a 20 year old working a dead end job. The perspectives on those individuals future are different and that's undiniable . That's not I say that there's not a small percentage commissioning from college but it's a small percentage. It still does not say that our generation is less or more willing to serve, all it says is something we've known for generations prior and that is that only a small percentage of our nations citizens are actually willing to serve. That does not reflect on the courage of us as a whole. cpo
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SGT K G
SGT (Join to see) - Some of us aren't commissioning from college.... Some of us enlisted in the middle of it.
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT K G I used that as an example to prove a point. You're right though, some do enlist instead of commissioning.
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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.
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LCpl Steven Fiore
I can understand what you are implying, but it is not what you are saying.
"Millennials are cowards, I will not be silent about that."
You just called me a coward and every enlistee that joined right after 9/11.
There was a huge surge in enlistment and a strong urge to go and fight. That was mostly millennials. I signed up in march of 01 and was 17. I think you may have forgotten 9/11 and the country's response.
Think you forget that people born in the early 80s fall into the millennial generation. I would say there was a huge amount of millenials in both oef and oif. Calling the majority of sm and vets a coward from these conflicts is just wrong.
Please do think about being silent about this or change your wording. Cause honestly it offends me and makes me think you need some education.
"Millennials are cowards, I will not be silent about that."
You just called me a coward and every enlistee that joined right after 9/11.
There was a huge surge in enlistment and a strong urge to go and fight. That was mostly millennials. I signed up in march of 01 and was 17. I think you may have forgotten 9/11 and the country's response.
Think you forget that people born in the early 80s fall into the millennial generation. I would say there was a huge amount of millenials in both oef and oif. Calling the majority of sm and vets a coward from these conflicts is just wrong.
Please do think about being silent about this or change your wording. Cause honestly it offends me and makes me think you need some education.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
I sticking with what I said and I will not be silent. Anyone who rather see me fight a war and not go themselves is a coward whether they are a millennial or not.
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SFC (Join to see)
You're seriously calling an entire generation, including me, a coward? Do you not realize that an overwhelming vast majority of the military is comprised of Millennials?
The people who joined the military in response to 9/11 are Millennials.... and you just called *US* cowards.
Come on, SSG.
I see 16% willing to join. What is the percentage of your generation who joined?
The people who joined the military in response to 9/11 are Millennials.... and you just called *US* cowards.
Come on, SSG.
I see 16% willing to join. What is the percentage of your generation who joined?
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LCpl Steven Fiore
Downvoted for calling MoH recipient Salvitore Giunta a coward. Also, MoH recipient Kyle Carpenter, MoH recipient Florent Groberg, MoH recipient Dakota Meyer, list goes on and on. Also every injured and fallen oif / oef sm and vet that was born post 1980.
Shame on you. What makes you so much braver than our fallen and MoH recipients?
Shame on you. What makes you so much braver than our fallen and MoH recipients?
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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".
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SSG Warren Swan
CPO Andy Carrillo, MS - I forgot to say they have "advisors" on staff who give them the "skinny" on what the services need to be doing....note even the "advisors" aren't going either. Everyone wants to be the next to use military force, but are "too important" to be part of the "solution" they want to use.
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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
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.
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SGT K G
SSG Carlos Madden - Mostly because who could we vote for? All options are terrible. Not voting in and of itself is a vote.
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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.
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
PO2 (Join to see) - Got it. I was surprised that ANY millenials supported actions against ISIS, and those that do are not interested in wearing those boots. It seemed contradictory/hypocritical. I don't want any more American lives lost either.
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PO3 Brad Phlipot
How did you reach that conclusion? The part about "Your ok with ISIS slaughtering Christians"? The rest I agree with, take the fight to them and beat their ass over there.
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SGT (Join to see)
MSG Tom Earley - I strongly believe that the current events that have taken place such as the San Bernardino shooting is a test of what the U.S. response is going to be. The waters are being tested and our Leadership is giving a blind eye to it, what happens when it hits home and hits really deep? Americans need to open their eyes and look past what the media puts out, we all know not all of it is facts. God Bless America is all I can say.
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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.
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.
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
Cpl Jeff N., the millennials you mention who are now or preparing to serve would not be among the majority who vote for ground action against ISIS but are not invested enough to join in the fight--thank goodness!
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Cpl Jeff N.
CPO Andy Carrillo, MS . I guess one of my points is due to the size of the military (and it is getting smaller) it is not possible for most to even join. There simply aren't enough billets for them all. Regardless of their position on "boots on the ground (which we already have) not all of them could even serve.
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
Cpl Jeff N. - And you make an excellent point: my son had to overcome some significant obstacles that barred him from the other services, but the Marines were willing to give him a shot at success. His platoon is down to 60 from 82. So yes, only a significant few millennials could ever really serve. Thanks!
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SGT K G
CPO Andy Carrillo, MS - I feel like some of us don't trust the government decisions regarding military movements but still join because we care to protect those we love.
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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.
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SSG Carlos Madden
I think it's more to do with the fact Millennials don't want to put their lives on the line when they don't trust the government to make sound decisions when it comes to military intervention.
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MSgt (Join to see)
SSG Carlos Madden
Could be, but it might be a little of both sceneries. The article was an interesting read.
Could be, but it might be a little of both sceneries. The article was an interesting read.
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