Soldiering: Past vs Present. Have we lost our way?

SPC D W — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 16:44:50 -0400

Steven Pressfield, "Gates of Fire."
The movie Glory.
Maximus Decimus Meridius. William Wallace. King Arthur (Clive Owen or Lawhead).
The Samurai.

At one point military service was truly that: service. Sacrifice. All for the good of those at home. It was for freedom. God and country. Family. The future.

What is it today? No doubt there are some that do still serve in such manner, but what has happened? "I can't do that, it's not my job." "If I have to stay late, I better get a late morning." "I'm not going to take that position/do that extra assignment unless I get paid." "Make sure you claim x, y, and z in order to get the most of disability pay."

Have we become contractors, mercenaries: we hold faith only because we are paid? We serve only to get the benefits? We are a company managing profits, not soldiers defending the nation?

Have we lost sight of what military **service** is all about?

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 15 at 2015 4:52 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 16:52:09 -0400

I think we lost the service feeling when Congress became more about power than serving the people. We are the attack arm of Congress and therefore our mentality will change with their approach.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Mar 15 at 2015 5:28 PM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 17:28:03 -0400

I would say some join under pressure from friends or out if boredom. But there are those if us that carry our service for the remainder of our lives. Some just never figure out that serving is more important than what's in it for me. We do it for God and Country and believe it's an honor to serve. Trust me. A Navy Shellback knows that feeling. I left active duty in January 1980 but my Honorable Disharge, my Shellback certificate and the picture of my ship still hangs on my wall. I wear my ship with me for the rest of my life. Let's see how those that know what I mean about honor show there pride in there duty station and service.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 15 at 2015 5:41 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 17:41:53 -0400

Real life is different than fiction SPC D W, you cannot compare movies and story books with what happens in real life. There are some in our ranks that only look out for themselves however, what I see is most Soldiers that are all about sacrifice, they do their duty and they serve selflessly.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 22 at 2019 6:51 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Wed, 22 May 2019 18:51:53 -0400

Today we are all contractors.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 22 at 2019 6:53 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Wed, 22 May 2019 18:53:37 -0400

What did trump sacrifice? A shag with a playboy bunny.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 22 at 2019 6:58 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Wed, 22 May 2019 18:58:14 -0400

What did I sacrifice! Two failed spouses. Numerous great women civilian and military. I have zero regrets. I am a soldier. Old soldiers never die. They fade away.