What is your most radical or unpopular opinion concerning the military?

Plenty of domestic enemies that are actually an existential threat to the United States and the freedoms of the people...

I digress...

Semper Fidelis

SGT Gunderson,
I've never ran into anything specific comments about the military. But, can tell those who say, thank you for your service, genuinely. I had some individuals that say it, then they look at me up and down...what the heck? I rather you not say anything at all. We all join for different reasons, I just happened to be part of major operations along the way.

For me is the fact that there are many proxy "wars" that are happening all over the world in which our country is performing operations covertly. Obviously many are essential to try and sway situations in the favor of the US regarding the delicate balances of world powers while others are for the gain of individuals who have no other motive than pocket lining. Regardless while active duty I would serve without question due to the nature of my obligation to the country. Yet in hindsight questions arise as to the legitimacy of some of these conflicts.

Quick question ? If it is motor stables monday and an NCOIC is out doing checks on generators. And CSM is walking around with Plt Sgt and they pop their head in the NCOIC office and four privates are asleep! Can CSM make LTC service members push? Technically service members are equipment on LTC PB( Property Book?) Or Should the CSM make the Plt Sgt push till NCOIC comes back from generator checks? Because technically a CSM job entails as senior Non Commisioned Officer advisior an only advises and deals with Corporal to who has highest rank right below theirs ?

That military people are unthinking robots. War is by far more mental than physical since the aim is to break the otherside's will or intimidate it into doing our will. That is a mental process backed by physical action. The physical part is science in material and art in application through process which is itself mentally-driven. Great military leaders read history and philosophy and they apply it through leadership. Way too much emphasis on the managerial ehtos in the 1950s led to disaster in Vietnam. Our chief opponent, Vo Nguyen Giap was a student of Clausewitz more than Sun Tzu. Before becoming a revolutionary he was a college professor who taught French Revolution and the Era of Napoleon. Marxist concepts flawed his grand strategy but in the end, US forces were outthought more than they were outfought.

That we “need” a large standing active military.

I have a two part answer to that question that are both a radical and unpopular opinion concerning the military: 1) Awards and Decorations should not count toward promotion AND 2) not everyone could, should or even wants to be a Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force! Notes on number 1: if Awards and Decorations did not count toward promotion, the only people who would have them are the ones who actually earned and deserve them! Notes on number 2: because there are a lot of people who just want to WORK ie., do the JOB they Joined the Military to DO, starting at E-4 there should be a alternate career path for those people where they can make grade for the money! Give 'em the stripes but not the star through E-7 based on job knowledge and performance and the price they pay is that they can't get any higher.

What opinion do I hold that will make y'all hate me lol? Answering this is just asking for trouble. Of course, e-4, so, if being honest can annoy someone, I'll try.

W T F. You figure it out.