25th Infantry Division, US Army Pacific
25th Infantry Division, US Army Pacific
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Do anybody else feel we are worrying to much about the public view on the military, instead of following regulations written before our time?
19K: Armor Crew Member
Air Assault School
SGT
Politics
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 13
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In the past, long before even my father was alive, the military was left to do what the military does, which is to say, fight, kill, suffer and die. Generals and admirals did not delve into politics(at least nowhere near the extent they do now) and stuck to what they do, which is war. The public's perception should always be secondary, simply because of what happens when someone who doesn't understand the context of what we do by trade sees something they feel isn't "right" and decide that the military has to change. A good example I can think of that affects a narrow demographic within the military is the live tissue trauma lane that's run at the Special Operations Medical Course. The only way to learn some casualty control techniques is on an actual bleed, but many from the outside can't see past the fact that live animals are used to conduct the training.
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LTC Paul Labrador
SFC Zach K - Pigs were a better analogue to human skin and muscle than goats.... ;o)
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LTC Paul Labrador
SFC Zach K - I've done both. Prefer pigs. They have less fur and stink less..... ;o)
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Public opinion of the military changes with the seasons. Currently the military enjoys tremendous public support, but when I joined the military during the Vietnam War era that was not so. You didn't even want to travel in uniform unless you had to for fear of public reprisals back then. As others have said, the role of the military doesn't rest on what the public thinks of it. We are going to do what our command authorities have told us to accomplish no matter what. That said, there isn't a single thing we do in life that isn't affected by public opinion but that isn't something the average military member should be worrying about. As long as you have received a lawful order you do as told, no matter what the public may or may not think of it.
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There is no such thing as worrying to much about the public view of the military!!! If the public doesn't believe in us then there will be more America terrorist attacks. It's good for American security to have a good image in eyes of the American people!!!
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SSG (Join to see)
Amn Allen Burks - The annual budget as voted on by congress sets the budget for the department of defense, it does not come from the federal reserve. Usually, when there is a hold on the budget, a special request/bill is submitted to allocate funds in order to keep government running while the budget it worked out. The growth or shrinking of that budget is in direct correlation to what the civilians of the country want us to do and what they think of us. For example, during the surge in the mid 2000s, our budget grew substantially as did the general patriotism of the average citizen. This could be seen in the troop tributes in commercials to your everyday youtube video. Now, as the war is seen as unpopular, and the Soldier is seen more as an outcast and a burden, the budget shrinks and once popular items become burdens to the taxpayer.
To get back on topic of the OP, I think it speaks more to the changing and modifying of rules and regulations to fit a political agenda. Most recently, this would be the rule on allowing openly transgender people to serve in the military. Regardless of your viewpoint on that topic, it is a change that is driven by politics, not by military tradition. Somewhere along the line, our leaders began to pander to the political representatives, rather than to the personnel they lead and the traditions they uphold.
To get back on topic of the OP, I think it speaks more to the changing and modifying of rules and regulations to fit a political agenda. Most recently, this would be the rule on allowing openly transgender people to serve in the military. Regardless of your viewpoint on that topic, it is a change that is driven by politics, not by military tradition. Somewhere along the line, our leaders began to pander to the political representatives, rather than to the personnel they lead and the traditions they uphold.
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SSG (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) - This was more a response, my view on it is we are trying to be too politically correct to please people.
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT Polson my response was meant to say basically that same exact thing except that we are supposed to present a professional appearance both for military and civilian perception having been a drill sergeant I feel that we have altered and changed our military customs and courtesies to cater to civilian ways which I think is backwards because if anything we should have a higher standard then the civilian sector.
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Amn Allen Burks
Federal Reserves is the backing of all budgets!!! Please educate yourselves or promote me!!! I chose to find Osama Bin Laden, didn't have to!!!
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