Why does our military always stick their noses in other countries' business?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 16:37:13 -0500

Just something I always wanted to know even before I joined.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 4:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 16:51:57 -0500

Because we are the most advanced, equipped and deadliest military force on the planet and everyone knows it. There is a lot of foreign policy involved but the BLUF is, if we don't stop them, someone else will have too.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 5:02 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 17:02:16 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, it's not our military doing that. It's our politicians. I agree with SFC Private RallyPoint Member about our military being the best in the world. We probably all agree with that, right?

On top of that, our politicians (not just our current politicians) see themselves (us, our military) as the world's policeman. That, in my opinion, is why "we" stick our noses in other countries' business.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Nov 11 at 2014 5:49 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 17:49:40 -0500

Montgomery basically covered it verbatim of what I was going to say. The military never gets permission to go on an expedition themselves. It is the political and intelligence arms that develop criteria and reasons for us to deploy or invade a country. Now that state sponsored military action is less common and the threat is individual terrorism, it is hard to know which country we will find ourselves in. Technically we are not a humanitarian force but have more than our fair share. After 12 years of supporting and conducting these operations, I think most military are ready for a total defense reset.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 10:03 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 22:03:17 -0500

If the question interests you on an intellectual level, I highly recommend that you read sampling of academic policy analysis based on Carl von Clausewitz' "On War." This should open your eyes to this most basic of truths:
The military takes action only based on the commands of our civilian masters appointed over us. We're not an independent agency, but simply a component of a Department of the Executive Branch as controlled by the CiC IAW the Constitution and its judiciary interpretation.
Every thing a General says is filtered through the administration elected by the American citizens of age.

The question is not "Why does the military stick their noses into other countries's business" but "Why does America meddle with other countries?" And that is a Political Sciences questions that should not be answered by the people who execute rather than craft policy.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 10:22 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 22:22:47 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I've always found that those that ask such a question actually have one (or more) particular incidents topmost on their minds. So...how about a few more specifics? You seem to be seeking specific answers but are only providing few particulars.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 11:04 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 23:04:17 -0500

So many whys, but as soldiers we can only do our part, and let the almighty God to judge each person according to his deeds. Distraction is an enemy of cohesion and unity whether in the garrison or in the batterfield.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 11:25 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 23:25:12 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member "Ours not to reason why, ours but to do and die" - Alfred Lord Tennyson from "The Charge of the Light Brigade"

Response by CPO William E. Mahoney made Nov 12 at 2014 2:29 PM

CPO William E. Mahoney — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:29:13 -0500

It isn't our military who get us involved in other countries it our Government the Executive Branch and the Legislative branch and we in the military just follow the orders past down to us.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 3 at 2016 2:21 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 14:21:41 -0400

Thank you for asking. As others have already mentioned, the military goes where it is told to go, fights the enemies it is told to fight. The military serves to clean up diplomatic messes. Many are caused by America sticking its nose into places where it has no business (vital interest). Some are caused by mission creep; that is, we went there for a good purpose (as in clearing out a nest of vipers) but then hanging around to reinvent a culture in our own image. There are even occasions when private citizens have started fights that the military has had to finish. In Latin America, gringos were infamous for fomenting American-style revolutions. They were called filibusteros (Spanish for "pirate"). Interestingly, our word "filibuster" (to pirate or steal the discussion in the U.S. Senate) sprang from this.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2016 2:55 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 14:55:07 -0400

It has been fairly well answered.

To sum it up, the military goes wherever it is sent. And it does whatever it is told to do.

Response by Maj John Bell made Oct 3 at 2016 6:59 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 18:59:34 -0400

The military is the nose. The government does the sticking.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2016 7:10 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 19:10:24 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Politicians are responsible for that. The military goes where they are directed to go by our government.

Response by MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan made Oct 3 at 2016 7:27 PM

MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 19:27:58 -0400

Until the end of WWII we didn't really "stick our noses" into anywhere, unless we had been attacked. After WWII, with the big push by Mother Russia to envelop the world in Communism we were the only country really able to stand in their way. Beyond that, we were the only ones left with enough strength to corral the aggressor nations in Europe and the Pacific...we became an occupation force as well as a relief force. One of the results of that was that countries like Germany, Japan and even an ally like Great Britain became addicted to the US money teat. So, the double edged sword of protection from Big Bad Bear along with dollar flow from Americans serving in those countries opened up the door for the rest of the world that wanted some semblance of freedom to come begging at the trough. That's where the politics have come in and caused us to be spread all over the world, when in virtually every case many would prefer to stay here in the good old USA. Might be a good question for your Congressman or Senator.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 3 at 2016 10:33 PM

SFC George Smith — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 22:33:01 -0400

it's not the Military... It's the Congress Critters, Sec State Sec Def, and POTUS that stick our noses in other peoples business...
All While they Sit Back here all Warm Dry, Comfy and Safe...

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 3 at 2016 11:09 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 23:09:08 -0400

Because politicians write checks with their mouths that they cash with OUR collective ass.

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Oct 3 at 2016 11:48 PM

PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 23:48:28 -0400

It's not the military-IT'S POLITICIANS!!!!!

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Oct 4 at 2016 4:52 PM

SFC Dennis A. — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 16:52:24 -0400

We, the soldiers of the military stick our nosed into places we are ordered to by our leaders.