Who Have We Become?

When I enlisted in the Navy I encountered something that many regarded as hardship. Awakened at 4:30am by the sound of a Coke bottle rolling around inside an empty corrugated garbage can and a Chief Petty Officer bellowing “Reveille.” Out to the wash racks to hand wash one pair of dungarees, then inspection in the other pair. After breakfast, close order drill and miles of route march. You get the idea.

Call me crazy, but I loved it form the first day. Many did, actually. Of course I was raised on military bases, by an officer who had served first in the enlisted ranks. A significant number found it difficult; hated it, but learned to cope and made it through. Once in a while someone broke; could not handle it; wimped out. That was a very rare event and shocked us all.

The other day I read this, written by a career soldier in today’s Army.

The United States, IMO. has declined politically, institutionally, morally, and ethically with a rapidity that is hard to find mirrored in history. … So few Americans are willing to serve in the armed forces that "thank you for your service" has become even more of a mockery than it was before 9/11. The suicide rate is high in the armed forces? Consider that many of those who have not served in combat are the people who kill themselves. Consider that over half of the reported sexual assaults in the armed forces are of men on men. What sort of children are you raising?

Not only are 50% of those willing to join as enlisted soldiers inferior physical specimens but they are often weaklings in spirit as well who cannot bear the discipline of military life. Pathetic.

Food for thought, I think, food for thought.