Thanks for your site here. I have been exploring this a bit. Not sure how I feel yet about some of the comments but taking it all in stride. Appreciated the RT of the Sean Hannity charity work article.

Wanted to let you know I am not sure where the following statement may be originating from, to wit “Now, the old guys who fought in Vietnam are told that today’s soldiers look down on us for being cowardly, unprofessional and uncommitted to the protection of Christian values and American honor. I don’t know this to be true, but veterans of Vietnam hear it alot, hear it constantly.”

I am a Guard officer with former enlisted service and several deployments over 21 yrs. I’ve led a lot of troops and volunteer helping our newest veterans find civilian employment. I’ve never encountered anything remotely similar to what was expressed. Ever. For those who may I would offer my heartfelt apologies.

The younger troops and vets today are so appreciative of those who’ve gone before us, the support of the public and mindful of the extreme contrast in treatment our Viet Nam vet brethren received. I come across many, many individuals in business and industry that are willing to help a young vet, partially I believe because there is a shame for what happened with your generation of veterans.

Thanks for your work here and your service. I’ll continue to follow along…

Respectfully,

Dan B

g

The warrior thing was just getting into gear toward the end of my service and I never imagined it would go so far. Seemed silly to me at the time, but a lot of people have really bought into it.

Writing like yours must run into some heavy resistance in our military-worshiping culture, but it is certainly needed. I think for many people the army can be compared to a heroin addiction…you know it’s bad for you and could get you killed but you keep going back for more. I certainly re-upped way more times than any sane person should have and now 9 years after retirement I am still in some ways in the grip of the “military mindset”.

I avoid all service organizations due to their blind support of endless warfare, and have recently got around to wondering what is so freaking noble about putting yourself in a position where any jackass in a position of authority can control your life almost down to the molecular level, and you are required to kill people just because someone tells you to.

Got to be honest, though…you’re wrong about the “warrior ” tag. We can talk about that on the side, if you care to. But then again, what would you expect from a guy with my handle?

All the best,

WLC

Sgt, USMC. Bosnia and Cosovo.

I happen to be an active and participating member of the VFW, American Legion, Marine Coprs League and several other Veteran groups across this great nation. In fact, I was Vice Commander of the Post, until I moved out of state.

I am also an unfortunate willing participant in the VAMC, which we both know is an utter failure in it’s own.

And recently, I have been given a medical clearance to re-enlist in order to go back in and fight more bloody battles!

As I have only been back from Pakistan for a few days, excuse me if I stay in my office awhile. Tell me, Jeremiah, what war are you a combat veteran of? If you, as you alude, have some serious “combat grunt” credentials, bring em’ out.

waiting

g

The Roger Waters quote alone would have overwhelmed me. Depend on me using it constantly.

g

You have written a FANTASTIC article…I wish it was mandatory reading for any one about to be deployed or anyone who IS deployed. You have given the same type of advice that I (a combat disabled Vietnam infantryman who spent almost two years in military hospitals) have given to young men who were being put into harms way. You have given the kind of advice that can only come from experience.

I find it kind of sad that “The Hurt Locker” a highly fictionalized, according to most active EOD members, which glorifies the actions of a “psycho bad boy” who thinks nothing of risking the lives of his buddies. What’s worse, and probably more true, is that he is applauded and congratulated by an incompetent and ignorant officer who seems to suffer from “the bravery of being out of range” (my thanks to Roger Waters of Pink Floyd for the quote.

Please keep up your information campaign…and your heartfelt advice to those who have chosen, or some likely forced by a bad economy, to participate in the greatest transfer of wealth to the corrupt military industrial complex we have ever seen. It is sad that our country now continues to feed on the death and damaging of our youth in order to be “profitable.” We live in sick fucking times!

Thanks & keep it up,
D. Tracy

You are welcomed to write these things for us when you think of it. We reach a pretty good audience and too often don’t cover some of the important stuff….like this.

g

The “Modern” military does not want warriors. They merely need a body that is willing to unquestioningly follow orders. The ability to think for one’s self is not a quality that the military is looking for (I can only speak for the Army, that is where my experience lies).

Maybe 12 years ago, I had a master sergeant that taught me how to make a command decision just before I became a sergeant. When no one else is around, you take the facts at hand, and make a rational decision that you believe to be correct. That master sergeant ALWAYS backed up my decisions, even if they were wrong. He would then show me why the decision was wrong, and how to correct it.

Go ahead a couple of years. I have a CW3 (Chief Warrant Officer 3) that has not used me the entire day. I ask at 10am if I can head out to a movie that night (we were in the “field” without really being in the field), then I asked every hour until 4:30pm. I was going to be late for the bus if I didn’t leave then, so I made a command decision to go to the movie. At 8:30pm the Chief finally asked where I was. Upon my return, I was punished for leaving without permission. My punishment you ask? To write a 500 word essay on the meaning of “An Army of One.”

He liked it so much he submitted it to Stars and Stripes. The only thing he couldn’t see? The essay defended my command decision to leave. The powers that be just don’t want those under their command to think for themselves.

As for me, I would like it if more Vietnam Vets would come out and help us new vets. I’m in the VFW, post commander, and I have not one Vietnam Vet. My guys are getting old, and they can’t keep it going forever.

Duff, thanks for the post. My uncle (Vietnam Vet) said the same thing to me before I shipped out, “Watch your back, and DON’T TRUST ANYONE, EVEN YOUR OWN GUYS.”