How the US. military is portrayed in the media

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It's so much fun entering these threads and seeing that people you've had pleasant discussions with hate you and think you're an idiot.

Love you guys!
why do you enjoy raping babies, wanderingwind?!?!!

From my experience, most of the people that I've known that have joined the military in the past five years or so have joined primarily to have a job. I lost a lot of respect for them and I hate our country for essentially strong arming certain people into doing such a thing.
You lost respect for people seeking a job? Are you... 10?
 
If we don't then why the fuck is our budget ten times that of the next closest competitor?

I don't think he's saying there aren't any black projects kept on the down low, more like that none of them are being "held back" if they would be making Iraqistan a lot better.


We use outdated weapons(M4,M16) because Colt has a strong lobby but if needed we have alot better options.

Errrg, it's true that the AR15 variants aren't the "best", but the kind of improvements you get from switching to something more modern are really small. The XM8 was scrapped in the end because it wasn't possible to justify the costs based on the performance improvements it would yield. The SCAR was only deployed to special forces because, again, it's better but it's not that much better. Assault rifles have been a mature technology for 40+ years, and even AK variants from 1951 will hold up very well against modern designs, even if it's far inferior on paper (e.g. weight, accuracy). Buying a new rifle that jams 1/4 as frequently does not translate to 4x better battle performance, all it translates to is a reduction in the frequency with which maintenance needs to be performed (although probably not a reduction in how much it is actually performed since soldiers are advised to clean regularly).
 
That's what I'm saying. People who were in the reserves or already in the military before the war in Iraq, they get my utmost respect. They joined without knowing what was coming.

People joined after the war and all the revelations, circa 2004-2005, why the hell did they join? Did they not know what the war is about?
Maybe they knew EXACTLY what the war is about? Would you want someone over there fighting that was completely blindsided and now doesn't give a fuck about anything other than getting back home? Or would you want someone who wants to do get the job done right? I can't speak for everyone, but the people who join during wartime are of a different build in my opinion.
From my experience, most of the people that I've known that have joined the military in the past five years or so have joined primarily to have a job. I lost a lot of respect for them and I hate our country for essentially strong arming certain people into doing such a thing.
This is ridiculous. And borderline insulting.
Right, until the draft kicks in.
This is so dumb... People keep throwing out THE DRAFT like its some boogie man that'll come and take you in the middle of the night. It'll never happen unless we get invaded and the White House burns.
I haven't seen it, purely because it seems like military propaganda with a Call of Duty parody name.
Aaaaand what abut the other dozens of movies that look exactly the same? Oh wait, this one is made by the government so that automatically makes it 10x worse. Propaganda is only okay when its privately made. :D
 
Why do Americans seem to worship the military?

I don't think that's the case at all. Now politicians seem to do so because to not do so otherwise they think leaves them open to attack by "attack this, attack that, etc" republicans. Now a somewhat positive image of the military many have, have to do with perhaps the individual person people might know. Also the military is very careful about what is said about it and media play their part so that the image is "positive". The ultra patriotic people I think are few but just very vocal and the media likes putting them on TV because it helps their narrative.
 
Why do Americans seem to worship the military?

We like war - we're a war-like people. We like war because we're good at it. You know why we're good at it? Because we get a lot of practice. This country is only 200 years old and already we've had ten major wars. We average a major war every ten years in this country - so we're good at it! And it's a good thing we are, since we're not that good at anything else anymore. Can't build a decent car, can't make a TV set or a VCR worth a fuck. Got no steel industry left, can't educate our young people, can't get health care to our old people - but we can bomb the shit out of your country all right.

George Carlin
 
Why do Americans seem to worship the military?

They do.

Well, more specifically, politics and media aggressively discourages people from NOT worshiping the military. Politicians have their guns with pre-loaded rhetoric such as:

-Unpatriotic
-UnAmerican
-Support our troops
-Why do you hate America
-Commie/liberal/leftwing coward
-Why do you still hate America
-etc. etc. etc.

Think of how rare it is to see a politician STAND AGAINST an American conflict.

There's basically a culture of war/violence that has been "American" for quite some time. There's almost no Presidents who did NOT preside over a war during their years.
 
It's so much fun entering these threads and seeing that people you've had pleasant discussions with hate you and think you're an idiot.

Love you guys!

Awesome, isn't it? Happened to me a couple of times in other recent threads. At least it makes it easier to identify the people I will disregard in the future if they ever seek advice on here, etc.
 
I don't think that's the case at all. Now politicians seem to do so because to not do so otherwise they think leaves them open to attack by "attack this, attack that, etc" republicans. Now a somewhat positive image of the military many have, have to do with perhaps the individual person people might know. Also the military is very careful about what is said about it and media play their part so that the image is "positive". The ultra patriotic people I think are few but just very vocal and the media likes putting them on TV because it helps their narrative.
Right wing politicians in general tend to love (spending money on) the military. I think it's because they can justify increasing government expenditures while simultaneously arguing that they are actually for smaller government.
 
The military is a good career choice for a few people but people who join the infantry just because they need a job is very sad. I think of them as victims and I think deep down many other Americans do too.
 
I find the kind of examples in the OP disgusting, but I also really really dislike the way that modern military situations are framed as "gamey" in current video games.

Its funny, because modern military is trying to make war more gamelike by creating interfaces to abstract combat. The biggest issue in war is someone not pulling the trigger at the right time. Making it more game like reduces the chance of that.
 
Well considering last 10 years they made more ennemies than beaten. Well they didn't really beaten even one loooking how things are in afg and iraq.
 
I wonder which country past 100 years:

Most civilian killed?
Most enemies killed?
Invaded most countries?
most number of wars/military conflicts?
 
I'd guess Germany

You be wrong. USSR under Stalin killed more of his people, and more Germans. Also, they did keep a number of countries as satellites.

Edit: On topic. I guess the reason people like the military here is because it is perceived as the best run branch of our government. Not saying it is, but that is what people think.
 
My commanders always tell us about doing more with less. 18 hour days all week and then still the chance to get recalled back to base to go work during the weekends is what I've been experiencing since the government started troop reductions

Right, but again, honest question: what are you guys actually doing? We're not at war. (again, I don't think that terrorism is the kind of threat that can be effectively countered with a large organized body of troops)
 
I don't worship the military, but I respect them. Many of my friends are in the armed forces and I thank them for serving and working to protect my freedoms.
 
You be wrong. USSR under Stalin killed more of his people, and more Germans. Also, they did keep a number of countries as satellites.
But wasn't the USSR also the country with the most casualties during the war? Those would have been killed mostly by Germans.
 
Right, but again, honest question: what are you guys actually doing? We're not at war. (again, I don't think that terrorism is the kind of threat that can be effectively countered with a large organized body of troops)

I can't speak for the person you were specifically replying to, but as an active duty military member deep within ISR, we are doing things that are absolutely critical day in day out, regardless of war status.
 
Maybe they knew EXACTLY what the war is about? Would you want someone over there fighting that was completely blindsided and now doesn't give a fuck about anything other than getting back home? Or would you want someone who wants to do get the job done right? I can't speak for everyone, but the people who join during wartime are of a different build in my opinion.


What is the war about? Our government can't even give a straight answer. At first it was the Iraqi government was aiding and abetting al-qaeda, then it turns out that wasn't true. Then it was because they had WMDs...Ok so do a lot of countries but then they didn't even have that.

Now it's...what? Trying to get a democratic government in place? That has lasted about a month after the US pulled out? Now deaths are rising and there's still no straight answer or even ANY answer for why we were ever in Iraq.

So the only real reason I can think of joining right now during war time is it's a high paying job(?) and you get to kill people.

But yeah, go ahead and bail from the thread. Don't try to enlighten anyone, just scoff and tell us we don't get it and never will.
 
why do dumb people make gross generalization of a country of 300 millions?
Isn't the military often mentioned at events like football games? Though I don't know if I should call a flyby by the Blue Angels "military warship" or patriotism.
 
So the only real reason I can think of joining right now during war time is it's a high paying job(?) and you get to kill people.

But yeah, go ahead and bail from the thread. Don't try to enlighten anyone, just scoff and tell us we don't get it and never will.

This. This is your problem. There's a wonderful thing called fucking google that could do all your research for you in about 2 seconds instead of baiting members on a forum here.
 
Isn't the military often mentioned at events like football games? Though I don't know if I should call a flyby by the Blue Angels "military warship" or patriotism.

And radio stations etc. it's considered a polite and completely safe thing to say "we love our men and women in the military"
 
Isn't the military often mentioned at events like football games? Though I don't know if I should call a flyby by the Blue Angels "military warship" or patriotism.
Sometimes yeah, we also play the national anthem before sporting events. What does that mean?
 
Capt, I know. :|
What is the war about? Our government can't even give a straight answer. At first it was the Iraqi government was aiding and abetting al-qaeda, then it turns out that wasn't true. Then it was because they had WMDs...Ok so do a lot of countries but then they didn't even have that.

Now it's...what? Trying to get a democratic government in place? That has lasted about a month after the US pulled out? Now deaths are rising and there's still no straight answer or even ANY answer for why we were ever in Iraq.

So the only real reason I can think of joining right now during war time is it's a high paying job(?) and you get to kill people.

But yeah, go ahead and bail from the thread. Don't try to enlighten anyone, just scoff and tell us we don't get it and never will.
Its funny because in that same thread "where I didn't help anyone at all!" I went on for another page explaining shit. But that's cool. No one bothered reading anything anyways. Like in this thread - half the people would rather talk about shit that has nothing to do with the OP.

The war itself is pointless. Duh. But at the end of the day, a fight is still going on and someone is going to have to do it. Again, you can have shitbags out there who don't want to be there at all and are just careless in every aspect or you can have guys that want to go out, make sure things get done right, train properly, provide aid where they can, and not rape an entire village of babies. Its a fucked up job that someone is going to have to do.

And lol @ "get to kill people". This is the shit I mean when I say actually look, even casually, into the shit you're talking about before you decide to paint a BS picture. Walk into a recruiting office anywhere in America and let them know that you want to join for the combat high and bloodlust. I hear they start you out with premium killstreak packages for that.
 
So the only real reason I can think of joining right now during war time is it's a high paying job(?) and you get to kill people.
I personally know about ... 100 people in the military off the top of my head. The live in a little suburban area with me, and either work in offices, sit underground and babysit missiles, or keep GPS systems running among other things. I don't see any active killing on that list. None of them even carry guns.
 
Can I just say that when I read the OP and saw him saying something about his friends that went to west point I just said "how would officers know anything about the military?"
 
I personally know about ... 100 people in the military off the top of my head. The live in a little suburban area with me, and either work in offices, sit underground and babysit missiles, or keep GPS systems running among other things. I don't see any active killing on that list. None of them even carry guns.
Comments such as those don't even really deserve a response. He is just being obtuse.
 
What is the war about? Our government can't even give a straight answer. At first it was the Iraqi government was aiding and abetting al-qaeda, then it turns out that wasn't true. Then it was because they had WMDs...Ok so do a lot of countries but then they didn't even have that.

Now it's...what? Trying to get a democratic government in place? That has lasted about a month after the US pulled out? Now deaths are rising and there's still no straight answer or even ANY answer for why we were ever in Iraq.

So the only real reason I can think of joining right now during war time is it's a high paying job(?) and you get to kill people.

But yeah, go ahead and bail from the thread. Don't try to enlighten anyone, just scoff and tell us we don't get it and never will.

If you can even call it war time. Been in the Navy for three years now, have at least three more to go, and while I have been over to the Middle East or sat off the coast of Libya with my ship, I haven't been part of any major battle. In fact, with that trip to the coast of Libya I mentioned, we helped NATO forces with surveillance, and they were the ones who took out the actual targets. And with friends I have on a variety of other ships, ranging from frigates to carriers, that seems to be the case with most of them. The only ship I know somebody on that has actually fired ammunition at a target was the Barry.

And some people join because of tradition. Nearly everyone in my dad's side of the family has been in one branch of service or another for the past several generations. It took me a few years after graduation to join(and I'd be lying if I said the economy wasn't a secondary factor to my decision to join), but I did it, and I don't regret doing it. It's keeping something the name has been about for so long alive. My dad didn't necessarily hound or even encourage me to join, it was purely my decision, but he was damn proud of me when I told him what I was doing and supported me. And I'll do the same to my kid should he make the decision.

Yeah, I could be sitting comfortably at home in Boise without the risk(or at least as big of a risk) of being killed, but at the same time in the three short years I've been in I've seen so much, done so much, met so many different people, and heard so many different stories. I've seen the super-wealthy Dubai, and I've seen the third-worldness of Djibouti. I've seen plenty of great places in Europe, and even hidden gems in our own country. I've done so many different things I never would've been able to do if I stayed back in Boise, and I've learned so much. What have you done with your life?

Yes, it's true that the war or at least the concept of it is always there, but some of us don't care about it as much as you seem to think we all do. Hell, I don't even agree with most of what has happened these last ten years, but if I could go back to my initial decision to join or not join, a million times over I would not change a thing.
 
Why do Americans seem to worship the military?

We don't worship them, but I and many other people have an overwhelming amount of respect for someone who is willing to put their life on the line to protect others.

Sure there are scumbags, but there are scumbags in every profession.
 
This. This is your problem. There's a wonderful thing called fucking google that could do all your research for you in about 2 seconds instead of baiting members on a forum here.

But he wants to be enlightened. Not google shit. That's unfair.

Googling "Reasons to join the army" gives results from Military.com (unbiased I'm sure) and Yahoo answers where a guy says if he dies it's up to God.

After that it's mostly job security, money, health insurance, and education.

So yeah, keep getting angry. I don't even care. You're really helping get out the image of under-educated meat head being the average army recruit.
 
Dishwalla... You're from Boise? Hell I'd probably join too :p

Yahoo answers
image.php
 
Ok, you're right

I just mean that this is rather uncommon in European countries (not the anthem; the reference to the military) which is why it might appear as "worshiping" to some people.

I guess I can see that, but to those people I would ask why they care so much. I think the real reason behind the fly-overs and such is to give the fans something cool to watch before the game anyway :p
 
So yeah, keep getting angry. I don't even care. You're really helping get out the image of under-educated meat head being the average army recruit.
Under-educated meat. Word. So apparently I've made people that mad lately lol.

You're just coming off like an dope to anyone in the military, who knows someone in the military, and everyone who's bothered to take a serious glance at the (off-topic) subject at hand. But hey I got you started! Now if you can just raise your give a fuck and drop your idontwannaknowwhatimtalkingaboutijustwannaberight to below bullshit levels, you might be on to something! Now tell me more.
 
Dishwalla... You're from Boise? Hell I'd probably join too :p
Not originally(San Jose, California, which is pretty awful), but I lived there for most of my life. While I realize it's not the greatest place, I still do miss it, and like I said I liked it quite a bit more than San Jose. Probably not going to move back though, even after I'm out; actually thinking about moving to Oregon. But we'll see what happens.
 
We don't worship them, but I and many other people have an overwhelming amount of respect for someone who is willing to put their life on the line to protect others.

Sure there are scumbags, but there are scumbags in every profession.

Protect others? maybe in WWII, but now days they are just killing innocent people overseas. You can't fight terrorists with military. And obviously Irak, Afganistan weren't planning on "attacking" USA.
 
I guess I can see that, but to those people I would ask why they care so much. I think the real reason behind the fly-overs and such is to give the fans something cool to watch before the game anyway :p
It looks pretty cool, I give you that.
 
Not originally(San Jose, California, which is pretty awful), but I lived there for most of my life. While I realize it's not the greatest place, I still do miss it, and like I said I liked it quite a bit more than San Jose. Probably not going to move back though, even after I'm out; actually thinking about moving to Oregon. But we'll see what happens.
Oregon is really nice, especially the Eugene area.
Protect others? maybe in WWII, but now days they are just killing innocent people overseas. You can't fight terrorists with military. And obviously Irak, Afganistan weren't planning on "attacking" USA.
k
 
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