snowwrestler
11 hours ago
One of the ways the U.S. is distinguished in history is that defense is the common responsibility of all citizens. This flows from the decision to establish it as a republic.
This was the basis for the draft, which was not restricted to a specific warrior class; any man of eligible age had to fight if called up and medically cleared.
Today, anyone can volunteer for military service and (again, if medically cleared) they will get trained up and added to the military.
If members of the military see themselves as somehow special within society, it is because of the choices, commitments, and service they have each made as individuals. Not because they are part of some separate class of violence.
defrost
6 hours ago
So ... much like yeoman landowners in 14th Century England then?
If you're a citizen with land to till and raise food then you have a responsibility for defence that can be drawn upon by the state.
( ie. the yeoman longbow archers during the Hundred Years' War )
This is something that distinguishes the US in history?
snowwrestler
37 minutes ago
Neither citizenship nor military service is limited to land owners in the U.S.
defrost
30 minutes ago
Nor is it in the modern UK, nor was it in the pre four lions Scotland, Wales, England, or Northern or other Ireland.
I'm still not seeing the American Exceptionalism here.
lbotos
10 hours ago
I think your last two sentences are at odds.
There are many American soldiers who see their service as a silent personal humble sacrifice. I know a handful.
There are also others that view their service as a right to violence and only seek that. I know of one
Its a venn diagram bit I think the overlap is small.
edmundsauto
9 hours ago
There are also a lot of American soldiers who figure it's a job, with decent pay and benefits. I know a few Navy SEALs who actually fit this description.
fargle
10 hours ago
contrary to a sibling comment, your last few sentences are 100% right.
military service-men are special because of their sacrifices they all make, whether it be health, freedom, separation, adversity, injury (mental or physical), or ultimately even death. they do this out of respect and service and to protect their families, loved ones and communities.
every society does, in fact, need those who sacrifice for the good of others.
very, very, few military people get off on killing - these are also called psychopaths. the rest of the servicemen that have been put in that position to kill, even in war, will always carry scars.
clearly Palmer does not speak from experience - he's a naive autistic, imagining that simply being part of Anduril makes him a party to the "violence" while in reality he's a healthy billion dollars away from it - of course he can sleep at night!