Why I serve

[xMinionX]

That Flag is a Serbian flag. You are a Serb...like it or not..

I think he's using the flag to express his support of the Serbs... maybe I'm wrong. Many people here do that, including myself.

 

[TerabyTe]

I'm not joining the military because in my eyes they are simply a tool for big business. I don't mean to insult soldiers in uniform.

Why do you think that?

 

[Deacon]

I think he's using the flag to express his support of the Serbs... maybe I'm wrong. Many people here do that, including myself.

So he expresses the genocide of Muslims? I don't agree with a lot of their teachings but, the genocide of those peaceful people...they got some real problems.

This is why I have the American Flag....I am American...I don't belong to any other country.

 

[xMinionX]

So he expresses the genocide of Muslims? I don't agree with a lot of their teachings but, the genocide of those peaceful people...they got some real problems.

This is why I have the American Flag....I am American...I don't belong to any other country.

Hey, I'm not taking sides or anything, I'm just clarifying things here.

 

[Real Corona]

Why do you think that?

I think it's blatantly obvious the politicians are controlled by rich people in campaign funding. We need more oil, invade Iraq. Revolutionaries nationalizing Sugar in Cuba, destabalize the country. Legitimate governments talking about fair labour laws, invade Nicaragua.

Heck, we've sold weapons to ENEMY nations in order to fund rebel groups fighting legitimate governments. And what happened to those responsible? They have a fox news show all to themselves.




jhollas- You can't say Britian hasn't used her military to further her own business interests. The first that comes to my mind is invading Egypt for trying to nationalize the Suez Canal.

 

[Real Corona]

So he expresses the genocide of Muslims? I don't agree with a lot of their teachings but, the genocide of those peaceful people...they got some real problems.

I wouldn't say the muslims in Bosnia were peaceful. They were just as bad, but the Serbs had bigger guns. So they were killing more effeciantly.

 

[jhollas]

jhollas- You can't say Britian hasn't used her military to further her own business interests. The first that comes to my mind is invading Egypt for trying to nationalize the Suez Canal.

Yeah, and Nasser did it because the Americans, British and French wouldn't give him a loan to help fund the Aswan Dam project.
Initially, we tried to build on the Israeli invasion (which was, in all fairness, proposed by us) with Diplomacy, and after that failed, we sent in troops.
While we're on the subject, how about the Peninsular War? We went to Portugal and Spain because the Crapauds had blocked the ports, and we couldn't use them.
The point is, I never said that the British haven't used their military to further their own business, but you're forgetting what a military exists for:
To protect the nation and her interests.
Incidentally, the British have never used their military to further their business, only protect what they already had.
I think that your take on the Balkan crisis, and the Iraq crisis at the moment is a little muddled. The only reason the Brits are in this at the moment is because our Beloved Leader is Bush's lap-dog, and I've never been more ashamed.
Yet, I feel that what we have done is right. We removed a tyrant, and uncovered evidence of years of torture. But what did we go for initially? Weapons of Mass Destruction. Have we found any? No.
I think we did the right thing, for completely the wrong reasons.

 

[Real Corona]

I never said the Brits were in Iraq to further their business interests.


Clear up what you mean by my take is muddled.

 

[jhollas]

Sorry, I edited the post, and the answer's in the last bit.
All I'm debating with you is your view of, "We need more oil, invade Iraq." I think there's a lot more to it than money.

 

[Real Corona]

I would agree with your view of Iraq. I didn't mean to make it sound like the only reason we went in was for oil. But I mean we didn't go in and help Rwanda, in the DRC we simply pander to however will give us the resources. In Iraq it was the same until Saddam stopped playing patsy.

Sort of reminds me of Noriega?

I probably wouldn't have had a problem with the whole Iraq thing if Bush didn't make a mockery of the UN and give all the contracts to his VPs former country.

 

[jhollas]

I see your point, and I think it's good. The UN should have been involved, and I think Bush's modus operandi is somewhat flawed!
Perhaps a different take on the issue for a second though, if you don't mind. Your average GI. He's probably thinking that he's doing it to help the Iraqis (despite some rather heavy-handed tactics, but I'm debating this with Deacon in another thread as we speak). Your average British Tommy is probably thinking that he's there to do some good as well.
I think it's a shame that the military is left to clear up politicians' ****. If indeed this whole issue was about business and money, then I think Bush owes it to his soldiers to get out, and stop them dying in the name of funding his next election campaign.

 

[Real Corona]

I have no doubt, aside from some brain dead prison guards, that most of the soldiers over there are good people who want to help.

I think it's sad that alot of extremists are using the oppurtunity to attack "Americana" if you get what I mean.

You lucky Brits get the south where everyone hated Saddam anyway.

 

[jhollas]

Yeah, I know what you mean. The Americans are vulnerable, so everybody tries to have a shot (literally!) at them.
Us lucky Brits? Well, compared to the mess you guys have got, I guess so. However, the Yanks are starting to hand over some of their area of responsibility to us, especially with Spain going.
I have a feeling we'll be operating in the North by the end of June, possibly July.

 

[Real Corona]

Sucks

 

[jhollas]

It does indeed, although the boys might be grateful for a change of scenery.
(Listen to me, I sound like I'm serving already! )

 

[Real Corona]

Do you plan to?

 

[jhollas]

Yeah. The Army are giving me a Bursary through University. It's not a lot of money, but it certainly helps, and it means I have passed the Regular Commissions Board (RCB - Officer Selection), and have a place at Sandhurst. (Our equivalent of West Point)

 

[Real Corona]

Nice job.

A friend of mine got into West Point here. I didn't understand how hard it was to get in. Apparently you need a senator or a representative to nominate you.

 

[jhollas]

The thing about West Point is that you go there for fours years, and you come out the other side with a Commission, and a degree.
Here, you don't have to have a degree (although 80% of Officers now do), and you attend Sandhurst for a year. It's debatable which system works better, but being a Brit, I'm prone to say Sandhurst!
However, it would be impratical for America to have something similar, as you have such a large military!

 

[Gunny]

As a Christian I'd like to explain why I serve in the American Military - because a lot of people who come to this board think that those of us who are Christians are fighting for Christian ideals and Christian causes.

That may be the case for a few but for me it is absolutely not why I serve in the military of the United States. I do not believe that America is a Christian nation and I certainly do not believe that America fights to propigate Christianity to the rest of the world.

It's about one simple word: FREEDOM

America is about Freedom and its military exists to preserve Freedom for its citizens. The great thing about this nation is you can freely practice Christianity, Islam, Judism, Mormanism, UFOism, whatever, etc. without fear or reprisal from the government and in absolute safety.

It is in that environment that Christianity should be shared and it is in that environment that true Faith in Christ can blossom. I believe that is why this nation is blessed by God. Our citizens can freely choose or reject the gospel message without fear of physical harm or death from any man or woman. The Holy Spirit has true freedom to move in the hearts of men and women here and if anyone denies the gospel here it is completely on their own conscious. Until 1776 no man had that kind of Freedom.

Do I care if there are those who reject Christianity - who are citizens? Absolutely not - because as soon as their freedom gets taken away - that means my freedom is at stake. And don't get me wrong - there are some freedoms that we have here that translate into sin - but that is a choice that the good man must make not to do on his own - not with a gun to his head. It's what America is all about - and I'm proud to say that is why I serve and continue to serve!

"We're Always Ready for the Call
We place our trust in Thee
Through hallowing gale and shot and shell
To win our victory!
Semper Paratus is our guide
our pledge our motto too
We're "Always Ready" do or die!
Aye Coast Guard, we fight for you.

Aye, we've been "Always Ready"
To do, to fight, or die
Write glory to the shield we wear
In letters to the sky.
To sink the foe or save the maimed
Our mission and our pride
We'll carry on 'till Kingdom Come
Ideals for which we've died."

God's Speed be with you, Sir!