Comment on Schools in America apparently have their own army recruiter
Copernican@lemmy.world 4 months ago
I had a very anti-war sociology professor that had been protesting since vietnam. Despite his qualms with military industrial complex, he would always say that the the military is the last vestige of upward mobility in the united states as it’s one of the few places where you can enter a playing field that is somewhat leveled for new entries, have merit impact your growth, and get access things like subsidized education. Sure there’s still racism, sexism, etc. but in terms of economic mobility it provides a decent ladder.
TeenieBopper@lemmy.world 4 months ago
I once read an article that basically called the military a billion dollar vocational school program and it really shifted my perspective. Like I kinda don’t give a shit about most people or why they join - maybe it’s that chance at upward mobility, maybe it’s the desire to serve a cause, maybe it’s a desire to feel a part of something bigger, all of which are legit human needs and desires. As an idea, I’m kind of neutral leaning towards negative in the military. It’s when I start looking at it in the broader context thag I get angry, and it’s not necessarily at the rank and file, and sometimes not even the mid to high leadership. It’s the presidents and the politicians and business people who lead the whole thing and play games with people’s lives. I even have sympathy for the angry knuckle dragging meatheads because they just got duped, again, by the ruling class.
postmateDumbass@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Its a noble path that has been corrupted by politicians.
uriel238@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 months ago
Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt believed the military was a noble path. At Nuremberg, when asked why he continued to serve after learning the atrocities of the German Reich, he asserted Prussians don’t mutiny!
Essentially, he was glad to be a loyal machine that completes a task, rather than someone who stands for principle.
But then when honor doesn’t compel us to operate the Death Star’s superlaser for the Galactic Emperor, money will, and if not that, extortion.