Those who sign up and enlist in the Army in Britain or the US, sign up "primarily" for their own personal gain, to "be the best they can be" or because of guns and all that ‘neat’ stuff. They buy into all the great adverts on the television, newspapers and just the media in general of groups of people going on about socials and gaining qualifications paid for by the government.

Every soldier who dies at the moment is apparently considered a ‘hero.’ Generally our society does not not recognize many heroes. We don’t hear about the death of a doctor, surgeon, nurse who has helped a number people during his entire career… in the same way you would the death of a frontline soldier.

Now, I believe there is a significant difference between soldiers and other beings of the society we live in today– particularly that soldiers (this question is purely focused on soldiers not the military personnel in general) it’s in their duty to kill people. I think killing is pressing enough that it should only be done for a very good reason.

My third point–A common argument and one stated by all (if I’m not mistaken) of the people who have and will object to my argument is that these soldiers are defending their country. If that were true then this could be seen as approval for killing others. Neither the UK, Canada, or the UK have been invaded…more importantly terrorism CANNOT be prevented by the Army, Airforce, Navy..this already should be self evident that those actually preventing the terrorism in each of our countries are domestic intelligence operatives.

If we as a society accept a downgraded argument for the killing by our soldiers of enemy combatants, along with the fact that soldiers have chosen this occupation knowing very well with what they will be dealing with, then I believe that we need to as a society to revise what I have stated the exaggerated respect in which soldiers are held.

Now, this does NOT mean in any way that we don’t need soldiers. However what I’m trying to say is that it does mean that we need to get past an antiquated paradigm that we all see soldiers as ‘heroes’, ‘fighting for our freedom’ Instead of this I think we need to realize that these are soldiers–getting paid, who choose to enter an occupation where they are required to kill others and decide on an appropriate level of respect to the public.

Based on the people I’ve interacted with, the military attracts people who are indeed attracted to violence (maybe it’s the billions spent on the technology for tanks, guns etc every year) or AT LEAST may not be able to comprehend that killing people isn’t and shouldn’t be all fun and games…and I don’t know, this may be due to movies, video games etc.

In short, my point is simply, that I, myself find it very hard to respect those who are prepared to put themselves in a position where they will have to kill beings, regardless of whether these people to deserve to be killed or not.

Now I do mean this with all due respect, soldiers sign up knowing very well that their job will involve killing other beings in one way or another… why should I honor them when those soldiers are killed? Why not think of it like an eye for an eye? is it REALLY any different than a murderer receiving the death penalty? Now, before you get all riled up, I honestly do want to hear the other side to this.

Maybe I lack character…but this is a personal opinion, I’m sticking by it, but would like to hear others views on the matter. I’m expecting a ton of criticism knowing very well the moment I post this question most if not all, will disagree.
Average Dude– No? Well, prove me wrong.
Tim, I understand what youre saying about them joining being patriotic and fighting for the country and all..but from experience and people I’ve interacted with 3/4 of those–the main reason they enlist is for the benefits as I’ve stated above.
Oh, not to mention many of those come out of HS not knowing what to do in life and many times decide to enlist…movies, video games, media play a huge role in this…they think killing people is all fun and games, oh not to mention technology thousands of billions of dollars spent on it every years.
Lancelot–Do you know how to read:

My third point–A common argument and one stated by all (if I’m not mistaken) of the people who have and will object to my argument is that these soldiers are defending their country. If that were true then this could be seen as approval for killing others. Neither the UK, Canada, or the UK have been invaded…more importantly terrorism CANNOT be prevented by the Army, Airforce, Navy..this already should be self evident that those actually preventing the terrorism in each of our countries are domestic intelligence operatives.

Those who sign up and enlist in the Army in Britain or the US, sign up "primarily" for their own personal gain, to "be the best they can be" or because of guns and all that ‘neat’ stuff. They buy into all the great adverts on the television, newspapers and just the media in general of groups of people going on about socials and gaining qualifications paid for by the government.

Every soldier who dies at the moment is apparently considered a ‘hero.’ Generally our society does not not recognize many heroes. We don’t hear about the death of a doctor, surgeon, nurse who has helped a number people during his entire career… in the same way you would the death of a frontline soldier.

Now, I believe there is a significant difference between soldiers and other beings of the society we live in today– particularly that soldiers (this question is purely focused on soldiers not the military personnel in general) it’s in their duty to kill people. I think killing is pressing enough that it should only be done for a very good reason.

My third point–A common argument and one stated by all (if I’m not mistaken) of the people who have and will object to my argument is that these soldiers are defending their country. If that were true then this could be seen as approval for killing others. Neither the UK, Canada, or the UK have been invaded…more importantly terrorism CANNOT be prevented by the Army, Airforce, Navy..this already should be self evident that those actually preventing the terrorism in each of our countries are domestic intelligence operatives.

If we as a society accept a downgraded argument for the killing by our soldiers of enemy combatants, along with the fact that soldiers have chosen this occupation knowing very well with what they will be dealing with, then I believe that we need to as a society to revise what I have stated the exaggerated respect in which soldiers are held.

Now, this does NOT mean in any way that we don’t need soldiers. However what I’m trying to say is that it does mean that we need to get past an antiquated paradigm that we all see soldiers as ‘heroes’, ‘fighting for our freedom’ Instead of this I think we need to realize that these are soldiers–getting paid, who choose to enter an occupation where they are required to kill others and decide on an appropriate level of respect to the public.

Based on the people I’ve interacted with, the military attracts people who are indeed attracted to violence (maybe it’s the billions spent on the technology for tanks, guns etc every year) or AT LEAST may not be able to comprehend that killing people isn’t and shouldn’t be all fun and games…and I don’t know, this may be due to movies, video games etc.

Now I do mean this with all due respect, soldiers sign up knowing very well that their job will involve killing other beings in one way or another… why should I honor them when those soldiers are killed? Why not think of it like an eye for an eye? is it REALLY any different than a murderer receiving the death penalty? Now, before you get all riled up, I honestly do want to hear the other side to this.

Maybe I lack character…but this is a personal opinion, I’m sticking by it, but would like to hear others views on the matter. I’m expecting a ton of criticism knowing very well the moment I post this question most if not all, will disagree.
I understand I’m young, being only 15 and I may lack knowledge in the subject, but I’ve done my fair share of researching, stats and this is something I have a strong opinion about.
Wrenched, you may not know many who have joined the military but the MAJORITY although don’t admit to it, join due to the BENEFITS, with a mix of patriotism.
Oh, and Wrenched, read onto argument three, did you bother reading all of it..may answer your questions.
Crackers, you missed the point. My point is simply, that I, myself find it very hard to respect those who are prepared to put themselves in a position where they will have to kill beings, regardless of whether these people to deserve to be killed or not.
I agree with a few points being made–hence why I said OVER exaggerated, I not once stated that I didn’t respect soldiers; I believe doctors, nurses, soldiers all deserve respect, point is they’re being seen as heroes to the general public whilst doctors who save thousands of lives we don’t hear very often about in the media, and don’t get nearly 1/2 as much praise.
Max Power–You’re ridiculous.
This is why I don’t bother posting in the Military section-all, if not the majority are veterans, army wives or soldiers. I don’t expect them or yourself to agree.
Scott- Come up with a valuable point and then we’ll continue speaking.

Once again, I could care less if it’s been 5, 10, 15 years, there’s a reason i didn’t ask it in the Military section. You bunch get all defensive about it.