The Tragedy of the American Military

[Neil]

Why would anyone care about draft dodging in any event?  The draft ended 40 years ago, and should have been ended sooner if the US wanted to use their military on pointless wars that they'll fight to lose, like Vietnam.

[Habbaku]

Because they're "cowards".  Duh.

[Hansmeister]

Pretty good article.  I've worked with a lot of senior military officers (and CSM) and what I've noted was how remarkably uninspiring most of them are. Far more often than not they are essentially plain bureaucrats who rose to the top by never making any waves.  Being boring and unimaginative seem to be prerequisites to rise to the top. I've met many very interesting and competent Colonels, who never make it to flag officer rank, the selection criteria is certainly broken.

[derspiess]

Why would anyone care about draft dodging in any event?  The draft ended 40 years ago, and should have been ended sooner if the US wanted to use their military on pointless wars that they'll fight to lose, like Vietnam.

Everyone is expected to do his duty.  Those who shirk do not deserve to live here.  Shit, at least get some conscientious objector gig or request non-combat duty.

[Razgovory]

What about those who serve their country in other ways?  Like being a teacher?

[CountDeMoney]

What about those who serve their country in other ways?  Like being a teacher?

Or becoming Vice President?

[dps]

Because they're "cowards".  Duh.

No, it's one thing to be a coward.  Vietnam era draft dodgers, in the main, weren't cowards--they were Commie sympathizers.

[derspiess]

What about those who serve their country in other ways?  Like being a teacher?

Under certain circumstances, sure.  I think that's what Dave Barry did as a conscientious objector.

[derspiess]

No, it's one thing to be a coward.  Vietnam era draft dodgers, in the main, weren't cowards--they were Commie sympathizers.

Some of them were traitors and some were cowards.

[The Brain]

What about those who serve their country in other ways?  Like being a teacher?

Being a teacher doesn't mean you're locked up for years with a bunch of ethnic little sadistic psychopaths and eating disgusting food.

[derspiess]

[Razgovory]

What about those who serve their country in other ways?  Like being a teacher?

Under certain circumstances, sure.  I think that's what Dave Barry did as a conscientious objector.

Are there some circumstances when serving in the military is not a form of serving your country?

[derspiess]

What about those who serve their country in other ways?  Like being a teacher?

Under certain circumstances, sure.  I think that's what Dave Barry did as a conscientious objector.

Are there some circumstances when serving in the military is not a form of serving your country?

Sure-- e.g., cases where you're not a citizen of said country.

[Berkut]

Why would anyone care about draft dodging in any event?  The draft ended 40 years ago, and should have been ended sooner if the US wanted to use their military on pointless wars that they'll fight to lose, like Vietnam.

Everyone is expected to do his duty.  Those who shirk do not deserve to live here.  Shit, at least get some conscientious objector gig or request non-combat duty.

That would be a lot more compelling if the people preaching it at the exact same time were not slobbing on the knob of some d-bag who used his wealth and influence to do the exact same thing with a different label.

[Neil]

No, it's one thing to be a coward.  Vietnam era draft dodgers, in the main, weren't cowards--they were Commie sympathizers.

Some of them were traitors and some were cowards.

I don't agree.  There's no shame in avoiding going out there to get shot at for no purpose.  The US had decided to lose the war in Vietnam, so why participate?  Maybe if you were black, because then you could get the training to fight your real enemy, the United States.  But it'd still be pretty risky, especially since you'd have to subordinate yourself to racist officers.