Quote:
Originally Posted by Skybird
Why you military folks tend to have such a character feature to make you so very prone to putting more trust into your politicians than they deserve, I probably never will understand.
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Because we have voluntarily taken an oath of honour to serve the civilian leadership of our country.
- Whether we agree with the politician or not is irrelevant.
- Whether our political party of choice is in power or not is irrelevant.
- Whether we believe or do not believe in the specific action is irrelevant.
- Whether our personal morals agree or disagree with the government's is irrelevant.
- Whether our government appreciates or does not appreciate our service is irrelevant.
- Whether our government rewards us or ignores us is irrelevant.
We "military folks" have taken an oath on our personal honour to serve. This is why no one is, or should be forced to serve. To some it is a duty to serve, to others it is a honour to serve. To some it is a desire to serve. To all, it is service upon our honour.
To those who have not served, it may be difficult to understand. And I don't mean that in an insulting manner at all. Service to your country is difficult to understand even for those who serve. But we do it, because we feel that it is, for myriad reasons, the right thing for us to do.
Personally, I never look down at someone who chooses not to serve, nor do I especially encourage someone to serve. I don't even think I have any special feeling of pride for serving my country, in one form or another, for going on 30 years. My service to my country goes far deeper than pride or patriotism for I am neither a prideful nor a patriotic man . It goes to a level that defies words. My service to my country just is.
Perhaps you may understand it a little better now, but if you don't, that's OK too.