[the_tyrant]

"War therefore is an act of violence to compel our opponent to fulfill our will." -On War

You see guys, this is the biggest paradox in the modern military. On one hand, you see how modern militaries are "fighting for peace, democracy, freedom" and what not, with all the boy scout slogans. Whereas in reality, war is pretty much just beating up your political opponents.

Ever wondered why we see large amounts of PTSD, protests, and mental breakdowns with modern soldiers? In fact, this seems to be a pretty modern phenomenon (post 19th century), we don't see this happening to the soldiers of Henan Cortez, Attila the Hun or Genghis Khan. Sure, to be fair, a large part it is because we have better records and psychiatry (PTSD sufferers in the ancient world were probably just labeled insane), but still, there is a major discrepancy.

I personally think this is caused by the immense hypocrisy in the modern military. Who cares if your war is "right"?! You say you are right, your enemy probably believes the same. The modern militaries all sugarcoat the truth about war. I have seen some recruitment materials lately for the Canadian military, and its filled with slogans about fighting for democracy, peace, and what not. But lets be honest here, if I signed up, aren't I fundamentally expected to shoot people to enforce the will of the Canadian government? Sure, democracy, peace, justice, and the stuff on their posters is a part of what the government supports, but there is a lot more that they don't want to mention.

It is hypocrisy and duality that is the fundamental problem with the modern military. I have much more respect for those like John Hawkwood, Henan Cortez, and Genghis Khan. They were honest men, and those who signed up to fight under them fully understood what they were fighting for. I genuinely do not think that Genghis Khan enticed recruits with slogans that they are fighting for peace. He was probably honest and said that he was out to rape and pillage.

Maybe its time everyone just came out, and be honest. War is just beating up the opposition until your will is enforced. If you are signing up to the military, you should understand that you are here to kill for enforce a will, not to "spread peace".

And political leaders, please, just come out, be honest, and say, I am sending my army out to beat up my opposition.