A failed foreign policy? What, do you have a crystal ball?
Even if you consider this a long-term event, down 28-0 in the metaphorical 1st quarter implies something, don't you think? To me, it means you're going to lose. (We won't even enter into why we decided to play a road game, against a team without definable uniforms, with nothing significant to gain, in a conference we don't care about.)
Ezekiel, what makes the Army less respectable than other career paths? The last time I checked, the military IS society and there are still standards to meet there.
Nothing, if you had a wide array of choices and are either an uber-patriot or nationalist ninny. Having few choices and deciding the Army is where a lazy loser is least likely to get fired, however, certainly cheapens the "respectability" of said decision. (And, thereby, the Institution.) As for standards, they have been increased to beyond having a pulse. I think, now, you must have a pulse and be able to do simple math before they'll give you a rifle.
You could just as easily say that if you can't cut it in society, you get a college degree to impress people with. Or, if you can't afford college on your own, you write a cheesy essay in a scholarship competition.
Of course, none of those models contain the lowest common American denominator (LCAD) turned loose in a Third World country with a gun and no inhibitions.
And how do a few losers impeach the respectability of those for whom military service has always been their ambition?
Just a few?!! Do I sense Utopianism? We take the LCAD, indoctrinate them into our own brand of Imperialist Nationalism, give them guns, turn them loose without significant oversight, attempt to whitewash any fallout to protect the organization, and you don't think this is systemic? Let me spell it out: this is
not "Just a few."
Finally, how dare you use your disagreement with our foreign policy as a reason not to serve?
What? Please tell me you're kidding. Such is the
perfect and penultimate reason not to serve: with the ultimate being that you are now dead -- as part of ludicrous policy -- for having done so.
I'm not criticizing you for not serving. I got out myself. But citizenship demands that if your brothers are dying in a failed war, you have all the more obligation to help that war succeed by enlisting yourself.
You could criticize, I would not take offense.
As for citizenship, I vehemently disagree. Citizenship demands that, if your brothers are dying in a failed war, you
cease to support the failed war.But I think we could hook you up with a commission. A brilliant young lieutenant like yourself should be a great asset to our idiotic troops.
I don't think I'd last too long: something about disobeying direct orders and instructing "leadership" to shove it up their rear echelon.