SENDING CHILDREN OFF TO WAR?

[Dennis1209]

Sending children off to war

The other day, I was watching a YouTube video with former wrestler and governor Jesse Ventura. He nailed it and brought back some hostile memories of yesteryear. Since those days, I have sincerely repented and followed the Lord.

During my military tenure, the Army provided beer to us troopies via company parties, bivouacs, the PX, and so on, regardless of age. This began my decades-long struggle with alcoholism, but this is not my topic.

During the days of the draft lottery system, at eighteen years old, I went into the Army in 1970. On my 19^th birthday in 1971, I landed in RVN and did my thing for a year. In 1972, at the age of twenty, I returned home.

There was not much to spend one’s money on over there, so I had saved enough to pay cash for a new Camero or Firebird. I was not allowed to own, purchase, or license a car. My dad had to buy, title, and insure it in his name. I was not legally allowed to drink a beer, except on a military base. I could not vote for or against the politicians who sent me there.

According to the law, we were not responsible or adult enough for those responsibilities. Our maturity, decision-making process, and accountability were still developing. From first-hand experience, how fast does a child mature when in a combat zone, kill, or be killed?

The military draft is not abolished, and it is still required to register for the draft. Our military is becoming woke and politically correct. But anyway…

So, in effect, do we still send children off to war? Denying them full American rights, they paid the price of freedom. Are they still treated like children?

 

 

[Marathoner]

As funny as this might sound, I officially became an Army relic after 9/11.  I never thought this was possible, but it's true. Since I was honorably discharged following Desert Storm (aka the Gulf War)...

The military has been through three different iterations of combat uniforms;

That brand spanking-new Kevlar helmet which replaced the steel pot I was issued is old news, replaced by two successive iterations of combat helmets;

NSA equipment I carried and operated for command, which no one without a "need to know" could even look at (unless you want a court martial and stay at Leavenworth), now occupy a spot on the shelf in the National Cryptography museum. Photos of President George W. Bush using an NSA telephonic device during 9/11 are plastered on Wikipedia. I kept the same telephonic device for my commander to use throughout the Gulf War;

Basic Training today does not remotely resemble the Basic Training I went through 36 years ago. They let recruits use "time out" cards... what? There is no such thing as "time out" in combat. 

So, I get what you're saying, @Dennis1209. I don't recognize the military at all these days and I was in post-Vietnam (that's their official designation for my period of service). However, one thing hasn't changed:

Children continue to fill the rank and file. An individual may enlist in any branch of the service younger than age 18 with a parental waiver. The Selective Service (aka the draft) continues to be mandatory. I registered with Selective Service the year before I enlisted in the U.S. Army... heh. Waste of paper but it was required by law, so of course I did it. 

I remember the debate about the drinking age vs. active duty service. Most of the enlisted, noncoms, and officers I knew held the position that "if someone was old enough to wear the uniform and bear arms, then they are old enough to buy beer."

I wasn't drinking alcohol so I kept quiet about it. Like yourself, the Lord called me out of this world after my term of enlistment was over. Doesn't mean I don't remember those days.

I'm a relic now! 

Edited July 29, 2024 by Marathoner

[Marilyn C]

As a woman I feel for the men, (you fellas) how they are taught to war, and fill their minds with killing, and expect mindless obedience. 

I heard in a film a military man say, `There is no democracy in the army.`

So glad to hear you, Dennis and Marathoner, how God has come into your lives.