The composition of today's military personnel resembles little from what I remember back in 1970s. I detected no sense of patriotism and pride in wearing the uniform nor kinship with the average american although admittedly I have little contact except the occasional haphazard meeting at some airport. Trying to strike a casual conversation is difficult as I too a veteran like you met little to them. Today's military personnel from what I've seen are a confused and mindless bunch with little in common with average american citizenry even alien to the values once instilled in the armed forces.
All I know is that my cousin's son is not like that. I'm near Cleveland. There aren't exactly a lot of military bases around here.
That doesn't mean you're wrong.
If what you say is true, that makes it possible for the military to just...dissolve if the circumstances are right. It's no surprise. A breakdown in morale, a feeling of isolation from the rest of society, clannishness, no common goal except getting by to fight for, all of these things have precedent in the military history of declining empires.
I went in the Navy in '68 to avoid being drafted in the Army or worse. If it weren't for Vietnam I'd never have done that. I guess anyway, I was still at home, the economy was meaningless to me.
I coped during recruit training as we were abused by middle-aged lifers, got some good tech training, did a couple of deployments and got the hell out.
The GI Bill helped me polish my skills which I parlayed into a half-ass career working in factories on electrical equipment. The abandonment of manufacturing starting in the "70's sent me across the country looking for work like a modern Okie running from the Dust Bowl.
Here I am now, just turned 73, still working. Kinda sucks but one thing for sure I'll be okay, I know how to cope baby. I know how to cope. Thanks Navy.
"Rule One: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule Two: EVERYTHING is small stuff."
I'm 65, and hoping I can retire next year. I may not be able to. No matter what happens, though, those two sayings I learned in the Navy will help me cope. Yes, the Navy definitely teaches that.
Thankfully, you DID burn those bridges, because it enabled you to experience this much, OB. I especially enjoyed giving the part about enabling an exit for the bums for illegal whaling, almost as much as the value of the whales in those waters, as only a seaman must appreciate.
My late Brother-in-Law, Billy Walker, served in the Navy on the William V Pratt (destroyer) in our times of the Vietnam mistake, but there is always something to be counted on in terms of what experiences it offers and your last paragraph sums it up wonderfully.
As the angsty son of two Army vets, I appreciate the perspective. I tend to think a bit like those liberals you describe and would agree that their reasons for joining were more practical (steady pay, an education) rather than purely ideological or patriotic. (No matter how much their politics piss me off these days!)
Have you read "Listen, Liberal"? I bought a copy for $3 at Thriftbooks. As a former liberal in recovery from Trump Derangement Syndrome, I highly recommend it.
Lending it to my mom when she visits next week. But she already knows that something is off. Some people I know would need to be placed in a Clockwork Orange eyelid opening device to read it.
The composition of today's military personnel resembles little from what I remember back in 1970s. I detected no sense of patriotism and pride in wearing the uniform nor kinship with the average american although admittedly I have little contact except the occasional haphazard meeting at some airport. Trying to strike a casual conversation is difficult as I too a veteran like you met little to them. Today's military personnel from what I've seen are a confused and mindless bunch with little in common with average american citizenry even alien to the values once instilled in the armed forces.
All I know is that my cousin's son is not like that. I'm near Cleveland. There aren't exactly a lot of military bases around here.
That doesn't mean you're wrong.
If what you say is true, that makes it possible for the military to just...dissolve if the circumstances are right. It's no surprise. A breakdown in morale, a feeling of isolation from the rest of society, clannishness, no common goal except getting by to fight for, all of these things have precedent in the military history of declining empires.
this is all so true and so well written. thank you...for the wonderful essay 😁 not for service.
I went in the Navy in '68 to avoid being drafted in the Army or worse. If it weren't for Vietnam I'd never have done that. I guess anyway, I was still at home, the economy was meaningless to me.
I coped during recruit training as we were abused by middle-aged lifers, got some good tech training, did a couple of deployments and got the hell out.
The GI Bill helped me polish my skills which I parlayed into a half-ass career working in factories on electrical equipment. The abandonment of manufacturing starting in the "70's sent me across the country looking for work like a modern Okie running from the Dust Bowl.
Here I am now, just turned 73, still working. Kinda sucks but one thing for sure I'll be okay, I know how to cope baby. I know how to cope. Thanks Navy.
"It can always get worse."
"Rule One: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule Two: EVERYTHING is small stuff."
I'm 65, and hoping I can retire next year. I may not be able to. No matter what happens, though, those two sayings I learned in the Navy will help me cope. Yes, the Navy definitely teaches that.
Thankfully, you DID burn those bridges, because it enabled you to experience this much, OB. I especially enjoyed giving the part about enabling an exit for the bums for illegal whaling, almost as much as the value of the whales in those waters, as only a seaman must appreciate.
My late Brother-in-Law, Billy Walker, served in the Navy on the William V Pratt (destroyer) in our times of the Vietnam mistake, but there is always something to be counted on in terms of what experiences it offers and your last paragraph sums it up wonderfully.
As the angsty son of two Army vets, I appreciate the perspective. I tend to think a bit like those liberals you describe and would agree that their reasons for joining were more practical (steady pay, an education) rather than purely ideological or patriotic. (No matter how much their politics piss me off these days!)
Have you read "Listen, Liberal"? I bought a copy for $3 at Thriftbooks. As a former liberal in recovery from Trump Derangement Syndrome, I highly recommend it.
That book should be required reading for each and every Democrat.
Lending it to my mom when she visits next week. But she already knows that something is off. Some people I know would need to be placed in a Clockwork Orange eyelid opening device to read it.
Keep preaching, brother! And thanks for sharing this snapshot into your life.