Honoring our Men and Women in Uniform ... Why?

The thread title may be a little misleading - let me explain.

I am a senior attending a university, and at the beginning of the Fall semester in class, each student introduced themselves. One student stated he joined the army because he would have been unable to afford his education without their support. Our professor then praised the student, thanking him for his service, and talked to the class about how we need to honor our men and women in uniform.

Now, of course if a person is involved with combat operations or sent to war, then that is honorable and the person deserves respect, but I do not see why everyone else deserves so much credit. As an example, the Army accepts nearly everyone, the basic training is not overly long or difficult, and the dropout rate is as low as 12%, which is obscene compared to the dropout rate for college students, which is as high as 50%.

Why does the country and media label our men and women in uniform as heroes, even if they have never seen combat, while apparently ignoring college graduates who worked for years to, as example, provide important services through law enforcement or the medical field?

I don't know about the Army but the Marine Corps has people wash out all the time.

And its hard. Very hard. The hardest thing I've ever done.

Because while there are of course those that have never see combat, or may never even serve in any large capacity, there are more that do serve in a way that keep you free so that you can go to college and provide those important services you mentioned.

So generally, they are heroes. No sense in saying they not only because a small minority don't reach their potential.

And it's important to remember than most that join for financial reasons come to love it, and have a passion for protecting out country that is worthy of respect.

The army isn't easy, or else everybody would sign up to it. And most people hate the idea of being in a war or some sort of conflict, being expected to shoot and be shot at. It takes a sort of bravery to do it and I guess the Army can't afford to be overly picky because it has something to do with the amount of applications they get. That and armies build strength in numbers. That's my guess anyway.

Being in the military is still a sacrifice even if your job isn't glamorous. A fighter can't shoot down the enemy without a pilot, but it also can't do it without the crew maintaining the plane properly.

Don't they literally go and live somewhere else for the majority of time they're doing their jobs getting up at 5 every morning? That aside, what does it matter about what the media say? It doesn't affect anyone.

Probably because there is a possibility that they could die for their country? Just a thought.

keep you free so that you can go to college and provide those important services you mentioned.

SubGum

Probably because there is a possibility that they could die for their country? Just a thought.

Reemer99

There is a possibility that police officers or DEA agents could die, and look at how the public treats them.

Don't they literally go and live somewhere else for the majority of time they're doing their jobs getting up at 5 every morning? That aside, what does it matter about what the media say? It doesn't affect anyone.

cyborg100000

The media effects everyone.

[QUOTE="Reemer99"]

Probably because there is a possibility that they could die for their country? Just a thought.

Turtlecream

There is a possibility that police officers or DEA agents could die, and look at how the public treats them.

Not everyone gives a warm greeting to soldiers/marines either.

I know people who were charged more in bars, etc, for being in the military.

[QUOTE="Reemer99"]

Probably because there is a possibility that they could die for their country? Just a thought.

Turtlecream

There is a possibility that police officers or DEA agents could die, and look at how the public treats them.

because people who don't see combat are still making a sacrifice for the country. i wouldn't say it makes them heroes, but they should still be honored for their service.

Someone goes to college to help himself, not his country. and also, well over 75% of the nation goes to college, while less than 1% serves in the military.

but law enforcement and medical staff do indeed deserve just as much respect as military personel

Go to iraq, afgan, and that general region. You'll learnpretty quickly. Also its because I don't really know any disrespectful people that have been in uniform. They respect me, i respect them. That simple/

I don't know about the Army but the Marine Corps has people wash out all the time.

And its hard. Very hard. The hardest thing I've ever done.

-TheSecondSign-

This^

I'm in school now and it's a breeze compared to Army life.

because people who don't see combat are still making a sacrifice for the country. i wouldn't say it makes them heroes, but they should still be honored for their service.

Someone goes to college to help himself, not his country. and also, well over 75% of the nation goes to college, while less than 1% serves in the military.

but law enforcement and medical staff do indeed deserve just as much respect as military personel

Sword-Demon

I think people join the military to help themselves, as well. Anyways, I think the idea is that a person who graduates from college helps their country by providing whatever services they specialized in, whether it be counseling, law enforcement, medical services, teaching...

[QUOTE="Reemer99"]

Probably because there is a possibility that they could die for their country? Just a thought.

Turtlecream

There is a possibility that police officers or DEA agents could die, and look at how the public treats them.

[QUOTE="Reemer99"]

Probably because there is a possibility that they could die for their country? Just a thought.

Turtlecream

There is a possibility that police officers or DEA agents could die, and look at how the public treats them.

The same people that disrespect Police officers and Firefighters, are the same ones that are down on the Military.

[QUOTE="Sword-Demon"]

because people who don't see combat are still making a sacrifice for the country. i wouldn't say it makes them heroes, but they should still be honored for their service.

Someone goes to college to help himself, not his country. and also, well over 75% of the nation goes to college, while less than 1% serves in the military.

but law enforcement and medical staff do indeed deserve just as much respect as military personel

Turtlecream

I think people join the military to help themselves, as well. Anyways, I think the idea is that a person who graduates from college helps their country by providing whatever services they specialized in, whether it be counseling, law enforcement, medical services, teaching...

And they're respected for it.

I see plenty of "Thank the doctors" "Support local law enforcement" "Support Education" slogans and campaigns all the time.

I've never seen them denied their respect.

[QUOTE="Turtlecream"]

[QUOTE="Reemer99"]

Probably because there is a possibility that they could die for their country? Just a thought.

xTheExploited

There is a possibility that police officers or DEA agents could die, and look at how the public treats them.

I think this is a good example about how the media influences nearly everything. The overwhelming majority of law enforcement officials are upstanding while the minority are corrupt, yet because of the media, many people believe that it is not uncommon.

The dropout rate is only low because the easiest way out of the military is to be honorably discharged. It isn't like college where you can just drop out at your own free will. The military definitely isn't an easy route to get money for college. It would be far easier to take out loans and apply for federal aid. None of that requires that you surrender yourself to the government for four years.

[QUOTE="xTheExploited"][QUOTE="Turtlecream"]

There is a possibility that police officers or DEA agents could die, and look at how the public treats them.

Turtlecream

I think this is a good example about how the media influences nearly everything. The overwhelming majority of law enforcement officials are upstanding while the minority are corrupt, yet because of the media, many people believe that it is not uncommon.

I joined the Navy and thought the same thing at first but then I realised a lot of people can't take it. I was on a carrier and there were so many hazards it's not even funny. It's extremely stressful all the time. I worked 14-18 hour day EVERYDAY for weeks when we went underway, on top of drills throughout the night sometimes (literally not sleeping for 2-3 days at a time and still expected to learn and work hard all the time). My son had a seizure and I was stuck out to sea until my emergency leave went through(sometimes people can't even get that due to being in a war zone or a place they had to shut communications down). I lived out of a rack in a berthing the size of a very small house with 25 other guys. Random chew outs, lots of random complications with records/paperwork, feelings of loneliness, depression, overwhelmingness, etc. The list goes on, and EVERYONE out there deals with all of that and more all the time while not seeing their families for months and months. If we weren't there, neither would your freedoms.zergdarkdays

Yeah I joined the Corps and now I do all sorts of ridiculous work. I remember this one time it was about 12 degrees outside and they had us digging 2 man fighting positions in the mud.

That wasn't fun at all, but somebody has to know how to do it.

Because they put themselves in harm's way for us?

Even those who haven't been deployed are likely to eventually be put into duty.

I really have no idea why we respect the Air Force and the Navy so much, they only account for like 2% of Iraq and Afghanistan casualties combined. I consider that just a government job. The Marines and the Army are taking all the punishment in these wars. wstfld

Because the Air Force and Navy directly support the Army and Marine Corps...especially the Navy, since the Marine Corps does not have a Medical field.

We take all combat medics from the Hospital Corps in the US Navy, and all medics serving with Marine infantry, field MPs, combat engineers, etc, are Hospital Corpsman.

Because they put themselves in harm's way for us?

Even those who haven't been deployed are likely to eventually be put into duty.

metroidfood

Creeper no creeping!

I really have no idea why we respect the Air Force and the Navy so much, they only account for like 2% of Iraq and Afghanistan casualties combined. I consider that just a government job. The Marines and the Army are taking all the punishment in these wars. wstfld

And you know that for sure? If its such a low number then how come so many people have experienced some sort of police corruption?

EDIT: And also not necessarily corruption but power tripping.xTheExploited

Because people never talk about the cops that didn't pull them over or the ones that just went through standard police procedure?

And power tripping is often very subjective. Way too many times I've seen people complain when they get busted for a crime and it was their own damn fault, the police were just doing their job.

[QUOTE="wstfld"]I really have no idea why we respect the Air Force and the Navy so much, they only account for like 2% of Iraq and Afghanistan casualties combined. I consider that just a government job. The Marines and the Army are taking all the punishment in these wars. zergdarkdays

Not to mention the Hospital Corps and the Seabees.

I have mixed feelings on this. I think anyone in any profession should be respected/honoured if they work hard, and moreso if they are put in harms way. So yes, in general and through some people that I know personally I do have great respect for those who are serving, whether they are overseas or not.

But at the same time I know a lot of people in the armed forces that are complete jerks. I don't feel any need to respect them, regardless of profession. I've met plenty of bratty, irresponsible servicemen who have an unwarranted sense of entitlement. I respect their work, but a jerk is a jerk and they get no respect from me on any personal level.

Sor really for me it depends on the person. Your profession can only go so far to determine what you deserve in life.

[QUOTE="wstfld"]I really have no idea why we respect the Air Force and the Navy so much, they only account for like 2% of Iraq and Afghanistan casualties combined. I consider that just a government job. The Marines and the Army are taking all the punishment in these wars. zergdarkdays

[QUOTE="zergdarkdays"]I joined the Navy and thought the same thing at first but then I realised a lot of people can't take it. I was on a carrier and there were so many hazards it's not even funny. It's extremely stressful all the time. I worked 14-18 hour day EVERYDAY for weeks when we went underway, on top of drills throughout the night sometimes (literally not sleeping for 2-3 days at a time and still expected to learn and work hard all the time). My son had a seizure and I was stuck out to sea until my emergency leave went through(sometimes people can't even get that due to being in a war zone or a place they had to shut communications down). I lived out of a rack in a berthing the size of a very small house with 25 other guys. Random chew outs, lots of random complications with records/paperwork, feelings of loneliness, depression, overwhelmingness, etc. The list goes on, and EVERYONE out there deals with all of that and more all the time while not seeing their families for months and months. If we weren't there, neither would your freedoms.-TheSecondSign-

Yeah I joined the Corps and now I do all sorts of ridiculous work. I remember this one time it was about 12 degrees outside and they had us digging 2 man fighting positions in the mud.

That wasn't fun at all, but somebody has to know how to do it.

[QUOTE="zergdarkdays"][QUOTE="wstfld"]I really have no idea why we respect the Air Force and the Navy so much, they only account for like 2% of Iraq and Afghanistan casualties combined. I consider that just a government job. The Marines and the Army are taking all the punishment in these wars. wstfld

[QUOTE="wstfld"][QUOTE="zergdarkdays"] I'd like to see you earn your sea legs pal. We do a lot of things you'd probably cry about in the Navy where the civilian world can't see.zergdarkdays

i would be dead many times over if it weren't for the naval fires and air force strikes.

the most hardcore people i ever served with were air force forward air control.

I agree. Most people that join the army do it because there isn't much else that they are able to do. They are paid for a relatively simple job. The hardest part is the training.PhotinusPyralis

I see no reason to honor the people that give their lives to corporate wars.

[QUOTE="Reemer99"]

Probably because there is a possibility that they could die for their country? Just a thought.

Turtlecream

There is a possibility that police officers or DEA agents could die, and look at how the public treats them.

I agree. Most people that join the army do it because there isn't much else that they are able to do. They are paid for a relatively simple job. The hardest part is the training.PhotinusPyralis

[QUOTE="Turtlecream"]

[QUOTE="Reemer99"]

Probably because there is a possibility that they could die for their country? Just a thought.

Warship_19

There is a possibility that police officers or DEA agents could die, and look at how the public treats them.