this post was submitted on 10 Jun 2024
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Trump Demands Biden Remove Ad of Him Calling Dead Soldiers ‘Suckers’ and ‘Losers’ - The former president said only a “psycho” or a “very stupid person” would’ve made such statements.

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[–] Taalen@lemmy.world 44 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

The military doesn't attract the brightest minds.

Reminds me of a joke that did the rounds shortly after Finland joined Nato.

Finnish general: "You know, it's difficult, we have mandatory military service, but around 15% are unfit for service"

Other Nato generals: "That 15% is where we have to recruit from"

[–] JohnnyH842@lemmy.world 8 points 5 months ago (2 children)

I don't know I think that's kind of a shitty thing to generalize about. Not sure where your located, but atleast here in the US there are plenty of folks who join the military at a young age to get themselves out of bad situations and try to correct the course of their life. Obviously there are a lot of people who join because of some dangerous nationalistic or racist ideals, but that structure and purpose can help some folks.

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 7 points 5 months ago

I went in because it's how poor kids go to college, here.

My buddy went in from Montgomery AL, as his economic alternatives were terrible, and he did report a high numbers of ex-felons attempting self-reform in his Marines unit; some with success, others missing the mark. He leveraged his time to great success by the time I met him, all his boyhood chums dead or jailed by 25.

I've known several members of my nation's armed forces who enlisted as a career and were capable of many other options, but they chose this one. We do choose it like Fireman, even though here it's thankless.

It seems entirely environment-dependent, though. I see one guy on here who claims to be ex-military but talks as if out of an armchair, and definitely has 'outlying' beliefs that would draw criticism from serving members.

I just can't predict it.

[–] NecroParagon@lemm.ee 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Yep that's right. I have friends who could've done many things with their lives but they value our armed forces and joined up instead. It's something I hold in high regard. It's not a washout only ensemble.

[–] JohnnyH842@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

To be very clear I am talking about enlisting as a means to an end, not as an embrace of militaristic ideology or worship.

[–] NecroParagon@lemm.ee 1 points 4 months ago

I feel that. I'm just saying.

[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Buddy, you do calculus under fire and report back to me how well you do. By the way, if you take too long you die. If you get the wrong answer, your friend dies.

[–] Taalen@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I'm a reserve officer, trust me I have some idea. Also, you're missing the point by quite a margin.

[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I don't think I am. If you think everyone around you is dumb then I feel sorry for the people you're supposed to lead.

[–] Taalen@lemmy.world 0 points 5 months ago

You're further proving that you missed the point.