I've been considering joining the Marine corps reserves for some time now, my problem is with the war. I don't agree with our leadership, however I have the utmost respect for our service members and believe myself to hold the highest in moral standards. I fully support the constitution of the U.S. and would love nothing more then to say I protect it professionally. My question is to anybody who has had similar feelings about the wars, or could shed some light on the issue. How do you fight for your country if you believe it to be in terrible error?

If you have a problem with fighting a war, that means you wont fight for your fellow Marine, and have no business in the military. You should consider joining the Peace Corps rather then the Marine Corps.

I knew my question would come out wrong. I have no problem fighting for my friends and family and freedom. My question is, how do you fight in the mid east even though what you're doing is wrong? As in how do you deal with the moral delima? I would never hesitate to protect my own.

quote:

Originally posted by 14356533:
My question is, how do you fight in the mid east even though what you're doing is wrong? As in how do you deal with the moral delima? I would never hesitate to protect my own.

So you want to pick and choose your fights, and plan to become a conscious objector solely because you don't agree with overseas policies or locations? I'll keep an eye out for you on the next "Code Pink" rally. You are the sort of person we don't want.

Probably one of the best questions ever asked around here. My compliments Son.

We become Marines for three basic reasons:

1. We want to belong to the group we perceive is the best.

2. We're looking to find that something special we know is inside of us and we believe this group will help us find and develop it.

3. We thrive on great challenges where we make the six o'clock news instead of watching it like everyone else.

To this end we endure extraordinary circumstances to earn our Title of Marine, go wherever we're sent to do whatever we're ordered to do.

Now, consider that war is fought by two opposing sides where small groups of friends fight opposing small groups of friends where each fights for their very survival against each other. It's not about political ideology to anyone participating in any war. It's simply about killing the other guy before he kills you and your brothers.

It's as basic and simple as this.

One war or another doesn't really matter because we're warriors so they're all the same to us. What it really comes down to is old men become angry and young people die. Each side always has their own rhetoric and believes their cause is more just than the other whereas we Marines simply fight for each other because we're all we've ever had truly going for us out there.

So if you're prepared to drop your political morality because you simply want to be a Marine who serves the Brotherhood known as our Marine Corps, then by all means sign on and try out. If not, then we're most definitely not the place you'll ever want to be.

There are no right or wrong answers here, merely life choices with life long consequences. Just make the right one for you because in the final analysis you're the one who will always be looking you in the eyes in the mirror.

For the record, I personally like kicking the living snot out of bullies who like to project their will over their defenseless civilian populations. I don't care what the old men politicians nor newsmedia say or don't say because their outside opinions are easily made from their soft air conditioned offices. I like being eyeball to eyeball on the ground in the middle of it so I can see for myself.

I hate war and everything about it because it's the most sickest of all human endeavors we perpetuate against ourselves as a spiceces. But I'd rather kick butt on those who deserve it than let innocents die because I followed someone else's opinion instead of my own personal conviction as a man.

"Evil triumphs when good men do nothing."

But this is just me Little Bro. Walk your own path as your own man and no one here will fault you for it as long as they're your views instead of what society and everyone else is trying to force feed you.

God be with you and my best wishes in all you do in life.

Dino

"Protecting your own" is not the only concept when considering military service, especially the Marines. I joined for the "big picture" despite the country's current position when it comes to the war. The big picture being for the country, it's founding and morals and concepts its based on.
Also, for the future of this country. Too many young people today have taken advantage of what they have. I went to college on a full ride, had a job and security and felt like A) I needed more to my life B) needed to give back to a country that gave me so much C)Wanted to be apart of something larger than myself, greater than myself.
The Marines are a tried and true fraternity of honor, courage, and commitment to their own and the country. When called upon, the Marines will respond in strength and force. No questions asked. You must be able to believe in your leadership and fellow Marines in order to follow through on your commitment. This includes when one is in disagreement with the conflict being involved in.
If you're considering life in the Marines, you need to be willing to commit to it (hence, honor, courage, commitment) and the country that you are defending. This might mean the courage to compromise on your part. If you can't grasp this concept, then try to find another way to give back to your country.

quote:

Originally posted by 14356533:
I knew my question would come out wrong. I have no problem fighting for my friends and family and freedom. My question is, how do you fight in the mid east even though what you're doing is wrong? As in how do you deal with the moral delima? I would never hesitate to protect my own.

Oh really!



Dont Join The Marine Corps!

AWildEagle26
Semper Fidelis

There were a lot of people in Vietnam who doubted what we were there for. However, they did what they had to do. Many WestPac troops thought if there was a war to be fought, it should be fought. Not just doing some half-azzed actions that really didn't accomplish anything. Good people died and were wounded while politicians talked. When you see your country is withdrawing (slowly surrendering) as what we did to South Vietnam, who wants to be the last to die. So the only things really to fight for are your brothers.

quote:

I knew my question would come out wrong. I have no problem fighting for my friends and family and freedom. My question is, how do you fight in the mid east even though what you're doing is wrong? As in how do you deal with the moral delima? I would never hesitate to protect my own.

WE are Marines 24/7, we do not pick our battles. We go where they send us regardless of how we feel. We do not need you, please join the French Foreign Leagon....

Hey 143...DO NOT! repeat DO NOT JOIN NOT ONLY THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.... or any military regarding the beloved UNITED (look up word United!) STATES of America.
You remind of, and I have seen far too many of your mindset.....especially going back to the Viet Nam days.
I am going to make an observation.....you are the 'kind' who would march in a so-called protest (disgracing the uniform) against what you perceive to be unjust.
Go away! Join the 'peace corps' (a misnomer) the Marine Corps is in reality the Corps which brings and protects peace....at a bloody cost.
So, stay out of the Corps!

What exactly is there to object to, there are people in the middle east right now that want to KILL American's. You have probably already forgot when THEY came over HERE and killed thousands of OUR people. Thats a good enough reason to go over there and fight them for me. War is never going to be favorable that dosnt mean that they shouldnt be fought.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Thank you deanosaur, that was a better answer then I could of hoped for. And to mmff0705 and GT6238 who also answered with respect, I thank you as well. As for the rest of you I am sorry you feel that way. I'm not your enemy, I just have different perspectives. Perspectives I've gotten from reading our Constitution, so no I will not join the peace corps or the French foreign legion. I will however challenge your patriotism FJ_2 and hollywood, it is the duty of every service member to obey lawful orders, but it is also the duty of every service member to disobey unlawful orders. My point is, I will always do what's right and I will aways protest those who are wrong. Thank you again to all those who took the time to respond.

quote:

Originally posted by MADcoldwar:
I will however challenge your patriotism FJ_2 and hollywood, it is the duty of every service member to obey lawful orders, but it is also the duty of every service member to disobey unlawful orders.

You can challenge us all you want, but it will be our duty to kick the living crap out of Trolls like you. "Disobey orders"? Who the fu<k are you to say it lawful or unlawful. Our guys are fighting behind redtape, and by the rules. The other side never has. Obviously you don't know jack$hit about our "Articles of the code of conduct", "Laws of War" etc. So shut the fu<k up on something you have no clue on.

You got it Hollywood! And for you madcoldwar....take a long hike to Siberia, etc.
You dips++t! You know nothing of what you speak. Man, you sure do represent the liberal clueless mindset. You have no clue what real patriotism is....and the sad part (for you) you just think (emphasis on just think) you got the answers....
Everytime I see 'your kind'...YES! YOUR KIND! I think of the wall, the crosses at Iwo, etc. You make me sick.
Go away!!!!
I will NOT answer you with respect. I respect your 'right' to say it, but DO NOT respect you as a person who even thinks about joining the Corps. As I said before, I remember you kind from the 60's. Enough already!

If you're hesitating now, what's to say you're not going to hesitate when it really matters, if you join?

I think you should read the Constitution, the document by which all our laws come from hollywood. I understand the rules of war just fine, but a million dead iragi civillians is hardly an honorable accomplishment. I was a supporter of the war till about 04-05. That's when I realized what the war was really about. FJ_2, seems to me that I know more about what you and hollywood do than you do. We have more enemies to our sovereignty here in the U.S. then we do in the mid east. Hollywood, it's every persons job to know what right or wrong is, i'm sure your parents tought you that. If everybody obeyed orders without questioning the legitamacy of the order, the founding fathers would never have declared independence from Brittain. Thus no USMC, no America. I don't care if you guys respect me or not, but the things i'm saying are true wheather you agree or don't. I know you guys want the U.S. to win this war, but it's been eight years right? The generals still can't even decide what the main mission should be. I think most of you have no idea what a patriot is, and only think you are patriots because you have been told so by your superiors. well at least two of you. hollywood, FJ. If you want to really debate rules, regs, UCMJ and code of conduct we can do that. Again thanks to those who can comment respectfully with usefull info and not mindless name calling.

Im interested in your screen name! Are you disgruntled about the Cold War too?

AWildEagle26
Semper Fidelis

quote:

I think most of you have no idea what a patriot is, and only think you are patriots because you have been told so by your superiors.

~ Are you even or have you ever served in Uniform!?

MODS ~ drop this azzhole or I will. Dont come into Our Home and tell Marines that they are not Patriots! FARK YOU!

YELLOW suits you well, Benedict!

AWildEagle26
Semper Fidelis

To MADcoldwar...
I have no issue with giving respectful responses, but I do hold issue with a few things that you have said. First off, yes it is the duty of every service member to obey lawful orders, but if you were at knowledgeable of the US military and the application of the Constitution and foreign law and policy towards what we do when fighting. Just as Hollywood has stated and what we STUDY in recruit training, the law of land warfare, UCMJ, and Articles of the Code of Conduct provide us ample areas to both correctly obey lawful orders and go somewhere if orders are unlawful or called in moral question. Also, if you had issues with orders, it's called the chain of command (again to the ever-present theme of relying on, trusting and believing in your leadership in the Marines). Also, you don't disobey unlawful orders, you go to your chain of command. And if that doesn't work, there are other avenues that readily available to us if something is wrong.

Yes you have different perspectives from the Constitution, but guess what,those of us who joined the military, whether it be now (like myself, who just graduated from bootcamp after volunteering) or those who fought in Vietnam who were drafted or volunteered believe in the US Constitution as well and have our ideas in defending with EVERYTHING we have. So, when doing something right will be different between the two of us. But remember, what we're giving (as well as our brothers and sisters who did give the ultimate sacrafice) to our country can easily override what you might be willing to give just because you can't agree with what's going on.
Also, those who are wrong, yes can be your typical politician. But, for me, I look at Afghanistan and Iraq, see the pain and suffereing from a terrorist group and political regime that has killed and destroyed so many lives for what? I'm a young woman in this country and even some of the worst politicians haven't even come close to destroying my life and family in comparison. We have the opportunity to do what is legally right: VOTE and VOCALIZE. It's our constitutional right. If I did either of those in the above mentioned countries, yeah my life wouldn't exist. And yes, these groups want the US to burn and I say HE77 NO! Over my dead body! This country has given me so much and I want the future of this country to be better. If that means putting myself out there for something greater, so be it.

mmff0705, thank you.