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On the one hand society expects people to be "just, upright citizens". And on the other hand society expects the military to fill the ranks of infantry and enl
by TheSpiceIsLife 6y ago
On the one hand society expects people to be "just, upright citizens".
And on the other hand society expects the military to fill the ranks of infantry and enlisted sailors, including the reserves.
From at least some perspectives this is confusing: we're all only here because our, overwhelmingly male, ancestors went to war and won.
Conjecture: a society that doesn't foster risk-taking behaviour in young males may soon find itself extinct.
- ntsplnkv2 6y agoThis doesn't make sense. The losers of those wars were risk takers as well - and they lost. In fact, for an EXISTING nation, risk taking males are more of a threat to social order. Risk taking, non-conformist males make terrible infantrymen - that's why they beat out the risk taker and make you follow orders. The military doesn't want a cosplaying rambo cocking everything up.
- dx87 6y ago> In fact, for an EXISTING nation, risk taking males are more of a threat to social order. Risk taking, non-conformist males make terrible infantrymen - that's why they beat out the risk taker and make you follow orders. That's 100% wrong. One of the main advantages of western militaries is that they encourage independent thinking. In the Marines, one of the things leaders are told is that they should tell their troops what needs to be done, and let them decide how to get it done.
- throwawaygh 6y agoI think op is talking about army/navy kids, not marine officers.
- ntsplnkv2 6y agoPlease - this is nonsense. No one commands you to raise and aim your weapon every time - that doesn't mean western military forces are a bastion of free thinking. They're reliant on chain of command and soldiers acting on their own is not good for an military.
- TheSpiceIsLife 6y agoHmm, yeah that seems like a reasonable perspective too. Interesting.