Let's get this straight, no disrespect to current military or the enlisted within the last 10-15 years but this current military generation atleast 70-80% enlist bevause it's their only option after high school or to pay for college. It's not about patriotism for that percentage group. Nothing wrong with that, but the honor of serving takes a backseat to the benefits they will reap. I don't blame them one bit.
Comparing ww1 & ww2 vets to Middle East vets, IMO is apples and oranges. Different circumstances, totally different mindset.
Regardless, I am thankful for their service.
I agree too that people too often wear their "accomplishments" on their sleeves too much for everyone to give them attenrion over. Keep your fucking hat low & carry on you attention whores. I hate that shit
It really depends on the branch and the job.
Almost everyone who joinds the Marine infantry volunteers because they want to fight or serve. They dont do it to collect a paycheck, or for school. Those kids join the Air force and Navy and are always noncombat roles.
The kids with no options join the army usually. Army infantry unlike the Marines many times are those who can't do anything else. The army gave huge signing bonuses. In my experience, people who join the Army and want to fight join army airborne, rangers, or SF. Regular army infantry seemed to be the bottom of the barrel who couldnt do anything else.
People who join the marines do so because its a calling, marine life is hell compare to other branches and no one chooses that route just because. They have reasons.
So its pretty diverse and I wouldnt necessarily say its 75-80 who couldnt do anything else... believe it or not, most people actually doing the fighting are there because they WANT to be, because they choose to be, because they believe in something... not necessarily the government or the mission, but something that drives them to put themselves into harms way. Which is exactly the way it should be.... you want people fighting who want to be there.
The kids youre referencing dont join the military to fight, or put themselves in the line of fire. They go for the cushy jobs, the POGs, admins, supply, computer guys, etc, etc.