They View Death Like a Game!

[HappyEngineer]

As I look down the row of soldiers to my left I see bright minds and endless potential. It amazes me to see these young men, with hairless faces and virgin minds stand ready to defend their nation. It also amazes me how there mentality is different then mine of not so long ago. If I ask one of my younger soldiers; Why he joined the Army? The most common reply is to engage the enemy or something of death ridden details. How is it that these young men have became so enthralled with killing? When I was asked the same question as a younger soldier I replied honestly, not trying to appear tough. I wanted to help those in need, have a purpose for my life, and serve my country. Now it seems to me not even Ten years later that soldiers have taken on a completely different mindset.
I've told them taking a life is no game, a person remembers that for the rest of their life. I really wish I could convey to them, not be so excited about it. My experiences are not Hollywood material and I don't tell them about those. Its not because I'm ashamed or proud I just think its not appropriate. As a professional I try to push the good side's of this job. The opportunities to see countries you would not have normally seen, help people in need, the awesome training available, and the comradery. Please don't miss interrupt what I am saying. There is a time for a defensive posture and defensive mode. Yes sometimes killing is the mission, but these young soldiers should not be focused on it as if its the only 25 meter target.
Is there anyone out there that see's this? Maybe you disagree. I would like some feedback on this topic to help me mold these soldiers better. Thank you

 

[Diamondback 2/2]

I guess it is how you form your own belief on what military service should be or is.

I always thought if you want to go help the world, help people, make the world a better place, that you join the Peace Corps. If you wanted to serve your country, defend it and keep it safe from the evils of the world, you joined the military.

Personal reasons of joining the military are all different and vary for each individual. Some join for the profession, some join for the duty to ones country, some join because of the benefits, and the list can go on and on. I joined because my country was attacked, because of family tradition, and because I wanted to go kill those who would attack my country.

I could care less why someone decided to join or put on the uniform, their reasons are their own. I respect that they chose to join, especially during a time of war and I pass no judgment on their reasons for deciding to do so. We are a nation that has been at war for 11 years, war is killing, I don’t think anyone should pass judgment on anyone who states they joined to kill the enemy…

 

[JBS]

From an historical perspective, we can see that wanting to kill the enemy has been a commonly cited reason for joining/enlisting.

If you'd have asked Americans during less politically correct days in our simpler past why young men joined during World War I, you'd have been told it was because they wanted to "kill Krauts". During World War II, it would have been "to kill Japs". Anyone who reads period literature or who has sat through film knows that plain, rough speech such as that was commonplace.

 

[HappyEngineer]

JBS I understand that what your saying. It's not that I don't want them to have that chesty puller inside of them, I just want them to see the other things out there to. I appreciate your insight and will keep an open mind.

 

[DA SWO]

I had 10 deployments, why? because I always wanted to be up front, or as close to it as I could be.

War has always been the ultimate "manly" challenge, and these young Soldiers (Sailors, Airman and Marines) are no different.

They will learn life's harsh realities quickly. I am impressed knowing they volunteered in wartime, knowing they will (in all likelihood) go to war.

Give me a dozen who want to go to war, and I'll give you the fifty who joined too see the world, get a college degree or save humanity.

 

[Diamondback 2/2]

As for your quest for helping to shape the soldier assigned to your charge. There is a difference between shaping your soldiers into what the Army wants (i.e. properly trained soldiers) and attempting to shape their beliefs and thoughts.

Train them to the standards, hold them to those standards, and show them through your own example what a good soldier and non-commissioned officer should be. Not what you think they should be or how they should think, but what the Army expects them to be.

There are way too many Army policies, regulations, and standards to worry about, before you start trying inject your personal beliefs and opinions into the mix…
$0.02

 

[policemedic]

As I look down the row of soldiers to my left I see bright minds and endless potential. It amazes me to see these young men, with hairless faces and virgin minds stand ready to defend their nation. It also amazes me how there mentality is different then mine of not so long ago. If I ask one of my younger soldiers; Why he joined the Army? The most common reply is to engage the enemy or something of death ridden details.

The job of the wartime Army is to kill people and break things. Soldiers should be clear on this, regardless of MOS.

I've told them taking a life is no game, a person remembers that for the rest of their life.

True enough.

I really wish I could convey to them, not be so excited about it. My experiences are not Hollywood material and I don't tell them about those. Its not because I'm ashamed or proud I just think its not appropriate.

There are times when speaking about killing, and your personal experiences with it, is entirely appropriate. Remember, your Soldiers are professionals who may have to kill the enemy; they deserve to know the reality of it. You can't teach them anything if you won't discuss it.

If you haven't read it, I recommend Grossman, D. (1996). On killing: The psychological cost of learning to kill in war and society. New York: Back Bay Books.

 

[HappyEngineer]

It seems to me that the common thought of killing the enemy is an acceptable one. I agree and I also really appreciate the insight from every one. Enough said!

 

[Rapid]

http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Psychological-Cost-Learning-Society/dp/0316040932

On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society


Upon its initial publication, ON KILLING was hailed as a landmark study of the techniques the military uses to overcome the powerful reluctance to kill, of how killing affects soldiers, and of the societal implications of escalating violence. Now, Grossman has updated this classic work to include information on 21st-century military conflicts, recent trends in crime, suicide bombings, school shootings, and more. The result is a work certain to be relevant and important for decades to come.

I haven't read it yet, but I've seen it posted here before.

 

[pardus]

The worse thing Ive seen in the military in the last 10 years or so* is getting all touchy feely about killing/death etc...

The thing you are aiming at is a target, it's not a son/father/brother. It's a target that wants to kill you and your friends and your family.
We train to shoot targets for a reason, to take the humanity out of the process. There should be no more feeling involved with killing an enemy combatant than killing a deer while hunting.
That was how I was taught.

I accepted my death way back when I first enlisted, I also accepted that my friends could die. This is an essential mindset IMO for someone in the Military. We must become somewhat desensitized.

Full disclosure, I haven't killed anyone. For all I know I might blubber and cry like a baby if/when (Insha'Allah) I do kill a person. Though I highly doubt it








*The roots of that probably really took hold during the Vietnam War.

 

[Atlas]

I blame video games.

Respawning in 10, 9, 8...

 

[HappyEngineer]

:wall: I should of checked on them more in the barracks while in the rear. I knew those video games would warp their minds. Honestly I believe they need to be hard, I had a sit down. Told them of my experience, told them I didn't want to talk about it after that. I don't need to hear it come again, or reference it with he has more experience scenario. They respect that and I could tell that there ears opened up to, when I finished and let them talk and ask questions.