Does NOT joining the Armed forces make you a coward?

[bloodofages]

My brother is in the Army. He said if i don't join the Army that makes me a coward and every one not in the Army is a coward and a non American. I don't think i need to join the Army to prove anything. What do you all think? He also said we will all die someday why not do it for you country? Can't we live for our country? Not die for it? He has really changed since he joined..

 

[The Last Conformist]

Your brother sounds like he needs to spend some time with a shrink.

 

[bloodofages]

Your brother sounds like he needs to spend some time with a shrink.

Thats what i said. Amazing how much he has changed and not in a good way.

 

[IglooDame]

How long has he been in the army?

(I know, I know - "Too long.")

 

[bloodofages]

Its been about a year.

 

[stormbind]

People join for excitement, pride and prospects. Then they discover the structure and meaning which either makes them stay or run away. I do not see it as an issue of heroics versus cowardliness.

 

[Rik Meleet]

Do you (or your brother) know the meaning of the word "brainwashing" ?

Can your brother give you a definition of the word "coward" ? I bet he can't give one that satisfies your personal definition of it. And another way to look at it is: Is being a coward really bad ? Is it a crime ? Is it something God forbid ? I know killing is...

 

[BasketCase]

I didn't join the armed forces because my vision is 20/400 and I can't see three inches without glasses or contacts.

Yeah, yeah, fine and dandy--I've heard that soldiers fight with glasses and contacts, and I think that's a bad idea. The minute you lose your glasses or contacts, you're not merely unable to function, you become a liability to your squad because they suddenly have to lead you around by the hand.

Plain old basic practicality to me.

 

[bloodofages]

Do you (or your brother) know the meaning of the word "brainwashing" ?

Can your brother give you a definition of the word "coward" ? I bet he can't give one that satisfies your personal definition of it. And another way to look at it is: Is being a coward really bad ? Is it a crime ? Is it something God forbid ? I know killing is...

I really don't have a definition of a coward. I just think just cause someone ain't willing to do what you would do(my Brother in this case) don't make you a coward. I really hate the coward word anyways.

 

[luiz]

Of course not. That is ridiculous.
I did join the armed forces, but only because I was forced too.

 

[bloodofages]

Who forced you? your family? or country? People should not be forced.

 

[Yuri2356]

My brother is in the Army. He said if i don't join the Army that makes me a coward and every one not in the Army is a coward and a non American.

I don't think signing up for the Roal Canadian Army will make me any less non-American...

 

[Scrimshaw]

My brother is in the Army. He said if i don't join the Army that makes me a coward and every one not in the Army is a coward and a non American. I don't think i need to join the Army to prove anything. What do you all think? He also said we will all die someday why not do it for you country? Can't we live for our country? Not die for it? He has really changed since he joined..

Sounds like a heavy dose of brainwashing to me. Reminds me of Tom Cruises character in Born on the Fourth of July. Perhaps he should see that movie...

I certainly don't think not joining the army is cowardly. There are many ways of helping your country(if that's your goal) besides fighting directly for it.

 

[bloodofages]

its not really my goal to help my country. I want to move to England or the Netherlands sometime in the near future.

 

[Masquerouge]

I'm sorry to tell you this, but if your brother really thinks what he says, he's a jerk, and I don't think a jerk calling you a coward should matter to you.

More likely, he's calling you a coward because HE is afraid. That's usually the way it goes.

And I'm pretty sure that if you think about it, you can find countless great Americans that did not serve in the Army.

 

[bloodofages]

I knew he was a jerk already. But you also speak the truth. You guys made me feel better

 

[Elrohir]

My brother is in the Army. He said if i don't join the Army that makes me a coward and every one not in the Army is a coward and a non American. I don't think i need to join the Army to prove anything. What do you all think? He also said we will all die someday why not do it for you country? Can't we live for our country? Not die for it? He has really changed since he joined..

How can everyone not in the Army be a coward? Everyone can't join the army!

Not joining the Army doesn't make you a coward necissarily. You can be a coward if you don't join the Army, but not joining the army doesn't mean you're a coward. There's a logical flaw in there.

 

[Gelion]

I didn't join the armed forces because my vision is 20/400 and I can't see three inches without glasses or contacts.

Yeah, yeah, fine and dandy--I've heard that soldiers fight with glasses and contacts, and I think that's a bad idea. The minute you lose your glasses or contacts, you're not merely unable to function, you become a liability to your squad because they suddenly have to lead you around by the hand.

Plain old basic practicality to me.

If you really wanted to join you would have done an operation (in India for example).

I don't think a persons cowardness or bravery can be determined if he joins the army. Some people have convictions that forbid them to join the army and yet risk their lives helping people somewhere else. No poor fellow should be proud to die for his country. Its not what we are here for even though in some cases if you die you help others live. You are right that people need to learn to live for your country.

Your brother (IMO and I'm sorry about this) needs some serious help. He's in the military world thinking and acting like a soldier. If your country was attacked by some other country then I'd say: protect your motherland. That is honorable and brave. But the way things are now you will likely be stuck in some other country shooting at poorly armed rebels if doing any fighting at all. That is not bravery. Bravery is when you have 3 grenades against 5 enemy tanks and you charge forward cuz you know you might win and save another poor fellow who will run if you fail. Bravery is not (excuse me but I find this disgusting) when soldiers moan about the lack of good toilet paper, complain when they are served only 2 kinds of icecream and live in camps going out on patrols fully armed with a rule to "shoot first, ask later". I am sure they are good professionals, but they are not hero's or brave men. They are just payed employess doing their job in good conditions. This kind of activity will not make you brave, or lack of it a coward.....

 

[bloodofages]

War is good only in books, movies and video games. Thats what i think.

 

[Babbler]

I don't think signing up for the Roal Canadian Army will make me any less non-American...

It is the Canadian Forces now; pencil necked bureaucrats in the sixties though it would save money to merge the Army, Navy and Air Force together. It didn't ... as always.

As for army service, just because you don't join does not mean you are a coward, or unpatriotic. Some people are just not fit for military service -- they are better put in civilian setting.

Can your brother give you a definition of the word "coward" ? I bet he can't give one that satisfies your personal definition of it. And another way to look at it is: Is being a coward really bad ? Is it a crime ? Is it something God forbid ? I know killing is...

I found it as "One who shows ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain".

A bit of cowardice is good; it keeps from doing stupid thing. But to much cowardice, too much fear can cripple your life. It find the right balance between two extremes; something which people fall at, as always.