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Age Requirement For War Zone Service.
Topic Started: Oct 26 2004, 11:32 PM (542 Views)
jrf
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Quote:
 
some sort of Military or Quasi-military service as part of the "Growing Up" process


I remember some things available to kids. Most of them got teased.
We had classroom, hallway and schoolbus monitors at an early age,
crosswalk guards, later there was ROTC in high school, even the police depts had some sort of auxiliary program for kids (we called them piglets) and they shadowed police officers, wore a uniform, different things.

There are still various forms of Scouting.

Not all big serious stuff, but still more opportunities for responsibilty and authority and community service.

Edit:
I'll head off some arguments on authority. Its exposure and learning the limits.
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jrf
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In a town of 1000 we had a gymnasium built by the WPA. There was a ROTC program of sorts and even was rumored to have a handgun range built under the gym. I lived in so many places though, they all run together so I can be confused on who or where had what.

Now that's what we need. A handgun range under every gymnasium and a rifle range under the sporting fields. They make good bomb shelters and storage places for survival goods too.
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Peralko
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Interesting with the pacifist views on this site. Reminds me of a saying I've seen posted along the lines that the only reason pacifists can sleep safely in their beds is because someone is willing to do violence on their part (paraphrased).

I have read and studied history since I was a child, and pretty much have come to the conclusion that there will always be someone who is willing to do violence on you. This is so on a personal level, as well on a national level. At no time in recorded history has there ever been a period where there was no war. And I have no doubt it was the same in neaderthal days. Peace is a desireable state--my first AF assignment was an outfit that had "Peace is Our Profession" as a slogan. And we had the nukes to back it up! A strong military is a prerequisite for a peaceful state. How it is used is up to the leaders--elected or not.

I have also not yet heard why it is more acceptable for a 20-year-old, or 30-, or 40-year-old to die in war as opposed to an 18-year old!

Also why is it worse for anyone to die in the service to their country than to die in a preventable car wreck?
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MDPD6320
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Frank - Gainesville, Florida
Peralko,

There are two that come to mind somerhing like: we can sleep in our beds secure because brave men are willing to do violence in the night

and

Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor's sake
Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly -
They build a nation's pillars deep
and lift them to the sky

RALPH WALDO EMERSON "A Nations Strength"





Frank
" The government big enough to give you everything you want it is big enough to take everything you have."

"Extremism in the pursuit of liberty is no vice, and moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue"

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
What would you guess, Per and Frank, the US is about 50/50 hawk and dove? And, what, of the hawks, 50/50 cry for war but would never go themselves, and of the doves, 50/50 cry for peace but would go fight fo it?
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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Peralko
Member
Chris,

I would think it would be difficult to put numbers to it. Perhaps a bell curve would work. Extremes on either end--doves that would never go for any reason to doves that would go if they felt the cause was right, to hawks that would also go for the right reason to the hawks that can't wait to kill somebody--anybody!
As far as the numbers who would go, I don't think I would put it in a 50% bracket for the hawks--many talk a big talk, but chicken out if faced with reality. And I'm sure you can find many decorated soldiers who would probably consider themselves doves. If the reason for going to war was undisputed, I'm not so sure we would get about the same percentage from either camp.
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MDPD6320
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Frank - Gainesville, Florida
Chris,

I don't know that your premise of a 50/50 split between doves and hawks is valid, but if we asume that it is correct I would guess that many doves would be willing to fight, and some hawks would not. A vast majority would serve, prehaps not in a front line roll, if it could be avoided.

When the chips are down, Americans always seem to step up.

Frank
" The government big enough to give you everything you want it is big enough to take everything you have."

"Extremism in the pursuit of liberty is no vice, and moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue"

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
That's what I thought I was saying. :)

I guess I find it hard to believe, perhaps because I never did, that a soldier who has seen war would want to see more. Not shy away at all, just not seek more.

The history of the US shows us to be reluctant warriors.

I observed on one of the drums belonging to the marines now raising, there was painted a Rattle-Snake, with this modest motto under it, "Don't tread on me"....She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders... --Franklin

Shane.

Casablanca.

The nation is peaceful but fierce when stirred to anger. --Bush
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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