Esprit de corps, Quantico.

[hay rick]

Last edited Wed Oct 1, 2025, 01:14 PM - Edit history (1)

If military service is just a job, soldiers will follow illegal orders. If it's a mission, they will not.

[Permanut]

1. When I was in the Navy from '65 to '71, it was a mission..

I damn sure didn't do it for the pay.

[hay rick]

2. We are from the same Viet Nam/draft era.

The options of going through the draft, enlisting, moving to Canada, or seeking conscientious objector status was a difficult decision for many of us. I had friends and family in each category. A few skated through the entire era with endless educational deferments.

I think times have changed in important ways. First, military pay is much better now and civilian pay has stagnated. Culturally, I think people who had WWII parents were more attuned to our history than the current generations. That said, I expect the people who view the military as a career, and not just their current best job/training opportunity, are likely pretty mission oriented.

[Ping Tung]

3. $79 a MONTH when I stupidly joined the marines in '61.