For those who wonder why some active military are backing *

[DancingBear]

May I suggest reading "Jarhead", by Anthony Swofford.

It is a first person Marine acoount of the first Gulf War - you will find within its pages the type of personality that would be drawn to Bush.

It is a very forthright and disturbing account of who the "modern" Marine really is.

[dakine]

1. Anecdotal...

Can't paint such a broad picture...

[DancingBear]

3. I beg your pardon?

Have you read this book? If so, please post your comments.

If not...

[Worthless Teen]

2. I havent read the book you mentioned

But my older brother is a West Point grad and in Iraq right now and he is a staunch Bush supporter...the fact is many of these "military" type live for war...think about it, they dont sign up to sit around on a base in NC all day, they want to go kill "A-Rabs" and the like...and with a little propaganda they beleive Bush is the second coming of the Messiah. The deception of the military is a scary thing.

[amber dog democrat]

4. Typical " Get with the program attitude "

I saw the same thing years ago. Its just after some time some of them come to question what they were led to think....but then some don't.
I did read Jar Head. I wonder if the author is a Bush supporter now.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

5. Maybe you should be asking some of the Marines in Iraq....

...based on the content of your post, you might be very surprised at what you discover.

After serving with the Marines as a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer for three years, I discovered that they are as politically diverse as the population at large.

[Skittles]

6. yes

I don't remember lockstop goose-stepping for fascism in the military either

[DancingBear]

7. Geez - has ANYONE read this book?

Swofford is an ex-Marine who served in GW1. He has written a fascinating insight into the minds of those he served with - I found it to be very disheartening, and (sadly) it tended to re-enforce some of the ideas re:military mindset that I had.

No one, especially me, is painting with a broad brush here - I am merely commenting on Swofford's portrait. This is why the heading of the post contained the word "some" - not "all."

[Lin]

8. Appreciated "Jarhead" much as you did, who'd have

thunk your (or anyone's) quest to try and understand how a-n-y-b-o-d-y, let alone, service ppl, would be pro-* would be met with such <ahem> animation here in DU? Jeeze:(

(Freepy)

I, too, am puzzled as to how * is validated....or even defended these days....and I have a repubby brother.

[Rose Siding]

10. Was he on a C-Span book panel?

Is he the one who spoke of the bond of killing and how it isn't really friendship? That was an interesting theory and he had a great grasp of the subject. He was very compelling. I hope more "jarheads" actually read the book.

[Jade Fox]

9. Is there a gulf between officers and foot soldiers when it comes to

political affiliation?

As Worthless Teen points out, officers love war. That's what they are
trained for, what will get them promotions, etc. So they will support Bush.

But how about the grunt who just wants to come home in one piece?

I heard Swofford read just before his book came out, and just before the
invasion of Iraq. I seriously doubt he is a Bush supporter.

[DancingBear]

12. Nor do I !

Sorry if that belief came across in my post. I think that his insights into others in his circle of compatriots, however, yields a glimpse into why some "grunts" would be backing someone like *.

Apologies if I was not clear about that.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. When I was in the marines, most were apathetic.

Not to mention incredibly ignorant of politics. Most were interested in getting drunk and getting laid. It was the early '60s but I very much doubt that the adolscents of today have changed much.

People love to glorify the military, but the truth is that most of the poor sods stuck in it are pretty ordinary kids that act a lot like the kids they are.