How Conservative Is The Military/Would A Progressive Be Out of Place? (AFR, reserve)
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I'm pretty far left on most issues, was even more so when I joined the Army over 10 years ago. Most of the people I encounter are more conservative than I am; however, I fit in just fine because I can answer yes to 1, 2, and 4 and no to 3. That's a pretty good checklist to go by.
I think it could be good for you to develop relationships with people from different backgrounds and different perspectives. The military is all about that. Yes, we do conform to following orders to accomplish the mission, but we also understand teamwork.. and teams are composed of individuals. Individuals are accepted and respected for who they are, so long as they pull their weight.
The 1.4 million men and women on active duty make up the most diverse military in our history, and yet it is not exactly a mirror of the country it defends. It is better educated than the general population and overweighted with working-class kids and minorities. About 40% of the troops are Southern, 60% are white, 22% are black, and a disproportionate number come from empty states like Montana and Wyoming
War isn't my issue, I would say being opposed depends. Iraq? Yes, completely uneeded and budget destructive. Libya? No. I'm not one of these people who is opposed to war no matter what, no I feel war is relative to the circumstance.
Once you enlist, you won't get to choose your war.
I am a military wife (my husband was active duty Navy, and is now in the reserves trying to get back either active duty of full time support). Both my husband and I are VERY liberal. Yes, many people in the military DO tend to be conservative, but what I've found is a lot of people in the military also don't really follow politics at all. Whoever is president at the time is their commander is chief, and really you cannot be extremely hardcore against either party (to the point I've seen some crazies be), because then in essence you would be against your commander in chief. It would never work.
Still, my husband and I did not like Bush. He got along fine. If you know how to separate politics from your job, you will be fine, because really no one should be talking about that stuff in any workplace.
Also, you would have to be ok with being ordered to do something you may not be 100% comfortable with. I don't agree with the Iraq war either (neither did my husband), but he still had to participate in it to some extent. He was stationed on the aircraft carrier that carried out the first bombings. He had no choice. But, you know what you're signing up for. You have to be able to take orders, even if you don't always agree with them.
Once you enlist, you won't get to choose your war.
Awww, does this mean if someone signs up now, they may not get to fight til a year later versus N. Korea or some other country?
Quote:
Originally Posted by OctoberMoon
I am a military wife (my husband was active duty Navy, and is now in the reserves trying to get back either active duty of full time support). Both my husband and I are VERY liberal. Yes, many people in the military DO tend to be conservative, but what I've found is a lot of people in the military also don't really follow politics at all. Whoever is president at the time is their commander is chief, and really you cannot be extremely hardcore against either party (to the point I've seen some crazies be), because then in essence you would be against your commander in chief. It would never work.
Still, my husband and I did not like Bush. He got along fine. If you know how to separate politics from your job, you will be fine, because really no one should be talking about that stuff in any workplace.
Also, you would have to be ok with being ordered to do something you may not be 100% comfortable with. I don't agree with the Iraq war either (neither did my husband), but he still had to participate in it to some extent. He was stationed on the aircraft carrier that carried out the first bombings. He had no choice. But, you know what you're signing up for. You have to be able to take orders, even if you don't always agree with them.
The long held notion is that the military is very conservative organization.
Just how conservative is the military, and where does it compare to the rest of the population?
Is this a far right wing group of people across all issues or is it moderate but conservative on a few big subjects?
I'm a progressive person across all fields. I'm wondering if I would be really outnumbered and out of place.
What do you mean by conservative? Is it just your standing on a particular subject or all around? [Hope this makes sense!]
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm assuming you're looking towards going into the military...If this is true theres SO many other things you need to consider besides this.
... Whoever is president at the time is their commander is chief, and really you cannot be extremely hardcore against either party (to the point I've seen some crazies be), because then in essence you would be against your commander in chief. It would never work....
Also, you would have to be ok with being ordered to do something you may not be 100% comfortable with....
Your commander-in-chief (top boss) might be the most hawkish and conservative politician you've ever imagined, but as a military man you must respect him (his position) and carry out his orders. You also must obey and show respect to every other person (for their positions) in your chain of command. Some will be morons, but you still must show respect, simply because they have more rank than you and are your superiors. If you can't do that, stay out of the military.
Obviously there are exceptions. When I was in the military I got some goof-ball superiors in trouble, not because I tried to but simply because THEIR superiors came to me and demanded that I provide answers to some questions. In one instance one was fired; in another instance two others were reprimanded. In all three cases it was because they used their "power" inappropriately. Simply being an idiot is not against military regulations.
You get the idea, you have a slew of people across the political spectrum from both side of the aisle. Your political affiliation doesn't matter all that matters if you can
In the military the imortant thingt is to know what is a leagl oder and what is not. It matters little what your personal opinon is really.Much different than civilian life.
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