Are you any less Patriotic if you didn't serve in the Armed Forces??

[SoCalbound12]

Originally Posted by RegQ

The reason I ask is there is this attitude among many who did serve that those who didn't gave less to their country. My personal belief is that all of our Military Missions overseas since WWII were not justified and if anything were a net draw on the Nation's economic and social health.

Not to discount the sacrifice soldiers make but it's hard to argue that they're any more productive than those who work at home in the private sector.

Also, many private sector jobs are more dangerous than military duty such as commercial fishing and trucking. Also, they don't come with lifetime VA benefits.

I also love how conservatives rant against government healthcare yet they have no problem giving it to Vets via the VA Healthcare system.

No I don't believe that anyone who didn't serve is any less patriotic than those who choose to serve. It's an individual choice and I don't think any less of someone one way or the other whether they serve or not. I don't really believe in "patriotism" so to speak. I have nothing against pride in your nation, I certainly have it and I believe it's a healthy emotion, but when someone throws the "patriotism" card out there it makes me suspicious of their motives. As they say "patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" and anyone who starts claiming they're more patriotic than another person, or holding certain political beliefs makes one more patriotic is full of crap.

[bentstrider]

As far as being any more or less patriotic, I'll leave that to those who actually served to decide.

As for military service itself, I commend and respect anyone that goes in and knowingly gives up normal life for that regimentation.
A slightly introverted knucklebrain like myself has thought about it a few times, but then I'll change my mind after talking with those that were or still are serving.

Hearing about military life straight from the horses mouth, as opposed to that of a recruiter, tends to steer you in a better direction when it comes down to making the final decision.

That goes a lot of other things too.