Why is the military a Republican/conservative tilting organization?

[Oldhag1]

Originally Posted by Tymberwulf

The military use to be massively conservative but as time went by and the concept of sacrifice for your country became "uncool" the military had to change its recruiting efforts. Instead of join the military, see the world while serving your country it became join the military and earn an education/benefits/etc.

My wife and I joined to protect and defend our country, by the time we retired most of the lower ranking troops had signed up simply to get inexpensive education or they were treating it as an easy job that would allow them to retire after 20 years.

And with this shift in ideologies and priorities, the military slowly shifted from a conservative institution to a more liberal institution. It has gotten to the point were I have advised my son from joining, mostly due to the fact that I wouldn't trust the troops of today on the battlefield.

I know, my husband says the same thing. He's still in himself but he definately doesn't want his own kids to join today's Army. We are not alone either.

[McBain II]

Originally Posted by bchris02

The military and American exceptionalism go together hand-in-hand. Conservatives and have done a good job painting Liberals as a type that have firmly rejected the notion of American exceptionalism.

That aside, Republicans have always appeared to be the more pro-military party. That doesn't mean all of their decisions have been correct, but they would like to think so and talk a good game of supporting of the troops.

Fixed your post.

[adiosToreador]

Originally Posted by Oldhag1

No. Not the same thing AT ALL. They don't get shot at. They can quit with no notice. They are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. They aren't moved around, whether they want to or not. They are not separated from their families for months at a time. They are better paid. They can't get thrown in jail for arguing with their boss. They haven't pledged to throw down their own life. For a military civilian, it's a job. For the military, especially the career military, it's a calling. Different types of people are willing to undertake those two jobs.

Whoa, easy now. All I said was a civilian employed by the military = military civilian. They're the same thing just said differently, is all. My point was that when it comes to the amount of money that the military members gave to so-and-so candidate the military civilians are factored into that number because they, on some level, work *with* and *for* the military.

Understand that we agree that military civilians and active duty members are completely different to some degree. I was only stating that in regards to the data and numbers of donations is all.

And I agree with the earlier posters who say that the longer you stay in the military the more conservative you get. And based on Colin Powell of late.... either the longer you are out of the military the more liberal you get or the conservatism that you picked up in the service begins to wear off. I think it is the latter for Powell.

I can't speak for Colin Powell, but I didn't find myself becoming more 'liberal' per se. Instead I found that over time as I was out of the military, I didn't need to adhere to a strict regimen of principles anymore and had more freedom to do whatever I wanted...which is exactly why I keep myself in check and abstain from drinking heavily or smoking a joint. I'm not like those ex-military members who decide to blaze up, drop some pills, get drunk, and ruin their lives all how they want just because they're not in the military anymore.

As a former member of the military (and yes there is a difference between 'former' and 'ex' members of the military), I have way more important things to worry about than getting high or getting smashed. Though there are days where I really want to because of how stressed I get, but I don't.