Yeah, as opposed the past 3000 or so years of human history where only the most sound of mind and pure of spirit served, and only voluntarily...

Actually as opposed to the last few decades where the US government made it policy not to put them in uniform.

cyr:

Cut the BS. Today's army is the most educated army in the history of this country.

True, but since each new generation is the most educated in history (what with human knowledge doubling at an increasing rate) it is also trivial. Further our military has incorporated more and more specialists over time, which naturally skews the overall pool upwards. But notice whom I specifically mentioned- Army grunts. Not Navy or Airforce technology specialists.

Boyd:

Oh, and as a Navy veteran, I'll thank you not to dance in the blood of one of my fallen comrades-in-arms.

Dance in the blood? Well I guess if you can't be accurate you can at least manage a little style.

And just in case I'm not being clear enough, you disgust me.

Given that you clearly have no idea what I've said- why should I care?

Oh, and as a Navy veteran, I'll thank you not to dance in the blood of one of my fallen comrades-in-arms.

And just in case I'm not being clear enough, you disgust me.

Cut the BS. Today's army is the most educated army in the history of this country. To suggest otherwise is ignorant at best, dishonest at worst.

I'm sure there are a few who are 'stupid' and can't read what they're getting themselves into, just like all those 'ignoramuses' that bought houses with 2 year no interest loans back in 2006 before the market ate it (hint: they knew what they're getting into, but gambled for a quick flip (or a time of no war, and free education for the army folks), and when it didn't happen, they attempt to play stupid)

I wonder where Ali is nowadays?

Yeah, as opposed the past 3000 or so years of human history where only the most sound of mind and pure of spirit served, and only voluntarily...

At the same time, let’s recall that men like Dwyer volunteer for military service and most see themselves as honorable men who performed their duty knowing the risks, not helpless victims. Let’s not dishonor them by pretending otherwise.

Well there's an argument to be made that when the armed forces like to sell themselves not as a duty but as some glamorous thrill ride that these volunteers may not really know what they are getting themselves into.

Probably less so for someone like Dwyer, whom I'm guessing was fairly educated before enrolling, but many military recruits, especially for the Army, are not exactly the top of the class students. ROTC is one thing but Army grunts aren't well known for being Rhodes Scholars. And these days they don't even have to have clean mental health or police records.

So yeah, I think some of these kids are victims.