There is More to Military Members Than Killers and Breakers of Things

When Politics Fail, Our Military is Called to do These Things

"The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools"

The United States military and those who serve are at first defenders of freedom and democracy. But, yes, because of the failure of a desired political outcome, they are called to kill and destroy things. But military members also selflessly sacrifice family holidays and their personal safety so we can have a country that enables the "American Dream." While our military needs to know the latest and best of military tactics and be equipped with the best gear and technology, the U.S. military is more than "killers and breakers of things."  In fact, the military is much more than that.  

The military has core values and a broader purpose that many military personnel embody, going beyond the narrow perception of them solely as fighters. A military's work encompasses a wide range of duties, many of which involve selfless sacrifice for the protection of others. 

Physical and moral courage: Facing fear, danger, and adversity is a core tenet of military service. This can range from enduring physical duress to taking a stand on what is honorable, even if it is unpopular.

Facing danger for others: Service members often knowingly put their personal safety at risk to protect the public. The U.S. Army states that its purpose is to "serve and protect America". While there is a mission for combat units to kill and destroy, we must also keep safe and preserve life. The commitment of our military members reaches far beyond just killing and destroying. While most of our training is focused on accomplishing this task, saving lives is also a core value.

The ultimate sacrifice: For some, this commitment leads to the ultimate sacrifice of their life in defense of their country and its values. Every military member sacrifices something. From attending funerals of our friends to the separation and absence from our own loved ones.  

Protecting the oppressed: Military forces are also used for humanitarian and peacekeeping purposes, which frequently involve protecting vulnerable and oppressed populations.

Humanitarian aid and disaster relief: Military units are often called upon to assist with large-scale emergencies and natural disasters, both domestically and internationally. The U.S. Army and Air Force provide medical care, food, water, temporary housing, and search and rescue services to populations affected by crises.

Interventions to protect human rights: Humanitarian intervention is a term used to describe the use of military force by states or international organizations to prevent or end widespread violations of human rights, such as genocide or ethnic cleansing.

Historic role: The use of military forces for humanitarian purposes has been a long-standing tradition globally, often involving providing logistical support to civilian populations in need.

While I do not disagree that our military should be the epitome of fitness, health, and mental toughness, we are much more than tough guys who just kill people, break things and should avoid polite society. We are strategists, tacticians, experts in air, land, and sea operations, masters of logistics, students of history, protectors of democracy and freedom, humanitarians to the oppressed, and much more. 

Many of our veterans continue to serve in their military service through public service jobs in law enforcement, firefighting, and volunteerism. These core values of service and commitment do not go away for many of us. Thank you for your service to those who have served, are currently serving, or are considering military service. I appreciate you for all you do. 


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