Volunteer Soldiers Devastated by Iraq Weren't "Asking for It"

[babylonsister]

http://www.alternet.org/asoldierspeaks/48986/

Volunteer Soldiers Devastated by Iraq Weren't "Asking for It"

By Stacy Bannerman, AlterNet. Posted March 10, 2007.

"They volunteered, didn't they?" is a common sneering response to the stories about National Guardsmen whose lives were destroyed by Iraq -- the truth is that going to war is not what they signed up for.

As the war in Iraq has gone from wrong to worse, that question, often delivered as a statement, has become the fallback stance of folks who are attempting to silence the voices of those of us who actually have loved ones in uniform, or who died while wearing it. I love my country dearly, but sometimes it's difficult to retain a feeling of love for my countrymen who have said, "They volunteered, didn't they?" in an effort to shut up the growing numbers of military and Gold Star families who are speaking out against this war.

More often than not, the phrase falls from the mouths of people who will send our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, spouses and children to war, but blanch or literally roll their eyes at the suggestion that they send their own, or -- heavens! -- go themselves.

Less than one percent of Americans are in the Armed Forces. Over 1.3 million US troops have served in Iraq, including upwards of 450,000 National Guard and Reservists, surpassing by hundreds of thousands the number of Guard and Reservists that have fought in any other foreign war in this nation's history. In the early years of the occupation, my husband was stationed at LSA Anaconda with the Army National Guard's 81st brigade, so I speak from that experience, my conversations with hundreds of military families, soldiers, and Iraq War veterans, and a ridiculous amount of research.

I had to become something of a layman's expert on the National Guard in order to navigate the stultifying military bureaucracy, advocate for our soldiers and veterans, and speak out against the war.

What citizen soldiers signed up for:


more...

[JohnnyLib2]

1. K & R. My experience with military families

reflects much the same. Once in, the volunteers and families often absorb the traditional rah, rah attitudes and outlook; it's only to be expected of good people trying to do a good job. But the veneer is thin, the complaints have become overt, the numbers finding their way OUT of the military are growing.....

As one who respects the military, I see this as another monumental Bushbungle; the erosion of the whole tradition of uniformed service.

[UpInArms]

2. I have a friend who has 4 children

in the military or National Guard - all signed up between 1998 and 2000. This is not what they signed up for.

[iamahaingttta]

3. If they don't like it, they can desert...

...true, there would be consequences for doing so.
But they can make that choice.

[babylonsister]

4. Desert to where, exactly? nt

[iamahaingttta]

5. Prison, most likely.

Again, that's a choice they CAN make.