the myth of military intelligence and media literacy - eviltoast
  • teft@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    32
    ·
    8 months ago

    No one finds themselves in a combat role by surprise.

    This is false. Many people found themselves in combat roles by surprise in Iraq and I would assume other conflicts are the same because war never changes. My unit was an artillery unit that ended up kicking in doors like infantry. I knew supply clerks and admin assistants who ended up assigned to QRF. All soldiers and marines are combat personnel first and foremost. It’s the whole reason every soldier and marine has to pass a rifle qualification in basic training/boot camp.

    • grue@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      13
      ·
      8 months ago

      It’s the whole reason every soldier and marine has to pass a rifle qualification in basic training/boot camp.

      My father in law once mentioned that as the reason he went Navy instead. (Sailers are apparently all firefighters first and foremost.)

      I suppose it’s also maybe a good argument for picking the [ch]Air Force.

      • Cethin@lemmy.zip
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        16
        ·
        8 months ago

        I would recommend the Coast Guard for anyone who wants to not be involved with the killings of many people and mostly doing good. Sure, there are a handful of roles that do kill, but the vast majority are involved with things like search and rescue or ensuring shipping is done safely, and things like that. They also deal with drug smuggling, which has some ethics issues as well, but as far as military service goes (and getting the benefits from it) it’s easily the best choice.

    • Maggoty@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      8 months ago

      We had some volunteers roll out with us when we had guys on leave but admin guys on QRF is just peak Army.

    • thisisnotgoingwell@programming.dev
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      8 months ago

      Okay, most people don’t find themselves in combat roles by surprise? Point is the military doesn’t force you to do an MOS. If you work supply or artillery I’d say that’s not unreasonable considering you know you’re going to be on or near front lines to perform that job. Anyways, I don’t mean to sound unsympathetic but the military is a good option for a lot of people who don’t have many options