The NEW face of the American Military

I very much disagree with this. Joining the military today is much harder than it's ever been. The standards are higher and the military's willingness to give waivers is lower than ever. Part of this has to do with the economy and the cutting of the defense budget, and part of it has to do with the military's evolution. The media tried to imply that the military seriously relaxed its standards around 06,07,08 because no one wanted to go off and fight in Iraq/Afghan (it's a sexy story to the media), but even then there was no shortage of troops, just a few months here and there where the Army missed it's recruiting goals.

The real problem is the media and now social media bringing the reality of the military to everyone's couch. In the past the military was left largely to its own devices. Your average citizen had no idea what went on. Today with youtube, CNN, etc. any kind of controversy is sent around the world in a matter of hours. This has brought a lot of scrutiny on the military by people in power and civilians who have no idea how and why the military operates the way it does. Trying to explain to someone who's never spent a night in the field or gone on a 20 mile ruck why it's bad to have women in combat is almost impossible. They watch CNN/MSNBCs opinion piece on the issue, which is often poorly researched or at least deliberately misleading, and think it's a good idea. Unfortunately, many politicians do the same thing. That's why this new wave of PC is hitting the military. As long as 99% of the American population is isolated from the realities of warfare but kept "informed" through media about it's ugly truths, it will be difficult for the military to operate as it needs to.

 

It goes back to professional decorum while in uniform and not in the field. Even having your hands in your pockets can look unprofessional and slovlenly to some.
The photo was taken on a CONUS military base, and it just looks...for lack of a better word...un-military. Mushroom suggested some type of covering, and that's a good idea...

Offices may be going to "business casual" but the uniformed military should remain squared away to a certain degree...the military should not be "civlianized" or "corporatized"
and that is certainly the trend now. Not to berate the point into the ground...again the core function of the military needs to be brought to the forefront.

War fighters.

 

Exactly.


perfect example of dead serious military:

China



compared to this

 

4Horsemen, et al,

You cannot compare these two picture. One is a parade picture and the other appears to be a casual picture of an active unit.

(COMMENT)

These are Parade Pictures.


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Most Respectfully,
R

 

But do you see any pictures like these from China's military?

 

You do realize that the media is state run in China, right?

Also, the idea that photographs are somehow related to a military's capability is ridiculous. The average American soldier is much more combat hardened than their Chinese equivalent. Will pictures show that?

 

Are you aware that out of all of us, many of us current and former military, you are the only one that seems to give a (*)(*)(*)(*)?

 

jus sayin' what's the message being sent here. ?

 

Of course not, China wants to be feared, be want to be liked -- except that it portrays weakness to people that hate us.

 

Unrelated, but I didn't want to start a new thread just for this.

Posted on the Israel Defense Forces facebook page...

Two, apparently gay, soldiers holding hands.

Unprofessional..even it was a male and female soldiers holding hands...public displays of affection like this are unprofessional.

 

I totally agree. it cheapens the Military's image. period.

 

Makes sense

With a tough economy and im sure more and more older people (late 20s early 30s) are turning to the military for work. What better way to attract these parents then to show that the military is parent freindly.

Plus, this age range are the baby boomers babies born the mid 70s-late early 80's so im sure they're a large demographic