If true, then you were no different than the mercenaries of Blackwater. However, I disagree that you did nothing for this country. You may not have recognized it at the personal level, and your disillusionment is not unique. But serving the interests of the country is the mission of the military as an organization, and you were a part of the organization. Your perspective was different than those making the decisions.

It is important that you remember your experiences when voting for future leaders. Hopefully you will share your perspective with others to try and influence their choices. If so, then your service will have been for more than the compensation.

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Posted by Patrick O Rly

y u do dis?

Member since Aug 2011

41187 posts

Posted on 7/12/14 at 10:23 am to Poodlebrain

quote:
If true, then you were no different than the mercenaries of Blackwater. However, I disagree that you did nothing for this country. You may not have recognized it at the personal level, and your disillusionment is not unique. But serving the interests of the country is the mission of the military as an organization, and you were a part of the organization. Your perspective was different than those making the decisions.

Well, I didn't shoot at or kill anyone.

We provided a lot of military security for private oil and shipping companies. A lot of people in the Army have had the experience of guarding poppy fields.

quote:
It is important that you remember your experiences when voting for future leaders. Hopefully you will share your perspective with others to try and influence their choices. If so, then your service will have been for more than the compensation.

The one guy in politics that actually shared my views on foreign was booed by the crowd in the Republican debates.

I plan to never vote again. Mostly because I don't like doing pointless task. I also don't need a "leader." I don't need a president. I don't need a senator or a representative, so I'm not going to ask for one. People say if you don't vote, you can't complain, but I think they have it backwards.

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Posted by MrCarton

Paradise Valley, MT

Member since Dec 2009

20231 posts

Posted on 7/12/14 at 10:29 am to Poodlebrain

quote:
If true, then you were no different than the mercenaries of Blackwate

Blackwater employees were not mercenaries. Not even close. Blackwater and the PMCs that were employed in Iraq and Afghanistan did not and do not take contracts from governments or entities that are not approved by the USGOV or the remaining members of the western allied countries.

There are few functional differences between a PMC employee working under a USGOV contract and a US military member, the primary difference being UCMJ . The CIA also employs a great many contractors, some of which are quite famous for their effectiveness. Billy Waugh was a green card contractor for much of his career after the Army. I don't see people up in arms over this well known fact.

quote:
But serving the interests of the country is the mission of the military as an organization, and you were a part of the organization. Your perspective was different than those making the decisions.

I don't want to split hairs here, but serving the needs of the government is the obligation of everyone who agreed to serve the needs of the government via a contract. That includes PMCs, CIA dorks, and Military service members.

The common sentiment is that service to the country and service to the government are two different things and I would take a wild guess and say Paddy doesn't feel he did his country much justice. A lot of guys feel that way and I personally don't have a grievance with that perspective.

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