The Military and the Ball and Chain that Holds Their Members

Hi everyone -

Just a little note today - curious about what every one's thoughts are on the military contract with it's members.

In light of the tragedy at Fort Hood this week, I'm questioning the responsibility that a member of the Armed Forces has with the establishment. I'm wondering if things could have been different if they had just left this person out of the military. What do you think? Is there a way they could have discharged him? Is there another way he could have repaid his financial obligation?

Being an ex-military wife, I'm fully aware of the adage "If the military wanted you to have a wife, they would have issued you one." They've always been known for their bold and brass techniques to keep you in their fold, to beat you down so you can't really think for yourself, to stay loyal to the beast, to be strong in hard times.

Now, be clear, I'm not saying the Military isn't a wonderful place for a special kind of person. I totally respect and honor every member of the service that is there due to their personal beliefs and desires, those that are loyal - those who fight for our freedoms and country - those who love this tight knit community. But I do think, it's not for everyone. And I do feel that a great many people of my generation joined the military for the wrong reasons.

At the very least, in the 70s and 80s, it was a time of peace. It still remains a time of opportunity to escape the high unemployment rates of our small home towns, the towns where blue collar jobs are disappearing. It is still a time of educational opportunities where most young people will never be able to afford to continue their education, learn a skill, climb the ladder, move away from their small towns. And maybe it is even a time of opportunity to escape the violence of our towns and cities - either in our own families or a life of crime and violence that we have chosen. It used to be the only choice young people had - when the local law enforcement said you had to join the military or go to jail.

Obviously this person who shot many co-workers was in a lot of turmoil and for years. He apparently tried many times to get out of the military. He even offered to pay back the money he felt he used to get his education. I'm guessing, and I do mean just that, as I didn't know him, that there were moral and religious beliefs that were involved. And I truly believe there were a lot of emotional problems - both personally and also because of the travesties that he heard day in and day out from the soldiers returning from battle. If I recall correctly, some of the most affected people from times of war are the mental health professionals and the chaplains. Both have to hear people struggling everyday because of what they'd been through and their problems with reintegrating into society. And I do believe no one took him seriously. He had been investigated and nothing happened. Maybe he was calling out for help?

So what do we do now? Times are different. We're at war. Some people don't believe in war.

Why do we not question some people's internal conflicts when their own religious beliefs or cultural background are in play? In World War II, some of the Japanese men who were in internment camps fought for our Country - but our Country was sensitive to them - either because they didn't trust them or they didn't want them to have to kill their own people. They didn't ask them to fight against their own - they fought in other countries instead and proved their loyalty without this internal conflict.

Do we change the way we handle these situations in the future? Does the military determine how much money they spend on a members education so that if this same situation happens in the future, these members can be discharged? Can they repay the military in a dollar amount instead of a "years due" manner?

Why does the Military actually want to keep someone who isn't there 100% mentally and physically? Why would they want to keep someone who is bad for other soldiers' morale? Why would they want to keep someone who then chooses to open fire on innocent victims.

Will anything change? Well, I think I know the answer - they'll apologize to the families of the innocent victims for missing the tell tale signs. But unfortunately nothing will really change. Members won't be discharged. This man's mental health will be blamed. The government will need to step up their commitment in addressing the mental health toll it's taking on it's members.

What a shame - so many lives lost on our own ground. What is the price of war - a war that may or may not even be ours to fight???

At some point, I'd like to visit a subject close to this one - requiring young people to actually volunteer for a Country's welfare - something like a mandatory draft - but not all on a military scale. I think it would help with the unemployment rate. It would help these young people find their way when they aren't sure what they want to do. It could help them see the world, get an education, learn a skill and give back. What do you think?

See you soon.