...as the military? First off, let me state that this is NOT an anti- military question. I value the work our servicemen/ women do and recognise the sacrifices they make. Anybody that accuses me of being anti- military is severely misinformed.
What I mean is this; soldiers get the utmost respect from their peers and total strangers, and rightly so. In many places soldier's s**t smells of roses and they can do no wrong. Their work is lauded and words like 'honour' and 'respect' are bandied about all over the shop.
But there are other jobs, just as dangerous and involving the same- if not more- sacrifice that go completely unrecognised. Chances are if a young soldier made himself known at a bar, the patrons will pat him on the back and tell him well done. But if a merchant seaman, a trawler-man or a miner did the same, I doubt anybody would give them a second thought. These jobs are actually, believe it or not, statistically many times more dangerous than that of a soldier currently serving in a theatre of war, and sometimes involve longer periods from home in hostile circumstances. Yet they go generally unlauded.
Why do you think this is? Does being in the military automatically entitle you to praise, in your opinion? What about miners, who spend days in the most dangerous places underground? Or merchant mariners, who can spend months at sea in Force 12 hurricanes to bring us fuel? Or doctors who work 30-hour shifts?
Take this site as an example. If someone states that they support our troops, they might get twenty answers and comments wishing them well. If someone insults the military, those twenty people unite to put them down. But if the same person posts a question in support of the miners or nurses, what do you think? Maybe three answers?
I also realise, however, that there are some people and groups who are fervently anti- military and anti- war.
Please share your thoughts. I highlight again, I am in no way anti- military. In fact, I am going through the recruitment process to join the British Army volunteers as we speak.
Thanks for all reasoned answers.
Edit: Many of you rightly point out that a soldier volunteers for their duty, whereas my examples of miners, mariners etc are in it purely for a good financial career.
Could it not be argued, though, that there are some people who say,
'My country depends on oil, therefore I will make the sacrifice of long hours and time away from home in order to get that oil there,'
Or,
'My country needs iron. I will endanger my life in a mine so as to get that vital ore to the surface,'
Is it not the same thing? And in what way is braving a hail of enemy fire different to braving eighty- foot seas? Both can kill you in a moment.
Again, I'm not trying to be disrespectful or play Devil's Advocate, but merely fuel a balanced argument. Thanks for all your answers.
What I mean is this; soldiers get the utmost respect from their peers and total strangers, and rightly so. In many places soldier's s**t smells of roses and they can do no wrong. Their work is lauded and words like 'honour' and 'respect' are bandied about all over the shop.
But there are other jobs, just as dangerous and involving the same- if not more- sacrifice that go completely unrecognised. Chances are if a young soldier made himself known at a bar, the patrons will pat him on the back and tell him well done. But if a merchant seaman, a trawler-man or a miner did the same, I doubt anybody would give them a second thought. These jobs are actually, believe it or not, statistically many times more dangerous than that of a soldier currently serving in a theatre of war, and sometimes involve longer periods from home in hostile circumstances. Yet they go generally unlauded.
Why do you think this is? Does being in the military automatically entitle you to praise, in your opinion? What about miners, who spend days in the most dangerous places underground? Or merchant mariners, who can spend months at sea in Force 12 hurricanes to bring us fuel? Or doctors who work 30-hour shifts?
Take this site as an example. If someone states that they support our troops, they might get twenty answers and comments wishing them well. If someone insults the military, those twenty people unite to put them down. But if the same person posts a question in support of the miners or nurses, what do you think? Maybe three answers?
I also realise, however, that there are some people and groups who are fervently anti- military and anti- war.
Please share your thoughts. I highlight again, I am in no way anti- military. In fact, I am going through the recruitment process to join the British Army volunteers as we speak.
Thanks for all reasoned answers.
Edit: Many of you rightly point out that a soldier volunteers for their duty, whereas my examples of miners, mariners etc are in it purely for a good financial career.
Could it not be argued, though, that there are some people who say,
'My country depends on oil, therefore I will make the sacrifice of long hours and time away from home in order to get that oil there,'
Or,
'My country needs iron. I will endanger my life in a mine so as to get that vital ore to the surface,'
Is it not the same thing? And in what way is braving a hail of enemy fire different to braving eighty- foot seas? Both can kill you in a moment.
Again, I'm not trying to be disrespectful or play Devil's Advocate, but merely fuel a balanced argument. Thanks for all your answers.