Are you having/will you have a net positive effect on humanity?

[Gaith]

Well, those reasons you listed definitely took precedent over the war/peace thing. But, I figured that since the military takes its orders from our civilian government, I was supporting its actions whether I joined or not, so I might as well serve for a while.

As for peace-spreading, the military combats terrorism and the occasional homicidal dictatorial regime, and the Navy specifically discourages sea-piracy. More broadly, the sheer size and scope of our armed forces rather limits the actions that the crazy dictators feel comfortable with. And since most violence is defined by its actors as retaliatory, the prevention of violence by individual actors/localized militias allows peace to gain a foothold. That's the theory, anyway. I'm always willing to listen to alternative suggestions.

But to promote peace and goodwill amongst human? That seems quite counter-intuitive.

You might feel somewhat differently if you were a Kurd who'd lived in mortal fear of Saddam's chemical weapons, or a girl in Kabul hoping to go to school without getting blown up. The US may have a dark history of overthrowing peaceful and democratic governments, but we haven't done that in a long time, and, I sincerely hope, won't do so ever again.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I'm not doubting the potential for good of the US Navy, or any military. I have no qualms about using violence for good reasons, even if I'd like to consider it the last resource, to be used only when all others have failed. I am neither pro-military or anti-military: I just consider it one of the prerogatives of societies. In case it wasn't clear, I never intended my comment as a criticism for your decision to serve in the armed forces.

I was just amused at the claim of joining a military to promote peace (even if peace can be indeed a result after a military victory). Kind of fucking to promote abstinence.

 

[SmoothieX]

I'm a civil engineer. We're the ones designing roads and water supplies and all that basic infrastructure stuff that improves the quality of life.

Though I guess you could question whether clear cutting 10 acres of woods to put in a new Wal-Mart is positive or not.

 

[think]

There is an edge to the greatness we experience in being more positive then we were.

;p

 

[KJbushway]

I have plans. BIG plans. Not bad either, very good.
(shifts cap over to left shoulder and walks head lifted out of the room)
You'll see I tell ya.

 

[Goji]

More than likely I am not. But then I was never given the choice to be born or not so I don't consider it entirely my fault that I am a resource hog.

No one said it is, but you are...

Yay for me.

 

[Gaith]

I was just amused at the claim of joining a military to promote peace (even if peace can be indeed a result after a military victory). Kind of fucking to promote abstinence.

Please - it's like fucking to support safe sex.

And while that slogan was certainly a totally rational response to certain US military actions of the past, here's a new one: "The military's job is no more to create war than a policeman's job is to create crime."

I'm a civil engineer. We're the ones designing roads and water supplies and all that basic infrastructure stuff that improves the quality of life.

Though I guess you could question whether clear cutting 10 acres of woods to put in a new Wal-Mart is positive or not.

That, that one could go either way. You could do great good, but you could also do significant harm

 

[KJbushway]

I heard this phrase once, don't remember where.

Preparing for a time of peace, you must prepare for war.
Or something like that.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I can see a whole lot of reasons for joining the navy: love of boats, the life at sea, the military lifestyle, a sense of belonging and purpose, patriotism, a fondness for blowing stuff up from afar, the snazzy uniforms, whatever.

But to promote peace and goodwill amongst human? That seems quite counter-intuitive.

The US Navy does quite a bit to promote peace and goodwill. Unfortunately, I don't have links handy. Maybe Emh will pop in and provide some.

The US may have a dark history of overthrowing peaceful and democratic governments, but we haven't done that in a long time, and, I sincerely hope, won't do so ever again.

Peaceful, democratic governments?