Soldiers - Heroes?

[exodus199]

I've been thinking lately, why do so many people treat soldiers like heroes?

 

In my opinion the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan at the moment are not heroes at all, they are just simply doing their job. I say this because they are simply following orders and choosing to participate in a war like Iraq is, in my opinion, morally wrong. The soldiers in Iraq are killing so many civilians that I just cannot see a reason to treat them so well... personally I would rather die than go to Iraq to fight.

 

However, unlike some I do not see them as common murderers either, they are just simply people doing their job, like a banker or a dustbin man..

 

People say "they risk their lives for you and your way of living" etc etc... yet by the same logic wouldn't people who take part in clinical drug trials be heroes to? They are risking their bodies for the advancement of science and medicine right? No. They're just doing it for the money.

 

My view does not apply to soldiers of all wars, just mainly Iraq and Vietnam. (Probably Afghanistan too, but I don't know much about it) For example the soldiers of World War 1 and 2 are heroes to me, as there was a clear and present threat to their country so they went of defend it.

 

I was just wandering what you guys think and if anybody agrees with me.

[The Dark Lord]

I agree. The war in the Middle East is pointless and drains our resources. The soldiers are doing their job, nothing more.

[Kriegsmier]

I partially agree with you. Being a military member my thoughts are this:

 

You're right. I'm just doing my job. It makes a lot of us uncomfortable to be told "thank you for your service". The real heros are carried back, and the ones that can't come back like me or the next guy. The heros come back in caskets on C-17s. I do feel though that I risk my life for America's freedom. I signed up to put myself in harms way before anyone in my family has to face it. I don't risk my life on a daily basis, but my job entails me to risk my life in certain situations. There are clear and present threats all around us today. Especially in Afghanistan. But you believe what the media wants you to believe. We've done many many many great things for the country of Iraq, its part of the reason we've been there so long. We've established a country they can start to feel proud of and hold to be their own, not a dictator's. Every day there are stories about heroic acts, they are just never recognized. I'd do just about anything for my fellow Marines, because I know they'd do the same for me.

 

No, we are not KILLING many civilians. Iraq is very quiet right now and convoys are at a minimum. What you hear about now is Iraqi on Iraqi violence.

[Giordano]

They may not be heros, but they got balls to go into war.

 

Crazy fools or not, would you do it? I know I wouldn't.

[Bouwzie]

They risk their live, that deserves some recognition.

[Kriegsmier]

Someone has to do it.

 

To the OP. Someone has to die in the process too unfortunately. Are these not heros? People that give up their life so people can be free? American people, Allied countries people, the nation's we're in? People's freedoms and liberties are the same across the board. We don't always do it for ourselves. Its very misinterpreted that the US is fighting for America's freedom (An age old thing thats always been the subject of America's involvment in wars) in OIF...no thats incorrect. OIF = Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are doing it for them, not for us. We're more then egotistical fools, more then the world makes us out to be.

[exodus199]

Someone has to do it.

 

To the OP. Someone has to die in the process too unfortunately. Are these not heros? People that give up their life so people can be free? American people, Allied countries people, the nation's we're in? People's freedoms and liberties are the same across the board. We don't always do it for ourselves. Its very misinterpreted that the US is fighting for America's freedom (An age old thing thats always been the subject of America's involvment in wars) in OIF...no thats incorrect. OIF = Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are doing it for them, not for us. We're more then egotistical fools, more then the world makes us out to be.

 

Well I think perhaps it is possible for soldiers to be heroes depending on their motive, if they truly believe they are dying to liberate Iraqis then that is fair enough, they are heroes. But I question the American government's motive for going to Iraq, as there are a lot of other oppressed countries,with terrible genocides happening etc... and I think it is the soldier's duty, as a member of the human race, to question why they are doing it, and I cannot see a good enough reason to fight and kill in Iraq, although of course some good has been done in toppling Saddam's regime I'm not sure it was worth the civilian deaths (60000 I believe is a conservative estimate from beginning to now?) and if it is an immoral cause I think the blame has to rest partly with the soldiers as well as the government.

 

Thanks for your perspective by the way, very interesting to get a view from someone inside the military.

[ember3579]

Exo, while I agree with you on the motives for entering Iraq in the first place are not of good intent, I think that right now, if we leave the Iraqis out to dry, then they would end up in the exact position they were in before, if not worse. We need to work on that before we can say "Mission Accomplished" and go. A majority of the military that are over there right now have that in the forefront of their minds, which is why they stay. Sure, not all of the military has such altruistic motives in mind, but we should realize that one bad apple does NOT spoil the bunch as far as people go. Besides, if they were over there for the money or the fame, then what real reason would they have to risk getting killed? Can't enjoy either if you're six feet under.

[Zierro]

It depends on what they did during their services, obviously. If they bullied civilians just because they were pissed off, then they are scum. If they did something like risking their life to rescue their buddies, that is pretty heroic. It's silly to assume that anyone who served in the military is a hero though.

[obfuscator]

Soldiers are always heroes - simply because doing their job is so dangerous. It doesn't matter the validity of the war, or what - the fact that they are ordered to go into battle with a high chance of death to fight for something they may not even believe in, and they do it - that's enough for me.

 

I consider soldiers of any army heroes - communist soldiers currently - german soldiers in WW2, etc.

[exodus199]

Soldiers are always heroes - simply because doing their job is so dangerous. It doesn't matter the validity of the war, or what - the fact that they are ordered to go into battle with a high chance of death to fight for something they may not even believe in, and they do it - that's enough for me.

 

I consider soldiers of any army heroes - communist soldiers currently - german soldiers in WW2, etc.

 

But why is it a good thing to do something unquestionably? Why is it a good thing to fight for something you don't believe in? I personally think that if you do something wrong simply because you were ordered to, it does not justify that action. (Though when it comes down to it, most of us will do what we are told)

 

Exo, while I agree with you on the motives for entering Iraq in the first place are not of good intent, I think that right now, if we leave the Iraqis out to dry, then they would end up in the exact position they were in before, if not worse. We need to work on that before we can say "Mission Accomplished" and go. A majority of the military that are over there right now have that in the forefront of their minds, which is why they stay. Sure, not all of the military has such altruistic motives in mind, but we should realize that one bad apple does NOT spoil the bunch as far as people go. Besides, if they were over there for the money or the fame, then what real reason would they have to risk getting killed? Can't enjoy either if you're six feet under.

 

 

I think right intent does not necessarily make your action good, even if most soldiers think they are doing a good thing then it does not justify it. The 9/11 terrorists believed they were doing a good thing, most serial killers do as well. (though I do not consider soldiers and serial killers to be on the same moral level). But I agree pulling out of Iraq now would be bad, I'm not suggesting that, and I do not consider soldiers to be bad people.. but I don't think after participating in a war like this they should be called heroes

[obfuscator]

Soldiers are always heroes - simply because doing their job is so dangerous. It doesn't matter the validity of the war, or what - the fact that they are ordered to go into battle with a high chance of death to fight for something they may not even believe in, and they do it - that's enough for me.

 

I consider soldiers of any army heroes - communist soldiers currently - german soldiers in WW2, etc.

 

But why is it a good thing to do something unquestionably? Why is it a good thing to fight for something you don't believe in? I personally think that if you do something wrong simply because you were ordered to, it does not justify that action. (Though when it comes down to it, most of us will do what we are told)

I agree that the moral standards of the war(s) may be off - but the point is they put their lives, something very dear to them and their loved ones, on the line for the good of society. I think that deserves recognition regardless of the politics involved.

[Lenticular_J]

There's a difference between warriors and heroes. Heroes are anybody whose lives are generally devoted to being heroic - whether that's by fighting in wars or trying to find peace. Warriors deserve respect, yes. And fallen warriors will often fall under the hero category.

 

I say warriors more than soldiers. I don't like the word soldier. Nothing particularly wrong with it, I just like how warrior sounds.

[Kaida23]

I agree with y_guy. Soldiers are indeed heroes. They, along with police and fire personnel, put their lives in jeopardy so that lazy shlubs like me don't have to, and help to provide the very freedom we all enjoy while debating the necessity of their very existence.

 

Like Jack Nicholson said in A Few Good Men: "...we live in a world that has walls and those walls need to be guarded by men with guns...my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives."

[1_man_army]

Undoubtedly, some soldiers are heroes but being a soldier to me doesn't automatically make you a hero. There have been soldiers throughout history who have done cowardly things, I wouldn't call them heroic. For anyone to be classed as a hero they have to do something that is heroic. If somebody in the military does something that is worthy of the term heroic (like an incident which would earn the Victoria Cross here for example) then yes they are a hero but to automatically deem somebody as a hero just because they enlisted seems to be a bit excessive to me. Also I think it's important to acknolwedge the people who do heroic things outside the military, it seems then when people tend to think of heros or heroism it seems to be completely mixed in with war, the military or some form of violence.

 

Again to be abundantly clear, I respect what the military does and the people who do it but they aren't necessarily heroes although some are.

[Seraphi]

They chose a more dangerous line of work.

 

I agree with what 1_man_army said. Being a soldier does not make a man a hero. Doing something which is truly heroic makes them a hero.

[warri0r45]

I've been thinking lately, why do so many people treat soldiers like heroes?

 

In my opinion the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan at the moment are not heroes at all, they are just simply doing their job. I say this because they are simply following orders and choosing to participate in a war like Iraq is, in my opinion, morally wrong. The soldiers in Iraq are killing so many civilians that I just cannot see a reason to treat them so well... personally I would rather die than go to Iraq to fight.

 

However, unlike some I do not see them as common murderers either, they are just simply people doing their job, like a banker or a dustbin man..

 

People say "they risk their lives for you and your way of living" etc etc... yet by the same logic wouldn't people who take part in clinical drug trials be heroes to? They are risking their bodies for the advancement of science and medicine right? No. They're just doing it for the money.

 

My view does to apply to soldiers of all wars, just mainly Iraq and Vietnam. (Probably Afghanistan too, but I don't know much about it) For example the soldiers of World War 1 and 2 are heroes to me, as there was a clear and present threat to their country so they went of defend it.

 

I was just wandering what you guys think and if anybody agrees with me.

 

People in clinical trials risk their bodies (well, it's a calculated risk) to help advance our way of life. They're not protecting it from a threat like soldiers are. I'd argue that the threat of terrorism justifies our presence in Afghanistan, at least, and this would mean that soldiers there are risking their lives to protect our way of life. Personally, I'm comfortable calling them, and soldiers in any other theatre of war, heroes.

 

I'd like to make it clear that I think people who participate in clinical trials are very noble for what they do, I just wouldn't go so far as to call them heroes.

[Nadril]

Sure, not every soldier is a hero but I think there are plenty of soldiers who are. You're right in saying it is just another job, but it also is a job that is much more dangerous than a banker or waitress has.

[RSBDavid]

Taken from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HERO

 

1 a : a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability b : an illustrious warrior c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d : one that shows great courage

2 a : the principal male character in a literary or dramatic work b : the central figure in an event, period, or movement

3 plural usually heros : submarine 2

4 : an object of extreme admiration and devotion : idol

 

If you look at definition 1, letter d, it says "One that shows great courage".

 

People are not "forced" to join the armed forces (yet). It takes courage to stand up and fight for your country. So by that definition, a soldier is a hero.

 

In this case, they are still being heroic. Even though they are being told what to do, they still have the option of opting out of the Military.

[Guest Mrmegakirby]

Immediatly after reading the title, I thought of the song Hero of War, by rise against.

 

My views:

Depends what they do, honestly. Face it, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the soldiers of ww2.

[RSBDavid]

Immediatly after reading the title, I thought of the song Hero of War, by rise against.

 

My views:

Depends what they do, honestly. Face it, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the soldiers of ww2.

 

Or WW1 as well as the American Revolution.

[1230abcz]

Soldiers are always heroes - simply because doing their job is so dangerous. It doesn't matter the validity of the war, or what - the fact that they are ordered to go into battle with a high chance of death to fight for something they may not even believe in, and they do it - that's enough for me.

 

I consider soldiers of any army heroes - communist soldiers currently - german soldiers in WW2, etc.

 

 

Huh? Soldiers in the Rape of Nanking were heroes? Soldiers who tortured prisoners in Iraq were heroes? What kind of definition is that? A person's a hero if they do something heroic, as odd as that sounds. Following orders for a blind cause =/= hero.

[Nero]

Tbh it depends on the situation and political leanings of the time. Do Germans today consider those who served in the German army and the SS of WW2 heroes? No. But did they then? Certainly.

 

It all has to do with the leanings of today. During every generation, those who served in the armed forces are seen as heroes, but hindsight is 20/20 of course, and we realize now that our "heroes" of past generations are really nothing but a bunch of guys (and gals!) doing their jobs, sometimes a bit too well.

 

I think the only reason this sort of questioning as to whether those serving in the armed forces today can be considered heroes comes from our easy access to information, something which we never really had until the invention of the printing press (hell, the masses never really had it until around 100 years later when it became profitable to provide such information to that many people).

 

Are they heroes? No. They're just people doing their jobs. There are some heroes serving in the armed forces, that's not really debatable. But the actually number of people is a very small percentage, as with the entire human population.

 

/ramble.

[RpgGamer]

The soldiers of this war are heroic because they are performing an important duty to this great nation (being USA of course). They may not have the glory that the WWII vets have, or the horrible conditions that the 'Nam vets had, but they're still soldiers, therefore heroes. You won't be seeing any movies on this war where the soldiers are portrayed as good guys, unlike WWII but this war is different than any war we've been in before. We're fighting a more or less faceless enemy. If we were out hunting Nazis, they'd be seen as heroes. But at the moment we're attempting to find Taliban. We're not really doing much fighitng. Think of it like this:

 

A kid in school stands up to the bully and they plan to fight at 3pm at the flagpole. The bully and the kid show up, and the kid wins the fight. He's a hero right? That's kind of like The Ally's standing up to the Nazi regime.

Now same situation: A kid stands up to a bully in the school and they plan to fight after school. Only this time the bully decides he has better things to do, and never shows up. Now the kid who stood up is left alone at the flagpole, looking to fight with no one around. That's kind of like how the US is taking on the Taliban/Al Qauida

 

Same concept but the latter seems less heroic doesn't it? I still find that "kid" (the soldiers) to be heroic, they just aren't in a position to really prove it.

[Nero]

Pff WW2 was two bullies fighting eachother.

 

The winner just got the ability to declare himself the "good guy".