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Military Minds

Freaking Heck's picture




 

Originally posted at http://capitalistexploits.at/

By Chris Tell

Years back, while returning home from a night out on the town in London, I found myself on the “underground” in a carriage packed full of late night revelers. Into my carriage stepped a large brute of a man who immediately began threatening and harassing anyone close to him. Stoned, drunk or simply a troubled soul, I have no idea, but what was clear to me was that he was extremely aggressive and potentially a dangerous individual.

His vehemence was first directed at a young couple who he had decided “looked at him wrong.” According to the oaf, he was indeed willing to kill the couple for their offence. In addition to focusing on this couple, he turned his rage on a young Indian man to his right. He violently shoved the man into the doors and continued ranting at all and sundry.

Looking around I found that the passengers on the train had all become intently focused on their shoelaces. Upset, stunned, and terrified at what was taking place I tried to take stock of the situation. Simmering in the back of my mind was the story I had read some weeks prior where a group of youths, who after boarding a city bus full of passengers, proceeded to cause havoc, threatening passengers. One passenger told them to behave themselves only to be violently attacked resulting in his eye being gouged out of its socket. Yep, in full view of a bus load of passengers… none of whom did a thing to stop a couple of half wits from tearing a man’s eye out. Even though it was a long time ago now I managed to find the story here.

Edging closer to the unruly oaf I waited until the doors of the carriage opened at the next station, and as the “beep beep beep” of closing doors sounded I stepped forward and with all my might shoved the man from the train onto the platform. The doors shut behind him and the tube left the station. Now, let me be clear. I did this not because I was feeling macho. Au contraire, I did it because I was terrified. I was ill prepared to take the man on, should he confront me and instead decided to whimp out on a full- scale attack, which seemed imminent, either on myself or a fellow passenger. Instead, I chose the somewhat more cowardly approach of shoving him from the train as the doors were closing. I certainly had zero intention of getting into a brawl with the man. I liked my eyes and was quite enjoying life thank you very much.

A burst of applause rose in the carriage as relief swept through. I recall being mad as hell, mad at the brute but just as mad at the carriage full of passengers who were content to sit by complicitly and watch such abuse take place. What chance did the thug have against an entire carriage of people who do not accept his behavior? None. In short a truly frightening thought if you ever find yourself in danger in a public place. Clearly if you think you’re safe amongst crowds you’re deluding yourself. In a very graphic and heart-wrenching youtube clip I found the same thing, where male staff at a MacDonalds in Baltimore stand by actually video taping two black girls beating a white girl to a pulp, actually causing her to have a seizure!

Minutes after this event on the “underground” I got chatting to one of the passengers on the carriage. As it turned out he, along with no less than 5 of his friends, all of whom were on the same carriage and had been within metres of the event, were on a break from their postings in Bosnia. Yes, they were all young British military. Now ask yourself, if you were to be harassed on a train, or anywhere public for that matter, would you not believe that a group of 5 young, strong men with skills in combat would be the perfect “bystanders” to have around? Apparently not.

In a roundabout way this brings me to the topic on my mind. I never thought too much of that incident until David reminded me of it. It caused me to think about the military. Now I must confess to having a certain aversion for military types. It may be a bias or prejudice, but I am simply puzzled by the psyche of an adult human being that willingly adheres to rules and acts that are frankly absurd. I simply can’t imagine standing in front of my boss each morning to have him inspect my clothing to see if I’ve managed to dress myself correctly. Zipper up soldier? yessir, shoelaces tied soldier? yessir. It defies belief. Further I can’t imagine working in an organization that thrives on quashing free-thinking and questioning in favour of “yessir.”

Colonel: We have an important mission soldier. You are to take a team of men and eliminate those people over there soldier.

Soldier: But sir, who are they exactly and what makes killing them a good idea sir? I’d like to please see some factual evidence to support your theory that this exercise is an intelligent, well thought out one, after all I’m risking my life on this judgement call.

Can you imagine the response?

In the military, questioning the status quo or ones superiors while refusing to partake in actions that often go against the common sense of the individual, or against ones own ethics, results in a dismissal or court marshal. When the same thing happens in a vibrant private business the result is innovation, productivity gains, or possibly seeking a new job. The important aspect however is that alternatives exist for the individual.

A structure that inhibits intelligent and rational thinking in favour of looking to a god-like creature for instructions seems inherently dangerous to me. I see nothing heroic or honorable in blindly following kill orders, regardless of who is being killed. Don’t get me wrong I have respect for the physical abilities of these men, but they are in fact just hired killers too lazy or stupid to consider their actions.

To my way of thinking, an intelligent adult would not put up with an environment where clear and utter nonsense is routinely taken as truth; or, acts of war are enacted because someone heard voices. “What sir? God told you sir? Yes sir, no problem sir. Right away.”

I fully comprehend and understand that most of the military policies and procedures are “designed” to keep the soldiers alive in a combat situation. Discipline, following orders, team building, etc are “exercises” that train the soldier to engage in behaviours that will keep them alive when the proverbial “shit hits the fan.” My argument is that they would be even more likely to stay alive if they weren’t involved in the first place!

Thinking back to those soldiers on the “underground” that night, were they in need of instructions? Did it require an authority figure to say “soldiers stop that man?” I mean it’s hard to imagine that five young army guys didn’t have the capabilities to deal with a single unarmed thug on a public train. If a little guy like me with my skinny legs could stop him then they sure as heck could have.

Maybe I’m completely wrong on this, but I’m inherently suspicious of anyone that clamors for rigid conformity, hierarchical structures, places absurd value on shiny metal badges and ribbons, and is willing to chant silly slogans without first having drunk a half dozen beers. Imagine replacing the current Silicon Valley populace with military types. I’m willing to bet that we would experience a stupendous collapse of innovation. Yet these people are given powers and “toys” that clearly far exceed their abilities to responsibly weild them, while at the same time peoples very lives the world over are affected by their decisions.

I’m told that the camaraderie within the military is beneficial, but I also have to question this. As an analogy, a gang of playground bullies has camaraderie. Individual members typically can and do conduct themselves despicably, but since they are “part of the gang” and “one of us” the individuals within the gang will put up with behavior that would otherwise be considered poor form, causing individuals to be ostracized. Group think no?

In contrast when I choose my friends I choose them based on their behaviors, thoughts and deeds. This comes well before considering their membership to any organisation or group. I’m free to exclude them from my personal network where they fail to meet my value criteria. Not so in the military. “You’re either with us or against us” – George Bush. Hardly a thinking man’s realm.

Should the U.S. really be puzzled that it has unending and unwinnable wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and who knows where next?

The former two wars were meant to be short operations where the world’s most formidable fighting force, with their whiz bang technology would decimate the destitute impoverished peasants. Over a decade later and nobody has an intelligent answer as to what it is all about. Libya looks set to follow the same pattern. I have to wonder whether these wars would ever have originated if we replaced the military with Silicon Valley types.

Before sending me any hate mail, consider the mindset I’ve discussed. I have nothing per se against anyone from the military, but I have to question the mindset that allows one to devote their life in such a thoughtless fashion, especially considering the history of the military, and this goes for any military in any country. I’m not picking any sides here. I further realise that an army full of free-thinking individualists would be akin to herding cats, which is to say… impossible. What is required for a “successful army” is a lot of mindless impressionable teenagers, still incapable of objective thinking and disobedience. Is it any wonder the recruitment stations are typically located in low socioeconomic areas?

What value do armies, wars and conflict add to the human experience? Sure, some conflicts are unavoidable, but most are clearly “created” to fulfill some political (or worse) agenda. By participating in this behaviour we validate it.

Side thought: In his excellent book “The Lucifer Effect” Dr. Phillip Zimbardo delves into the depths of the human psyche with the military as his focal point. This is the same Dr. Phillip Zimbardo who first conducted the now famous Stanford County prison experiment. You can see a presentation here for a glimpse of the studies conducted and the results produced.

As youngsters we may have all enjoyed the “romantic” idea of being Rambo, but the reality is anything but that. I have a dear friend who is a pilot for the British Navy. He had no intention of being Rambo, but rather wanted only to play with the toys that the military get to play with. Flying harriers, helicopter gunships, that sort of thing. Activities that are far too expensive for the average man to afford. Unfortunately for him he is neck deep in the horrors of the Afghan war. He tells me when he signed up there was no war taking place and certainly never signed up for one, while additionally admitting to a dislike for the conformity. This was overshadowed by his really, really wanting to play with the toys.

What a heavy price to pay.

Chris

“Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.” – Henry Kissinger

 

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Tue, 06/18/2013 - 00:14 | 3667038 newworldorder
newworldorder's picture

RE: Gosplan

You can believe what you want to believe, but you have no factual basis for your belief.  I say this assured in the knowledge that if you studied, met or interacted with the officer corp over a reasonable amount of time, you would not have these beliefs. The military is in most countires a very complex set of people who do the work that most civilians would turn their nose at. Consider what the officer corps is; It may very well be the only thing standing between you and social anarchy coming at you with torches and pitchforks.

 

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:40 | 3664442 beaglebog
beaglebog's picture

Of course American soldiers will behave just as Egyptian soldiers or Indian soldiers, or Bahraini soldiers.

 

They'll kill you, if so ordered.

 

If you dispute this, then explain to me what is the difference between an American soldier and a Bahraini soldier. They are each made of meat and bone. The have each gone through similar training and inculcation.

 

If you can't identify a difference between these two men, then you can't expect to see different behaviour.

Tue, 06/18/2013 - 00:20 | 3667046 newworldorder
newworldorder's picture

Beaglebog,

I will tell you what the "difference is between an American soldier and a Bahraini soldier."

The American soldier is an AMERICAN. If you do not know what that is, maybe its time you found out.


Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:53 | 3664476 Bob Dobbs
Bob Dobbs's picture

Soldiers are not automatons.  I assure you that everyone who gets shot at in combat has profound thoughts about the experience.  The difference between an American soldier and one from another culture would, I expect, differ based on background, respect for military authority, and expectations for a better life after service.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 09:21 | 3664577 otto skorzeny
otto skorzeny's picture

They're not automatons? Then the military training they are receiving is failing at its objective.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 11:43 | 3664882 El Viejo
El Viejo's picture

The US, British and other troops during WWII were victorious in part because they could make decisions on their own when the Germans could not.

Our troops generally are fighting the real automatons. (either political or religious)

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:54 | 3664439 Bob Dobbs
Bob Dobbs's picture

I don't think a CIC gives orders at an operational level, do you? 

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 11:37 | 3664569 GOSPLAN HERO
GOSPLAN HERO's picture

The "commander's intent" does matter,  whether it comes from the CINC or a platoon leader makes little difference.

The commander's stated intent is to "disarm the people."

 

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:30 | 3664404 Truthtellers
Truthtellers's picture

A silly opinion piece article written by a person with no experience or understanding of thier subject. 

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:28 | 3664392 beaglebog
beaglebog's picture

I'm always puzzled that so many self-proclaimed "liberty-lovers"  venerate the Standing Army.

 

The phenomenon isn't particular to Americans, though it does seem to be highly-refined amongst them.

 

Are they stupid, ignorant, or what?

 

 

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 09:25 | 3664586 otto skorzeny
otto skorzeny's picture

I missed the part where our liberty is NOT being rapidly eroded due to internal clampdowns partially fueled by the hatred from other countries we receive as a result of our multiple wars and assasinations of foreign leaders.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:28 | 3664391 Truthtellers
Truthtellers's picture

A garbage article written by a self egrandizing troll looking to pump up his own ego.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:10 | 3664349 Shooting Shark
Shooting Shark's picture

This loathsome, cowardly, preening troll is not even wrong.  He's demolishing straw armies while fellating himself.  Have at it, fella.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:02 | 3664335 SimMaker
SimMaker's picture

Wow Tylers, WTF is this shit?

 

The OP should know that if the military types had gotten involved in the UK, they would have been had up as the agressors. Might have been kicked out of the forces. Maybe they would have stepped in IF things had gotten out of hand? Just so much unanswered bullshit in the OP. "Military types bad, me hero"......

 

Do you have economic news we can look at or is it all bullshit polticis on Zero Hedge these days?

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 09:03 | 3664513 DeadFred
DeadFred's picture

Th economic news is we are rapidly approaching a disasterous new war. That's what 'the voices' are telling me. All the economic markets will go belly up if/when a bad war starts. Pray I'm wrong. Pray that if I'm right that NO NUKES are used. Kissinger's view on the utility of the military is shared by many in power except it extends to include all the sheep as well.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 07:53 | 3664297 Bob Dobbs
Bob Dobbs's picture

Soldiers do not indulge in vigilante style operations.  They operate as a unit under the command of a organised hierarchy of carefully trained officers and NCO's  The soldiers on that train should be commended for military bearing.  

 

I was involved in the cluster - fusk in Vietnam.  Poorly planned, with little support from home, and no clear mission.  Vietnam, in some ways, resembled a vigilante mission.  Soldiers do not have to obey illegal orders.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 09:28 | 3664595 otto skorzeny
otto skorzeny's picture

How about that drunk army  fuck in Afghan that shot up that town full of women and kids one night and just copped a life in jail plea instead of the death penalty- you mean that kind of vigilantism.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 12:42 | 3665131 F. Bastiat
F. Bastiat's picture

The Afghans tend to be theives and savages. Most of them should be killed.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 23:38 | 3666961 worbsid
worbsid's picture

When wounded on the Afgan plain

And the women come out to clean up the remains

Roll to you rifle and blow out your brains

And go to your God like a soldier

K

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 14:02 | 3665368 americanspirit
americanspirit's picture

The Afghans tend to be excellent fighters who have been able to kick the living shit out of every would-be conquerer who has come their way for thousands of years. I invite you to go try to kill a few of them instead of just wishing that 'it should be done'.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 07:33 | 3664284 Umh
Umh's picture

You oversimplified this to the point of being terribly wrong.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 07:33 | 3664283 williambanzai7
williambanzai7's picture

You are making a serious error if you think you can sterotype how former service personnel will behave in an emergency situation based upon the behavior of a handful of morons on the London tube. 

I don't infer that all Englishmen are jerks when I relate my Mom's story about how an Englishman started laughing in a restaurant when the waiter literally caught fire. My mother, who has a military background BTW, wound up burning her hands swatting the flames out.

And in my opinion, Dr Zimbardo is just as or probably more dangerous than that menacing drunk.

I say this as one who rode the London tube and NY Subways at all hours of the day for many years.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 23:59 | 3667007 newworldorder
newworldorder's picture

RE: williambanzai7

Were it not for your reasoned response, I would say that this entire article is garbage. The stated premise, and conclusions reached are based on the anecdotal experiences of the writer. It has no depth of understanding of the complexities of people who accept or volunteer for service.I could go on, but what would be the point. The author takes one of the most complex human experiences of service and war and turns it into a self indulgent caricature of his own feelings and biases.

 

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 09:35 | 3664609 Stud Duck
Stud Duck's picture

You tell him Willy!

 

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 07:47 | 3664303 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

at least he is somewhat aware of his bias, as he writes "Now I must confess to having a certain aversion for military types"

as you rightly say, he is sterotyping - and complimenting himself for not being the "type" for military, being a righteous "free-thinking" person

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 07:31 | 3664277 Seorse Gorog fr...
Seorse Gorog from that Quantum Entanglement Fund. alright_.-'s picture

The army lads on the train: It's simple really. It's situational confidence vs an overall confidence. Not many people have an overall confidence that permeates their very being.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:01 | 3664330 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

which in militaries is called: officer material

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:12 | 3664351 SimMaker
SimMaker's picture

Have seen shit like this on various occasions in the UK and Europe.

Used to live in a partment overlooking Whiteladies Road in Bristol. Some bloke had keeled over outside, and people were walking around him, stepping over him (This was 15 years ago so at least they we''rnt taking pics of him)...I watched for a few mins, then got sick of it. dialed 999, and went out to see what I could do. got him in recovery position and waited with him until paramedics arrived.....funny thing was, as soon as I arrived, THEN other people came over to ask me if he was alright......so I shouted back "Why the fuck didnt YOU do anythying, I watched you all walk past from my flat".....grrrrrrrrrr......

Similar deal while living in Germany, some big rough drunk bum was picking on this crippled bloke who was Obviously in no state to defend himself.......it went on for a while and so my friend and I formmed a simple plan. He would grab bully from behind, I would stand in front and threaten him with violence if he did not stop. Which he did immediately. THEN the the people nearby appluaded, and offered us cigarettes........

Some people react to things in different ways. Some step up, some step back, and each event can be different from the last..........I am no hero. I saw a plane crash at an airshow (Ramstein). was a few 100m away from impact zone. Some ran away from the flames, others ran to the flames to help....I just stood in one spot and watched..........

Oh, and I am from a military background (decades ago)...so the OP can go fuck himself.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 07:07 | 3664247 Bindar Dundat
Bindar Dundat's picture

This post is B.S. 

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 07:34 | 3664286 jimmytorpedo
jimmytorpedo's picture

There is no place for critical thinking when you are part of a gang of murdererous thugs.

Part of that lack of critical thinking is when we choose to call them affectionately,

"our troops"

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 06:55 | 3664231 doomandbloom
doomandbloom's picture

nice...i think this equally applicable to the police or any other 'protection' agency.....

people need to think before following orders..but then they wouldnt be that good would they? the selection procedure is to get brutes that follow orders.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 06:50 | 3664225 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

it reminds me about the old quip: "war is too important to leave it to generals"

a small reminder: there is an immense difference between armed forces composed out of professional volunteers and armed forces composed out of conscription - aka militia

seen this way, war is too important to be left in the hands of professionals - meanwhile if you do build up huge professional armed forces you must expect that someone comes and suggests to "put them to good use"

nevertheless: it's easy to complain about the slaves-of-the-state also known as soldiers, their ethos, their attitudes and their customs

fact is millions join because it's a job

and so again: if you do want defence forces with "sane", civically minded citizens in uniform, then have conscription as first step. after a couple of wars of aggression this kind of force will eventually start asking questions - this was true for the Romans as much as for the post-Vietnam veterans

but if you do want to have an imperial watchdog that keeps the spices flowing - i.e. the Free Trade that ideologically so many see as a must, then perhaps you should not complain that the watchdog has it's own culture

in this, you get what you pay for

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 11:22 | 3664869 rubiconsolutions
rubiconsolutions's picture

Let me preface this by saying that I am a Vietnam era veteran. The military has done a brilliant job of creating the illusion that it is separate, distinct and unique from the rest of government. It is not. The is absolutely no difference between a soldier and an IRS agent. One is trained to kill and the other to steal. They have marketed themselves as "better" "more patriotic" than the rest of us. But here's a question for those that serve - why aren't you living up to your oath? Those that enlist do so by taking an oath to protect America from all enemies foreign and domestic. To uphold the constitution. Okay, why then does the military permit TSA to grope our wives and children? Why then does the military continually get involved in wars with people that are no threat to America? I am sick and tired of giving the military a pass. The military is an extension of government schooling which tamps down critical thinking skills and teaches compliance. "Well, they are just doing their jobs." Yeah, right. I'm not buying that old refrain.

Personally, I regret ever enlisting and serving. Especially given the fact that those of us who joined were responsible for the deaths of millions of innocent people in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. A few months ago I put my honorable discharge and other documents through the shredder because to me there is nothing honorable or noble about serving in the military. I have educated my children about the military industrial complex and actively discouraged them from joining. It is as morally bankrupt as the rest of government.

Tue, 06/18/2013 - 02:18 | 3667214 piceridu
piceridu's picture

I'm giving you a standing ovation. You save the world by saving yourself.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 23:29 | 3666943 worbsid
worbsid's picture

Also about medals:  A DFC and $2.50 will get you a small cup of coffee.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 20:21 | 3666449 rbg81
rbg81's picture

Why then does the military continually get involved in wars with people that are no threat to America? 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seriously?  You are a vet and yet need to ask this question?

The Military does not pick its fights or start wars--politicians do.  The Military is a tool employed by politicians to serve the National interest (as they see it).  It is one of many tools our nation can employ, including diplomatic and economic ones.

Blaming the Military for getting involved in wars is kind of like blaming a bulldozer for destroying a building.

Or maybe you are suggesting that the Military just start disobeying the Commander in Chief?

I will grant you that critical thinking at the grunt level is not encouaged.  But critical thinking at the command level is essential.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 14:09 | 3665388 Beam Me Up Scotty
Beam Me Up Scotty's picture

"They have marketed themselves as "better" "more patriotic" than the rest of us"

Rah, Rah patriotism.  You would think military families would want their sons and daughters to come home ASAP!!  Instead, they somehow tell themselves they are doing God's work protecting the rest of us from brown people in caves.  They have real long arms patting themselves on the back.  Maybe if some of those people started questioning what the hell we are doing, we might get somewhere. 

I can't believe people think that a picture of their dead son or daughter and a medal from Obama are worth shit in this environment.  Military force should be used as a LAST resort.  Now its used frequently.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:06 | 3664341 rbg81
rbg81's picture

Honestly, you have no idea.  A lot of critical thinking goes in the Military--mostly because their lives depend on it.  You should look at what goes on at the War Colleges if you doubt me.  However, at the end of the day, they HAVE to follow the [legal] orders of their superiors, even if they don't agree with those orders.  Its the nature of the profession.  

The place where critical thinking of does NOT occur is, ironically, Academia.  That is due to political correctness and the ideological group-think that prevents anyone who disagrees from getting tenure (if they somehow slip thru the cracks in the hiring process).  Compare the papers from a War College vs. a "Peace" symposium sometime.  The difference will be shocking.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 10:47 | 3664783 Citxmech
Citxmech's picture

Ask Gen. Smedley Butler about the kind of thinking that goes on by the folks directing the military.  Ironically, his experience pretty much squares with that of Dr. Kissenger.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:25 | 3664366 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

war colleges are where officers are made - I'm talking about the culture (and if you want the civic virtues) of the common professional soldier

who is often under orders to stay out of "civil troubles", btw

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:12 | 3664353 Shooting Shark
Shooting Shark's picture

DIng ding ding ding ding.  You waste your breath.

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 11:19 | 3664786 El Viejo
El Viejo's picture

I served my country for four in the military and I'm not so sure that I agree with the critical thinking comment, however I have seen a trend of late that disturbs me. The space shuttle blew up because of "Go Fever". Disallowance of dissent creates an environment of Go Fever. I think this environment is at least partially responsible for a reaction from a couple of young "traitors" lately. And it might not extend quite to disallowance of dissent. It could just be an environment of "like minds". This happens in Churches and Board Rooms as well. I hope those responsible for decisions on Syria are weighing this.

This country has always been a "centrist" country if you focus on the grass roots majority. The opposing political parties perpetuate this somewhat, but lately they are hard to differentiate at least on some issues. Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes this is downright frightening.  You may recall historically the "Fascism or Communism" schism in the Germans 80 years ago.  

Extreme environments tend to focus both Blind Allegiance and Extreme Dissent. The real irony here is that our troops are fighting extremism abroad. We all should follow their lead and fight it here.

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