There's a bit of the sunk cost fallacy to the 'death in vain' considerations. Additionally, "Choices like his inspired me and thousands more to follow him into combat" comes terribly close to the glorification of combat. I thought the realities learned in the past 50-100 years had shown such glory is not realistic. Bravery, devotion to f…
There's a bit of the sunk cost fallacy to the 'death in vain' considerations. Additionally, "Choices like his inspired me and thousands more to follow him into combat" comes terribly close to the glorification of combat. I thought the realities learned in the past 50-100 years had shown such glory is not realistic. Bravery, devotion to fellow soldiers and country, yes. But too much death, destruction, blood and guts.
But the military is there to pursue policy, not to make it. Soldiers are there to implement tactics determined by higher-ups. Soldiers accepting responsibility for policy, strategy and tactical failures is a bit grandiose. (Not unlike guilt people often feel for matters truly beyond their control.) A huge lesson (among many) from Viet Nam is to respect those who serve our country and don't hold them responsible for bad leadership and bad policy decisions. The public won't, so I hope vets don't.
There's a bit of the sunk cost fallacy to the 'death in vain' considerations. Additionally, "Choices like his inspired me and thousands more to follow him into combat" comes terribly close to the glorification of combat. I thought the realities learned in the past 50-100 years had shown such glory is not realistic. Bravery, devotion to fellow soldiers and country, yes. But too much death, destruction, blood and guts.
But the military is there to pursue policy, not to make it. Soldiers are there to implement tactics determined by higher-ups. Soldiers accepting responsibility for policy, strategy and tactical failures is a bit grandiose. (Not unlike guilt people often feel for matters truly beyond their control.) A huge lesson (among many) from Viet Nam is to respect those who serve our country and don't hold them responsible for bad leadership and bad policy decisions. The public won't, so I hope vets don't.