I absolutely disagree with you..... citing your experience in the military and war in defense of your actions is somewhat self serving. The discovery or realization that one has been "used" is a very difficult process. Unfortunately brainwashing is NECESSARY to turn civilians into soldiers . My Dad was a co-pilot in WWII, among other missions, he flew bombing missions over Polesti, protected by the Tuskegee Airmen. (He had told my Mom that you didnt ask how many missions have you flown ....it was how many times you been to Polesti). He completed his obligation of missions and signed on for extra time mostly because he didnt want to be sent to Japan. He wasnt one to brag about war. My Dad served with honor, integrity, and a sense of duty. I have numerous uncles who served , one received the Distinguished Flying Cross as a flight engineer who saved his crew.
I know lots of Vietnam era vets. and their stories. Their sadness.
Some things I will always remember my Dad commenting about was his training. (He was glad to be in the Air Corps because he was home at the base after a mission, relatively safe from the war. ) He spoke of the regimentation, the absolute surrender of yourself to your command (much like instrument flying, that you did not question the instruments....you did not question authority or orders.) There were three acceptable answers to a question: Yes Sir, No Sir, and No excuse Sir. He never spoke of this training critically, but as a matter of necessity.
But he was smart enough to know that he was a tool of war. He always hoped that we would as a society find a better way to resolve our problems/differences. I think that is where I come from, that war dehumanizes all of us and, most of all ,the individuals who are directly doing the fighting and killing and dying.
Your comment "pure unadulterated bullshit" is an insult to anyone who believes in alternatives to war and the pursuit of higher goals for humankind. You really need to get over it, find someone to counsel you. I am sorry for you.
