I have this friend that moved from Brazil to the US. She never cared about politics and now she has joined the fucking US army. I mean she really disliked anything remotely political and now this happens, wtf? I cant wrap my mind around it. How did this happen? Like, how does the US make people wanna join their stupid ass murder machine?
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Yeah where I live your livelihood options are basically limited to chronic underpayment at a place like Walmart/McDonalds, sweatshop labor at some factory/warehouse where productivity is micro-monitored to the point where you can’t even freely use the restroom, or the military. Coupled with all the hollywood movies and video games that try to make joining the military look like some fun adventure it’s not hard to see why a lot of average know-nothings would opt for it.
The funny thing about all the benefits people are mentioning (which is totally true, and a big motivator for people to join–it actually really pisses off the red-white-and-blue bonered patriots who join for “God and Country” that so many soldiers these days are just like “oh I did it to get into college lol”) is that the military will sometimes fight tooth and nail to DENY said benefits at every turn, or simply to make them worse. Like, it’s common knowledge that a lot of veteran associations are total dogshit, especially in certain areas of the country. I’ve heard more than a few horror stories of the VA hospitals that provide said healthcare, where the doctors are all fresh out of med-school performing experimental surgeries and treating their veteran patients like lab rats and injuring/killing people in the sloppy process, in between fighting tooth and nail to deny you said insurance for as much of your needed healthcare as possible.
There’s also the mythical aspect to it. America has spent unfathomable amounts of money and time propagandizing about how America is the greatest country on Earth, and how the America soldier is the greatest honor one can have partaking in this glorious country. Again, veterans in many ways IRL are treated like shit, but in the commercials, the movies, the billboards, the bus stop ads, the viral videos of children with American flags running into the arms of their dad who just got home from stopping those evil terrorists who hate our freedom and protecting goodness and democracy everywhere, they are made out to be demi-gods. A lot of everyday people instinctually and unquestioningly respect soldiers and are loud about it. It’s a way to make your momma proud, a way to get the respect of strangers, a way to silence any who challenge you, a way to be a real-life superhero like all those cape-wearing ones you’ve seen in every blockbuster movie, a way to stop all those evil terrorists you’ve heard so much about.
The advertising is top-notch, and the recruiters likewise are no different than marketing majors or cult recruiters. They go after people who are vulnerable, who are unconfident, whose life is precarious. They project structure, strength, a fulfilling and adventurous life that will teach you discipline and provide all the family and friends you will need for X years. You don’t have to worry about making decisions, worrying about a job, plotting out your life, because we will do all that for you.
Does your Brazilian friend have any of these traits? A need to feel confident and secure or for a life direction, to “prove” themselves, a need for an education/healthcare, susceptibility to cultural mythos? Keep in mind that for many people, there is absolutely nothing “political” about joining the military, it’s just taken for granted.
Hmm I’d say maybe she feels the need to feel confident but idk none of this sounds like her, except that she is very susceptible to cultural mythos. She does seem proud to be a soldier tho.
And just as a side note, you’re telling me that there is a part of the population with military training, AND access to all kinds of weapon, being treated like shit in real life while the cultural industry tries to hide this fact by gloryfing them?
Not only this but many join because it gives them some kind of prestige or because they seek adventures that wont last forever?
This is kinda scary and promising at the same time. If the US continues to go down the path it is following ( and it looks like it will) things will get much worse for everyone, and there is no glorification in the world that can change that. They will see right through it, so I think two things can happen:
1 - Either these people break free from these illusions and they are radicalized by the communists, realizing the lies and suffering the rulling class sold them
or
2 - They will keep holding on to the shattered illusions that they are heroes and better than others, so the only logical conclusion in their worldview is returning to a time when america was good, which is never, so we have a dangerous group in the society adopting reactionary views that inevitably will evolve into fascist views
In light of recent events and the fact everytime I learn something new about the US it appears close to collapsing into a police state, I’d argue shit is not looking good and we are heading towards the worst.
Yes, that is exactly what I’m telling you.
The good news is, from what I can see, when it comes to actually enlisted soldiers and vets I’d say it’s split about 50/50 between Type 1 and Type 2. The Type 2 are the ones who ham it up for the media glorification circus and get the most attention but the Type 1 who aren’t so far gone and potentially able to be radicalized leftward definitely exist in large numbers, just much more quietly.
It’s definitely still leaning towards “bad” though because while the half that are Type 2 are absolutely already fascists by every metric, the half that are Type 1 are mostly just liberal-minded at best. Not fascists, no, but also not easy to make into communists. Type 1 will be much harder to radicalize and spur into action than Type 2, although all of this will change as time wears on and new circumstances arise.
And yes, honestly at this point I have a hard time imagining ANY future, good or bad or neutral, that doesn’t involve the US collapsing. Things will get ugly here, I just hope it is temporary and not permanent and inescapable.
Well I though most of them would be Type 2, good to know it is more or less split. Honestly, the fall of the USSR started a hard period for us communists but since the 2008 crisis I feel like we are growing again. Now is the time to rebuild our revolutionary movements and radicalize the people, so its okay they are libs for now and somehow oppose type 1, as things get worse and they keep this opposition, I think many of them will radicalize, you just gotta be there to help them solidify these views when it happens
The other comments about the desperation of so many Americans and predatory recruitment strategies are all on point, I’d just add one more thought.
Most people, especially in the US (immigrants too) don’t see the military and military service as political. The level of political education and class or material awareness is so low that for a lot of people supporting soldiers or enlisting yourself isn’t seen as a political position, it’s just what you do or it’s just the best job among few choices.
Thats is so fucked
It is mavni (military accessions vital to the national interest), a United States armed forces recruitment program that gives foreign citizens who are legally in the country the right to enlist in the US army and, in return, receive citizenship. .
Does that mean that a green card holder can become a citizen after a tour? Just clarifying here
Second Thought made a video about the US army’s recruitment practices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePj9P3pJkJ0&t=528s.
From what I know, it’s mostly the army providing so many benefits that attracts people to enlist. Considering how desperate living conditions have become, it’s like who wouldn’t want to join a program that will cover your education and healthcare expenses? Although, I guess this is just for how the US makes people enlist in its army in general.
I really like second thought. I’m going to watch this video later thanks!
