• FlexibleToast@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    I bet being deployed against your own country doesn’t feel good. I would be 5 years away from a pension if I was still in. I’m so glad I’m not.

        • calliope@retrolemmy.com
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          2 months ago

          This is how the military has been since the 1950s, but no one wants to admit it because it happened far away.

          For some time in Vietnam there was a “My Lai a month” (warning: graphic); they killed many thousands of Vietnamese civilians, often for the simple crimes of trying to farm or running away. (See Kill Anything That Moves: United States War Crimes and Atrocities in Vietnam, 1965–1973 by Nick Turse).

          Then, white power terrorism research shows that racism by soldiers in Vietnam translated directly to white power terrorism in the U.S… White power literature is full of references to being trained to fight “evils” at home and using that training to go after those they deem “communists.”

          If anyone tries to criticize them, they cite generational myths about the spit-upon soldier and their defense of “freedom.”

          • U7826391786239@lemmy.zip
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            2 months ago

            training to go after those they deem “communists.”

            2026: same song, second verse; a little bit louder, and a little bit worse

            except now it looks like “terrorist” is what they’re calling everyone they don’t like, in addition to “communist”

      • FlexibleToast@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        It’s still probably the best social ladder available in the US. Which really says a lot about the US… Anyway, it worked for me. I’m lucky that I got to serve in a deterrence role during a relatively peaceful time.

    • Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      2 months ago

      Any decent advice towards a civilian that may end up on the other end of their service weapon (if current trends continue)?

      • downvote_hunter@midwest.social
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        2 months ago

        Well my snarky comment of advice is “leave”. But I get that’s not decent advice for most of us (myself included). So I’ll try, get involved in local organizations, understand what help is available to you, stay in touch with your “family”, read, pack an “evac kit” in case of emergency so you can grab and go with necessities, know places that are safe for you that you can stay if needed, organize with others**, pray**, lastly and I’m hesitant to add this but it’s (past) time we the people prepared ourselves, learn to handle a firearm and arm yourself.

        *This doesn’t necessarily mean your genetic family but people you trust.

        **The power is in the people workng together, think A Bugs Life, we’re the ants.

        ***whatever thing that helps keep you calm, doesn’t have to be prayer but take time to breath and feel the sun on your face, we’re only human

      • downvote_hunter@midwest.social
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        2 months ago

        Some additional thoughts, get airtags and keep them on you when you’re out. They can take your phone but if they don’t know about the air tag your loved ones may be able to find you.

        Don’t use biometric unlock on your phone. They can unlock it easily by putting your face or finger up to it. Can’t make you type a passcode. Don’t take your phone with you if you know you’re going into a possible bad situation , they can gather info on you from it .

    • corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca
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      2 months ago

      I woulda pensioned out 10 years back if I didn’t injure out first. I’m glad that, while the King inherited my oath to HMQE, I won’t be deployed to repel our cross-border bros if they must invade us for our water, minerals, oil, diamonds, uranium, trees, coastlines…ah shit.

      Someone remind trump that the Canadians fight like rabid syphilitic trash pandas the moment the enemy breaks Convention and we get to take the collars off the 22me reg, okay? No one outside Canada remembers the evil shit they did during Oka, so he and everyone will need some help.