Is War really a racket?

To add to the conversation, I think this should be added from the same book as your quote.

“I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.”
― Smedley D. Butler, War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier.

Yes - a lot of people profit off war. It's no secret.
Side note: I hate when things say "winner" or "won" the Medal of Honor. You can't "win" it.

I believe it has been established that he did indeed make these statements, to a convention of the VFW in the 1930s. If true, then I also believe his insights were mirrored by those of Eisenhower, and even Kennedy...both of whom warned us against the unseen forces of power manipulating mankind for their own profit.

The experience and wisdom of these men is not in question.

What is in question is what "we" do about it, and whether or not those of us who have continued to raise our hands in promise to participate if required, have done so ill-advisedly.

For my own part, I believe that even when faced with total knowledge of any such manipulation, young people will continue to volunteer to serve. I'm certain I would have made the same choice...even if I had been wise enough to consider their words (which at the time, I was not). Why? Because there is enormous power in the sense of having "paid into" a system before one has the "right" to question it...let alone make what small contributions they can to influence a more positive outcome.

That is an admittedly idealistic...rather than practical viewpoint.

Unfortunately, in the back of our collective consciousness, we understand what the price would be for willful and organized resistance to that call. If all the ethical youth of a generation simply refused to make that commitment, less ethical mercenaries and adventure seekers would. If our Armed Forces became nothing more than "hired thugs" for a rapacious, economic and political juggernaut...it wouldn't be long before the threat of that force being leveraged against the People would be realized.

In that sense, I hope better people do continue to volunteer to serve in the Military, and fight when and where necessary. Policy is made at the highest levels, but enacted at the lowest. From the highest ranking general officer who challenges an unlawful order...to the lowest ranking private solider who projects mercy, compassion and justice down their gun sights...we serve as the greatest defense against atrocity, abuse and tyranny.

I am reminded of St. Maurice and the Theban Legion, Major Hugh Thompson, and LT Michael Murphy...warriors who risked everything to stand up for a higher purpose in war.