Posted on Aug 6, 2015
Are today's military members less loyal than those during the Cold War era (circa 1980s, early 90s)?
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I ask this question because someone mentioned it to me the other day in a conversation on base. I thought, "hmm, I wonder if there is a difference? Are the military members today different form the 80s in terms of their dedication and loyalty to the mission and one another?" Keeping in mind the vast changes in society, technology, lifestyles, etc. in the last 35 years, are there any real differences between the members of yesteryear and today's troops? I'm always careful of the "back-in-the-day" mindset because the thinking (mine included) is often clouded by nostalgia. It's the old "nostalgic for one's youth" phenomenon I try to keep myself aware of and not fall into that trap. Ok, what do you guys think?
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Loyalty
Posted >1 y ago
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Less loyal? No. Less patriotic? No. Less nationalist? Absolutely. They grew up in a globalized, pluralistic and highly connected world that's much larger than some lines on a map. That means "because America!" is no longer a valid and reflexively accepted justification for everything.
That brings some challenges, but I think, overall, it'll make us stronger.
That brings some challenges, but I think, overall, it'll make us stronger.
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SSgt Khanh Pham
I like that you showed the distinction between loyalty and ignorant. Being more informed and thinking about the entire picture vs the box call America, does not make the thinker less loyal.
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Loyalty? Nationalism? My Career started in the Mid 70's ended in the Mid 90's and the Navy that I served in for the Most Part it really never was about Country, Nationalism, Parading the Flag. It was more about we were Professionals, Technicians and a Team. I once heard a well versed Veteran put it "We don't fight for God and Country, We Never Did. We fight for our Shipmates, The man beside us that went thru the God Awful Training of Boot Camp and all the Professional Schools that Follow. We Fight to take care of our Mates that we know intimately, we live together in tight quarters that civilians can not immagine".
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
To put it shortly my "Loyalty" was to the Crew of the California, The Crew of the Arkansas. My Loyalty was to the Naval Security Group and my Fellow Cryptologic Technicians.
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SSgt Khanh Pham
The truth that ripples across culture and war. When the bullets are flying, loyalty becomes simple. You either live or you die, and the guy next to you got your loyalty if he increases your chance to survive.
In the larger context, we have circles of loyalty in our life, family, nation, ideology, etc. No one wear these on their sleeves, so loyalty can only be a type of uncertainty at best.
In the larger context, we have circles of loyalty in our life, family, nation, ideology, etc. No one wear these on their sleeves, so loyalty can only be a type of uncertainty at best.
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