Do people fight for God, Country or for our American Freedom?

SFC William Stephens — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 11:26:26 -0400

Response by SFC William Stephens made Jul 18 at 2017 11:28 AM

SFC William Stephens — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 11:28:53 -0400

Other countries fight for their GOD because when terrorist attack our people or our country they use the GOD name while attacking us. You don't hear American soldiers saying GOD, GOD, GOD when he killing with a weapon do you?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 18 at 2017 11:33 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 11:33:31 -0400

We took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. That was or is our first priority. The Constitution guarantees religious liberty, so you can fight for God if you want; the Constitution guarantees many "freedoms," including freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, petition, against self incrimination, voting for citizens, etc. We fight to guarantee those freedoms to ourselves, our children, and grandchildren. The Constitution is the basic law of our Country that defines how we govern ourselves, so you are also fighting for the Country. My final answer is "all of the above."

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jul 18 at 2017 12:20 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:20:11 -0400

I support and defend the Constitution. That's it. I don't fight for any deity as I don't believe in any such things as religion. I fight to make sure no one rips apart or destroys the Constitution.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 18 at 2017 12:21 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:21:21 -0400

In preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution, we are preserving, protecting, and defending all freedoms for ourselves and our progeny. Sadly, the enemies domestic now outnumber those foreign. If we don't fight them now with our words and our votes, we will one day find ourselves fighting them with force of arms.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 18 at 2017 1:14 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 13:14:16 -0400

"Or"? People sign up and fight for any number of reasons; some inter-related, others mutually exclusive, all individual.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jul 18 at 2017 2:19 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:19:50 -0400

I support and defend our constitution and everything connected to it..

There is a country(s)that demand that their men serve in a type of Reserve up to the point they are not physically able (Switzerland is one)I think it. One older gentleman thought he'd get out of it by eating himself into a sitrep where he could not serve.. they put him at a work bench sorting gun parts and cataloging them whenn it is drill time.. so there is some use for all types of people

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 18 at 2017 2:36 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:36:56 -0400

While we took that most solemn and binding oath to support and defend, when it comes down to it and you have lead flying and shit going boom all over the damned place you best be right with whomever you want to believe it because at the very basic premise you are fighting for your brothers & sisters to your left and right

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Jul 18 at 2017 3:04 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:04:35 -0400

Until reaching the battle field and facing reality we all have some reasons for fighting drilled into us. We take away from those weeks and months of training our own personal idea of why we are willing to go into battle. I think those reasons are all over the board but the message we hear seems to be we are goiong in for our country, our way of like, to clear evil. When I was in things of God were not at all an emphasis. When actually facing the reality of combat the reason to be there seems to morp into fighting to protect the brother on the right and the brother on the left. Under the pressue of enemy activity all the wonderful rhetoric about God, Country, Freedom, etc. goes right out the window. We are there to keep ourselves and our buddies alive and able to get home. At least that was how my mind operated.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2017 3:25 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:25:42 -0400

I fight for Country and Freedom. I fight both domestic and foreign enemies of freedom. I will never attribute my service to any of the gods that have been asserted.

Response by Sgt Martin Querin made Jul 18 at 2017 5:55 PM

Sgt Martin Querin — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 17:55:11 -0400

Don't really need to fight for God, by definition He can take care of himself. We "trust" in God to protect and defend us as we fight for our family, friends and loved ones that enjoy the freedom provided by living in this amazing Country. I believe the also reflects the sentiments of the founders that fought to establish this great country.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2017 8:17 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 20:17:19 -0400

SFC William Stephens My father died serving our country in 1956. He had served in WWII and Korea. Like my father, I felt an obligation to serve our country as a patriotic American. Once the fighting starts, you are fighting for your fellow brothers.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Jul 19 at 2017 9:41 AM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 09:41:04 -0400

Some do, but most soldiers I knew joined the military to grow up, see new places, gain experience, and help fund their education. Yet they would have to have some measure of patriotism to go this route.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Jul 19 at 2017 10:57 AM

SFC Marcus Belt — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 10:57:39 -0400

Some other options:
1. the paycheck
2. the men and women with whom you serve
3. likes combat

Motivations are not static constructs, so the things that drive people to do (or not do) something vary over time, circumstance and location.

There have been times in my service where it would have been impossible for a rational being to link the action with supporting and defending the Constitution or liberty.

During those times, I'd fall back on some other motivator.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Jul 19 at 2017 11:01 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:01:26 -0400

Initially for home & family, later for your brothers.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Jul 19 at 2017 11:58 AM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:58:40 -0400

SFC William Stephens When I joined the Navy it was to get out of Oklahoma. Got out never when back. Now while I was serving I developed a deep abiding sense of patroitism that grew over the years. I also loved the ships I served on and my sense of service to the nation grew as my bond with my shipmates grew. So I fought for my country and willingly obeyed the orders of the officers and men appointed over me.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2017 2:05 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 14:05:59 -0400

We all joined the military for a variety of reasons. If you serve with honor and fulfill your duty, any reason is fine by me.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2017 8:32 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 20:32:08 -0400

I would argue its a culmination of all three.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Dec 4 at 2017 1:17 PM

SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 13:17:08 -0500

Who the country owe

The country owes military Veterans. They don't owe any other group. How about a sanctuary city for homeless Veterans. As a Veteran I understand the needs of Veterans however I know some are unique. Although the big issues they are all common, compensation and health care. Veterans and retirees should not be left behind any other group. Veterans should not be receiving sub-standard health care. Also Veterans should not have to fight the VA Benefits for compensation that they rightly deserve for injuries or illnesses they sustained on active duty.

People let's not be fooled by the slick talking politicians who say they are going to resolve the issues that Veterans have faced for many decades. What I say to that prove it action speaks louder than words.

My question to the politicians out there. Why are there still Veterans that served in Vietnam still struggling with health issues from the agent orange? Then they are fighting a continuous battle for compensation. Something is wrong with that folks that should not be happening. Why many that served in the first Gulf War are fighting to try and get compensated for Gulf War illnesses?

I like to see things in a optimistic way. However I want to see this for our nation's Veterans employ them, treat them and compensate them if need be. But by all means don't push us to the side and short change us like we second class citizens.

With the possibility of war currently facing us. I like to say this for those that have served during war and peacetime already. The government needs to right the wrongs and injustices that many of Veterans have had to endure unfortunately. Twenty-two suicides a day come on WTF is going on? The politicians should be ashamed of that.

I guess it's not that important to them. However they'll quickly send our sons, daughters and grand kids off to North Korea. Upon their return if they return they'll have to fight the bureaucracy as many before them have. It's not right folks something needs to change.

Peace!