Does anyone have any studies on why people join the military?

2021-08-28T08:54:07+00:00

Former recruiter here. For me, it’s how militarized our culture has become (at least in the US), along with the lack of opportunities to advance in meaningful careers in their hometowns and outrageous college costs. Americans vastly over romanticize military service: from mainstream Hollywood films (made with DoD guidance, funding and assistance), tributes at NFL and NASCAR events, to the carefully scripted, hyper-realistic video games. I’m convinced that many kids grow up to believe it’s their only viable option in life, as I did at one point.

Sorry I don’t have any studies. I suspect that if you found legit data, you’d only find a modest increase (if any) immediately after the 9/11 attacks. A look at other countries would also be interesting. Good luck with it!

PublicDomainKitten · 2021-08-28T10:46:02+00:00

The poverty-to-military pipeline is real.

mypasswordisnot38838 · 2021-08-28T08:51:00+00:00

Btw what do people in this subreddit think of mandatory military service?I want to hear your opinions

reddut_gang · 2021-08-28T14:36:52+00:00

Lots of reasons, but the main ones are yes adventure and patriotism, but also poverty and culture.

DavidByron2 · 2021-08-28T15:57:39+00:00

They spend a shit ton of money on advertising to make people think it's about self-fulfilment and adventure.... instead of 99% boredom and 1% killing / torturing people.

They were asked what percentage of each of four categories ― sense of duty (good citizenship), love of country (patriotism), pay and benefits (employment) or no other options (desperation) ― they believed motivated troops to join up

Not much of a choice. But then if the real reason is "because I want to bully, hurt and kill people, but the cops wouldn't take me", well it's not a choice on the list and it's not likely the recruit would admit it to themselves either.

Panderjit_SinghVV · 2021-08-28T16:45:45+00:00

They call it the poverty draft.

OkCryptographer4390 · 2021-08-28T08:08:49+00:00

Subconscious abandonment issues, they're looking for a new family. Take it with a grain of salt

Panzer-087-B · 2021-10-27T20:24:40+00:00

Since the end of World War II, the US has focused primely on military investments and military operations. Examples would be Vietnam, the Bay of Pigs invasion, Afghanistan, etc. The US used to be isolationist with only entering a few foreign conflicts from 1776 to 1917, when they participated in World War I. The US has military programs in high schools and colleges across all fifty states. JROTC is the military program that I am currently in. Was born into a military family with a father that served in the US Navy for twenty two years so I didn't really have much of a choice. Anyways, the US has many military and police programs. JROTC claims to offer and teach leadership and discipline but it's just a military recruitment effort. You know your country has a thing for military service when adults actively encourage and brainwash kids into joining the military, the option to join before you're even of age, entire programs dedicated to it, participating in foreign conflicts for no reason, having a military culture, etc. If there was a way for the militaristic society of the United States to end and for the nation to go back into isolationism I would take it. I love the United States with all my heart and this is the best route the US can take.

Title	Does anyone have any studies on why people join the military?
Author	Itrusttheinternett
Upvotes	13
Comments	34
Date	August 28, 2021 7:58 AM UTC (4 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/pd5re4/does_anyone_have_any_studies_on_why_people_join/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/does-anyone-have-any-studies-on-why-people-join.1065271 https://theredarchive.com/post/1065271

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