Do you think American soldiers are put on too high of a pedestal

[Jesster]

"Do you think American soldiers are put on too high of a pedestal"

... Not in the least bit.

For people who's job requires them to move to a different location (not of their choosing) every few years, to get sent away from their wives and children for a year at a time to some of the worst parts of the world to risk their lives, and to be told to put their job above everything else.... for having to do all that, they get paid extremely shitty. That's pretty much the most demanding and dangerous job a person can have in this country. They should be getting paid much more for what they do. Their salary is an insult, really, considering what them and their families get put through. That's why it's called "service."

See, these are things that actually matter to soldiers. Respect them monetarily instead of expecting your false praise to cover for their sacrificial service. Every time I hear "thank you for your service" I start to wonder what I can do with that thanks. It doesn't go all that far.

[The Grand Nudger]

The number of support personnel to combat arms reaches 12-1 in most units.

You're thanking people for being fry cooks, accountants, and ac repairmen.  Then...that sliver of others..you're thanking for being killers. All twelve of us actively avoided putting ourselves into dangerous situations. That's sort of the metric for occupational competence, lol. We're soldiers, not warriors. A working collective, not individual heroes.

[pocaracas]

Okay, now seriously... let's break it down.

For people who's job requires them to move to a different location (not of their choosing) every few years,

Why is it that way?
Do people who join know upfront what they're getting themselves into?

to get sent away from their wives and children for a year at a time to some of the worst parts of the world to risk their lives,

Here in Portugal, they would send the young kids... predictable result: population depletion. Idiots.

Anyway, why are they sent to those places?
Why are american military required in those places?
What were the people in those places doing before the 1700's?!
Why are those places now considered "worst parts of the world"?

Do the people who join know upfront what they're getting themselves into?

and to be told to put their job above everything else....

All bosses are like that.
Workaholics obey that mantra.
Normal people do what they're paid to do and then go home.... or they should.

for having to do all that, they get paid extremely shitty.

What?! the US military pays poorly??
How?!
Don't they get like half the federal budget?
Where is the money going?!

Do the people who join know upfront what they're getting themselves into?

That's pretty much the most demanding and dangerous job a person can have in this country.

How about Detroit PD?
Heck, any police or sheriff department?
How about astronaut?
Border control?
Mining?

They should be getting paid much more for what they do. Their salary is an insult, really, considering what them and their families get put through. That's why it's called "service."

Around here, lots of jobs are services. And most people consider their salaries an insult. It is!
People who earn salaries work more than what they earn, because companies are not (usually) pro-bono... profit is a requirement.

[Anomalocaris]

To glorify being in the military rather than some exceptional self sacrificing accomplishment in line of duty is to glorify militarism while cheapening heroism.

[Jesster]

What?! the US military pays poorly??
How?!
Don't they get like half the federal budget?
Where is the money going?!

Do the people who join know upfront what they're getting themselves into?

Yes, very poorly. Often below minimum wage, depending on rank. Even officers who make a lot more than enlisted soldiers are still earning less than they should.

The money from the defense budget mostly goes to equipment that the average soldier never touches. Also keep in mind that the defense budget is entirely separate from the budget for veteran aid, which is insultingly minuscule.

Yes, soldiers know (to an extent at least) what they are getting themselves into when they sign up. There's obviously more than pay behind it. I enlisted because there were no job opportunities where I was and I couldn't get away without money from those non-existent jobs. It was so much simpler to get into the military. It's sometimes a way to open doors when you have none.

[Minimalist]

Heck, any police or sheriff department?

The risk there is far overstated.

http://time.com/4326676/dangerous-jobs-america/

Police are actually 15th on the list of most dangerous occupations - and a lot of the deaths/injuries are the result of car accidents which in many cases they cause with aggressive driving.

[Catholic_Lady]

"Do you think American soldiers are put on too high of a pedestal"

... Not in the least bit.

For people who's job requires them to move to a different location (not of their choosing) every few years, to get sent away from their wives and children for a year at a time to some of the worst parts of the world to risk their lives, and to be told to put their job above everything else.... for having to do all that, they get paid extremely shitty. That's pretty much the most demanding and dangerous job a person can have in this country. They should be getting paid much more for what they do. Their salary is an insult, really, considering what them and their families get put through. That's why it's called "service."

See, these are things that actually matter to soldiers. Respect them monetarily instead of expecting your false praise to cover for their sacrificial service. Every time I hear "thank you for your service" I start to wonder what I can do with that thanks. It doesn't go all that far.

Agreed. Maybe our government expects us to kiss their a*s to make up for the fact that they don't pay them nearly the amount they deserve for how much their job takes from them and their families. Meanwhile, the fat guys in congress are filthy rich.

[The Grand Nudger]

Do people who join know upfront what they're getting themselves into?

Honestly?  No.  

Do the people who join know upfront what they're getting themselves into?

In the absence of a crystal ball........no, how could they know where they would be sent. Some join thinking they -will- be sent to some place "x" and ride out their service elsewhere.

Normal people do what they're paid to do and then go home.... or they should.

Soldiers don't get that luxury, and if they refuse to do what they're paid to do they can be imprisoned - guilty until proven innocent.    One does not simply "quit" the military.

Don't they get like half the federal budget?

No.

Where is the money going?!

Not to soldiers.  / shrugs

People who earn salaries work more than what they earn, because companies are not (usually) pro-bono... profit is a requirement.

The military likes to maintain that it is not a for-profit enterprise..........

[Autumnlicious]

I've always thought "Thank you for your service" are only nice cheap words.

Easy to drill into our population as a mantra so we can change nothing while feeling we've made a difference.

Caring for your former soldiers is highly expensive. Better provide substandard care and support with a side of "But the public does understand you! See - they say these words that sound meaningful!"

[Crossless2.0]

I've always thought "Thank you for your service" are only nice cheap words.

Easy to drill into our population as a mantra so we can change nothing while feeling we've made a difference.

Caring for your former soldiers is highly expensive. Better provide substandard care and support with a side of "But the public does understand you! See - they say these words that sound meaningful!"

It's the armchair patriot's version of prayer and about as fucking useful.