GI Bill:sometimes the cost is too high

Aguayo, who was not the first soldier to be convicted of desertion for refusing to serve in Iraq, said he enlisted in 2002 to earn money for his education. Though military operations in Afghanistan were under way and discussions about Iraq were ongoing, he said he never thought he would have to fight.


I suppose I should sympthaize with, empathize for, or somehow identify with Aguayo. I don't.

Never forget that military life is not United States life. From the inception of this country the rules for the military have been different than they have for normal citizens.

It would seem odd that someone such as myself who would enter the military only as a coscientious objector, who would not carry a firearm or participate in the killing of other people whether under the guise of warfare or otherwise, who would not even consider becoming a policeman because of the chance of needing to fire a weapon at another person, would not feel that Aguayo was worthy of sympathy.

But I don't. The sentence "he never thought he would have to fight" invalidates his whole argument. Here is a news flash, genius: if you don't want to fight, don't VOLUNTARILY JOIN THE MILITARY!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not sure how old I was when I figured out the main focus of the military is war. When there is no war...they have no job. When there is no threat of war...they have no purpose. Thus they prepare for war. They practice for war. They study war. They theorize about war. They teach how to fight a war. That is what they do. If you have some other intent you better recognize it is nothing but a sideline for the military. War is what they do. It is what they want to do. And if you do not want to be in a war...then stay away from the military.

The excuse "I just wanted money for school but did not think I would be fighting is just as smart as the welfare loser who justifies spending my hard earned money on their lottery tickets because s/he is not going to be the one that loses...that is everyone else. Whatever.

Sorry, Aguayo, but you made your choice when you joined the military regardless of whether or not there were things going on in Afghanistan. Even if there weren't....when you join the military, you take the chance of there being a war and if there is...you are in it, like it or not. Enjoy the brig.