I was still a dumb lib back then. But my radicalization has really peeled opened my eyes to my part in continuing colonialism in Africa and imperialism in the Middle East.
But if I had never served, a lot of the understanding I have would not exist. Or how the military functions and how fucked up and clueless everyone is. Or how so many are working class being recruited for the basic conditions we as leftists want for everyone. Housing, job, sense of purpose, food, etc.
Just hard tackling all of this stuff and thoughts sometimes.
I’m from a rural town in Indiana. With what you just said combined with family history of service and propaganda pushed me towards joining. Was never huge on the thank me for my service or the discount stuff. I thought it was the right thing to do. I see now that it isn’t, and all it does is to further us hegemony and try to preserve the dying empire through imperialism. Since we are in the belly of the beast, we need vets to do a lot of the fighting, even if they are not the ones to lead the vanguard whenever that happens.
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My politics definitely shifted left during my time in the military. Being in Iraq and seeing how poor that country is and seeing that we were just acting like bullies over there really got me thinking and questioning the true motivations of the government. That country wasn't a threat to us and had nothing to do with 9/11.
Eyes left is fantastic. Shit has opened my eyes and made me cry and angry and everything in between. Most of my army buddies and civie friends don’t talk to me anymore because of my views. But oh well.