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.
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.