Muslims in the US Armed Forces

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by VRM

Anybody should be able to serve in the US military provided that they understand one thing - they have to check their personal life at the door. This includes religion, sexual orientation, political viewpoint, and so on. Your life becomes the property of the United States for whatever term you sign up for. The United States becomes the most important thing in your life, and all of your other issues are put on hold until your CO decides that your primary responsibility to the United States had been fulfilled for the day.
This is one reason why I hate religions - people always seem to think that their personal superstition is more important than the Constitution - maybe you can have that luxury in real life, but I don't think it should be applicable to the military. Anybody of any religion who cannot follow a lawful order needs to get out, or be kicked out.
And I also think that military benefits should be pretty damn good.

Steve

When it comes to politics, you and I don't line up very well, but this is one thing that I can say I agree with every line of your post. It was made clear to me in boot camp that I am now the PROPERTY OF THE US GOVERNMENT.

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by Buzz

When we say soldiers who find themselves unable or unwilling to follow directives should be kicked out, I assume that discharge would/should be accompanied by some other punitive measures. Otherwise, any goldbricking deadbeat who decides military life is too tough can act up a bit , get deemed unfit to serve, and score an early discharge.

I can't help but be reminded of a now well-known St. Lucian bodybuilder cum journalist cum political figure who, like many in his day (early 60's) , saw joining the British Army as a way to a better life. He soon found out that he was not cut out for the structure and discipline of the military and submitted numerous unsuccessful requests to get a discharge.

He basically discovered that the only way to get out would be to have himself declared either physically or mentally unfit. The physical part was out of the question because he was already well into bodybuilding, so he set about mimicking the outward signs of schitzophrenia. His CO eventually told him he was onto the scam but since he wanted no unwilling people in his regiment, he gave him his discharge.

Tying back in to the topic, It would become a big problem if, in reaction to the Muslim issue, all a homesick soldier needs to do is act like a possible jihad sympathizer and it's home sweet home. Failing to live up to the commitment a person makes when he signs up for military service must always have serious repercussions.

Agreed as well.

[RAZOR]

The problem with the extremist Muslim is that they put their religious identity before morality. Any religion that would do this is sick.

VRM your attack on all religion and the fact that you put all religion in the same basket is just untrue. How would people consider it if instead of saying "I hate religions" you use the word blacks, or homosexuals? You would be condemned as narrow minded bigot, and rightfully so. But you seem to think you can hate the religious group and get a pass on it. You are speaking of people but you seem to think its OK to hate them. And if your defense is that it is the belief system you hate and not the people, its still shows an intolerant, parochial view to put Mother Teresa and a OBL in the same group.