Here is my two cents on the miltary and war.
My husband is a veteran, he did twenty five years in the Army, retiring as a chief warrant officer. He is a peaceful man who would never hurt a fellow human if he didn't have to, but he knows that any country that does not have an army will soon be taken by some other country that wants what they have or doesn't like their religion. That is a reality. Since an army is a necessity, someone has to serve in it. Servicemen and women do not have the luxury of picking and choosing what war they want to serve in, they don't make the decision, they just do their duty. My husband served in Desert Storm, a war he did not agree with at the time, but he did his duty, because that is who he is.
As part of the breaching force he was told to expect 40% casualties. Fortunately that was not the case, he never even fired his weapon at another person, but he had to think about his death, and as he was a sergeant at the time, the death of the young men he served with. It was a life changing experience, not enjoyable in any way, but he did it because that was what he was trained to do, that is who he is. When 9/11 happened he even volunteered to reenlist, because he has such a strong sense of duty. Fortunately they did not take him up on his offer, but at 48 he was willing to do so.
I am very proud of my husband and my step son, who is a former marine, served in Afghanistan and Iraq and currently serves in the army reserves, and of my grandson, who is currently serving in the Air Force. Yes, war is a horrible thing, no one knows that better than those who have been in it, but because of people like them, other people can sit safely at home, criticising them for doing what has to be done to keep them sitting safely at home.
This is not aimed at TruthSeeker, I understand his attitude and am not offended, as Jehovah's Witnesses we were taught to look down on the military and military service. At the same time, as the wife, mother and grand mother of warriors, I wanted to show why these brave men do what they do, it is simply honor and duty, not love of violence or hatred for others.