Veterans symbolically discard service medals at anti-NATO rally

MSgt said:

Sure they did. Don't insult them or allow them to pretend they were victims. They joined for the adventure and for the benefits. After the Cold War ended, our troops deployed to Somalia and Bosnia. During the Cold War, we sent our troops to Korea and Vietnam. We have Marines stationed in over 185 embassies around the globe. Our Navies patrol every ocean and every major sea port, with Marine forces ready to strike anything at any given time. Our Air Force patrol the skies and take high altitude photos of virtually every nation.

They volunteered knowing exactly what we do. And since we have been at "non declared war" all over the world (Afganistan and Iraq featured) since 9/11, they have no right complaining about volunteering.

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I think you're saying that from your perspective now, and not from the perspective of when you first joined. Think of all the gullible young recruits that don't even know what boot camp is going to be like. The ones that say, "What did I get myself into to?" What Marine Corps. recruit training is really like. Then its off to MCT or SOI. Then MOS school. Then the big time, the Fleet. Where at a moments notice, you could be called on and shipped off to some foreign land, or even deployed domestically, all in the name of the United States. An eighteen year old kid doesn't know 9.9/10 the things about the military before they join. The recruiters aren't known for their openness or honesty - just getting more bodies into the system. I think you've forgotten some of these facts over the years, Master Sergeant. And if you would, recall Major General Smedley Butler.