Oddbean

@a0026d72 > no such grievanced contingent of army vets has materialized I suspect that was done deliberately by the people who understand history, and also why "veterans" end up on every list of "potential terrorists" and any organized group of veterans gets infiltrated by feds about as soon as it is created.

Absolutely. At least with every (younger) vet I've met, they're completely checked out of politics and living as a standard NPC consoomer. Only the older guys (again just the ones I've met) seem to actually give a shit about politics. Maybe it's a product of aging and being able to reflect on their sevice, maybe it's army brainwashing being more sophisticated these days, could be a number of things, but the only vets really, really, pissed off are in their 50s+; too old to do much.

the way the US military operates, by design or not, there's little opportunity for any kind of long term extra-military organization to emerge among veterans. active duty units and unit leadership are constantly being mixed up and when you get out and go home, you're unlikely to be anywhere near any of the people you actually formed bonds with veterans are some of the most isolated people in the country and people in these circles generally just make it worse

@d @376dfe7d @a0026d72 ironic that the type of organization that is supposed to create the strongest bonds men can create are the most isolating and atomizing. You will not find comradeship in the US military.

I always wondered why they always tried hard to move us every 4-5 years but that makes perfect sense. We were told it was because they wanted "well rounded sailors" but it makes no sense to move platforms and have to relearn your job twice a decade. Even so, most every state will put you in prison if you and your vet buddies mustered every week for group PT because youd be an unauthorized militia in their eyes. They know exactly what they're doing.

@Tyler @a0026d72 @d Something similar is pushed in the civilian world for similar results. You almost always only get a pay raise if you move to a new job, often on the other side of the country where you know nobody. Only those who are willing to forego money and the comfort that brings can be in an area long enough to start building long term relationships.