to wonder what's so heroic about being in the British army?

[poppylongstocking]

Both my brother in laws are in the army and spend 6 months at a time away from their wife & kids in a country we are under no direct threat from fighting a war which was started on dubious grounds. They are risking their lives, yes, but I don't see it as heroic, I see it as a bit stupid to be honest. I could understand the label 'hero' if we were under direct threat and having our homes bombed as in WW2, but it's very different nowadays, aibu?

northerngirl, I'd love to believe that we could calmy sit down with Al-Queda over a nice cuppa and talk it out, but I just don't think that that is going to be realistic.

People who think that killing 5000 innnocent people is justified on religious grounds and in fact will make them much rewarded in the afterlife are not great candidates for reasoned debate, IMO. I'm not saying killing is the answer, but there is a necessity to try to stop any more horrific terrorist attacks by whatever means possible, unfortunately.

I'm with gemmummy, I too serve Queen & Country, albeit on a VERY part time basis these days (used to be full time as was DH). I'm off to another thread otherwise I may say something I regret

These regions are not controlled by recognised government. We literally have no idea who we are dealing with.

they are faceless and unelected.

Sure there are other countries in the East that have dubious HR records, but they are largely stable and they are recognised governments.

The people carrying out attacks on our soil, have been trained by those in Afghanistan, or have physically attended training there. Shutting these bases, these people down will go a long way to interrupt terror attacks on our home soil.

it might be oh so right on to talk about war being outdated, and wrong. Such Political Correctness will kill us all. These people don't subscribe to the fluffy turn the other flaming cheek. You have to get this, it's the basis for why things are the way they are.

Your sentiments of live and let live are all very admirable. What you fail, spectacularly, to understand is that they are working to the manifesto of not stopping until WE ALL live under their rules. Every single one of us. If we resist, and we will, naturally fight any form of oppression, we must be killed, taken out of the game so that they can complete their plan.

Ultimately it hasn't dawned on them, and doubtless won't as they are utterly uneducated in RL, that freedom will always triumph.

It'll get worse before it gets better, but this is one fight the West and the Free can not afford to lose.

Yep, the stakes are really that big.

you're a better person than me orienteerer, I couldn't keep my trap shut. TA or RAuxAF?

TA

YANBU. I dislike the overuse of 'hero' for anyone in the forces (although some may act heroically, being in the forces should not automatically give hero status). IMO there are many heroes in NGO's across the world working on the ground in the most dangerous places to improve human rights - you don't here much about them though, do you?

Yes some are brave no argument from me, the care they give each other in dangerous situations is beyond admirable.

The reasons for the war are not the soldiers fault but the poiticians.

One point though "queen and country" outmoded thought, she may be your queen but she bloody well isnt mine.

well said, Littlemisshissy.

OP do you think that people who fought in previous wars that didn't involve bombs being dropped on mainland britain were stupid also? Thinking of korea, former Yugoslavia, Falklands (ok British territory but not the mainland, 1st Gulf war, various african engagements/campaigns etc. or is it just that you disagree with us being in Afganistan, which actually was a direct result of a majority terrorist attack on one of our allies.

I just think that my bil's should be looking after what they have closer to home rather than risking their lives on the other side of the world. They miss out on so much to do with their kids and I know my sisters find it very hard not knowing if they will come back alive or not.

Yanbu, just because you are prepared to die and kill for your government & whatever political motivations they may have doesn't make you a hero

She is our monarch in the UK and commonwealth, therefore our queen. You may not live in these places, if so, you're right, she's not your queen. As I said previously, to us in the forces, it is not an outmoded thought. In fact, we take it very seriously and still toast the queen at formal functions. We are for Queen and country, and we still swear allegiance to the queen. And we are proud to do it. But I do agree, being in the forces does not automatically make you a hero, but it makes you brave and deserving of respect, and when the situation calls for it and terry is trying to kill you, or they have placed that 2 year old afghani kid on that pressure plate for an IED and you risk your life to save theirs, the chances are your hero qualities will shine through. Rant off.

choufleur, you're wasting your time- op doesn't know her arse from her elbow, probably never heard of any of the other conflicts...

Not sure why so many people are painting the Armed Forces as a fall back career for those who can't get employment elsewhere and who will take anyone.....this may have been the option a long time ago but with cuts, changing roles and greater demands placed on military personnel the selection process is both rigorous and very selective - and there are both long waiting lists for many trades and many highly qualified people with lots of options trying to serve. The assumption that anyone will do and it is a fall-back for those who can't find anything better is sad and insulting.

I do live in the UK and SHE IS NOT MY QUEEN. I would post my honest opinion of the monarchy but this is not the thread for it.

A lot would depend on your definition of a hero.

Not everyone who serves in Afghanistan is a hero but they can still be greatly admired for achieving something which many others would be incapable of doing.

hi herbie (waves) thought it wouldn't be long before I had a bit of back up!

One more question. Should heaven forbid your BIL's get killed in the line of duty, will you tell your nephew/nieces that their dad was a hero...or a bit stupid?

The trouble with making him into a hero is that he might want to follow in his (potentially dead) fathers footsteps. I felt so sorry for the woman on Xfactor this week having lost her husband her son went to war too, thank goodness he was only injured.
Some of the forces do heroic acts and some are shameful. So I don't assume everyone in a uniform is to be admired but many are.

I am uncertain about this: why is 'queen and country' something it is wrong to challenge?

I do live in the UK and SHE IS NOT MY QUEEN.

duck, i am just stating who I serve, legally she is everyones queen, however everyone is entitled to an opinion, and to state that (because us thicko forces types fought and died for you to be able to do that)

The trouble with making him into a hero is that he might want to follow in his (potentially dead) fathers footsteps.

That is very true penguin, I had to wait almost a year after applying to join before a place was available in the trade I wanted.

Poppy, why do you think your sisters are braver than their husbands?

I served for 12 years alongside dh, however I left as I was no longer brave enough to go on detachments, leaving behind my family.

I don't feel brave being left behind whilst dh is out there. Yes it's hard- I've 2 young children and live in a different country from my family so have no help, but brave - no.