[Discussion] Military Parades?

[BMN]

I'd like some opinions on military parades.
Why do they still exist?
Do they represent militarism/nationalism?
If they do, is it a smart/reasonable thing to support militarism/nationalism? the only thing they tend to do is start violent conflicts.
Also, are they just showcases or is there more to it? I know that some nations that are in tense positions feel they need to make the public feel safe by publicly displaying their might (Iran, Koreas [both north and south], etc). But this is not always the case. (example- French national military parade yesterday)
Also, if it is a showcase, then why doesn't the strongest military in world have it's own showcases or parades? The American military is irrefutably the strongest, most well-funded military in the world, yet I've had to go as far as Paris, France to see uniforms close up.

What are your opinions?

 

[C WET]

i'm in the army and the way i see it... nobody cares... we don't do stuff like that because we are not looking for praise... we do what we do for the people of our country as well as other countries... it pisses me off to no end when ppl say all we do is kill innocent people and start fights... we fight to protect our family and friends, we are in other countries to help out the people, show them a better life style, teach them right from wrong, help estabolish schools and stuff like that... and if they don't want our help then we leave them alone... but we did not come over here to invade and destroy lifestyles... yes i'm currently in afghan right now... i come home in a week or 2 and i can't wait to see my wife and son... they are the reasons that i do what i do... parades are irrelevant to us... there's another reason...

 

[BMN]

i'm in the army and the way i see it... nobody cares... we don't do stuff like that because we are not looking for praise... we do what we do for the people of our country as well as other countries... it pisses me off to no end when ppl say all we do is kill innocent people and start fights... we fight to protect our family and friends, we are in other countries to help out the people, show them a better life style, teach them right from wrong, help estabolish schools and stuff like that... and if they don't want our help then we leave them alone... but we did not come over here to invade and destroy lifestyles... yes i'm currently in afghan right now... i come home in a week or 2 and i can't wait to see my wife and son... they are the reasons that i do what i do... parades are irrelevant to us... there's another reason...

Personally I'm glad you have a positive attitude towards helping others in the world. But I'd like to ask, what makes you say that nobody cares? I'm just curious as many foreign countries care about the presentation of their military, and so I'd like to hear why Americans are so different. I'd be very pleased to hear the point of view of an American service man.

 

[C WET]

Personally I'm glad you have a positive attitude towards helping others in the world. But I'd like to ask, what makes you say that nobody cares? I'm just curious as many foreign countries care about the presentation of their military, and so I'd like to hear why Americans are so different. I'd be very pleased to hear the point of view of an American service man.

like i said... we don't want praise... we don't do what we do to get respect or praise... unlike other militaries... i think they are compensating for being lame so they need to throw shows and parties and parades to get praise from there people... think of us like batman... we are the hero's america needs, and we know it... i'm proud to be apart of the 1 % of americans that lay down their lives and sacrifice time with family and friends to do a service for our country.

 

[BMN]

like i said... we don't want praise... we don't do what we do to get respect or praise... unlike other militaries... i think they are compensating for being lame so they need to throw shows and parties and parades to get praise from there people... think of us like batman... we are the hero's america needs, and we know it... i'm proud to be apart of the 1 % of americans that lay down their lives and sacrifice time with family and friends to do a service for our country.

I see, thank you for your input!

 

[Pavoneo]

You can love your military for their sacrifice while still hating the concept of war.

 

[ShishaMastah420]

Lmaoo... CWet you are most defiantly not part of no "1 % of americans that lay down their lives and sacrifice time with family and friends to do a service for our country." Many others do it too, both the willing and the not willing.

Don't sugar coat things for the sake of patriotism or militarism, Military conflicts are started/created by military Generals and Commanders and you, this is presuming that you are not a General or Commander, do their dirty work.

A good Solider Followers orders.
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@OP, i don't like parades, never been to a military parade; From what I've seen though, i think it is just a public display of one's Might and for moral support from the general public...

 

[C WET]

Lmaoo... CWet you are most defiantly not part of no "1 % of americans that lay down their lives and sacrifice time with family and friends to do a service for our country." Many others do it too, both the willing and the not willing.

Don't sugar coat things for the sake of patriotism or militarism, Military conflicts are started/created by military Generals and Commanders and you, this is presuming that you are not a General or Commander, do their dirty work.

A good Solider Followers orders.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

@OP, i don't like parades, never been to a military parade; From what I've seen though, i think it is just a public display of one's Might and for moral support from the general public...

i didn't say that nobody else lays down their lives for their country i'm saying i'm proud to be apart of the 1% of americans that are in the military... and i say that cuz there are ONLY 1% of americans that are in the military.

i am a good soldier and i do follow orders... when it's not a bogus order that is shady and can get me in trouble...

 

[ShishaMastah420]

i didn't say that nobody else lays down their lives for their country i'm saying i'm proud to be apart of the 1% of americans that are in the military... and i say that cuz there are ONLY 1% of americans that are in the military.

i am a good soldier and i do follow orders... when it's not a bogus order that is shady and can get me in trouble...

At any given time in the past decade, less than 1 percent of the American population has been on active military duty, compared with 9 percent of Americans who were in uniform in World War II.

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With the many ways people dodge military service, i wouldn't doubt that there is 1% or less on active duty...

Shady is the military...

 

[Hawker]

Military parades suck ass. F*ck I hated being in them. You have to stand there for atleast an hour in an attention. And for what? lol who even benefits from them? Not the soldiers definitely.

 

[BMN]

Shady is the military...

There are always problems of accountability when there isn't transparency...

 

[Vision]

I'd like some opinions on military parades.
Why do they still exist?
Do they represent militarism/nationalism?
If they do, is it a smart/reasonable thing to support militarism/nationalism? the only thing they tend to do is start violent conflicts.
Also, are they just showcases or is there more to it? I know that some nations that are in tense positions feel they need to make the public feel safe by publicly displaying their might (Iran, Koreas [both north and south], etc). But this is not always the case. (example- French national military parade yesterday)
Also, if it is a showcase, then why doesn't the strongest military in world have it's own showcases or parades? The American military is irrefutably the strongest, most well-funded military in the world, yet I've had to go as far as Paris, France to see uniforms close up.

What are your opinions?

@bold I just wanted to comment on your post about one thing. As I am a Korean decent and my family came from South Korea, all the while being stationed there for 5 years. I can tell you that South Korea does not have public parades like the North do just to show power. I think you have information wrong.

Lmaoo... CWet you are most defiantly not part of no "1 % of americans that lay down their lives and sacrifice time with family and friends to do a service for our country." Many others do it too, both the willing and the not willing.

Don't sugar coat things for the sake of patriotism or militarism, Military conflicts are started/created by military Generals and Commanders and you, this is presuming that you are not a General or Commander, do their dirty work.

A good Solider Followers orders.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

@OP, i don't like parades, never been to a military parade; From what I've seen though, i think it is just a public display of one's Might and for moral support from the general public...

Currently, from the population of the U.S. and the people actually serving in the u.s. it's about 1% at max 2%.

You might think that its a display of one's might but to whoom? Ourselves? Usually parades are done to show the soldiers that have returned home from war. Active combat in a foriegn land and actually survivied. Though more common today than say Korean war or the Vietnam War. Still it's a tradition to do so. Show cases what they have accomplished and give them sense of pride in front of their friends and family. Familiy also may have some pride to show their friends that thier son/daughter hahad served honorably and is still serving. What is wrong with it? I do not see any problems with it. You probably had seem some parades that have been glorified a bit for whatever reason on T.V. though you havn't seen the many "other" parades that had happened because it's usually either broadcasted locally, or not at all. Again even if it did, out of the hundred of shows that are available on TV, you would want to generalize ALL parades as this one idea that you are saying. I think that logic is flawed. Either way, I disagree with you.

 

[Aponi]

The only "parades" I've seen have been on post, and the post I'm at they are just like town parades. Now when returning from deployment or when someone graduates from a special schooling or program we have our own special ceremonies and such. Of the posts I have lived at they have never went out into the general public with these things, they always stay on the post and do them.

 

[ShishaMastah420]

Currently, from the population of the U.S. and the people actually serving in the u.s. it's about 1% at max 2%.

You might think that its a display of one's might but to whoom? Ourselves? Usually parades are done to show the soldiers that have returned home from war. Active combat in a foriegn land and actually survivied. Though more common today than say Korean war or the Vietnam War. Still it's a tradition to do so. Show cases what they have accomplished and give them sense of pride in front of their friends and family. Familiy also may have some pride to show their friends that thier son/daughter hahad served honorably and is still serving. What is wrong with it? I do not see any problems with it. You probably had seem some parades that have been glorified a bit for whatever reason on T.V. though you havn't seen the many "other" parades that had happened because it's usually either broadcasted locally, or not at all. Again even if it did, out of the hundred of shows that are available on TV, you would want to generalize ALL parades as this one idea that you are saying. I think that logic is flawed. Either way, I disagree with you.

@Underlined; NYTimes says otherwise but meh;

Spoiler

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With the many ways people dodge military service, i wouldn't doubt that there is 1% or less on active duty...

Shady is the military...

Thats why i said; "public display of one's Might and for moral support from the general public"

Maybe i should have said or, because it doesn't really make sense to display your military might to your own people, as you've said, still though, if the people know the type of power one is capable of it is easier to control them.