Military Personnel Aren’t Kids

I avoid ranting. I really do. Today, I’m not going to avoid it, though.

I said in an earlier post that I listen to talk shows occasionally. A local radio station, KDKA, has a host in the morning named Marty Griffin. I realize Marty is on a talk show. His job is to get people excited enough about a subject to call in and make some noise. Sometimes he is able to do something useful, getting people to act, rather than just talk, as a result of his inspiration. Today was one of those days. He was using his show to promote a fund raising dinner being put on by Operation Pittsburgh Pride, a Pittsburgh group which sends helpful items to the members of the military who are serving in the Middle East. They do take donations to help offset the cost of shipping, so stop in a leave them a few dollars.

Anyway, Marty kept referring to these members of the military as kids. For years now I’ve been hearing this. Marty, and everyone else who has spoken this way, or thought this way, they aren’t kids. They aren’t children. They are men. They are women. All are at least 18 years old. Many are older. But their age is the least of the matter.

Many have wives and husbands. Many have children. They have responsibility for other lives.

Many had jobs. They weren’t living on the streets with nothing better to do. They had responsibilities.

Some were in school, learning a trade or becoming scholars. They have intelligence and the will to use it.

Others were in the National Guard or Reserves. Even without contractual obligations, they voluntarily served in what they saw as the defense of this country, the protection of their families, friends, neighbors, and ideals.

We aren’t talking about sixth grade students. We aren’t talking about a group of people who need babysat or teacher to tell them it is time for recess. We aren’t talking about people who are defective. We aren’t talking about people who are irresponsible. We are talking about adults who have volunteered to be part of the military forces of this country. They weren’t drafted. They weren’t indentured. They volunteered, freely, and with full awareness that the purpose of the military is to fight, and sometimes die. They are not children.

It doesn’t matter whether you agree with the policies of the U.S. government or not. It doesn’t matter whether you believe that force of arms is right or wrong. What matters is that these men and women care about something outside of themselves. They have volunteered. They have made a conscious decision in full awareness of the possible consequences. They know there are worse things in life than dying. They know there is more to life than existing. They have shown the maturity to act on their awareness.

They are not children. To refer to them as children is demeaning. It shows a lack of respect for their decision to serve in the military, and a lack of awareness of what it means to be an adult.

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