If there’s nothing I can say that will convince you that joining the military is a bad idea, I can at least offer you a few alternatives. These jobs actually protect people’s lives and freedom right here in America.
Private security – Private security guards protect property and individuals. In an ideal voluntary society, different levels of private security can replace standing armies and police forces. In today’s world, private security guards patrol communities while groups like the 1st New Allied Expeditionary Force train doctors in Kurdistan for civilians injured in the war against ISIS.
Paramedic – Combat medics save lives, but they’re still trapped in the military industrial complex. Instead of being a combat medic, you could be a paramedic. Paramedics literally save people’s every day. No one can be free if they’re not alive! Americans are way more likely to be shot by gang members than by terrorists. Either way, they’ll need an ambulance, not a National Guard medic.
Firefighter – Ever notice how a lot of your friends feel uncomfortable, even threatened, when they see a police car drive past? Ever notice how nobody gets uncomfortable when they see an ambulance or a fire truck? Like paramedics, firefighters save lives. That’s why most agencies train and hire firefighters to be both! Almost as importantly, firefighters will risk their lives just to protect homes and private property, even when civilian lives are no longer at risk. They also run in and out of burning buildings—how’s that for an adrenaline rush?
Public defender –Ordinarily government jobs are to be avoided, but being a public defender for a county court system can make a huge difference in many people’s lives. The state will go after anyone, guilty or innocent, and people are really guilty until proven innocent. Think of how many nonviolent drug offenders are in prison today! If you want to go into a private practice and make lots of money, you’d still make a big difference by occasionally taking on pro bono cases. Who knows, you might even get a client who will make it to the Supreme Court like my dad, and win! (Kokesh VS The SEC)
Cryptocurrency trader/consultant – The Federal Reserve system is at the head of a giant debt trap—a government-approved racket of historical proportions. Trading in cryptocurrencies, which are steadily appreciating in value against the dollar, which is steadily declining in value, is very profitable. Educating the less informed about cryptocurrency market trends will help them make better trading decisions and help them make more money. Getting more people invested in cryptocurrencies will free Americans from the economic slavery of the US monetary system. Best of all, cryptocurrencies aren’t recognized as money and aren’t taxable, so incomes will go up while tax liabilities go down.
I understand that everyone (but especially young people) needs to feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves. I understand the need to challenge yourself, and the need for positive recognition and praise. I also recognize the moral and philosophical reasons motivating people to fight for ‘freedom.’ But America’s freedom is not the same thing as Washington DC’s global empire. If you want to fight for freedom, try out one of these other jobs that actually make a positive difference in the lives of Americans.
I am the author of FREEDOM!, a book endorsed (I mean banned) by the US Department of “Justice.” You can get a copy here. I’m running for Not-President in 2020 on the platform of the peaceful, orderly, and responsible dissolution of the United States federal government. You can find out more here. I am currently on my #TaxationIsTheft tour! You can find an event near you here. Whoever has the top comment on this post after 24 hours can claim a free signed copy of FREEDOM! by sending me a message with their address.
Great post. Wars are a competition between the president of the countries competing for who is stronger. They do not care whether soldiers and civilians will die or be disabled. No one of their family goes to war. Whoever has passed the war in any way has consequences for a lifetime.
Exactly and the banks are major players as well.
I certainly don't regret joining the military, but I'm glad I got out!
I'm now in Nursing school because of the desire to help others. I knew becoming a cop or government contractor was too stereotypical of a thing to do for me as a former infantryman and I always enjoyed any medical training I participated in while I was in so nursing school it was!
As for me, it took the military to turn me into a voluntaryist. But i have no regrets. It helped make me who I am. It's just sad that we lost a lot of good people for a few rich S.O.B.'s to get paid :/
I'm not all the way to voluntaryist side yet, but I think I'm journeying there in my own way. Going to some far away places was an eye opening experience, but as you said, its sad we have lost so many for virtually nothing in return aside from further lining the pockets of a few.
This post is true service!
Thank you!
I would've sent this in a PM, but not sure how. There is an issue with one of the links above, to the thefreedomline.com link
Thank you for bringing that to my attention!
On the subject of military and anarchy, I wonder how feasible is Jim Bell's idea that assassination markets would be a suitable cryptoanarchist replacement for the main aspects of the military and the police. Such markets would be essentially a slightly different version of life insurance. Jeff Berwick's Anarchast had a nice interview with Jim Bell a while back, which anyone can youtube search
Man, I really love veterans like you who went into a corrupt system with stars in their eyes, and when they woke up and smelled the coffee, decided to dedicate their lives to exposing the corruption and injustice.
I mean that's fucking badass.
The guys who join the military and then whistle-blow, knowing what that entails and the kind of 'bad-press' and controversy it creates but who stick to their guns (figuratively instead of literally) are just fucking heroes in my eyes.
Nothing but respect and praise to you!
And a #TaxationIsTheft tour is fucking awesome!
I'm 22 and the idea of having to pay taxes to governments after the last 8 years of internet conspiracy theory and conspiracy fact I've just ingested makes me sick to my stomach
I want to find every possible legal way to evade paying them a single penny, even if it means participating in voluntarist projects and other emerging trends that may not pay so well ((fuck consumption, who needs it anyway. Long as I get 3 square meals a day and have a room to call my own I'll do anything in my power to oppose these bastards)
If ever you're looking for someone who writes about conspiracy-theory and conspiracy-fact (and not the stuff everybody knows but stuff I've been finding out by reading underrated books and informing myself in the deepest nooks and crannies of mankind's knowledge repositories, come check me out)
Defo subbed to a libertarian like you (or whatever you choose to identify as, I'm down with it!)
Thanks man,
Keep on Steemin
Peace and Love
Hae-Joo
Thank you so much for the support brother! Just gave you a follow!
Bless! <3
Look forward to your future posts man!
"Pawns for the military industrial complex so that a few well-connected defense contractors could keep making easy money." Sums it up. Kindly see "Off With Their Heads" @escapingculture Upvoted you at 100%
A great post. Thanks for sharing :)
Beep! Beep! This humvee will be patrolling by and assisting new veterans, retirees, and military members here on Steem. @shadow3scalpel will help by upvoting posts from a list of members maintained by @chairborne and responding to any questions replied to this comment.
Interesting post. Can you make an in-depth post about your thoughts on the military industrial complex?
Certainly there are some socioeconomic factors that make the military misalign with many individual's ethics, but for us to change the things that are wrong with it we need people in the right state of mind to be in the military at the top making changes. We need responsible and passionate people to assume control, and change this corporate dogma we are all subject to.