What is up with our military?

[IsItJustMe]

I have been observing the reactions of our military people for the last couple of months, when they are asked the question, "What do you think about Obama as president?"

My observation comes not only from watching the msm, but also in talking with the enlisted.

It seems that their response is almost universal, no matter who is asked, which I find kind of un-nerving. I am not sure how that patent answer comes about, but it does, or the way I perceive it anyway.

The basic answer to the question is this, "Well, we are going to see what Obama does, and take it from there."

I might come up with the same response if I were in their shoes. I don't know. But it does kind of bother me. It shows a certain amount of doubt, lack of trust, with a touch of paranioa. It also flys in the face of reality. Obama is now their Commander in Cheif, their boss so-to-speak. They take orders from him. That is the way our system works.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

1. Taking orders from someone doesn't mean you have to like the person.

That's why they're called orders.

[babylonsister]

2. I'm seeing very positive reactions...

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2389

On Veterans, President Obama Off To a Great Start

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24941966-12335,00.html

Cheers, whoops of joy in Afghanistan as soldiers welcomed in their new commander-in-chief

[IsItJustMe]

8. It could be that I am looking at the glass from the half empty perspective. There are positive

responces coming from some quarters of our military. I guess my post is addressing those in our military that don't seem to be on the bus yet.

I feel that Obama, has been, and is making extensive efforts in connecting with our military, and when it is all said in done, if some in the military don't like Obama, it's gonna be on them rather than Obama.

[Hugabear]

3. The military didn't have much respect for Bill Clinton

I remember several times seeing Bill Clinton's portrait turned backwards, so that it was facing the wall. Many people in the military made no bones about their feelings for their Commander-in-Chief, especially after he instituted his "don't ask-don't tell" policy. I can only imagine if Obama lifts the ban on gays completely, that you'll see similar "protests" in the military.

[Bandit]

7. Some in the military had tremendous respect for Clinton

Why paint with such a broad brush? Those that were fed a daily dose of Limbaugh were told to hate the Clintons but there was no reason that any could name that gave them cause. How many GIs died under Clinton? I know of the seventeen that were killed in Somalia which was begun under
Bush. Every military operation that was begun under Clinton was a huge success without casualties. What possible reasons could they have had to disrespect the Clintons other than what they were told by Limbaugh on a daily basis?

[theboss]

9. A friend of mine graduated from West Point in '96

They had to be given very specific instructions on how to treat Clinton at graduation. There was a lot of fear that the cadets would boo.

[Zywiec]

10. Boo a president?

What kind of complete moron would do something like that? Do they think West Pointers have absolutely no manners?

:shrug:

[theboss]

11. Um...I did it at the 2003 Army-Navy game...but that's just me

Anyway....yea...Clinton was pretty unpopular with the cadets and they just wanted to stop any chance of an embarrassing moment.

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. LOL. * was President when he walked out yesterday for the inauguration. n/t

[Cid_B]

17. Yeah cause no one here would have the bad manners...

... to boo a president. :eyes:

[Zywiec]

20. Some people here have no problem pissing on a grave

so booing is nothing to them.

:shrug:

Different strokes for different folks.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

21. Very few if any liked or supported Clinton

[Ilsa]

13. Some of the generals have told Wesley Clark that Clinton was the

biggest supporter of the military, as far as the troops go. He did more for them than the Bushes.

I wonder if alot of the very young military people are just misinformed about which president has done more for that institution.

[mmonk]

4. Some will like him, some will not. But they are paid not to think

on such matters.

[Cid_B]

18. Very few people are...

They are thinking rational people none the less. I don't get people who think that my soldiers all have a "On / Off / Kill" switch or something.

[mmonk]

24. I didn't say that. Other people's jobs aren't supposed to be apolitical.

If you are in the Armed Services, you're supposed to keep your politics to yourself.

[bertman]

5. They're just like every other American--they are entitled to their opinion of the President.

On the other hand, they are at his mercy when it comes to carrying out their missions--a la George Dubya when he was Deserter-in-Chief.

[Belial]

6. Speaking as a former enlisted person...

A lot of active duty personnel feel like they have been sold down the river by the democrats to win an election.. as I am sure we are all aware, up until the economy finally caught up with itself, the main topic was the war in Iraq. While opinions may differ on the war, troops are still there. What most don't understand is that the care they are provided after they serve.. SUX.. for me.. when I was active duty.. my time was Desert Storm - Desert Shield.. I lived for the here and now.. didn't spend too much time looking down the road. If I had known then what I know now.... I think this will "image" of uncertainty with our troops will pass. Everyone just needs a little time to adjust and Obama seems to be decisive and that's a very important quality to someone that serves.

[Lost4words]

12. edit off!

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. Which part of your "basic answer" conveys paranoia?

[Cid_B]

16. So what?

While I wouldn't say that this is the vast majority of my guys ( most are negative ) it is the reaction of a goodly percentage of em. I certainly can't fault them for it. I've got NCOs who were extremely dissatisfied with resources, money and schools from 92-00 and fear it coming to pass again.

"It shows a certain amount of doubt, lack of trust, with a touch of paranioa." In their eyes they have no reason to trust him until he shows what he is going to do one way or another. In our world actions ALWAYS speak louder than words.

[slackmaster]

19. Officers are saying pretty much the same thing

My brother is an officer in the Navy. He's told me that he believes it is possible that the new President (at the time he meant Obama or whoever else it happened to be) could change the contingencies under which he works. That could cause him either to get out of the service earlier, or stay in longer.

Sorry for the tautology but that's what all the Navy and Marine Corps officers I've spoken with have said. I'd also like to note that they always make it clear that they will respect, honor, and obey their new commander in chief.

[Marr]

22. Huh? That's my attitude as well.

I'm going to wait and see the movie before I join the fan club.

[stillcool]

23. I would think members of the military..

are no different than any of us. They have their own point of view, and their own ideas of how to secure the world for American business interests.