On Combat

Why do citizens enlist during war? Israeli military psychiatrist Reuven Gal identified four primary reasons for serving in the IDF: for survival when facing an existential threat, for ideological reasons, for normative reasons (expectations of others), and for personal reasons (education, other benefits).

Two articles this week (“War’s Chosen High School” and “Think Your Back Hurts? Imagine Boot Camp at 42”) provide an anecdotal glimpse on two generations of Americans now enlisting together:

“War’s Chosen High School” focuses on one high school hit hard by the war (5 students lost in war to date). Former student’s rationale to enlist appears to be ideologically driven:

“Joel Holodynski, class of ‘04, who joined the Army that year, said his ‘friends were split on the issue of the war, and I wasn’t sure which side to take, so I decided to go.’”

“I had no idea what I was getting myself into. … At the age of 17, I was too naive, and I was full of ideals based upon books and movies”

“he ‘felt like something was really going on in the world, and I was just the right age to be a part of it.’”

“Amber Thill …joined the military because she didn’t know what else to do after graduating”

“Alan McPeak (deceased) “He was pissed about 9/11. He said he wanted to make a difference. There was no talking Alan out of it.”

The high school generation’s parents have the opportunity to enlist due to revised enlistment standards, with the Army now allowing recruits up to age 42. Older recruits featured in “Imagine Boot Camp at 42” emphasized normative and personal reasons. Some enlisted due to the expectations and example of others:

“Some older recruits joined because their son or daughter did.”

“…not joining the military always gnawed at him. All the men in his family were in the Navy or Marines.”

Personal motivation seems high, divided between personal aspirations and material needs:

“Asked why they’d join the Army after 40, the older recruits spoke about serving their country in a time of need. But some had practical reasons — a career change or higher education.”

“‘This is something I wanted to do my whole life’ said Wall (40)”

“It makes me feel young again.”

“There was always something in the back of my mind that I never did that when I was younger, and I regretted it”

“After his three-year stint, Pons wants to go to college with the Army’s help.”

“Fassler joined partly because he wants to pay off nearly $65,000 in student loans and get a doctorate in public affairs.”

“Maheswari, 41, has a degree in aerospace engineering but wants to become a doctor’s assistant in an Army hospital. ‘I saw this as an opportunity to make a dream come true”

Both generations are to be applauded for their decision to serve. Both have challenges: the young will have to grow up fast:

“We’d thought that they were invincible….Now I worry all the time.”

“When Huff was killed, ‘that was actually the first time Alan realized that he was scared about going to Iraq,’ Greene said. ‘He knew his life could be over next week, next month, next year.’”

The older generation will have to cope with the physical challenges of the physical hardships and demands of military service:

“recruits over 35 are having a harder time making it through their first six months in the Army, data show…About 12 percent leave within six months — mainly due to the physical demands.”