thank you for the answer and your service.
Admittedly my opinion is jaded by my own experiences from Viet Nam. I do not trust this government in their reasoning for going to war, nor do I believe in their ability to prosecute a war once in it. That said, I believe that every single person that enlists in the military, particularly during war, believes that they are doing their patriotic duty. I know I did. They believe that they are defending the country and our freedom. In a sense they are, but my post was meant to reflect the cold reality of the battlefield. All that God, country, and moms apple pie go out the window when you're in the shit. You just do what needs doing to defend yourself and those around you. There is no big picture. Should you be lucky enough to survive, there is some reflection about the big picture once again, but it's always about you and your buddies that takes precedent.
In todays world our military is used as a political tool by people either too inept and/or too corrupt to find peaceful solutions. It's about the power and the money. National defense has little to nothing to do with it. Again, just my opinion about this lying, criminally corrupt government. (A disgusted LOL)