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New UserBeing an Anarchist While Serving (self.Anarchism)

AnarchoBuddha が 投稿

Hello,

Been a lurker on Reddit for a very long time, and was glad to find a subreddit some months ago where people, or "comrades," actually believe what I believe in (I'm an anarcho-communist, if you want specifics).

Today, which finally made me create an account so I could start actually talking to you all here, I read and saw I wasn't the only military veteran in this subreddit.

I'm currently applying, and have undergone some parts of my hearing already, to be a conscientious objector (not because I'm an anarchist, but because I'm also a Zen Buddhist), and hopefully receive a discharge in the future.

My question is what would you people do if you were in my situation and the military tells me they won't discharge me, and are forcing me to remain in to complete my service?

Sometimes I can't sleep at night wondering about this. And also feel that I can't be a "part" of the anarchist movement if I don't get out of the military. I also can not run away from the United States. I'm about one year away from getting my degree in philosophy, and I have family, friends, a significant other, and a life here that I can't hide out from. This is all assuming the military doesn't come after me, and doesn't attempt to jail me for x amount of years.

So there ya have it. I'm an anarchist, Buddhist, pacifist who's stuck in the military with a combat job. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

If I messed up the posting rules, I'm sorry mods. Like I said, first time posting, and I'm sure I fucked something up. Just don't know where else to go or who to talk to. The only other anarchist I know is my significant other, and we live in a very socialist city. And was also hoping to talk to other anarchist veterans, who are either still in, toured, or have gotten out.

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[–]Tzadikim| "The fall of peoples and mankind will invite me to my rise." 62 ポイント63 ポイント  (27子コメント)

The most useful thing you could do, I think, is take your training and democratize it - teach others of a similar worldview the skills you've acquired in the bourgeois military. Each one teach one.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 26 ポイント27 ポイント  (24子コメント)

I thought about doing this. Especially since I have a wide variety of training with a lot of different equipment, and a good background in medical knowledge. the problem is I can't find an anarchist group anywhere near where I live. I don't think the midwest has a big anarchist movement yet, it seems like it's more of the coastal states.

[–]Tzadikim| "The fall of peoples and mankind will invite me to my rise." 19 ポイント20 ポイント  (5子コメント)

There are quite a few socialist rifle groups springing up of late, though nothing specifically anarchist - Redneck Revolt, the John Brown Gun Club, etc. If you don't mind working with socialists who tend more towards the authoritarian position - and frankly, I personally don't; these theoretical distinctions tend to disappear during practical revolutionary activity - you could do a world of good.

You might also interest the social democrats in organizations like the DSA in guns. One of the most important things we can advocate for, I think, is for self-defense on a class basis. A lot of the liberals who have recently 'radicalized' in the wake of the election have brought their anti-gun prejudices acquired when they were left-liberals along with them, and you have an opportunity to dissuade them from that.

[–]smugliberaltears-Death to all who stand in the way of freedom for working people 23 ポイント24 ポイント  (3子コメント)

these theoretical distinctions tend to disappear during practical revolutionary activity

until they stick us all in a gulag

[–]Conquestofbaguettes 15 ポイント16 ポイント  (1子コメント)

We'll worry about that when we get there. But we aren't getting anywhere if we don't do something first.

[–]Time_Spent_Away 8 ポイント9 ポイント  (0子コメント)

This is an important point. A point that all activist overcome at some stage.

[–]AnarcoDude 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

If we stick them in a gulag first, are we the tankies?

[–]GaussWanker 7 ポイント8 ポイント  (8子コメント)

Another option is to do it the other way around, bring your philosophy to others in the service who might be sympathetic to it.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 8 ポイント9 ポイント  (7子コメント)

Thought about this too. My unit is taking precautions to dissuade me from this by keeping me away from most of the other soldiers, and sticking me with a rag tag group of individuals who all are either waiting to get out, or have fucked up somewhere in their career. And in all honesty, your average enlisted guy isn't the brightest, and some of these ideas will go right over their head.

[–]Sir_Cuitry 31 ポイント32 ポイント  (6子コメント)

If anarchist and socialist ideas aren't accessible to stupid people, we're pretty much fucked. The revolution is for everyone, not just the brilliant.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (4子コメント)

Good point here. I guess it's more I need to figure out how to deliver anarchist ideas in a way that are accessible to everyone. Any recommendations on that?

[–]Sir_Cuitry 12 ポイント13 ポイント  (1子コメント)

memes? also have the plus that if someone is pissed off you can "it's just a joke" it.

More seriously, try to frame in terms of their life experience. That's probably more important than their intelligence. I've never been in the military, so I may be off base here, but don't y'all look out for one another? There is definitely a hierarchical aspect to the military too, but within a unit, you all work in cooperation, not competition, for a greater goal? What if all workers were able to have that same cooperative spirit?

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 4 ポイント5 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Definitely some solid ideas here.

[–]Red-Menace-1917 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

There's a famous quote by Einstein that I like, I'll probably butcher it, but it went something along the lines of "If you truly know something complex you can explain it simply."

Anyone can regurgitate complicated sentences from memory, but it really takes someone who really understands it to explain what you learned in a manner so simple that anyone can understand it.

Understand your audience and basically guide their hand through your world view.

What I mean by that is start out simple and explain things before using a word that describes it. (Example; you want to explain to a civilian what a platoon is, but you need to first describe what an infantry is, you can say " a group of soldiers that work together to engage others in combat situations are called an infantry" Versus "Infantry is a group of soldiers that do X")

The first one allows your audience to imagine something using words and volcabulary they are familiar with versus throwing the unfamiliar word and while you're explaining it, they're still trying to figure out what that word means. It's easier to understand something that has an explanation first before giving it a name than naming something and then explaining it. Especially if it is something that they didn't intent to hear initially (we were planning on explaining what a platoon was, but in order to do that we had to explain infantry. However they're not expecting to hear that word so we also have to explain what that is.)

Also again understand your audience and don't make them mad or aggressive. Actually know the person and understand their positions. Generally almost everyone thinks that the government sucks and their boss sucks too, that's generally a good way to go about it. However that's not always the case so it's good to know whether or not they even think that.

They could be like Candide (or Spongebob) and be completely oblivious to everything and think everything is okay and love the people that betray them.

Also note how I just referenced Candide but I also referenced Spongebob. Not that many people have read Candide or know it even exists, but nearly everyone has seen Spongebob and can understand my comparison. So also take that into consideration when drawing parallels to historical events, literature, etc. The simpler the better, and what they already know is less work for you.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Great response here; very detailed. I'm definitely going to have to work on making anarchism ideals relatable to people, which is something I do struggle with, because I'm used to reading philosophers that no one has heard of. Thanks for the advice/examples.

[–]anarchyinstyle 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I feel you on that. What makes it worse is that I fully believe a lot of the stupidity is ingrained do to our authoritarian education system. If you pound creativity, curiosity and the ability to think for oneself out of people at a young age it takes a lot to bring them back around. In kindergarten my whole class were artists, by the time I got high school there were two left.

[–]NimbleJack3 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (1子コメント)

See if you can learn first aid and other livesaving practices before you leave - many anarchist groups would love to be taught the correct way to dress wounds and treat casualties.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 11 ポイント12 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Definitely could teach them all of that already. I'm a certified combat life saver. Next goal is just to find a group near me that needs me.

[–]smugliberaltears-Death to all who stand in the way of freedom for working people 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (2子コメント)

I could have sworn the midwest had a decent sized anarchist presence. It can sometimes be hard to find anarchist unions in your city. Word of mouth is how I found out about the orgs in my city. Facebook also, hilariously, tends to have a lot of anarchist groups listed.

If I were you, I'd start by looking for an IWW chapter.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I'll definitely check out the IWW, thank you

[–]lal0cur4 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Minnesota seems like it has a dope anarchist scene, especially Minneapolis

[–]1_narchy_pls 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

An infoshop would be a good place to find out about any anarchist groups near you.

Looks like there are a few in or near the Midwest listed here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infoshop

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Had never even heard of infoshops being a thing before. Thanks for the link! Edit: Found one in my city! Gonna look more into it later in the day.

[–]Ahhuatl 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

The Left desperately needs this kind of training. Please, please take your skill set to the People.

[–]thedignityofstruggleDeep Green Pagan Doomerist 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Where in the midwest?

[–]OrkBegork 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Certainly not a terrible idea, but military training works largely due to the fact you're put in an intensive training environment, rather than simply being given a bunch of important information on how to fight.

Most of the information is freely available. What democratizes this is resources, which aren't magically granted to you by having been in the military.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I agree with this for the most part. However, I think most people could benefit from learning how to shoot like the military teaches. But youre right, most Army Field Manuals can be found online, but that doesn't do shit when you don't have any of the equipment.

[–]BFKelleher| End Oppresive Hierarchy! 13 ポイント14 ポイント  (12子コメント)

Just don't do anything ridiculous to get yourself hurt, jailed, or killed until you can get out I guess.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 9 ポイント10 ポイント  (11子コメント)

I feel like a traitor in all honesty when I'm in uniform. It's hard to fathom the idea of being in until the end of 2019, it just gives me a rush of anxiety and self hatred.

[–]BFKelleher| End Oppresive Hierarchy! 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (6子コメント)

These can be reasons to give to hasten discharge. I doubt a military wants anxious people with their fingers on the trigger.

[–]omniocracy 28 ポイント29 ポイント  (2子コメント)

I doubt a military wants anxious people with their fingers on the trigger

Your local police do

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 21 ポイント22 ポイント  (0子コメント)

hahah, I used to want to be a cop after getting out of the military... luckily I'm not as naive as I was at 17 years old when I enlisted. Studying philosophy, history and buddhism has changed my life immensely.

[–]BFKelleher| End Oppresive Hierarchy! 4 ポイント5 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Well we'd like to avoid instances of friendly fire generally.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 9 ポイント10 ポイント  (2子コメント)

True, but unfortunately, that puts me at risk of a dishonorable, and then they would force me to pay all of my benefits back and would be on my record for employers too see for the rest of my life. Amazing how Uncle Sam can shit on your life. I've thought about just taking a dishonorable though, which is why I was hoping to talk to other military personnel on here.

[–]BFKelleher| End Oppresive Hierarchy! 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Well I wouldn't take a dishonorable if I could avoid it. I can't give you any more advice, but good luck.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Appreciate it, thank you

[–]voatiscancer 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Hi, I'm also a Buddhist. Look, it's important to realise we make decisions in the frame of mind we are in at the time. You've changed, you live with the consequences of having enlisted, but you don't need to hate yourself.

This is probably an unpopular opinion but I think a lot of people who are in the military are just kids who drank the kool aid, and let's face it, we are bombarded with messages that lead us to believe all of this is okay

I'm not going to come down on anyone who has enlisted, the system you are in is fucked, but you're clearly not a supporter of violence perpetrated by the military abroad, and I don't think you're a bad person.

Give yourself a break, practice some metta on yourself.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Appreciate the kind words. At this point, I'm just trying to stay positive, and live day by day in the present moment as much as possible. Meditation has helped quite a bit with all of that. It's nice to meet another Buddhist in this sub, what school/type do you practice?

[–]voatiscancer 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uchiyama_Gud%C5%8D?wprov=sfla1

You may find this interesting.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Never heard of him before, thanks for the share!

[–]Anarcho_Cyndaquilist 7 ポイント8 ポイント  (3子コメント)

I had a buddy who tried to get out on a conscientious objector status. He was advised by the chaplain and wrote an essay for our commanding officer and went through all the proper channels, and our CO just didn't take any action on it. He could let it sit on his desk for as long as he wants, he has no reason to speed the process along for you. My buddy ended up eventually just going AWOL.

I recommend that you look into other avenues of getting out of the military, if it is that important to you. Depending on how long you have left in your contract and if you are going to deploy or not, it may be better to just stay in until your contract obligations end.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (2子コメント)

I've actually gone through parts of my hearing. I've met with a psychiatrist and chaplain and was interviewed by them both. My CO also said he would personally pass down the information of when my investigative officer is assigned, and all parts of my application have gotten pushed up farther than my CO. So I'm trying to be hopeful they will continue to be fair with me. Are you still enlisted?

[–]Anarcho_Cyndaquilist 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (1子コメント)

No, I enlisted when I was 18 and I got my DD214 several years ago. Good luck with your discharge.

[–]Komrade_Pupper'Cause baby, I'm an Anarchist, You're a spineless Liberal. 14 ポイント15 ポイント  (10子コメント)

My question is what would you people do if you were in my situation and the military tells me they won't discharge me, and are forcing me to remain in to complete my service? Sometimes I can't sleep at night wondering about this.

God this is heartbreaking, and is a direct result of nationalistic indoctrination started at a young age. A fucking children's crusade.

By any means don't put your life, future, or well-being at risk. You have the rest of your life to make up for any mistakes that you think you've made.

How old are you, if you don't mind me ask? How much longer do you have for service?

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 21 ポイント22 ポイント  (9子コメント)

Just turned 21. Have been in 3.5 years now, and I have another 2.5 years left. I'm pretty much at the point now that if I'm not granted an honorable discharge as a conscientious objector, then I will try and find any way out, even if it means dishonorable. My CO application was extremely long and well thought out, and I used the help of some experienced advisors who deal with these cases all over the nation, so at least I'm somewhat hopeful things will turn out the way I want. I completely agree with your point about indoctrination. I was 17 years old, and had only learned pro-American history in my high school classes it seems like. They said college was free, and I came from an upper middle class so I didn't really need it, but figured my parents would be proud of me serving, and even more proud of me being able to put myself through college. So, basically I became a puppet of the system because I didn't know any better, and was easily impressionable. However, after years of studying at uni, I was able to kind of break away from that brain washing and see reality (and not gonna lie, lsd helped with that lol). Luckily, I haven't harmed anyone throughout my military career. I've mainly just done mock trainings, shot weapons, that's about it. The worst I've done is waste tax payers money, take money from Uncle Sam for low a salary and college tuition, and involuntarily continue to support such a shitty organization.

[–]Komrade_Pupper'Cause baby, I'm an Anarchist, You're a spineless Liberal. 14 ポイント15 ポイント  (4子コメント)

I'm 8 years older than you. If things don't work out (I'm sending you my hopes and energy that they do.), then I suggest just pushing through it. After 21, time seems to move double time, so although 2.5 years seems like a very long, it's nothing worth damaging your reputation and fucking up any opportunities you'll have to provide for yourself in the grand scheme of things.

I think you should being praising the fact that you were able to use their stupid system against them by getting an education that allowed you to free your mind.

Don't worry so much about past mistakes. What matters is arising to those mistakes and changing yourself for the better. And like the others have stated, your experience could only be beneficial to helping the rest of your new comrades out.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 11 ポイント12 ポイント  (3子コメント)

Appreciate all of the kind words, truly. Thank you.

[–]Komrade_Pupper'Cause baby, I'm an Anarchist, You're a spineless Liberal. 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (2子コメント)

Yep, no problem! That's kind of what this sub is supposed to be for. Support, so if you need it feel free to lean on me to rant or whatever.

I also grew up Buddhist. I'm not anymore, but that also means that there's already double common ground for us.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 8 ポイント9 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Damn, I really wasn't expecting everyone to be so supportive on here. All you guys are great. I think I found my one true subreddit, even though it seems like it's in some hot water rn

[–]Komrade_Pupper'Cause baby, I'm an Anarchist, You're a spineless Liberal. 4 ポイント5 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Even though it seems like it's in some hot water rn

Yea, the ideology kind of dictates that most of us are extremely impassioned and will fight against all perceived injustices.

[–]thedignityofstruggleDeep Green Pagan Doomerist 4 ポイント5 ポイント  (2子コメント)

Learn everything you can, and bring it back to our team. Youre on an undercover mission, inside the the citadel. Skill up, and be a model soldier. Play the part, get your money, get your health insurance, and then after your honorable discharge, come out and find the people who need those skills and pass them on.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (1子コメント)

The big struggle here is that I'm a pacifist, which may not be the popular opinion around here. That being said, I don't hate what antifa does by any means either

[–]Faolinbeankilljoy 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

No problem with that here, diversity in tactics is important and pacifism definitely has a place in anarchism.

I think people get frustrated when some people act like it should be the only tactic.

[–]PsuedoJones 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Hey man, don't take the DH. It's going to fuck you over forever, and all the suffering you went through while you were in becomes essentially for nothing. I know it sucks, but if you've been in 3.5 years or so, you're probably an E3-E4. You can figure out how to skate and tough it out for another two years, and then you spend your last six months pretty much just clearing, anyway. Tough it out and get that GI Bill. Plus, when you're out, you have that fetishized 'veteran' status, which magically makes you way more credible in the eyes of the average American.

[–]Jugglnaught 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Hey there! I used to be in the Army and was honorably discharged by serving out my contract.

It sounds like you've got the right idea, applying for CO status. I honestly don't know much about it though. I would recommend that:

(1) you learn as much about the UCMJ as possible to protect what rights you do have under the law, because I can guarantee you the brass don't know, understand or care about it and will fuck it up if they try to come after you. When we were deploying, some asshole in our company was stealing women's underwear from the laundry and got caught. Our company fucked up the entire investigation by telling him he would be punished if he didn't confess (violation of 5th amendment rights). They had to settle for demoting him.

(2) Start going to therapy. I don't know if you need it or not, but if you're having trouble sleeping, then anxiety could be the cause of it. If you do have an actual mental condition, then it could possibly lead to a medical discharge. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! THEY WILL LOSE YOUR RECORDS! On top of this, it could make you eligible for disability compensation when you're discharged. Disability is tax free, doesn't depend on your income, and it lasts as long as your disability exists. Since you're in a combat MOS, I can guarantee you you have tinnitus, or will have it eventually. That's a 10% rating, which is around $120/month for the rest of your life. Learn as much about the disability application process as possible!

PM if you have any other questions.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Thank you for all this information. Truly appreciated!

[–]doomsdayprophecy 7 ポイント8 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Small but worthwhile sub: /r/regretjoining

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Well damn, at least I don't feel so alone now haha

[–]0neTrickPhonyand postgenderist transhumanist. 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Just keep in mind that a lot of anarchists and communists are also veterans. We've got quite a lot of them here in my area.

If there are any groups in your city, talk to them. They'd love to have you. Most don't regard soldiers with anywhere near the same hostility as they do cops.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Appreciate the comment and glad to know I'm not the only one.

[–]ThisIsGooblyKickass/Ancom/Transhumanist 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Take the benefits you've gotten from service (as in the training) and teach it to fellow leftists once you get out. Military training would be immensely beneficial to revolutionaries. Also see if you can attempt to bring other soldiers over to the left because that'd also be immensely beneficial but don't push it so you endanger yourself.

[–]Wandering_Idiot 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

You should check out the book Worth Fighting For by Rory Fanning. He was a concientious objector from the Army Rangers inspired by Pat Tillman. I'd be more than happy to send a copy if possible.

[–]grevenilvec75 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (3子コメント)

Why exactly did you join up if you were an anarchist and/or a buddhist?

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I ended up becoming both of those after already enlisting and going to basic/ait

[–]PsuedoJones 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Everyone does dumb things when they're 17.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[–]shaxshax 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

why did you join in the first place? I'm assuming you've developed your ideals since then?

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Yes. I enlisted while I was still in highschool, and hadn't really seen any part of the world other than my home state. I was never taught or shown any ideas that weren't pro-america for the most part. I didn't come in contact with communist, anarchist, or buddhist ideas until after being in for over two years.

[–]ExteriorFlux 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

This isn't immediately helpful, but maybe you can find some solidarity: Breaking the Chains of Command: Anarchist Veterans of the US Military

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Really great article, thanks for the share.

[–]smugliberaltears-Death to all who stand in the way of freedom for working people 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Have you thought about shamming, sabotaging, "forgetting" to do things, spreading sedition, etc? As long as you're not harming anyone or supporting others who harm anyone why not serve out your contract while being a wrench in the works? Could also try to transfer to a medical job or something.

Alternative is to either try to muster out like you're doing or to go AWOL and get anarchists to shelter you. I've seen the latter work out, but I imagine it's pretty traumatic.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Heard Christiania was a very nice place haha

[–]BitBitt 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

The military shouldn't be able to force you to fight, of it is against your religion. Also, would you rather run away and be put in jail for several years, or work for a couple more years and be able to serve the anarchist movement later? Just wait, it will be worth it in the end.

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

That's the idea behind me applying to be a conscientious objector, the part about my religion. However, the military ultimately decides whether they keep me or not, and they can either be very nice about it, or very very hostile about it.

[–]AJM1613 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Stick with it for now, and when you're discharged go to Rojava. You have had valuable training, and can use it to train others.

[–]Bastianvk 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I had an anarchist friend of a friend who had to go to military service because he could not sustain their family, and the military paid him a lot. He came crying everyday to home, not because the physical exercise, but for the political indoctrination he had to learn if he wanted to keep sustaining his life, xenophobic bullshit, "national" history ( "we are the best country in the world and our history sustain that through our won battles"), anti-leftists and anti-people rhetoric ("people are stupid, they dont know what they want, they must be governed and/or killed for their own good")

If you go there, you will end: 1) with suicide tendencies because you will fucking hate your life; or 2) you will "convert" to a normal militar man, the indoctrination is too strong.

[–]brennanfiestanazi punks fuck off! 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

The way I see it, you're basically being forced in. You have done nothing wrong comrade, just hang in there :).

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Thank you! Everyone's support in this thread means so much to me.

[–]DLMA23 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

May I ask sir, were financial reasons your motivation to enlist?

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I thought by serving I would be helping the world. I wanted to give back to the world and be a good person, do something that really matters. Obviously propaganda led me to believe that the military was a way to do this.

[–]LtConnor 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Hey, I'm in ROTC and kind of have the same problem. One thing is you can always start organizing on your campus. If there aren't any campus groups, it's pretty easy to create them and get your friends involved. Trying to radicalize more liberal groups that already exist isn't a bad thing either. Sometimes, I feel like shit for being in the military and really not believing in it. But then the propoganda of the us is pretty powerful and we are all pretty young when we join. No one is a perfect anarchist. Fuck self righteousness. How did you apply for objector status? How's the process?

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Are you a contracted ROTC cadet? Have you been to BOLC yet? and I wrote around a 40 page application detailing the change in my moral code and religious beliefs. The process is quite long and drawn out, but you meet with a psychiatrist, chaplain (which I've done both now), and then an investigative officer (who I haven't met, and also gives the final recommendation to the board of whether or not to grant the status). If you're only a cadet and havent been commissioned yet, I could imagine you could just back out very easily, and then you'd just owe the Army some money.

[–]Heraclea 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

I served as a conscript in the Swedish military (which is a bit different from the US in many regards, both ideologically and how the system works with discharges etc.) and I've thought of joining again part time several times (but haven't), since I feel that the work can be valuable both for my personal training in case shit goes south, but also because with the situation in Europe being what it is and Sweden still being somewhat democratic and nice to live in, I still feel it's worth protecting the people living here against a foreign armed threat (if that threat consists of an even worse government, which right now is the more likely scenario if there would be an aggressor at all).

I think you should just try and finish your contract, try and be a "good" soldier while slipping some propaganda to your fellow soldiers on the low-key. If you play somewhat nice (let them joke about your anarchism, try and educate them and be polite and self-aware) and at the same time do your best to show your CO's that you're doing your work and doing it good while objecting to the nature of the work it will make them think twice and maybe, maybe make them respect you more and even listen to you once in a while. Don't let them make a "criminal" out of you, that can fuck up your life for real. And as others have said, save everything, get a paper trail, if they want to hurt you they'll do whatever it takes to screw you over.

Of course, if they want your unit to rotate to a war, follow your heart.

Stay strong, comrade!

[–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Thank you, I appreciate the response! It sounds like I'd definitely rather be in the Swedish military rather than the U.S. one right now haha. I'm going to try and stay positive and do what I can.

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[–][削除されました]  (15子コメント)

[removed]

    [–]jackalw 10 ポイント11 ポイント  (12子コメント)

    good god, this "callout queen" shit is gonna get really fuckin old really fuckin fast. you should understand something. someday, you're gonna slip up, and do a Bad Thing, or have a Bad Thought, and if you don't develop the capacity to forgive the flaws of other people, you won't have the capacity to forgive yourself.

    Being a "callout queen" is an untenable position that will inevitably leave you a bitter, lonely hypocrite. find a better identity.

    [–]cctchristensen 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

    As an outsider looking in (sorry not an Anarchist), if I wanted to troll you guys, that would literally be the exact thing I would post. There's no way a sensible person that supports this sub would take the time to write that.

    Just as my outsider perspective: I think most people view Anarchists as crazed social justice warriors (is that the term?) and would post something like that to take things to an extreme in order to troll you guys. OP shouldn't have even apologized.

    [–]jackalw 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

    nah, you should always apologize for misgendering someone, its a shitty thing to do. luckily, OP is nicer than you.

    [–]Ilbsll🏴 No Gods, No Masters 🏴[M] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (3子コメント)

    Okay, I'm calling it.

    I've seen enough.

    [–]jackalw 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (2子コメント)

    huh?

    [–]Ilbsll🏴 No Gods, No Masters 🏴 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

    They're gone. It's a brand new account with nothing but borderline concern trolling.

    [–]queen_of_callouts -3 ポイント-2 ポイント  (5子コメント)

    someday, you're gonna slip up, and do a Bad Thing, or have a Bad Thought, and ... you won't have the capacity to forgive yourself

    Yeah, I struggle with depression, so spare me the bullshit. Maybe if you weren't regularly tearing logic and ethics a new one to forgive every horrible thing you do, you'd improve yourself and not get so offended when someone suggests that not everyone who likes to associate themselves with @ is a shining example of humanity.

    [–]jackalw 4 ポイント5 ポイント  (4子コメント)

    lol fuck off, pretty much every anarchist struggles with depression. you're still a jerk.

    [–]queen_of_callouts -2 ポイント-1 ポイント  (3子コメント)

    You sound so much like a neoreactionary whining about SJWs, it's hilarious.

    [–]jackalw 4 ポイント5 ポイント  (2子コメント)

    a non-troll would have just said reactionary. you're settin off my radar.

    [–][削除されました]  (1子コメント)

    [removed]

      [–]jackalw 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

      whatever nerd

      Lol, internet baddie is gonna lay me out, ooooo i done fucked up this time!

      [–]AnarchoBuddha[S] 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

      I apologize. As I just mentioned I haven't followed her case too closely, and obviously missed major details, because I've been caught up dealing with my own issues in the military.

      [–]queen_of_callouts -5 ポイント-4 ポイント  (0子コメント)

      That's fair. For the future, though, in general, when you do something like that, apologising and correcting yourself immediately is the best thing to do.

      Don't, like, shower attention on the mistake, though, or gush about how sorry you are. That just makes it stand out more and all.