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LONG THREAD
I’ve seen people unhappy with Adam’s involvement with the military (which is completely valid—you’re very much entitled to that opinion) but I thought I’d chime in on something since I have some (?) experience with the Marine Corps specifically
I’ve seen people unhappy with Adam’s involvement with the military (which is completely valid—you’re very much entitled to that opinion) but I thought I’d chime in on something since I have some (?) experience with the Marine Corps specifically
I’ll start by saying I’m not pro-military. I don’t support the majority of decisions the US makes when it comes to international affairs. I think we’re corrupt and abusive and in desperate need of change.
But I do support the men and women in it, and this is why:
But I do support the men and women in it, and this is why:
my boyfriend was a reservist Marine Corps. He was one of those minority, lower-income kids duped into the idea that they would help him financially, career-wise, & give him a semblance of belonging, and importance. It’s a story more common than you can imagine.
These recruiters target communities like ours. we’re bombarded with propaganda, from the moment we enter high school. We’re sold the glory story, the money story, etc etc. We’re told it’s a “great alternative” to higher ed.
We’re told it’s a way out.
We’re told it’s a way out.
People like my boyfriend enlist. They go to boot camp for 3 months, are horrendously abused, come back to a world they don’t know for a few weeks & leave again. My bf was a reservist and didn’t deploy to another country, but his friends weren’t so lucky...
They give six years of their life away, expecting to be able to work their way through the ranks, put in the time, and reap their rewards. This isn’t always the case. It wasn’t for my boyfriend.
Not only that, but those who deploy to frontlines endure horrific shows of violence. They participate in those horrific shows of violence. They return home with PTSD, broken bodies, and very meager resources to integrate back into regular life.
We know the the statistics—homelessness, drug abuse, mental health issues, suicide... etc, etc.
Cw // suicide
My boyfriend lost a best friend to suicide. A friend who was like a brother, who he met in the corps. A friend who was supposed to be protected and uplifted by his fellow Marines, but was ultimately abandoned when he was in the thick of his mental illness.
My boyfriend lost a best friend to suicide. A friend who was like a brother, who he met in the corps. A friend who was supposed to be protected and uplifted by his fellow Marines, but was ultimately abandoned when he was in the thick of his mental illness.
My boyfriend hates this country. Hates the Marines, hates his higher ups and the people he was forced to be around. But he sold his life away for 6 years, with no opportunity to escape.
And he wasn’t even active duty.
And he wasn’t even active duty.
So you can imagine how much worse things could have been. You can imagine how easily my boyfriend could have been in his friend’s shoes.
The reason Adam’s involvement with AITAF doesn’t bother me in the slightest is the fact that his program is specifically geared towards the Arts. It’s a connection to the civilian world—to NORMALCY—that these service members wouldn’t otherwise have.
I’m not saying your reasons for disliking the military aren’t valid. I’m almost positive I agree with you on all points. But when it comes to AITAF and Adam’s involvement, I can’t find it in me to be upset by it.
I’m not saying everyone in the military is like my boyfriend. I’m not saying they’re all good people. I’m not saying I’m even all that certain of Adam’s political views.
But from what I understand this is a program is meant to open dialogue among people—to bring the ability to create and enjoy creativity freely, among service members who are constantly under orders and duress. People who are told to ignore signs of their mental illness...
... and “be a Marine”.
I hope this thread doesn’t come off as preachy. I just wanted to provide another perspective on this whole issue, and a perspective on the men and women who serve. I was very biased before I met my boyfriend and his friends. I thought everyone who served was scum.
It’s okay if you still feel that way. I’m not out here trying to defend our country’s actions. But when it comes to these kinds of programs—meant to bridge the gaps between the civilian world and theirs—I hope you can look at it with a little more of an open mind.
If you served or know someone who served, feel free to correct me or add your own insight. I only have second-hand accounts here, and I’m always open to educating myself.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading.
Sign the petition to find Vanessa Guillen and follow her story. Remember her name. https://www.change.org/p/hold-the-us-army-military-in-ft-hood-accountable-justice-for-vanessa-guillen?recruiter=1114665298&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf_combo_share_abi&recruited_by_id=6dd8a110-ab48-11ea-873a-67cb8af32de5
