Quote Originally Posted by RickyR View Post
I'll be controversial, but I seriously think the obsession with turning everyone in the armed forces into a hero is ridiculous.
Nobody is forced to join the armed forces, nobody is forced to go away and fight a war in a far flung country. They choose to sign up and accept all that comes with it. They fight a cause which the government they choose to serve believes is correct.
I'd have no hesitation signing up for a cause I believe in, but I wouldn't expect credit for it.

However, those that have served in the military should have a pension and after service lifestyle equal or superior to civil servants. It is unfair when you see the guys just left to rot after leaving active service.
I don't think Afghanistan is a straight forward war. The enemy isn't a conventional army but a bunch of cowards relying on booby traps and hiding in huts and mosques behind women and children. Furthermore our troops are fighting with one hand tied behind theirs backs alongside friendly renegade "police" and "army" who are likely to shoot them.

Our forces at the sharp end are heroes. I agree with you Ricky about how veterans are shat upon compared with faceless bureaucrats