Lupita Nihongo: Yeah, a lot of people go to the military almost entirely as an economic decision and that’s often the case with people of color & some poor people.

Yeah, a lot of people go to the military almost entirely as an economic decision and that’s often the case with people of color & some poor people.

Something I really wish people in leftist spaces would remember is that military service is one of the few viable paths of upward mobility in the US, especially if you’re in a situation where paying for college is impossible. I’m not saying that’s a good thing, but it is absolutely a reality.

Tangentially a white veteran on TikTok pointed out it’s absurd that in a country where so many suburban white folk leave the comfort & safety of their communities only to find themselves in war zones overseas due to Love Of Country that we act shocked that a guy whose mom got blown up joins Hamas.

military memorials are pervasive across Puerto Rico for this exact reason. It's one of the few guaranteed ways off of the island

It's also sometimes offered as an alternative to going to jail, which can be pretty appealing. That's how some kids I knew made it into the service.

Also blaming the individuals who make that choice is a good example of not understanding systemic problems. The problem is the military industrial complex, not each individual person (Yes I am aware some people do join because they actually like the MIC just trying to speak more broadly)

Mine was 100% economic. Post dot com bust and 9/11 as the son of a minister? Student debt or the military was my only options.

isn't that the same for cops though?

And job training. Recruiters always claim you can get job training that will set you up in IT or whatever after you get out.

There's a lot less benefit to being a cop. They sell college benefits hard when they're recruiting, but also everyone knows you get the good healthcare by joining up or marrying someone who enlisted