How do you feel about Irish people joining foreign armies?

SoulandForm · 28-10-2013 05:57PM #1

I can understand people doing it under special circumstances- such as defending the Spanish Republic in the 1930s, fighting the Axis in World War II or defending Syria today against the terrorists trying to destroy her but in general it seems to me to be dodgy at best and treasonable at worst. By joining an army you are pledging your loyalty to it and beyond that to the state it is there to act for beyond what is demanded of a normal citizen.

old hippy · 28-10-2013 06:00PM

How do I feel? It's none of my goddam business. Just because one is fortunate/unfortunate enough to be born in Ireland does not automatically mean the army (if you really want to join up) has to be the Irish one.

KwackerJack · 28-10-2013 06:01PM

SoulandForm wrote: »

I can understand people doing it under special circumstances- such as defending the Spanish Republic in the 1930s, fighting the Axis in World War II or defending Syria today against the terrorists trying to destroy her but in general it seems to me to be dodgy at best and treasonable at worst. By joining an army you are pledging your loyalty to it and beyond that to the state it is there to act for beyond what is demanded of a normal citizen.

Don't see an issue, lots of Irish in foreign Army's doing very well for themselves.

Plenty of Irish lads in the UK forces swearing there allegiance to the Queen, doesn't mean there not singing The Field Of Athenry in there heads while they do it

ScumLord · 28-10-2013 06:02PM

As long as the army their joining doesn't have plans to invade Ireland I don't really have a problem. It's not like in the past were you had to completely pledge your life over to some king. It's just another job these days.

Jcarroll07 · 28-10-2013 06:03PM

Luckily we live in a country where people are free to make their own choice. You have to remember the irish have a long history of military service with different armies. Many to day join the military of other countries mainly UK due to family history and connections. 99% of irish men joining foreign armies are actually joining the armies of nations that are friendly and cooperative with Ireland and would probably be allies were it not for our neutral stance.

NuckingFacker · 28-10-2013 06:03PM

As long as they're not joining the Legion 'cos they got my sister up the duff, I could care less.

Frosty McSnowballs · 28-10-2013 06:04PM

Well the Defence Forces are not an "invading force" or "war going" military. Due to this fact, it's hard for someone who wants to serve, but wants to serve in a military that directly confronts buzzwords like "war on terror".

If that's what they want to do, they need to do it in a foreign military force. In that instance I can see why people join other militaries.

tomdempsey200 · 28-10-2013 06:05PM

SoulandForm wrote: »

defending Syria today against the terrorists trying to destroy her

lol..

MRnotlob606 · 28-10-2013 06:05PM

some people just join armies for work,they dont care about states or politcs , they just see it as a way of earning a wage

Artful_Badger · 28-10-2013 06:06PM

Dont see how its any different than working for a foreign company. You get paid to do a job for your employers. All that loyalty to the state or country stuff is nonsense anyway.

SoulandForm · 28-10-2013 06:07PM

Artful_Badger wrote: »

Dont see how its any different than working for a foreign company. You get paid to do a job for your employers. All that loyalty to the state or country stuff is nonsense anyway.

No it isnt- Armies are there ultimately to kill for the state. If you join an Army you are promising to both kill and die for a particular state. I dont think it gets more serious than that.

theblaqueguy · 28-10-2013 06:07PM

Yes sounds like a good idea
I'm off to join the Jamaican Army

Me? · 28-10-2013 06:08PM

If it's an army that is ready to fight zombies then I am there.

old hippy · 28-10-2013 06:10PM

Artful_Badger wrote: »

Dont see how its any different than working for a foreign company. You get paid to do a job for your employers. All that loyalty to the state or country stuff is nonsense anyway.

Agreed. It gets quite tiring to read people getting uppity and outraged simply because you don't nail your colours to the mast at every opportunity. There should be a name for those who insist on loyalty to the state... er... loyalists?

Artful_Badger · 28-10-2013 06:13PM

SoulandForm wrote: »

No it isnt- Armies are there ultimately to kill for the state. If you join an Army you are promising to both kill and die for a particular state. I dont think it gets more serious than that.

Plenty jobs can put people into situations where they may have to kill. Cop, armed security, soldier on peace keeping mission etc. Their job is not to kill, not unless its necessary in the act of doing their job which is to keep the peace.

Frosty McSnowballs · 28-10-2013 06:13PM

Artful_Badger wrote: »

All that loyalty to the state or country stuff is nonsense anyway.

A lot of people would disagree.

old hippy · 28-10-2013 06:16PM

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

A lot of people would disagree.

Why? I'm not asking people to betray their country, btw... but really, what is this archaic loyalty and pride bobbins, anyways?

Seachmall · 28-10-2013 06:19PM

Aligning yourself with a flag seems moronic to me, what flags represent change with the leaders of that country so unless you're joining an army that supports an abhorrent ideology I don't particularly care what flag is stitched on your uniform.

Ace Attorney · 28-10-2013 06:21PM

two people from my town joined the English army, I dont treat or think of them differently when they do come home which isnt often, I went to school with one of them and happily shared a pint with him at the bar the last time he was home and will gladly do so again, hes a changed man tho, hes not the wild man he was before he left

KwackerJack · 28-10-2013 06:25PM

SoulandForm wrote: »

No it isnt- Armies are there ultimately to kill for the state. If you join an Army you are promising to both kill and die for a particular state. I dont think it gets more serious than that.

Like any job that puts you in harms way its kill or be killed or kill or let live depending on the situation. Just becasue you go to war does not mean you kill anything that is not an Allie

Frosty McSnowballs · 28-10-2013 06:41PM

old hippy wrote: »

Why? I'm not asking people to betray their country, btw... but really, what is this archaic loyalty and pride bobbins, anyways?

Just because you don't have it and feel its archaic, doesn't mean it does not exist.

I was born in Ireland to Irish parents. I am Irish. For me, being Irish is my identity. I am proud to be Irish and will be loyal to the country of where I was born. I am proud of its people and of all our various positive contributions for centuries around the globe.

I'm not expecting anyone to agree with me and I'm sure it is a lost ideal to most people, especially with our politicians.

It's how I have always felt, I can't explain it but that's how I feel.

P_1 · 28-10-2013 07:06PM

For some it is a chance to further enhance their chosen careers in a way that isn't feasible with the Defence Forces. For example, if you are a budding maritime strategist you aren't going to get much opportunity to captain an aircraft carrier without joining another country's navy. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes and the notion that you can somehow 'betray' your country for going to another one to do something that you can't do at home is just a little bit silly in my eyes.

I am pie · 28-10-2013 07:07PM

If it annoys the 32 county brigade I suppose it has it's benefits.

pudgeydev · 28-10-2013 07:07PM

Fella from my area joined the British Army cos the Irish army wouldn't have him due to asthma or somesuch as a child. According to this he saw a fair chunk of action and did well for himself http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/queen-gives-irish-soldier-medal-for-acts-of-bravery-26812693.html

Rubberchikken · 28-10-2013 07:11PM

young guy, 24, from my street, joined the british army 3 years ago.
has been to Afghanistan, has done training in Kenya and is still going strong.
irish army wasn't recruiting when he left school here. it's a job i guess.

KwackerJack · 28-10-2013 07:13PM

Say your a wanna be Fighter pilot or heavy lift jet type!

Your probably not going to be thrilled when you join the Air Corps? Nothing wrong with it but it's not exactly an advanced Air-force.

AllthingsCP · 28-10-2013 07:15PM

old hippy wrote: »

How do I feel? It's none of my goddam business. Just because one is fortunate/unfortunate enough to be born in Ireland does not automatically mean the army (if you really want to join up) has to be the Irish one.

Well its more of a Defence Force

moxin · 28-10-2013 07:34PM

Rubberchikken wrote: »

young guy, 24, from my street, joined the british army 3 years ago.
has been to Afghanistan, has done training in Kenya and is still going strong.
irish army wasn't recruiting when he left school here. it's a job i guess.

Thankfully he didn't get the chance to murder Irish people in NI yet.

pablomakaveli · 28-10-2013 07:41PM

I joined the British Army so naturally i don't mind Irish people joining :P

I did try to join the Irish army twice though applying for the cadets and as a regular soldier but was successful mainly because there were thousands applying for a handful of places. I'd imagine this is the reason a lot of Irish lads join the British army.

Uaru · 28-10-2013 07:50PM

I couldn't be friends with anyone joining the British or American oil war armies.

Santa Cruz · 28-10-2013 07:50PM

theblaqueguy wrote: »

Yes sounds like a good idea
I'm off to join the Jamaican Army

I hear the Swiss Navy is recruiting

How do you feel about Irish people joining foreign armies?

Comments