Celebrating Murder in the Military

by Andrew Mason

Recently by Andrew Mason: I Forgive You and My Apologies

Lew Rockwell, in a recent blog post, asked if there was a culture of violence in America. The answer is, undoubtedly, yes. We begin worshiping these symbols of empire in our public indoctrination camps (public schools). We recite the pledge of allegiance ad nauseum and as result, are instilled with a sense of nationalism, or that "we" are better than "them". Some of us, like me, believed we should "serve" this nation by joining the military.

The culture of death is undoubtedly seen in the United States military itself. Once I put on the uniform, as an agent of the State, I became part of an entity that blatantly celebrates death and destruction. As a member of the Armed Forces this is witnessed first during basic training, before we are sent overseas to kill for the empire, where drill instructors yell obscenities meant to create a collectivist mentality and a sense of honor in killing among recruits. I can easily remember one of my drill instructors, during marching training, yelling, "I want to hear you march like storm troopers! Let those heels bring death and destruction". Yes, my boot camp platoon was told to march like Nazis, albeit, there was no goose-stepping. Towards the end of basic training and continuing into our career as "uniformed tax-feeders", we begin to sing cadences while running. Here are just a few verses from some:

"Left, right, left, right, left, right kill!"

"Left, right, left, right I think I will!"

"…Napalm sticks to kids! Napalm sticks to kids like glue!"

Laurence Vance also posted some other cadence verses here. There are many more of these snuff songs anyone can find with a simple Google search.

Now, for the majority of the non-psychopathic society killing someone is a serious matter not to be celebrated. If I were running down the street wearing Nike shirt and shorts while bellowing the effects of Napalm on children, I would be labeled as a psychopath by most anyone and at some point probably forced into an insane asylum. Now, add me to a line of soldiers or marines wearing camouflage utilities while running in formation and many Americans might honk their horns and say "God Bless, you!" Of course, members of the armed forces must be perpetually ready to kill foreigners without remorse. Cadences help reinforce this mindset. I now realize killing in defense of one’s person, family, or property is the only honorable use of deadly force and does not require a pledge or repeating sanctimonious death-worshiping cadences.

Today, I prefer hearing songs that tell the truth about war and military service. Ironically, you can hear these songs being blasted from barrack’s rooms and military vehicles overseas on patrol. These are Disposable Heroes and One by Metallica. Some of the verses of Disposable Heroes are essentially sung from the perspective of soldier who, by the end of the song, realizes he really is disposable and has fought for a lie. The other verses are sung from the perspective of a general or other "puppet master" who is rightly calling the soldier a "blind man" and a "servant". One highlights the violent consequences of war and is sung from the perspective of an American soldier who, during WWI, lost all of his limbs and can no longer speak. He is essentially trapped inside his head with only his thoughts to comfort him. The music video is powerful and takes clips from the very dark anti-war film Johnny Got His Gun (The full film can be viewed here). Military personnel should embrace the true meanings of these songs and reject the culture of violence that plagues them. Their lives may depend on it.

January 7, 2013

Andrew Mason [send him mail] is a former corporal in the U.S.M.C. He is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science at California State-Bakersfield. He Blogs at http://drewtmason.wordpress.com.

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