Written by North Carolina community college students after John Burns’s November 2024 visit to their social psychology class

…I felt extremely bad that I had made the veteran cry with my question because, even though he said I hadn’t crossed a line with my question, “Do you regret joining the military?,” I still made him tear up. I didn’t want to ask some basic question that he probably hears every time he does it, though I really wanted to ask something that was meaningful and personal. This talk made me realize how many people in my life are in the military and how close I was to also joining. My grandfather, uncle, and father are all veterans; my cousin is still enlisted in the military, and a good friend of mine was in JROTC and really wanted to join the Marines… When my dad turned 17, he left home and joined the navy. That is especially ironic as my father is one of the main people who have told me not to enlist in any part of the military as, even though he hasn’t been directly in conflicts, he knows the dangers of being in war. I realized, while watching the video, how easy it is to dissociate yourself from horrible things… how the military dehumanizes their soldiers and the enemy so that it is easier to do unspeakable acts. I personally think that it is such a horrible thing to dehumanize others and have yourself dehumanized… I believe that a part of it sticks no matter what. Honestly, the country needs to rethink its entire military system, as it leads to innocent civilians brutally slaughtered, soldiers having horrible PTSD and even killing themselves, and for nothing really….

No sugarcoating

When we were told that a veteran was visiting our class, I didn’t expect the presentation that we got. I expected it to be some light ‘join today’ war glorifying BS (not to discredit the professor’s taste in guest speakers). Instead, we got the authentic, real stuff. I appreciated it. War is evil, the military is evil, I hate it all, and I’m glad there was no sugarcoating. The video was horrifying. It needed to be shown, we needed to see it to understand the gruesomeness. I was quiet the whole classtime because, I mean, what can you say. I’m not sure more or less needed to be said. That was a wonderful honest presentation the way it was. I’m not sure what to do to make it easier to show a class or get students to interact more. If students can see, hear, and learn about all that and then engage in class discussion like normal, then I seriously doubt they understood the impact. I think the contents of this presentation truly struck me which made me speechless and maybe that’s the way it should be for viewers.

Speechless

I’m just plain speechless … and I really don’t know what to type. This video makes me want to cry so bad, what do the children have to do with weapons?!? I am more than sure this is done constantly and I feel that video should be something public to Americans. A lot of us don’t know what’s going on in this world… Why? Why? Why? I am definitely not ok with any of this… I’m glad I watched the video so I can be more alert on what’s going on and maybe we can make a difference with what we think….

Biggest takeaways

My biggest takeaways from the presentation was that this man had so much bravery being vulnerable to a class of students that can’t really comprehend what he has gone through. I cannot imagine talking to others about my trauma when they didn’t understand it and I may be met with awkward silence. The isolation you must feel after leaving the military must be soul crushing. No wonder addiction and homelessness are rampant in our society.

I thought the video that was shown was very eye opening and should be shown more often to American citizens to see the truth behind some of the war crimes committed by the U.S military. One aspect of the video that I found disturbing was the fact that you can hear laughter from some of the soldiers while they are shooting people and innocent children. I was appalledd by the fact that when a soldier that had witnessed the carnage of the children who were shot sought mental health help, he was met with being told to suck it up. And then to hear again from John that he experienced a similar thing from a chaplain after his friend died.

The fact that people who are suicidal in the military are put into solitary confinement until they can be released is insane and probably the worst thing you could do for someone’s mental health. I would say that goes against the 8th amendment for cruel and unusual punishment. It’s hard to believe that as a society we have advanced so much but still partake in barbaric actions against other humans. People are brainwashed into thinking that killing others is normal and not a big deal in the military. They are encouraged to be racist toward the people they are fighting against and deem them as less than human to make slaughtering innocent lives easier. What is so terrifying to me is how easy it can be to socialize people into murdering others. After watching the Mills experiment and learning that 60% of people would listen to the command of someone in position of power until the point of killing another person by just repeatedly being told to continue, the actions that military personnel commit become more clear. But not any less disturbing. How can Americans judge German nazis, and what happened during World War 2 and praise the American military and take pride in their country?

…This presentation should disturb you, move you, to the point that you can’t ignore the reality of the military. I hope that everyone that has suffered because of the military not only are able to find peace but can have justice for what they have had to endure.

A modest protest?

The phrase “We Are Not Your Soldiers” seems to be a modest protest against those who would try to control us. It serves as a proclamation and a reminder that we are neither required to fight in conflicts we did not choose nor are we instruments for the purposes of others. This thought got me thinking about the invisible demands and expectations we encounter on a daily basis, which drive us to comply, to conform, and to put others’ needs ahead of our own.

We Are Not Your Soldiers is a statement that challenges the responsibilities that society frequently assigns us. Tradition, family, or social standards have set out courses for us to follow, and we are expected to fit into these molds without questioning. It feels as though we are enlisted in an unseen army to battle for expectations and ideas that may not even be our own. What if we decide not to march, though? What if we decided to say, “This fight isn’t mine,” and remain motionless?….

Papers from community college students in a freshman English class following Joe Urgo’s October 2024 visit

Joe Urgo is someone who served in the military and grew up in a white
conservative neighborhood. During his discussion he spoke about how the culture, atmosphere, teachers, and education system were preparing kids for the war… After giving a brief summary of how life was for his generation, he also mentioned his experience during basic training. The one thing that stood out like a sore thumb was the immense racism that took place during Joe’s basic training — one example would be the drill songs. The drill songs talked about bombing kids away and basically wiping away the Vietnamese which helped Joe realize that racism was common
especially in war… All these horrible things made Joe want to reconstruct his beliefs, but during his change he had to fight his own war with himself. During his self-evaluation Joe noticed that he would have to fight off the racism within himself that was implanted during his time in basic training. Hearing Joe’s experience didn’t change my perspective on America, rather it confirmed my beliefs about American society. I really did enjoy how Joe made sure to refer useful resources to the class because he wanted everyone to not only listen to him but to listen to all the other people who are trying to educate people on the horrible things that happened during the Vietnamese war.

From another student

Joe Urgo, a Vietnam War veteran, spoke on his experience in Vietnam and being in the military. He gave advice on whether young individuals such as ourselves should join and the terrors he faced while serving. He also spoke on overcoming racism and the genocide the military committed during the war in Vietnam. It was heartbreaking to hear what terrible acts were committed during that time. I learned of towns being attacked, mostly full of innocent people. The women were raped, beaten, and skinned. Vietnamese people were also being called a number of slurs even by him until he realized just how wrong it was. It also shocked him to hear about the conditions in the U.S. at the time. It wasn’t a country he wanted to return to. When he figured out his brother was coming to fight in the war he wanted to stop him and save him from the psychological trauma… All of this was difficult to hear but I appreciated him coming to our class to talk about his experience and so much more. He shared his experience, emotions, and movies/videos to give us more perspective on how cruel the U.S. Army can be. There was nothing I didn’t appreciate because all the information he gave was valuable. I hope he continues to spread awareness so people don’t sign up for something that might break them.

Connecting to his grandfather

Joe Urgo’s visit to our class was enlightening and significant. He recounted his experiences as a Vietnam War veteran and discussed his role with We Are Not Your Soldiers, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the impacts of war and military recruitment. A major takeaway from his presentation was the harsh treatment of the Vietnamese people by American soldiers during the war, a historical aspect that is frequently overlooked. I valued his perspective on thinking beyond ourselves, urging us to consider how we can help improve the world. His focus on empathy and global consciousness was stimulating. After class, I had a chance to speak with him briefly, expressing my gratitude for his efforts, particularly since my own grandfather served in the Vietnam War. It was a meaningful exchange that made a strong
impression on me.

With a friend in the Army

I want to start out by saying I would like to thank Joe and We Are Not Your Soldiers for giving us
this amazing opportunity to be able to hear Joe’s story and his experiences. From Joe talking about how
he made it to be in the war to him talking about basic training everything that he would tell us really
caught my attention, but the certain parts that really caught my attention were the video we watched and
him talking about basic training. The video … was raw, they blocked nothing and they skipped nothing. The point of the video is to show the world the things that were happening in Vietnam with no filter to Breally show the horrors that were going on… Basic training really caught my attention as well because I have a friend that went into the army about two years ago and she would send me letters talking about basic training and it is exactly how Joe had described it. The exact words of “Basic training breaks you down so they can morph you into whatever they want” and Joe said, “Basic training breaks you at a young age to turn you into a killer”. I felt like even though I am not in the Army or Marines or any kind of branch I had some sort of connection to Joe and I really enjoyed his visit. Thank you again to Joe Urgo and We Are Not Your Soldiers for giving us this experience and memory.

Empathizing as a woman

Joe Urgo is a Vietnam war veteran who rejects war after what he had experienced in Vietnam. It is interesting, as everyone would always thank veterans for their service without knowing if they actually did something to contribute to our country. You would have thought the military’s sole purpose was to protect as they make it out in the movies. I was a fool… He shared … specific descriptions of the things our military would do to innocent citizens. I am baffled, nobody teaches this to us nor is it widespread. For example, I have a friend in the military who was particularly intrigued by every war that America was associated with. He often read articles and watched videos about them, so I immediately called him to ask him if he knew about what they did to civilians, especially women and children in Vietnam. He is completely unaware of this despite watching and reading many articles on the Vietnam War which shows how the raw uncut version of the war is not broadcast properly despite being on all social media platforms including YouTube. The experiences that were shared made me distraught especially as a women thanking the Universe that I was born in a different timeline in a different country because I empathize with our women so much, imagining how it would feel to be raped have specific body parts slashed and blown apart. I realized that there is so much more to everything and how ignorant I was….

From a family of immigrants

Mr. Urgo’s masterclass was an incredibly powerful and moving piece of testimony aimed squarely at the destructive practice of US imperialism and military conditioning. Beginning with his own experiences during the Vietnam war, Mr. Urgo revealed how witnessing the death of four of his colleagues at the hands of the Vietcong and the US Army’s incompetence made him start to question the reasons he ended up in Vietnam in the first place. Shortly after the war, he joined a protest movement called the Vietnam Veterans Against War, which staged sit-ins and mock assaults on local towns across the country. He then showed us a video from the Winter Soldier Investigation, in which dozens of Vietnam veterans detailed the numerous war crimes and atrocities committed by the US army against Vietnamese civilians. Many of these accounts described the murder of innocents, mutilation of corpses, systematic sexual violence against women, and open approval of these acts that was passed down throughout the chain of command. I found this film particularly eye-opening as the acts described were by far some of the most brutal and stomach-churning accounts of war crimes I have ever heard.

My family moved to the states during the 80s, and so my connection to Vietnam is tenuous at best. I did grow up in a post 9/11 America however, and can distinctly remember hearing similar stories of the torture and denigration of Iraqi civilians in Abu Gharib. I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around what can cause someone to dehumanize their fellow man completely, but as Mr. Urgo stated, a lot of this comes down to the training received. Soldiers are broken down completely during boot camp in order to turn them into mindless killers that can follow orders, so its easy to see how soldiers may participate in these war crimes without thinking when it’s approved by their superiors. This really illuminated a lot of the issues I already had with the US’s Imperialism, as its willing and continues to do the unspeakable to protect its interests.

Thoughts from other NYC college philosophy students following Dean Feinman’s April 2024 visit

…Personally, I found this presentation really interesting, as this is a topic I have found myself thinking a lot about ever since moving to the U.S. and evidencing this firsthand from an outsider’s perspective. As a foreigner, it is very easy to notice that American culture has a widespread and latent pro-military sentiment, which comes as somewhat of a culture shock to me… Overall, this discussion was not only informative and interesting, but also enlightening. Dean’s presentation provided a thought-provoking insight into the often-overlooked negative aspects of military recruitment and service. The discussion that followed, where various perspectives were shared, underscored the complexity of the issue and the importance of addressing it openly. Honestly, for me it was very surprising to find a group of American people criticizing/admitting that there are faults with the military complex, as all my experiences with this topic have been contrary to this…

Considering participation in discussion by another student

Feinman mentions how there’s a hierarchy in the military and many minority groups often get the short end of the stick and nothing is really done about it by military officials. To back this up, Feinman speaks on his own experiences while he served in the military, mentioning how he enlisted during the Trump presidency. He recounts how many younger people are often led down the path of feeling the need to join the military as it’s supposed to be this “amazing opportunity with a vast array of benefits”… Along with this, Feinman points out how women and LGBTQ+ people are treated significantly worse by others, leading to this cycle of trauma and violence, and the victims are often led to fend for themselves instead of getting the proper care. Along with a peer mentioning he was also in the military as a Lantinx man, he recounts his experiences and is able to relate with Feinman and is able to show a similar, but new perspective. This creates some banter between the two as they ask each other questions about their struggles, where they served, how long they did, and how they felt afterward.

More on student participation in discussion

…Dean begins with a brief intro about himself and his experience — he’s from Philly, a suburban upbringing, he emphasizes remembering 9/11 and his father being a Republican, he then tells us he served under the Trump administration and I vividly recalled the class all facially reacting. He then explains that patriotism is an excessive emotion in this country that often leads to nationalism, which leads to jingoism, which ultimately ends in war. He also touches upon how the army often exploits the want and often the need to pursue higher education for people who can’t afford it like him which is why he went to West Point. He majored in English philosophy, and read a lot of WW1 poetry.

After this he let us dive right into the questions we all had and I saw our class extremely engaged. It also felt like unintentionally our questions flowed in a way that made Dean’s presentation feel structured and cohesive. We went from asking Dean about the discipline that’s instilled into people, to what kept him going, to the moment he realized “What’s the point of war? Why are we here?” Such a vulnerable moment he shared with us that it really cemented my ideals and beliefs against the military. I’m glad we had Dean as a guest speaker, he was well spoken and intelligent.

From a Navy family

…Though I thought the conversation would become more centered upon the mental toll and hardships of being faced with war the fact that the conversation became mostly about the recruiting and the training tactics really opened my eyes to the beginning of the problems. Being from a Navy family and being one of the few members who does not particularly agree with the navy’s methods this conversation spearheaded questions I had spun around in my mind for years… All in all, I found the talk
genuinely engaging and the exploration of militarism, recruitment tactics, and the consequences
of harmful tactics was eye-opening at certain moments.

Doing own follow-up research

…the conversation with Dean from We are not your Soldiers was very informative and enlightening. It offered a raw and intimate glimpse into the realities and struggles within military institutions. Dean openly discussed the delicate and often uncomfortable issues of power abuse and the suppression of fundamental freedoms within the army… A substantial portion of the conversation focused on the limitations on troops’ freedom of expression. Dean vividly underlined how, in order to survive and perform inside the military’s rigorous structure, many troops feel obligated to silence their own voices…

Another startling aspect of the discussion centered on the prevalence of sexual assault within the military. I did a little research and saw this recent statistic from 2021, “8.4% of active-duty women and 1.5% of active-duty men reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact. This amounts to nearly 36,000 service members who faced such incidents in just one year.” This deeply shocked me. I do recall asking Dean about this issue. Dean noted that there is a terrible assumption that males cannot be victims of rape, and that sexual assault in the military is frequently disregarded as hazing. He underlined that both men and women are vulnerable to sexual assault and, unfortunately, training programs designed to avoid such abuses are frequently ignored. Many people see these meetings as just a formality — a requirement to be met rather than a chance for significant knowledge and transformation…

Looking to analogy

…The analogy of the military being likened to a machine, with soldiers as mere components that must function without question, was a powerful metaphor that underscored the dehumanizing effects of military training and indoctrination. The idea that soldiers are expected to follow orders blindly, even if they go against their own moral compass, raises important questions about agency, autonomy and the ethical implications of warfare. Moreover, the discussion touched on the psychological toll that military service takes on individuals, often leading to trauma, PTSD and other mental health issues…

The presentation by We Are Not Your Soldiers served as a poignant reminder of the complex and often brutal realities of military service. It challenged us to critically examine the narratives and propaganda surrounding war and to advocate for a more compassionate and just society that values the humanity and dignity of all individuals…

A college philosophy student in NYC after Rosa del Duca spoke to class in April 2024

In the discussion with guest speaker Rosa del Duca, we were able to learn about the legal risks of signing a contract with the U.S military. Signing a contract with the U.S military without the proper research and knowledge of what it implies, especially at a young age, can and will shape the future for the next 8 years of life for those who choose to enlist in the military. I would like to thank Rosa Del Duca for bringing this kind of awareness and experience to college students such as myself, who at some point thought of joining the military in order to cover college tuition.

What I have learnt and realized from the discussion is that virtues such as bravery, resilience, courage and wisdom cannot be found in a military facility …  But such virtues can be found in a woman such as veteran Rosa del Duca who, against all obstacles and against a military system that has been in place since the founding fathers, was able to appeal to her human consciousness and who took on the mission of bringing enlightenment to others by sharing her own personal experience. Courage is not found in invading other people’s homes and killing the innocent but it is found in those who raise their voice against it…

Rosa del Duca’s discussion about her experience has been the most interesting to me as according to Carl Jung’s description of personality archetypes,  in my opinion, fulfills the “hero” personality archetype in which the hero travels and takes on a journey into the unknown and is then faced with many trials only to come full circle, returning to the known world.  A 17-year-old teenager who dreamed of going to college and becoming a journalist.  A young woman who found herself being led in to joining the military to cover her college tuition and therefore venturing into the unknown world of being a National Guard soldier.

After signing a 6-year contract which took away most of her human rights such as her speech, the ability to object or to decide for herself if she could use the restroom or not, or if she could visit a doctor due to a sore throat or spleen, or if she could keep a book or chocolate bar without it being considered a misdemeanor, or if she did not wish to go to Afghanistan after  9/11, Rosa del Duca found herself unable to escape her harsh reality. Still, she did not give up and … decided to submit a conscientious objector application…

From papers by North Carolina psychology students after Joe Urgo’s April 2024 visit

This presentation was very enlightening and throughout his talk I couldn’t help but think of my great-grandfather. He is in his 70’s and he fought in Vietnam. I believe he was in the Marine Corps. It is a well established rule with our family that nobody is allowed to bring up or ask him about Vietnam. Before Monday, I had a general understanding that the Vietnam war was horrific and terrible. However, I completely understood why the topic was forbidden around my great-grandfather after listening to the veteran’s stories about those women who had been raped, tortured and had their heads blown off, along with the video of those young soldiers describing their experiences and the things they had witnessed in Vietnam…

Though the topic is undoubtedly graphic and can make people uncomfortable, I believe that it is necessary. This goes beyond Vietnam, but none of what happened should be censored or watered down in any way because people should know the things that happened, that they are real, and the reality of it IS graphic and brutal. I don’t think the topic of Vietnam should be something anyone is comfortable with. It SHOULD make people uncomfortable/surprised/disappointed/sad/angry, etc. at least a little bit because it was so horrific.

Another family connection

When reflecting about the “We Are Not Your Soldiers” presentation, I had a mixed reaction. I was startled by a lot of what Joe Urgo had shared. It wasn’t that I had never heard of any of these awful things before. I always heard an overall perspective, and never a personal one. My grandpa was in Vietnam, but not exactly a fighter. He played the trumpet. My grandpa never tells us about it and, if he does, its very general. He only told us that he was often fearful and seeing the way people were treated on both sides was sickening. I had no idea the details were
this gruesome. Especially when hearing about the Winter Soldier meeting. That was absolutely mind blowing.

Eye-opening

The presentation was an eye-opening account of the harsh side of the military. The recruitment process is easy and misinforming, much like con artists that have the sole purpose of encouraging one to sign their life away for 4-6 years minimum. The military teaches young minds to do things simply because they are told to and teaches people that we are not equal and it is okay to dehumanize someone simply because they are on the “wrong side.”

Heartbreaking

What was truly heartbreaking was to hear all the terrible things and forms of torture that they had to witness and to know that this is still going on, and so many of us live in oblivion to it. This makes me be more aware that we should try to get involved with organizations and movements that pertain to go against these acts and give out support in the ways that we can….

Thinking of Gaza

Today we had a retired and disillusioned Air Force vet who had served in Vietnam come speak to our psych class… I know that war is always awful, and that so much of it involves dehumanizing the “enemy”, but had never done much research into Vietnam particularly, other than the watered-down stuff we had learned in school. It makes me think of Gaza, and all the horrors that are surely happening there as we speak. I’ve seen glimpses on social media and it always makes me feel very helpless…

I don’t know if we can save this country, or its military, but I really like what our speaker said today, when someone asked for advice for anyone wanting to join – ”Keep your conscience.” It’s incredibly easy to get swept up in the group mentality, even if it’s an evil one. I know that a military is important and necessary, but I would like to hope that one day it will serve its people, and not its leaders’ imperialistic schemes. That of course requires a change in the government as well, and I don’t know how likely it is. Yet as each generation rises, I do get a little more hopeful. My only wish is that we do not die in the darkness, but light that hope in others so that we may forge the world we wish to see.

From another family connection to the present

I was not surprised by any of the atrocities committed in Vietnam, since I have read about them before and spoken to people of my parent’s age about it. My uncle was in the Army, and even though he did not speak specifically about his experiences, the damage done to his psyche was obvious. I have read before about the anti-war movement in the 60s, the draft, how the government was secretly conducting war in Cambodia, the My Lai massacre, and how the
government tried to use the FBI and disinformation to retaliate against those that protested. I have heard from the time I was young to never trust the government.

I have no doubt the same kind of things are going on right now. The difference is that news coverage is much more biased now and finding the truth is harder. I also think, after a brief discussion, that since there is no draft, young people may not thinking about it as much. It does not cut through the little bubble of everyday life. In much the same way, it is easy to not think about world events until they show up on your own doorstep. The problem is that it is often too late to do anything by then. I will admit I did not pay as much attention before the election in 2016. After that, I was so shocked that such a person could get elected and so disgusted by what I saw happening, that I began reading more current events and checking where they came from. I didn’t think it could get worse until it did in 2020. I think it is good to have discussions and to learn to question what you are being told.

Truth telling

I like that this organization is bringing light to what war is really like. Most things you see about war are extremely under-exaggerated and have a lot of things cut from them. So much of the truth about many of the wars in the world is kept from the people. Many things like movies and shows glorify war. I also like the fact that we got to hear more than one person talking about their experiences during the time they served. I really think that more need to know the truth about war and its effects on the soldiers, their families, civilians, and the environment.

Papers from NYC college philosophy/ethics students following Dean Feinman’s December 2023 visit

The talk on military service and its ethical consequences presented an in-depth and thought-provoking look at the varied nature of military service. The speaker’s personal path from childhood to military service provided a unique perspective on the impact of patriotism and the scarcity of other opinions, shedding light on the complexity of military service. The debate of the evolution of language in the military and its role in dehumanizing the adversary was very fascinating. It exposed the psychological impacts of military training as well as the ethical quandaries that soldiers face, forcing me to ponder the enormous impact of military culture on individuals.The incidence of sexual harassment and assault within the military was one of the most startling and alarming aspects of the presentation. It was frightening to learn about the severe cultural issues and the high occurrence of such incidents…

In short

…What did I learn from this presentation? Nothing I didn’t already know but I appreciate hearing it from someone who lived it. RIP Vanessa Guillen.

“UnMANned”

…The film made me think of how and why many soldiers come home from duty “different” than when they left and are easily triggered or do something their loved ones aren’t happy with. It appears the army takes the “man” out of human as they mold those enlisted into Soldiers.

Patriotism

I thought it was interesting to see the ways the drone strike operators or any people working in the military separate themselves from their work. They perceive situations in absolute terms; therefore, every scenario is reduced to an “us versus them” mentality. The only way to cope with the intense experiences they encounter in high-pressure situations is through compartmentalization. Individuals in such volatile environments lack the time to process their traumas, making it extremely challenging to manage and sustain interpersonal relationships. Like in the film, the father who worked as an air strike operator came home angry and irritable. He would fight with his wife about how they were raising his son because he thought she was being too soft on him. The dispute is more about the father’s desperate attempt to regain control and use his son’s upbringing as a means to assert authority and mold him into a man. Dean described this best when he mentioned how “patriotism, when left uncritical leads to nationalism. Nationalism leads to chauvinism. Chauvinism leads to jingoism, and jingoism leads to war.” The husband’s mistreatment of his wife becomes a microcosm of this progression, revealing the corrosive effects of unchecked patriotism on personal relationships…

Morality

…Talks like this make me think about what is right and wrong about getting people to join the military and why we should be careful about what we read in the news. This taught me how important it is to learn more about the real costs of war and to think about the things in society that keep violence going…

“Double engagement”

I found the film very interesting. It revolves around a United States Airman who works as a drone operator and his job is to launch lethal air-strikes in Afghanistan remotely from the comfort of a base in the United States. As Dean Feinman mentioned, Rick Clayfield who is the main character in the film, has a ‘double engagement’ with the world, as his job requires him to send deadly airstrikes in Afghanistan that are intended to kill many people potentially including children and women. And then he goes back home to his family where he himself has a wife and a toddler son…

Thinking deeply

The aspect of the film I liked is where a kid asks the drone pilot what it really looks like when you actually kill somebody. That question made him start thinking deeply about his job and it’s a question that everyone needs to be thinking about. Him killing a child and watching the child’s father hold him while crying made him realize more about the question… Watching that got me crying even though I’m not a father, but I can’t imagine holding my little brother dead in my arms. The pilot came home to his wife and kid and he couldn’t even tell her what happened at work because he felt guilty. At that moment, all he was thinking about is, how will he feel if it was his child taken away from him or watching his child bloody in his arms. I realized that sometimes we take certain decisions and actions that could affect other people without even thinking of what if that action was to be reversed to us and how we would feel about it. I learned that as humans, we should not do unto others what we do not want others to do unto us.

Papers Following a Return Visit by Will Griffin to a NC Community College Where Students Are Studying Social Psychology, New Semester/New Students, April 2023

Overall, I found the presentation and discussion to be very interesting. For me personally, I have not considered enlisting in the military. However, I am friends with people who are very passionate about the military, and that is where some of my prior knowledge comes from. I was aware of many of the issues that were discussed in the presentation, such as the bombings and the drone strikes, although I was unaware of just how frequent it was. I reacted similarly when the discussion turned to sexual harassment and assault. I knew it was prevalent, but I did not imagine it was as common as one in every three women. After finding out about this, it makes me nervous since I have close friends who are eager to join the military and are also young women. Nevertheless, I found the topic to be very insightful, and I agreed with the points the presenter was making, especially about it being less of an issue with individual people and more about the system as a whole. As for how you could make this topic more comfortable for future students, I do not believe you can, nor should you. It’s an uncomfortable truth when you realize that the country you have been brought up to believe is entirely righteous is guilty of many of the same crimes that they demonize other nations for.

Another…

I think that having this discussion with a real veteran was extremely eye opening because all I have ever seen or heard from veterans (especially people who are older) is that they are proud and felt honored to serve the country. Of course, I knew that there were probably underlying problems in the military just like every other field and job. I did not realize some things were that severe. For example, Will mentioned what American soldiers were doing in an Iraqi prison to the prisoners and that is not ethical at all. In fact, I find it somewhat unsafe that people are being recruited so early because the brain does not stop developing until they are 25. Recruiting people as young as 18 does not make sense to me. I have been recruited for the Marines many times in this past year, but I know I would not be happy in the military nor would I feel comfortable. As a woman of color, I do not feel like it would be the best place for me partially because of my mental health and because of what Will and others have mentioned about the sexism and assault that happens there. Like I mentioned before, I know each workforce has its ups and downs, but I am confident that going into the military is not for me. I appreciate Will sharing the slideshow presentation with us because it really shows how much we spend on the military and how it is too much. I firmly believe that we have more important things to spend money on instead of the most powerful military in the world… Since I have been young, I have been told it is an honor to serve the country in the military and that you would be seen as a hero. I was also under the guise that this was the only way to serve the country and the only way to feel patriotic. Of course, that is not true because doctors and scientists also serve the country and their research and saving of lives should be praised too. We should not consider ourselves to constantly be in a time of war, so I do not understand why it is shunned to not support the military. If everyone were peaceful and were not greedy, we would not even need the military. Unfortunately, humans will be humans meaning they will be greedy and selfish and because of the government, we have to suffer as well. Either way, I know that I will become someone that helps others when I am older, minus the physical fighting and military.

Addressed to: My Brothers and Sisters in Uniform

What is strength? Many things like steel, muscles, and power may come to mind. However, I have learned that true strength manifests in different forms. Strength is vocalizing disagreements with a most powerful institution. Strength is standing up to a culture built on tearing people down.

Seeing the strongest of this nation speak out against their training, I was humbled. I was also surprised to hear how tough it was to change veterans’ perspectives due to the training. Veterans are experiencing physical and emotional trauma for a war that they do not want to admit was not for the greater good. The training taught them that they were on the righteous side and that believing anything else would put them on the side of the problem. I would even go so far as to call it brainwashing…

In schools across America, we are taught that wars have good guys and bad guys. The U.S. is always the good guy, taking revenge or protecting our allies. The truth is that this storybook version of war has skewed our perspective on what is really happening. Schools do not teach round table politics, where officials make war decisions in an identical manner to that of a career politician. War is a game to those in power.

There is no way to know how much effort is put into distracting the public from the realities of this game. We are fooled into thinking war is necessary. We are conditioned to believe we are the good guys and placated with false promises that “war” will soon end. The style of war that the powerful play will never end. Following resources, trends, and countries, it will only morph into a different form. So the spotlight idea that this will “all be over” after checkmate is just the carrot hanging in front of the donkey to encourage it to continue to walk.

Strength is looking behind the curtain, the desire to dismantle, and the courage to take action. Strength is taking the initiative to begin conversations that change lives. I do not blame citizens for their ignorance. They grew up in a system where propaganda is woven into the news and culture. When I see people supporting the bloodshed that is funding influential people, I try to see them as the victims of manipulation that they are.

I sincerely appreciate the effort of speakers sharing different perspectives. I respect the experiences and am grateful they are using that power to start a movement toward peace. The peace movement in Vietnam started when the soldiers refused to continue the fight. This type of protest demonstrates how the individual’s power can influence a country’s future. Truth is at hand, and we move closer to a peaceful future through these discussions.

Making a personal connection

…A lot of the things he said I have experienced within my family. Having talks with my mother about what she saw while at war was very eye-opening. I wish he would have talked more about PTSD and how it affects veterans and their families. My mother served twenty+ years in the Navy. In that time, me and my mom had a routine. When she came home and ran straight upstairs to take a shower, I knew something was wrong. The military is known for covering up sexual assaults and domestic abuse. If you don’t bend to their standards, you will be ostracized… When he spoke of how gun manufacturers are war profiteers, it made me happy. It shows not everyone believes the lies our government tells us. My brother told me for four months he watched a heroin field because that was what they were ordered to do. Supposedly they were there due to weapons of mass destruction….

Watching “Sir, No Sir” as follow-up to in-class presentation

“Sir! No Sir!” is a documentary film directed by David Zeiger that was released in 2005. The film tells the story of the anti-Vietnam War movement within the military, focusing on the soldiers who spoke out against the war and the methods they used to do so. The film is a powerful reminder of the courage and determination of those who stood up against the war, and it sheds light on a part of the anti-war movement that is often overlooked…

The film shows how soldiers in Vietnam began to question the war as they saw the destruction and devastation that it caused. Many soldiers were disturbed by the civilian casualties and the use of chemical weapons such as Agent Orange… The film also highlights the role of the underground GI press in the anti-war movement when soldiers who opposed the war created their own newspapers…

The men and women had to deal with the atrocities that they had caused for a war that lost all meaning. It …shows that even the most powerful countries in the world get their own hands dirty and don’t mind doing whatever it takes to get their way… The people drafted in these wars did not want to be in them and all they wanted to do was leave and go home. In the beginning there was hope that they would be fighting the good fight but afterwards they knew that the fighting was too much and going too far…

60,000 Americans died in the Vietnam war, with an even higher 2 million deaths on the Vietnamese side. It was the first war to end in defeat for the Americans. It was seen as a blow to the United States as a whole. A country with a winning history just lost to a county most Americans can’t even point to on a map. I like to give props to the Vietnam veterans who fought in this war due to the fact that they had such a high sense of self-awareness and knowing that what they were doing was wrong. It takes a certain type of person to go on a raging battlefield and kill their fellow man. It takes a whole different type of person to do the type of horrors these Americans were doing to the men, women, and even children in Vietnam. You could not pay me enough to watch the horrors that happened during the war, the crazy thing to me it just how normal it was for the higher up generals and how they would explain how to open someone’s own rib cage and take their organs out… Knowing that that’s another human being that had a life of their own and they had friends like me and now were taken out of this world by the American army, just does not feel good to me. I could not go out and even try to kill another person like that. Maybe the outside factors would make me feel less unhappy about my decisions, but I would never come to terms with what I just did. War breeds this kind of behavior. Why should I have to worry about the enemy, they are my rival and what they are doing is wrong and I need to make sure that what they are doing gets stopped. By any means necessary. My actions are upheld because it’s what’s best for my country, I’m doing what’s best to protect our freedoms, to make sure that they conform to us. If you don’t like it, make it like you, with force. Why do you kill all those people in war? Because I was told to do so. Why did I bomb this city? Because I was given an order to do so… The true winners in war are the people that are not in it and not affected by it.

One more reaction to the film…

I didn’t know what to expect from this documentary before I watched it, I didn’t know whether it would be a good documentary or a bad one, and it was from 2005 which made me question it a little more to myself. Later on when I started watching it, though, I understood that I shouldn’t have judged a book by its cover. The documentary begins simple and quiet, talking about the Vietnam war, and the GI’s that were involved.

…The first important thing the documentary started talking about was how the soldiers would torture Vietnamese civilians, and when that was brought up, I thought that only happened in an isolated incident, but I have never heard these stories of how higher-ups would do these sick things to the Vietnamese people, and not even soldiers. These weren’t isolated incidents, they were told by the Army that they were allowed to do these things and, of course, being humans, they thought they had no choice. In reality they really didn’t because they would suffer from harsh punishment if they were to disobey the US government… The Black Panther group was brought up because back then African American people were arguing that they shouldn’t be fighting in this fight, because they don’t have problems with Vietnamese people, but I think that the same can go for all Americans, because no one really wanted to hurt people like that everyday, especially when they see the dead bodies, and gain some form of connection and feel responsible for the life of someone.

The US army and government often lied to the people throughout the documentary and makes me think about how many more things the government could be lying to the people about… The GI’s that wouldn’t fight in Vietnam were court-martialled and put in jail. Some of the African American soldiers were put behind bars for longer, which did instigate some rage inside of me.. By the end of the documentary, I had a lot of opinions about the facts of the film, and the dark horrors brought to light. I don’t believe that what happened in Vietnam was for a good cause… I don’t even fully understand why the war between the US and Vietnam broke out, but I do understand that killing innocent civilians that have nothing to do with the war, is a war crime. I personally believe that the US government should have been and still should be punished for their war crimes and crimes against the people… I personally think that what the GI’s did leaving that war was right. I know of some Vietnam vets, and I know about the stories that the Vietnam vets were talking about in the documentary. Most of them couldn’t talk about these horrors without making a certain facial expression or pausing in their sentences… Most, if not all, veterans are not healed from their war trauma and this trauma is very strong. Killing another human being for your country sounds easy and alright at first, but when you’re standing on the field with your enemy looking in your eyes, I don’t know how easy it would be to pull the trigger then… The protests were amazing as were the shows they put on about the Army and how they would make fun of it with musical numbers. “Sir! No Sir!” made me see the American people as a strong force together against the government, and helped me realize that the people can do what they want, because without the numbers, there is no control over the people. People are easily controlled when they are in fear, and inciting fear into the people of the USA made the Vietnam war last out a bit longer than it should have. The US government most likely lies to us today, and I think that in order to get what we want and need as a people, we need to do things similar to what they did in the past.

From a Paper by a NYC Philosophy Student in a Public College After a Visit by Lyle Rubin in December 2022

…The example Lyle gave of Hugh Thompson, responsible for saving the lives of Vietnamese villagers, was heroic in preventing American troops from massacring and committing war crimes against these people. It is interesting how military troops are protected legally for the acts they commit but people who are consciously objecting are frowned up for their choice to save others’ lives. Rethinking on what is morally right and wrong had my mind thinking deeply on what it takes to join.

From Papers by NC Social Psychology Students After Will Griffin Visited Their Classes in November 2022

Relating to music

…With today’s presentation/talk, I think it was very interesting hearing all that from someone who has actual military experience, also talking about what happens under the surface, and that there’s actually much worse stuff that happens, stuff that most people don’t know about and I think there should be more exposure on it. This talk about exposing certain things, as well as his experiences, and the time frame reminds me of two Eminem songs: Mosh and Square Dance. They were both anti-Bush songs, in some ways, since they both have lyrics that speak against him and are anti-war and anti-draft as well…

and family

I was not surprised by the topic of discussion today as I have several members of my family who have served in the military. My grandpa was in the Navy and quit after he was first deployed, my uncle quit after basic training in the Marines and my grandfather served for several years as a Marine. All of them have lingering side effects that have stayed with them for years. It makes me sad that this country pours so much money into violence and war when we could literally be solving world hunger. I am glad we were able to talk about it in a classroom environment, as I think it is important to be teaching the youth of today about these issues. I was very appreciative about how open and honest Will Griffin was with discussing this subject with the class.

and more family

…My grandpa fought in Vietnam and came home completely fucked up. He received no help for his PTSD, got involved in criminal activity to support his family and is now serving a life sentence in federal prison for first degree murder. Granted, he’s responsible for his own decisions, but had he received the support he was promised when he came back home, his life would be very different today… I could go on about the bullshit that this country was built on, but there is plenty that I would miss because our education system continues to rewrite history in a narrative that sweeps all America’s dirt under the rug…

Another paper

Looking back and reflecting on the speaker we heard today, I was actually shocked to listen to some of the statistics he presented. I had done some prior research and discovered that the number of suicides of veterans each day is a bit higher than he showed but he also said his info was a couple of years older. But the rate of veteran suicides is 21-22 every day. The numbers of where funding is distributed are outrageous. And the fact that we in the United States of America have 800 military bases but elementary schools in Baltimore do not have heat, this in itself is unimaginable… noting the number of years America has been in a war is unimaginable as well. 93% of the time America has been America, it has been in war. Unbelievable. I really appreciated hearing from this man, and I am glad there is someone out there like him to make people aware of these statistics and possibly bring light to these problems.

From Papers by NC Social Psychology Students After Joy Damiani Visited Their Classes in April 2022

From one paper

Before the presentation we had today, I had done some small personal research on the war in Afghanistan and hands down the similarities were pretty terrifying. I was not shocked at the discussion of how as a soldier you become a pawn in someone else’s game, and how they treat soldiers no differently than literal pawns from both time in active duty and time as a veteran. I was not shocked at listening to how we flip awful massacres we commit across other nations to sound like a win for capitalism and democracy. What was and still is truly disgusting, is how it feels like all you can do is listen. Much like corporations, the military is a beast of an entity that is going to take so much more than just a few discussions and proper votes to fix/abolish, and it’s genuinely terrifying how out of control it feels towards the people that it genuinely affects… How do you gain the influence to waver the path of a multi-billion dollar beast that is the U.S military, especially with all the political figures and corporate leaders who would love to watch it continue to thrive and obey their commands. It feels like as a people we all have vast amounts of access to valid evidence on the corruption and unjust nature of many powerful institutions to just have to watch them carry-on, because as citizens it feels like our voice means nothing. Without sounding repetitive, the scariest question on the questionnaire we filled out after having the online discussion with We Are Not Your Soldiers was the one asking “What do you plan to do with this new information and how can you use it to create change?” because I genuinely do not know, and I feel like the ignorance hindering my ability to be proactive on important topics such as this is a much larger conflict that needs to be addressed for all people.

From a second paper

I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation, as the speakers presented points not often spoken, especially in this region. I had always had the same reservations about the military as an institution, never the veterans, as the deprivation of human resources is what entices people to join the military. With the monstrous budget the military is given and number of soldiers, it becomes easy to believe that the military is the only reason the United States is still standing. This presentation was a good reminder and wake up call to me and everyone else in the classroom…

I believe what bothers me the most about the military industrial complex is how many resources become funneled into the military, only for the military to not be trained defensively in any way whatsoever—only for offensive… I had silently ignored other truths, such as how the military takes much-needed funds from other hurting branches of the government, how the United States has the largest military on a global scale despite never being invaded, and how the United States occupies other countries due to their possible ‘threat’….

Another paper

This presentation was a great yet emotional experience for me, so I cannot imagine how hard it is for Joy to recite her experiences with such heavy emotion and I am very appreciative she did this because it changed my view on many things about the military. Going into today, I was not exactly supportive of the military but I was more indifferent towards it. However, from now on, I will be much more critical of the United States armed forces’ foreign involvement and public affairs. I was bothered by some of this conversation, not because I disagreed with any of it but that it was incredibly saddening and made me feel guilty as a citizen of country that does these things. The most memorable part of this presentation to me was when she discussed the concept of how she and other soldiers were trained and conditioned to see their enemies as, “a monolith”, as she described it… The emotion with which Joy spoke about her experiences with children resonated with me because no one should ever be taught to fear or even attack children, but the military did this because they saw these people as second class and did not go there with the intention of helping them. Joy gave a very unique perspective to how this relates to fundamental attribution theory because she did not go in with bad intentions but was convinced by the propaganda and the situation to convince others the same thing and did this until she realized the truth of the situation while she was in Iraq. This shows how influential the situation as a whole can be on the actions of a person like Joy, who was even interested in anti-war music and other alternative lifestyles prior to enlistment. This shows how the armed forces and America as a whole can become one large echo-chamber where we confirm our foreign relations as being acceptable when they are really abhorrent and the role that military “journalism” plays in this….

And another

…As a young adult with minimal financial security or struggling to maintain an impressive GPA through high school, it can be rather difficult to find a route that supports you… Meanwhile, the Army romanticizes itself by offering a college education and financial success by always having a state job available to you. While those aspects are appealing, and helpful, it all is at the cost of your soul’s freedom and ability to live a healthy and mindful life. While these statements have come from a biased point of view, they are all aspects you must consider before enlisting. Not only are you signing away physical time, you are signing away your individualism and the ability to grow your conscience.

On the other side

I thought it was very interesting to hear the other side of the military. We are always hearing about how heroic it is to join the military, and the people who return are treated as heroes. Seeing the reality, though I am already familiar with it, was still jarring nonetheless. It was hard hearing Joy talk about the lasting effects that the military had on her and the people she knew who served with her. I have a close friend who is currently in the military. We have talked about his struggle with mental health. Though I urged him to get help he was always afraid to, he didn’t want to risk getting in trouble with the military and potentially lose his bonuses because he wasn’t deemed “fit” anymore. Though his situation is less than ideal it brings me some comfort to know he’s not being singled out by this issue. It is a widely spread issue within the military but there are those who are bringing awareness to it…

The little guys

During this meeting I gained a whole new perspective on the military as a whole.  Ms. Damiani discussed some of her experiences in her army journey.  Her views seemed to be very one-sided but I understand her point of view.  I could see where she may receive some backlash for speaking out about her experiences.  The military has made itself into this ‘idea of betterment’, when in reality, it is causing more harm than not.  For those who are deeply conditioned for the military life and the expectations that come with it, those people can find great success in it all.  But for those little guys on the ground, the ones who do all the dirtiest work, there is no support.  The mental health issue that comes with the military needs to be addressed louder.  Every person that I have ever spoken to that has been in the military were the small guys, but they all share one thing in common, they struggle every day with the things they have seen while being enlisted.  They were also basically forgotten as soon as they came back home.  The only support for veterans is at the VA hospital, and from everyone I’ve spoken to, the VA care is mediocre at best.  

We always say, “thank you for your service” and it is supposed to mean thank you for keeping me safe.  The truth is that most wars are started because of the egos of two leaders that can’t meet common ground.  Hundreds of thousands of people die in wars.  What kind of service is that?  Wars do not service anyone positively.  We forcibly took control of the Iraqi government.  We should thank Iraq for its service.  Billions of taxpayer dollars spent on wars and military in general, for what?  We have never been invaded, yes.  But doesn’t that make us the bullies?

From Papers by NYC College Philosophy Students After John Burns Visited Their Class in November 2021

One paper

…This presentation for me personally was a huge eye opener, not only in regards to soldiers but the way in which I look at societal issues. The speakers offered moments of support as I felt overwhelmed in telling myself there was nothing I could do to change the way things are as a result of the emotions I felt. However, Burns offered the perspective of changing the narrative that by just talking we can inform others and perhaps get conversations going. This made me hopeful as it’s applicable to a lot of the issues of the world and even personal issues. This presentation also made me angry to know the government shuns knowledge that is threatening to them but that can be beneficial for society. People have the right to be informed and make the best decisions for themselves, so it’s sad the government monetizes off of that. I also would like to give rise to the idea that this can be considered a crime against of humanity if it is costing people their mental health and then after seeking help they are denied. That is downright inhumane and definitely an undesirable affair! It also subconsciously makes me think the justice system is directly reflective of our unhealthy love of war and revenge.

Another paper

I always had the military as a backup plan, if I wasn’t able get into the field that I want to after I graduate. I even tried to join the Army National Guard a couple years ago, but I ultimately decided not to. I didn’t want it to interfere with my studies…

…I can’t even begin to comprehend the things that people like John Burns has seen with his own eyes, but just hearing some of his stories was chilling. The documentary that they showed also gave us a glimpse of what it is like being a soldier. One thing that made me sick to my stomach was when they shot the children that were in the passenger seat of the van from an airplane and that they laughed about it afterwards. They shot at civilians on the ground that aren’t even a part of this war. I can’t even imagine all the other horrific things that were captured on camera and our now locked up and will probably never see the light of day unless they are leaked to the public. I’m glad I didn’t sell my life to Uncle Sam and I probably do need to come up with another backup plan that doesn’t involve the military.

More Papers by Other NYC College Philosophy Students After Rosa del Duca Visited Their Class in November 2021

One paper

Rosa Del Luca told a very touching story that may or may not have changed my life… At the age of 17 she, much like the rest of us at that age, was lost, in the sense that she did not know exactly what she wanted next in life. A recruiter from the National Guard told her about the possibilities that enrolling could present, and she saw what good could be done and chose to listen to him. Once the attacks on September 11th occurred, life for her changed for the worse. The United States became more of a presence in the Middle East after this which made her realize that she does not completely agree with our government’s choices. This makes her realize what she has gotten herself into, but if she speaks out at this point, she would be labeled a traitor. Rosa then chose to become a conscientious objector and stand up for what she believes to be right. Throughout many legal battles she eventually attained her goal of being freed from her shackles and got an honorable discharge. I can almost envision her breaking down to her knees after receiving that letter. This was by far one of the more powerful stories I’ve ever heard.

Another paper

Being a young African-American boy, from such an overcrowded city, it is easy to get lost in the shadows. My biggest fear in life is just that, getting lost, and left in the dust. I have always been taught that along with diligent study habits and hard work it is inevitable to reach success. However, time and time again I see young men from my same background get lost looking for a loan on a house, or even a simple job. Ever since I was a young boy, I had a deep-rooted fascination in the armed forces. One of my best friend’s dad was an ex-sergeant and we would always talk about how one day we too would be sergeants.

Once it was time for us to go to college, he decided to go to West Point to chase our adolescent dreams, and I chose to attend another university to play basketball and study philosophy. I’ve always told myself that if all else fails I will go to the military, join him and try to find a sense of purpose there. I thought it was as simple as that: law school doesn’t work, then enroll in the military, serve a couple years, then come back to civilization. It wasn’t until Rosa opened my eyes to what possible terrors could await.

There is a lot to be learned from Rosa’s story, but the biggest take-away for me was everything is not what it seems. I honestly think that if I didn’t sit in that zoom call and listen to her whole story, I would still have the military in the back of mind. I really don’t want that to be taken the wrong way, Rosa did not deter me in a negative way. When I say the military, I am not talking about the harsh realities that she opened my eyes to. I am not talking about signing away guaranteed 8 years of my life, as well as having to possibly be sent to a jungle or desert to kill lost souls just like mine. My interpretation of the military was that simple ideal dream that me and my friend had before we knew what murder even was. In many ways, I have always been that clear-eyed optimistic boy running around shooting handguns with my buddy.

And another

I found Rosa’s story to be honest, raw, and insightful. Many people do not speak of the truth of the military and go through it as is, but Rosa was honest and vulnerable to how she felt when she joined at the age of seventeen. As someone who wants to join the NYPD and has anxiety about the future and my journey with it, I can relate to how her experience made her feel… The fear of not being able to go through with something that can be pertained as unjust is a fear of mine as well. The military mission that she says was wrong and inhumane, and is the reason she left is something I can relate to. Although my intentions for joining are for the right reasons, the process and disappointment I can face in the occupation can get to me and Rosa’s story strongly helps relate to that.

I liked how Rosa spoke about the steps and stages of joining and everything she went through. There is a purpose for everyone, and Rosa’s story clearly was significant, and the military was not hers. Hers was to tell the truth about the reality of joining something that you do not stand by and making that decision to free yourself from it. Honesty is something that is not able to be spoken so freely sometimes and Rosa’s being able to do so with others and to herself is commendable, especially in the military because everyone wants to look tough and be able to say they put up with all the hard stuff that comes with being a part of it. I learned from the presentation that if something is not for me and I find anything unjust then I should not stand by idly, I should confront the issue or make a choice not to side with something that is clearly wrong.

In law enforcement there will be several situations I know I will see at one point to be unjust and inhumane, and Rosa’s story is inspirational to keep in mind that I cannot tolerate something that I find wrong. I was surprised but could see it occurring that her brothers-in-arms went off on her making that decision to leave. It is something that will happen and make some of them look down on you and it can cause a fuel of hatred, but I am glad to hear that she stood her ground in making that decision to leave regardless of the opinion of others who did not understand her point of view. I feel if I were in Rosa’s position, I would have made the same decision in a heartbeat. I could not stand by and do something that I know did not make sense to have happened…

One more

I’ve been giving Rosa del Luca’s experiences some serious thought in the weeks following her presentation; I was beginning to take note of some lyrics to a few punk songs I had on Shuffle while riding the subway and attempted, in my mind, to substantiate a few key points that underscore the idea of war as immoral and unjust, reminding myself that for real individuals, like Rosa, an ‘objection to war’ must feel more than just a mere philosophical issue. To note, I was listening to songs that expressed similar, strong, and explicit sentiments – take, for example, lyrics to songs like Wasted Youth’s “Reagan’s In,” written in 1981: “No one cares if we die / Reinstate the draft and tell us lies / You fight a war where no one wins / Where people die, and bodies burn”. For soldiers who confront that which bands like Wasted Youth express, it’s rather clear that war, in any form, is far more devastating to our sense of humanity and soul than one might believe. I can only speculate on the very feeling that, obviously, resonates so profoundly in Rosa – even over Zoom, you can feel the burden she carries from her military experience twenty years ago. If, by Wasted Youth’s account, we understand war as conflict that “no one wins”, what does that mean for soldiers who participate in combat operations? Surely, if one had been in the military, and afterwards, had come to realize the horrors – and for that matter, the truth – of conducting war abroad, the “conscientious” soldier should have the right to, accordingly, “object” to it. But, as Rosa’s story demonstrates, objecting to war is not as easy for a solider like it is for the non-soldier…

Paper on resonating

Rosa del Duca’s story resonated with my conflicts of going to college after high school. I was also raised in a single-parent household and trying to figure out what’s next for college. Since I had other siblings going to college, I worked to help support my mom financially. I understand Rosa’s prompt acceptance of joining the National Guard…

In high school, I can recall the Navy recruiters coming into our school or being stationed outside my high school to recruit 17- and 18-year-olds and being sold a dream that seemed more promising than going to college and getting a career after obtaining a degree,the way Rosa explained how the recruiter had enlisted her. It seems the Navy recruitment strategy feeds on teenagers’ curiosity to join the military and the honor and benefits received…

The unilateral decision of the U.S.A to invade Iraq was questionable to me and confirmed my thoughts that there were other motives for starting the war and that Saddam Hussein didn’t help fund terrorists…

On opening eyes

When I was given the chance to hear Rosa’s story, it really opened my eyes to the truth and what many people are blind to. I’d never heard a story like that one before, and it made me feel very sorry for her because of all the hardships she had to endure. It was appalling how she was lied to, used and manipulated. I can see why recruiters like to go after kids who are or will soon be 18, they like to take advantage of the uninformed and use that to get their way and potentially ruin lives. That type of behavior should not be tolerated because it puts the youth in the same situation as Rosa, and they may not be as fortunate. Singing your life away is not an ability that should be left in the hands of a 17/18-year-old, someone who is not even allowed to drink alcohol is being allowed to join the army where you could be potentially killing innocent people. Giving your life away to an 8-year contract is a big commitment and what they don’t tell you is that it’s extremely hard to get out of… When I heard all of this from Rosa I was shocked because I didn’t know that when you joined the military it is a big chunk of your life that you are signing away, which is something that they conveniently elude…

Rosa was saying that she as a person has the right to say “no” … but when you’re in the army it’s like you don’t have an opinion anymore and it’s like they have a hold on you that you cannot break… Just because she didn’t want to fight in this unjust war, and who could blame her? It really is terrible how some people literally have no way out and are forced to endure this trauma because they signed their name on a piece of paper. Rosa’s speech was both eye-opening and fascinating. I’m glad I got to hear her point of view because you don’t always hear stories like this, and I’m glad there are people fighting to have their stories heard and shared because this is a very serious issue that must be addressed.

From Papers by North Carolina College Students After Miles Megaciph Visited Their Psychology Class in November 2021

One entry

We put people into positions of power every day: police officers, political candidates, teachers, coaches, even team captains. I have played sports before or have been a part of clubs where we have to vote people in and there have been times when someone’s whole behavior would change just by simply moving them from being equals to holding a position of power and they went from being super nice and supportive to awful people that I did not want to be around anymore. Why is this the case for some people and for some they never change? I think soldiers are the biggest case of this but the most socially acceptable. We advertise being a soldier as if that is the only way to serve your country. Many soldiers come back with PTSD that some will never recover from. I remember my uncle who fought in Vietnam telling me one time at dinner that as a soldier they rewire your brain to “kill kill kill” but after the war and fighting and you get to go home they never rewire you back so now your stuck in this constant state of reliving the fight and survival mode. After the We Are Not Your Soldiers presentation it made what my uncle said even more real. All of these experiments and even personal experiences have made me think about a lot of events but also question why we continue to put ourselves in these states. What would we do if there was no hierarchy or a chain of command to follow?

Another entry

During the soldier’s presentation he talked a lot about how those in charge or in command would demean and dehumanize the soldiers and say horribly crude things. They wanted you to turn on your peers. It made them fear their superiors and killed their mental health. In conclusion, I also think it relates back to why the two experiments were done in the first place which is to see how Nazis were so successful. It’s because of abusive power and control and instilling fear/dehumanizing others. This behavior is also implemented in our military today which is why the guy we listened to had such a poor experience in the Marines. I find it shocking that we abandon our morals when given power and turn against ourselves. We are willing to hurt others or dehumanize others because we have more power than them.

And another

When it comes to the We Are Not Your Soldiers presentation, it’s sad how many veterans are made to commit war crimes, and it’s just brushed under the rug. I have personal friends that have served ever since we left high school and their horror stories are horrendous. It’s insane what the military will make the grunts do to keep their hands clean, so someone else can go through the trauma that they have inflicted by completing their task.

A reflective paper

What surprised me and troubled me the most about the discussions we had as a class regarding the Milgram Experiments, Stanford Prison Experiment and the We Are Not Your Soldiers presentation was the lack of knowledge my fellow students had about the history of the United States over the past two decades. It is frightening to me to realize that this younger generation has little knowledge about the atrocities that have been committed by our government during the “War on Terror” and I am not sure if many of my fellow students would consider them to be atrocities based on who the victims were. That younger people are not being told about the torture and inhumane practices that happened in Iraq and Afghanistan and other “black” sites is indefensible but unsurprising in our current political and media environments. The fact that a major movie studio produced the movie “Zero Dark Thirty” that shows torture as leading to positive results with helpful information when the opposite was the historically correct case shows that the ability of most Americans to forget the past is frighteningly unconscionable. These young people should be taught the truth about the history of our government’s actions if only to try preventing similar atrocities from happening again.

I would hope that I would be part of the thirty percent of the population that would resist falling in line with any type of group-think, but I know that I must be mindful of how people come to believe the things they believe. I try to form my opinions based on multiple sources of information and avoid getting news through social media as we have now seen the terrible effects that has had on politics in our country. I believe it is best to question the media and the government and ask what the motivations behind the idea are and why the entity would be promoting the idea. It has led me to have some opinions that were not popular at the moment, but the opinion has been correct most of the time.

From another paper

Concerning the We Are Not Your Soldiers presentation, I was surprised to see just how callous higher-ups treat people who have both willingly and unwillingly joined the force. By depriving soldiers of their individuality and destroying their minds they turn soldiers into broken killing machines. They are forced to commit inhumane acts to support the “just cause.” Granted, I understand that by breaking a human it ensures they have only one purpose and become the most efficient killer while still being subservient to those above them. It makes sense, but there must be a better way than dehumanizing a person. People sacrifice their lives to serve a cause that they view as just, but it’s almost as if people would be better off just avoiding military altogether and be content to protect themselves.

With this unnecessary watch over the world, we have become a ridiculously costly section of the population. We consume fossil fuels as if it was our lifeblood, commit to watching over every corner of the world, influencing where they do not need to and hurting the world in its expansiveness. Focusing so much on this military, the one that degrades and destroys the minds of its participants, we take away our ability to provide good living conditions, good healthcare and providing goods for its citizens.

From Journal Entries by Two NYC High School Juniors After a Visit with John Burns in May 2021

One entry

During John Burns’s visit to our class on Friday I became more aware about the lawful and unlawful orders that soldiers must follow in the military, the type of people military recruiters target, the reality of the occupations in the military and the long lasting effects the military has. John mentioned the lawful and unlawful orders in connection to the short film entitled “Unmanned” that he showed the class in which a man named Rick Clayfield working as an aircraft operator in the US Air Force is pressured to engage a target even when he doesn’t agree to do so as he doesn’t think the people are a target. John added that if you don’t follow these orders there are consequences. I was unaware and appalled by how the military pressures soldiers to do things against their own will.

John mentioned how the military targets gamers and they even encourage soldiers to view their work as if they were playing a video game, not as real life which is alarming because innocent people are being bombed… . [officers saying] to not even think twice about bombing others. This can be seen in the short film John showed us where there is a scene in which Rick speaks in a recruiters’ program for teens who are gamers. One of the teens in the program asks Rick how people look when they are blown up and Rick responds by saying, “I protect American lives,” showing how that’s not even something he thinks about. He doesn’t see the gravity of the situation.

John also mentioned how in the military you are asked to do things that are not in your job description. John gave an example of how a mechanic can still have to take a life, hold a weapon even though this isn’t what they signed up to do which I found shocking and horrific. During John’s visit he mentioned how anytime you have feelings or emotions in the military you are considered weak. There’s even a program in the military where you have to stab a dummy and continuously yell, “Kill, kill, kill.” Soldiers are basically trained to not even think twice and not to show any form of hesitation when taking another person’s life which is disturbing and distressing.

John touched upon how when recruiters offer free college when you join the military, it’s not free, you’re paying with your life because of the emotional and physical toll the military takes on your life as well as the trauma that the military leaves you with.

I liked how John said that there are plenty of ways to serve your country without picking up a weapon because most of the time the reason people enlist in the military is to serve their country but we don’t realize that there are plenty of other ways to serve the country — like John said, starting out locally and helping your community is a way of serving your country. My favorite part of John’s visit was how he was able to share his own personal experiences as a technician and shared the very eye-opening short film in class.

And another entry

I wouldn’t have ever imagined being able to speak to people like you. School and technology has given me a great opportunity to speak to people that experienced things I would never have thought about relating too. Being able to sit home and speak to a military worker and ask questions that Google can’t answer is such a privilege. Having a brief discussion with John Burns and other veterans in the military is such a blessing that I am grateful for. Without seeing such people I could have made a drastic choice and change in my life and made it without being fully aware. The information given in these meetings is so essential for people who ever thought about joining the military and can change the course of a person’s future. A short 40-minute meeting (that honestly feels like 15 minutes) can be such a short part of my day yet can influence my decision in making such a big choice as joining the US military. Talks like these really inspire me to develop my own wisdom and think about spending my time differently. As important as my classes are looking at a physics equation every day at 7:00 five days a week for a year, one short meeting with a verteran taught me more than a curriculum-based system ever has. That’s why I would like to thank my teachers and all the veterans for giving us such an opportunity.

My favorite part of the meeting was breaking down the video we watched and doing an analysis on an example of a military soldier as well as the discussions about America’s subjective morality while dealing with its so-called “enemy.” I always resented the military because of the countless murders that happen to innocent civilians. I saw the soldiers as people with no hearts who are completely fine with taking the lives of innocent people. I never had the opportunity to see the true side of how veterans feel about their job. All you see about the romanticized version of the military is the “brave soldier comes back after fighting for our FREEDOM,” knowing that they aren’t fighting for us but for a small percentage of people. The military always seems like an important noble job and that people like me wouldn’t be where I am without them. Once I saw that the veterans show that the military doesn’t truly benefit them or us was eye opening. I thought that I was “woke” and I didnt have respect for such people. But once I saw that veterans understood that they were being used, my mind switched. I saw humanity in what I thought were robot killers. My resentment switched from the soldiers to the commanders of the soldiers. I questioned at what rank should someone be blamed for the countless lives taken, of the innocents that passed away. While that answer still is complicated and unknown to me, speaking to people like John and Will showed me that they are human too and they aren’t to blame for the corruption of this country.

Thank you again to all that organized these meetings. I wish to continue to speak to these people and learn more about them and their experiences.

From NYC High School Students’ Journals After a Visit with Will Griffin in May 2021

From a Sophomore

Today Will Griffin came and spoke to our class. Some new things I learned are that the Army targets underprivileged neighborhoods (mostly black and brown communities). When he was talking about very difficult issues I wasn’t confused.  He explained everything very well. One question I have is that I would like to know more about is why not that many people are speaking up? I feel this way because the things he was talking about are horrific, so how can something so bad just be praised… I wish more people were more aware of what was going on. I think Will comes and speaks to students because we can be naive and fall into the trap of joining the Army.  I myself have thought about joining the Army because my grades were bad and they say they can help you – but I know that they will only make your life harder. My favorite part of Will’s visit was when he opened the class to talk about any questions we had. A connection he made is that his father was in the Army so he kind of felt obligated to join. I feel like many kids with parents or family members in the Army feel like that “have to go” or are “obligated” because the Army puts up this front that it is the best but really it does some bad things.

Another Sophomore

Leaving the meeting I, of course, became even more educated on the subject but I was also shocked by what I learned. I absolutely did not know that the United States dropped that many bombs and not just in one country but seven?! I really do think that students should be educated on this and on how our country is killing so many people with these bombs. After the meeting, I was still a bit taken aback from the number of bombings and I wanted to know more so I clicked on the “We Are Not Your Soldiers” link and watched Will’s presentation. When I found out that the U.S was dropping a bomb every twelve minutes somewhere I was absolutely disgusted. To add to that I also had no clue that the U.S has been at war for over ninety percent of its lifetime. Is there really nothing better to do? Like, there are people who cannot afford health care, women who get paid less just because they’re women, and our education system is wack (no offense to my teachers, you guys aren’t wack, you guys are great it’s the system that’s wack)! There are so many other things the U.S could be using the money that American taxpayers pay, but instead, they’re using it to contribute to killing. Are there courses in schools that focus on the truth of the military? If there aren’t, there should be. Students, especially those who are looking into joining the military, should first be educated on these matters before joining…  During the meeting, Will talked a little about how his parents were also veterans but, unlike him, they did not have the same opinions on the military. He talked about how they actually disagreed with him but he also said that he managed to convince his dad….

And from a Junior

During Will Griffin’s visit to our class on Friday I became more aware about the racism that occurs inside the military, the suicide rates as well as the wars and bombings that continue to happen in Iraq, Afghanistan and many other countries… I was unaware of the high suicide rates that occur both in the military and after by veterans and how a high number of veterans are homeless which surprised me. In one of Will’s slides, he went over the National Security Budget and explained how there are many kinds of spending items that are not included in the military budget and how the budget is well over a trillion dollars so when Americans pay their taxes much, if not most, of their money is being used to pay the National Security Budget… During Will’s presentation he mentioned that there were 800 U.S. military bases and he showed us other countries’ military bases which were nowhere near close to the extremely high number of military bases the U.S possesses which is why the U.S. is considered to be an “Empire”. The U.S. military bases negatively impact the country in which they are located and they impact how the country lives and operates. In Okinawa, U.S troops have raped women and young girls. This is a common thing that occurs both inside the military and in countries where the U.S. military bases are located. In the military, 1 in 3 women are victims of sexual assault which is alarming and terrifying. Will also mentioned the number of U.S. bombs dropped in countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan – 26,000 bombs were dropped in one year and the number has just continued to increase dramatically. I was unaware of these extremely high numbers which I found to be outrageous and atrocious because many of the bombs the U.S. drops are landing on innocent civilians, their homes and innocent boys and girls at school during the day and night, constantly. During Will’s presentation he mentioned how police officers and cops obtain U.S. military grade weapons and funding, uniform hand-me-downs and training through the 1033 Program. It is horrifying to think local police officers can get their hands on military weapons and use these weapons against unarmed civilians. I think Will speaks to students because he wants students to become more aware of what really happens in the military, share his personal experiences and inform students about the wars and bombings that continue to happen. 

From High School Students’ Journals After a Visit with Joy Damiani in April 2021

By a Sophomore

I had already learned a lot about the military from the previous “We Are Not Your Soldiers” meeting and didn’t really think that there were possibly even more secrets the military had but I was absolutely wrong. This meeting increased my knowledge on the subject even more and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to listen to Joy’s experiences.  When she told us about how the military recruiter basically tricked her into joining I genuinely felt disgusted, to think that they would take advantage of another person’s hopes and dreams to essentially make them fight a fight that isn’t even theirs. To add to that, there is also a high chance that they won’t even make it back to achieve those hopes and dreams. It was also a little shocking to me that they would stoop down that low but then again it shouldn’t have been a shock since I already knew that the military is basically a sociopath disguised as an organized force. I guess in the back of my head I thought the military couldn’t get any worse but… it did. I really hated the fact that Joy only joined the military since she was told she was being paid for journaling and that’s it and yet when she got there she was trained to kill and create propaganda and not genuinely do journalism. I can’t even imagine how Joy felt when she realized what the military was actually doing but if I were in her shoes I would have felt so used and helpless. And now, thanks to Joy, I know what to look out for. During the meeting one of the focuses was the shirt Joy was wearing. She explained what it meant in Arabic and how she learned the language and I just found it very powerful and inspiring. She also said that she’ll continue to wear it until it no longer fits her anymore and that was really memorable for me….

Another Sophomore

…It disgusted me how men, people you think are your supposed friends, would try to rape you. When Joy told us that it really shocked me. I would be so scared and I can’t imagine how other women felt when they went through that. So many women who have gone through the military have experienced sexual assault or rape and I just think that is so messed up… It is not right to be trained to kill strangers you don’t know. We invade their homes and fire shots. I honestly feel bad for the little kids that have to go through this. They could be in school while there’s a shooting outside. These kids should not have to live their lives like this….

Excerpts from Papers by NYC College Students in an Ethics and Technology Class After a Visit with John Burns in April 2021

From One Paper

Through John’s words I understood that the military wears people down by mentally and verbally erasing and manipulating their personalities. If you have joined the military, you basically become the government’s property; your freedom as a candidate to leave the military estate or to leave the armed forces is denied or severely limited, and you could face consequences if you do. This ensures that you are physically conditioned to suppress the qualities that make you human, and you are recreated as their property, as a computer with a new ideal trained to shoot guns, fire rockets, destroy people, and so on. The military expects to partly submerge individuality for the benefit of the team to become this “war machine,” which often means showing no emotion in tense situations. Suppressing one’s personality and emotions, as John Burns pointed out, would not make one a human being but more of a robot.

Another Paper

The presentation by “We Are Not Your Soldiers” offered an interesting insight into what soldiers and veterans go through and the impact of information technology on the American military. The Youtube video they showed made my stomach turn and I became emotional knowing what people in the Middle East go through at the hands of the military. It was really disturbing to see how technology plays a hand in basically making it “easier” to kill people, even if they are innocent.

I do believe that, in a way, technological advancements have desensitized people to a lot of things, including murder. Hundreds of billions of dollars go toward the funding of the US military. This means that there will always be technological advancements because so much money is put towards it to develop them. I think this raises the question of how it will affect military occupation and war. Airstrikes already make it easier to kill people, advanced weapons and newer ways of tracking where people are give an unfair advantage… It’s scary to think about how this has already led to abuse of power and crimes against humanity and what it could possibly continue to lead to.

The Youtube video showed clips of an air strike,.. The sad fact is that this is the reality for the people living in the Middle East,or any area the American military occupies. Media and the rest of society have always portrayed joining the military to be a great service and those who join are heroes, but rarely anyone likes to talk about the dark side of it:how the government treats their “heroes.”

John Burns talked about how mental health was not taken seriously and those who sought help regarding their mental health were barely given the
minimum — sometimes people who sought help would be accused of malingering. I found that to be incredibly sad because soldiers go through a lot when they are fighting and often come back home with so much shock, trauma and even PTSD. It is sad to know that a lot of their issues are ignored or even dismissed…

Overall, this presentation gave me further insight into how technology has impacted the way the military works as well how soldiers and veterans are treated. Although I have always heard news and stories about this, it was different to hear it directly from a veteran and the experiences he went through during the time he served and after.

From Another Paper

To be honest the video we saw was not that surprising, we all know it has been going on for years. The U.S. has invaded Iraq and the war has been going on slaughtering innocent people. Not to say that everyone is innocent — what can be expected if people come into your home killing and searching for weapons however they please. In U.S. you need a warrant for that. The U.S. military is accusing them of having weapons. Why, it’s none of their business in the first place, they are going to a country that is not theirs and killing people, setting up their bases, taking their natural resources and killing their citizens. The U.S. military is making more terrorists like while blaming it on religion and jihad. War is profitable, and they are making money out of the blood of innocent people…

For the young kids and men who join the military there is no mental health or basic psych evaluation to make sure they are not psychopaths or just in military to kill people. The mental health program that is there is almost ludicrous according to John and in the video as we saw. Ethan, after he went through that shooting of innocent people and had to deal with the trauma of the situation he was in and with the blood on his uniform and so on, how he was treated by his superior. There was no effective program to help them coping with the losses of their friends and the innocent people they are forced to kill because of the situation they are in. They are left to face this trauma by themselves. If they ask for help, they are bullied and dismissed. I know the military is supposed to be tough and make you face the difficult situation, but this is just global-level high-power organized crime….

Another…

 On April 12, 2021, our class had guest speakers from We are not your soldiers who talked about how the U.S. is already at war with seven other countries. Hence, each of us has a responsibility to educate ourselves to speak up and publicly make our views known. Mr. Burns was a bomb tech and then moved on to military intelligence. He has worked both on the war field and behind the scenes and had access to sensitive information that he can’t reveal. We saw a clip of the video “Collateral Murder.”

The clip showed how the U.S armed forces apparently mistook two Reuters news employees, Saeed Chmagh and Namir Noor-Eldeen, to be  carrying guns when, in reality, they were carrying a camera. An Apache helicopter circling from two miles away shoots them down due to the apparent mistake. Shortly after that, a van arrives at the scene to pick up a wounded person. The van had two children in the front. The attack helicopter shot at the van, killing more people and seriously wounding the children. Ethan McCord, the narrator of the clip and also a soldier on the ground, made sure the children were taken out of the van and given to the medic as they were still alive. Ethan had a sunken feeling from the whole experience and wanted to talk to a mental health professional, but his staff sergeant told him to suck it up or else there would be repercussions. The soldiers were instructed to engage if they feel threatened. Many soldiers felt threatened just by the fact that you were looking at them. So, they fired their weapons on anybody who is looking at them. The soldiers were told that the officers would take care of them if they were to be investigated. Ethan McCord came forward and spoke about all this because he knew it was morally the right thing to do. He wanted to show how the U.S military is engaging in war crimes…

 I learned a lot from the presentation. I was surprised to know that the U.S. is not part of the International Criminal Court and wouldn’t even allow investigators in the country to conduct an investigation. The video that we watched was leaked, and that is how we got to know about the atrocities and the war crimes committed by the U.S. military. Had it not been for the leak, we would have never known. Chelsea Manning, who leaked the video, was sent to prison for her deed. Even after the leak went public, nothing was done to reprimand the war crimes committed by the U.S. military… I also learned that the U.S. sets up bases and occupies other countries to exploit their resources, much like an imperial empire.

 The most interesting part of the presentation was the presenters themselves who have come forward and are raising awareness about the atrocities the U.S. military is dishing out in all its wars. It takes a lot of courage to stand up against a bully like the U.S. I believe We are not your soldiers is doing a fantastic job by going to high school and college classes to encourage critical thinking. It makes students think clearly through war propaganda, check facts, and build up a movement for the U.S. government to take note and correct its actions.

And One More

This was a great presentation coming from the first-hand experience of a soldier who has been on the battlefield talking about the experiences of other soldiers when they are sent overseas. For us, students and civilians who have never been on the battlefield, hearing these experiences and thinking of those who are sent to war zones can make us understand a lot about their life during war and after war…

I also came to understand that Americans don’t really know and realize what their soldiers are going through and what are their actions on other populations overseas. Most students during the discussion were shocked about what happened when some civilians were shot because the soldiers in the helicopter took them as enemies. But for me I had knowledge about this situation because, as an immigrant, when I was contacted to join the army, I decided to do some research about the US army… Also in my country, the French army shot 60 civilians who were protesting against the French army base there and, until today, the French claim self-defense when nobody had a gun among these protesters. So, I have an idea about how soldiers overseas conduct themselves sometimes, so I was not really surprised about this video.

My analysis about the film and the discussion is that sometimes I don’t blame the soldiers who are sent to protect some interest in another country (imperialism). Most of the time they don’t even know why they are fighting besides what they have been told, which is not always true.

John Burns talked about how war is a huge industry (profit) so sometimes the reason countries go to war is not always a valid reason. Most of the time it is for profit and this profit is for a small group of people. These soldiers just obey orders and never ask questions… He also mentioned that doing these killings create more terrorists (the revenge cycle) and I agree with that… It is really important and time that the world changes the way it has been working for centuries. Come together and live-in peace and why not create heaven on earth. It might look difficult but not impossible, we just have to not be greedy.

Excerpts from High School Students’ Journals Following a Visit with Miles Megaciph in Feb. 2021

One Journal Entry – Sophomore

Last Friday I got to listen to Miles talk about his experience in the military. I appreciate how vulnerable and honest Miles was. He shared with us every part of the military and how he was abused by a system that promised him and his family prosperity. Miles taught us about his boot camp where he told us his trauma began. He said he was stripped of his humanity and verbally abused. Every person he loved was degraded and there was nothing he could do but stand there and listen. He was stripped of his personhood and was put in such horrible conditions. He was forced to drink an unhealthy amount of water and was forced to overwork his body and received only a little amount of sleep.

He was then shipped out to countries that are “threatening our freedoms” just to see young children and innocent families die for the sake of resources. His song “Promise” is about him sharing his story with the hope of having more people realize that the military is not fighting for our freedoms and that our freedoms haven’t been threatened since World War Two. Our country has been imperializing the Middle East for over two decades and destabilizing South America since the 1900s and Miles stands against that.

He told us how the military has thrived off the exploitation of lower-class citizens who tend to be predominantly people of color, tricking them into thinking that joining the military will help them financially support their family. However this isn’t the case. America thrives off of using people for its own benefit, using people of color from lower classes because their options for escaping poverty are more limited than any other group in America…

Personally I relate to Miles’ story because my family and I are also victims of the United States military but in a different way. My home country has been drone striked numerous times for the sake of resources. I have lost family to the American military who weren’t even in the army but were civilians. I do wish more people were aware of these things and I’m glad that Miles is talking about his experience and hopefully people will think twice about joining the military thanks to Miles being brave enough to talk about the hard things he experienced while being in the military. I hope his fight for peace continues to be spread and heard.

Another Sophomore’s Journal

I like many other people have believed for most of my life that the military was strictly a force of good up until a few weeks ago. I had started researching why we were participating in so many wars today and found that we mostly start wars for our own benefit and mask it as doing good in the world.

Hearing a veteran in-person talk about their experiences with true emotion along with my past research completely changed my mindset. I knew people in the military sometimes came back differently but starting to hear Miles break down over his experiences that happened 20+ years ago was heartbreaking. It’s one of the points a kid realizes in his life that not everything in the world is what it appears to be or is made as and that the world is not as happy as a place as a kid would’ve once thought. I learned that the military is basically a trap for kids in lower income communities, I find it sick how they prey on disadvantaged teens with the promises of free college, cash, benefits, and the worst one of all “a chance to see the world”, knowing that they desperately need some of these things and that they would sign up to the military not knowing what they’re getting themselves into in hopes of these things…

Both of my grandfathers were soldiers and one of them had some serious alcohol issues after he came back…

From One More Sophomore’s Journal

Before Miles came and talked to us I knew we were going to talk about the military, his experiences and his music but I didn’t know how honest and real he was going to be. He for sure surprised me even though I had some background information about what was going to happen. I really admire him for talking about the trauma of what he went through and especially because he did it even though he lives in a society where men sharing their thoughts and feelings are seen as weak. I also like how he tells his story through rap because by using something that the majority of youth listens to, it provides the younger/next generation of possible soldiers insight on what actually happens behind the scenes of the military.

Prior to the meeting, I knew racism would be present in the military but I didn’t know or realize the amount of dehumanization there is. What really hit my gut was when Miles was talking about how the people in the military find your “weakness” and use it against you. He talked about how for him, his “weakness” was his mom and how the people there verbally degraded her in front of him and how he couldn’t defend her or anything. This made me extremely upset for Miles and for all the people who went through the same thing because if someone were to talk bad about my grandma and I couldn’t defend her or anything I’d feel extremely angered, helpless and all these other complicated feelings I can’t find the words to describe.

Before Miles’ talk with us I didn’t really have an opinion on the military nor did I know much about it which I feel really ashamed and stupid for right now but I’m really glad that I’m more educated on the subject now. I didn’t really grasp/understand his opinions and ideas on the military at first but now I completely agree with him and his ideas.

A Journal Entry from a Junior

…I also became more aware of what Okinawans experience due to the U.S. military bases located in Okinawa. The presence of the several U.S. military bases has negatively affected the people of Okinawa and harmed them because of the crimes that occur such as murder and rape causing thousands of Okinawans to protest and want the U.S. miltary gone from Japan. I was shocked when I learned about this because Okinawans’ homes are being disrupted and harmed by the US military and the people of Okinawa are being ignored by both Japan and the U.S. since the bases are still open and haven’t been shut down.

I think Miles speaks to students because he wants students to become more aware of what really happens in the U.S. military, the negative effects of the U.S. military presence in Okinawa and the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. I think the message Miles wants to share with students is to really have students think and take a closer look at or become more aware of what really happens in the U.S. military and have students be able to come up with their own conclusions, views on the military.

Another Junior’s Entry

I somehow connected to Miles Megaciph because he’s very determined on his work and so am I. Through what he told us, he didn’t give up on his dreams… When he told us that after the military, he decided to pursue his music career, i was surprised because even when he realized his years in the military were a waste of time, he still pushed through. His music is quite different.

Usually rappers during this time rap about money, drugs, etc… but Miles’ lyrics are informative and life changing. They reveal the reality of life and how difficult it is to be a POC in the United States due to the discrimination… His performance of his song “Promise” was truly instructive and I was able to hear the verses clearly… His tone was quite smooth.

You can tell he’s a dedicated individual just by the manner in which he talks. The way he expresses his words can truly tell a lot regarding him as a human being. My favorite part of Miles’ visit was when he started rapping because you can tell it’s vital to him by how he puts his heart out into the lyrics.

From One Other Junior

…I think Miles speaks with students because we’re the future. Our futures depend on us to make peace and to stand up for ourselves. Miles wants to inspire us by telling us his experience with the country we grew up in and live in. A lot of our lives will be here and we need to know how to fix it together. When Miles tells us his experience with the military we have a whole new perspective on certain things. We have to stand up for POC, etc….

A personal connection I can make is I’m a Palestinian Muslim and it’s difficult because many people see me one way because of experience with this country. I’ve had experiences with racism a couple of times, one time ending in me filing a report to the police that did absolutely nothing. I think Miles’s song “Promise” is very good because it tells multiple stories, and lets us see his feelings on everything.

On Visit by Lyle Rubin to a NYC College Philosophy Class, Nov. 2020

One Student Paper

Lyle Rubin was eager to join the military upon graduating college, as the events of 9/11 were recently etched into him, driving him to combat the perpetrators however he could. He wanted to bring democracy to the Middle-East in hopes the war would prevent terrorism the likes of that which occurred on 9/11 from recurring. While Lyle was focused on the glory he could bring to his country and the relief he could bring to the Middle-East, his vision of the military started to be disillusioned before he even deployed… Lyle realized that the military was trying to dehumanize its soldiers and reform them into killing machines….

All this helped me realize that many have noble reasons to join the military and often have a one-sided, optimistic view of it, but often fail to acknowledge many of its drawbacks until they have already signed years of their life to military service.

Another Student Paper

If Lyle Rubin had not come to speak, then I most likely would not have known the gravity of the social problems surrounding the U.S. military and the impact of wars. As an American citizen, I am a nonchalant pacifist to ongoing issues in the country. Although I voice my opinions on what I believe to be moral, I did not know how to solidify my argument of not going to war. By paying attention to the words that Rubin had highlighted, “morality” and “enemy,” I slowly began to understand the messages conveyed from veteran Rubin’s experiences in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Rubin describes two fundamental training tactics utilized by the military to create “efficient war machines”. The first tactic, depersonalization, means to refer to oneself in third person and is meant to detach a soldier’s connection to his or her morality and conscience. The second tactic, dehumanization, sucks the personality out of a person or group of people. Both tactics are heavily focused upon in entry level training in order to instill an image of who the “enemy” is regardless of what a soldier’s line of morality is. Rubin argues that these military training tactics bear heavy consequences on a soldier’s well-being during his or her time of service or when he or she returns home.

Dehumanization and depersonalization are integral parts of what makes effective “war machines” who are known to do “one shot, one kill” type scenarios. One vivid example that Rubin provided was of him and his army fellows shouting “kill” and other derogatory terms at a stack of tires. Not only is the dehumanization training directed to wash out a soldier’s identity, but it is also used to perceive others as objects of destruction. In other words, these inhumane training tactics are used to produce apathetic soldiers with the sole purpose of defeating the “enemy.”

From the military’s standpoint, this may be a beneficial tactic in making soldiers hesitate less when aiming at a stranger whom they have labelled as the “enemy” regardless of whether the other party is involved or not. Though possibly efficient, dehumanization and depersonalization could trigger the feeling of burning out under the stress of all the actions American soldiers have to face. Many deployed soldiers will return home with remnants of traumatic memories that will most likely result in some form of PTSD. At some point, he or she may begin to question whether what he or she is doing is morally just, which is often a grey area of contention. Mangled with the effects of PTSD and assimilating back into society as a civilian, American soldiers will have a difficult time re-adjusting, and the lack of proper treatment for veterans exacerbates their situations even more.

In some way, the soldiers being deployed and the people being recruited are all victims of a powerful, yet hungry “American imperialist empire” as former Marine Lyle Rubin describes.

Another Student Paper

Lyle recapped a situation where his base was fired upon by three local forces from a small village. He and his team used radios to listen to the three and gained knowledge that after some time of back-and-forth fire, the three forces had left. But this did not stop Lyle and his team from continuing to fire back not only at the local forces but at the village that they were once firing from. They started off small with assault rifles, then machine guns and finally launchers that caused huge and devastating explosives. Lyle stated that he could feel a sense of excitement from his team when they began to use their most powerful launcher to fire upon the
village. He also mentioned that they completely forgot about the rules of engagement that are supposed to make war more humane. This story is important because it addresses the ethical issues with training done in the U.S military. Lyle’s team did not view the citizens of the village as
people because then they would need to take into consideration the damage they were inflicting on innocent civilians. The U.S training that serves as a purpose to dehumanize the enemy is unethical and unjust because of how the aggressiveness of U.S soldiers completely forgets about the innocent side of an enemy territory that isn’t trying fight back but rather live peacefully.

And Another Student Paper

At one point after high school, I contemplated enlisting in the military. At first, I saw self-discipline, tuition coverage and ultimately a better healthier, stable life. A major reason why I decided not to enlist was because I would ask family or friends who served or were serving if they would reenlist or recommend enlisting – many said no. After listening to Lyle’s experience, I feel much better with my decision of earning a degree, not losing my individuality, and doing something that can potentially help others without hurting others. Now, I view the military a tad differently and have more sympathy for our troops and veterans more than ever. It is unfortunate that many soldiers like Lyle must live with regret and disgust regarding their
decisions and actions while serving.

I believe more people should get to hear from “We Are Not Your Soldiers” because it is rare that you hear experiences as real as Lyle’s. Most of what we hear is reported without a chance to understand the whole truth.

And Another….

When I was younger I wanted to go and join the Marines. No feelings of patriotic obligation like nine eleven or family that was previously in the service. I just wanted to because I thought it would be a good cause to pursue not knowing what I wanted to do in life. The one who talked me out of it was my old high school teacher who often told us his experience in the
military. Eventually he told me enough that I became disillusioned with the idea. Nevertheless, my curiosity was piqued to hear what Lyle had to say, and if I was disillusioned before, this took the cake.

Lyle’s presentation was both enlightening and disconcerting at the same time. When I think of the military I usually think of discipline, honor and accountability. But Lyle’s story goes to show that underneath all of that soldiers are still people. I didn’t think that a majority were paragons but I honestly didn’t expect the events Lyle told us about to go as they did….

The dehumanization of recruits and whom they are to think of as enemies to improve efficiency was another point that I took umbrage with. This kind of training isn’t new by any means but it doesn’t make it any less insidious. Dehumanization, in my eyes, is a convenient way to have an excuse to throw morality out of the window.

And Another….

This statement can be directly connected to my own family: my father, alongside my uncle, were at war in Afghanistan back in the late 80s and I can still remember, as if it was just yesterday, when my dad used to come to my younger sister’s elementary school veteran visit days to tell the kids war stories that he had experienced and to show them all of the medals he
had received for his service. My family is the only family in Belarus who had two men drafted to war instead of just one; my grandmother prayed every single night for both of her boys to return home safely because many men just like them from our neighborhood were dying in the war that
wasn’t even theirs to fight in the first place. Young men were sent to another country completely unjustified – no one asked them, no one gave them a choice…

Lyle’s story helped me remember something I already knew rather than learn something completely new – his story reminded us that all of the people are the same, no matter if they’re your enemies or not – we’re all human beings, we all have families, we all laugh and we all cry, innocent people die on both sides and not only in your country, and no one wants to fight in a war that could have been avoided if it wasn’t for the government officials’ greed, egoism and unhealthy ambitions.

And Another….

Through his story, I have been able to understand a lot of things… Personally, in 2019 I wanted to join the Marines but thanks to the intervention of my father who opposed my decision, I didn’t in the end. My father was a famous soldier in my country and he didn’t want me to be join the army. He gave me the same explanations as Lyle concerning depersonalization which consists in removing the first person singular out of you, somehow your opinion no longer counts. It’s their (your superior)
opinion that counts and that depersonalization is, in a way, something that always favors what the leader orders you in a war. So your “I” doesn’t matter, it’s the leader’s “I” that matters.

I also understood what he said about dehumanization. It’s like sucking the humanity out of you so when you are in a situation where you can actually
kill someone, you won’t ask those kind of inconvenient question like if the person you about to kill has relatives, family, spouse or anything that make you feel emotional….

If those two things come out of an individual, I think there’s nothing left of him/her. Therefore, there are things that are more important to learn… the ethics that allow you to distinguish the good and the bad side of things and that’s what Lyle tried to make us understand. In life we always have the possibility of doing good while avoiding bad things. This is the reason why he did the right thing by opening our eyes and explaining his experience to us, but also the realities of what awaits us if we enter the military world.

And Another….

During his presentation, Lyle Rubin talked about the boot camp where he trained to be a Marine. I wanted to see some videos of that and I did. During training, you can see how the trainers shock recruits so they can break them down and build them back up into the mold of what it is to be a US military member. At the end of the camp, the people who entered months ago are no longer the same, they are completely different as if they had their minds reset and then put in a new chip. They look like soldiers and act
like soldiers.

He also shared one of his experiences in Afghanistan…. He discovered that the enemy was not so different from him, that men and women were often in more desperate situations than anyone could imagine. Most of the places where he was fighting were full of people who were poor farmers coerced into combatant roles, forced to take sides between the local tyrant and the imperialist invader and many more were young protectors, pushed to arms after losing loved ones to US or US-sponsored bombs and bullets.

Another….

Mr. Rubin also talks about how the military presents itself as something that’s going to make men out of people. For people who felt like they were too skinny, or they didn’t act manly enough, they thought the military
would change all of this. After actually joining the military, Mr. Rubin tells us how it’s completely different from what you’re expecting. He says that humans were not made to kill each other, so instead of making people into men, the military actually tries to dehumanize them.

One More….

It was incredibly interesting when Dr. Rubin spoke about refugees and people fleeing from other war-torn nations being recruited for the American military because of their lingual skills. It especially struck me as his example was from a targeted Middle Eastern country and the refugees were being asked to translate from languages prevalent in that nation. I wonder about the internal conflict, if existent, in these people. There is a possibility they are thinking about the dangers they are enabling in allowing the American military to decode and understand the strategies, commands, and resources that are available or given to their supposed enemy. For example, people fluent in Arabic could be used to interpret text and speech from American enemy personnel who communicate in that language. Although, there are those who accept this proposition to assist American armed forced regardless, their ability to speak the language may
not necessarily evoke a connection to denizens of the places their language is spoken nor their nation of origin or ethnicity. Furthermore, they may accept with alacrity as they too see the country and its peoples as evil and as enemies to their country. This may constitute the attitudes that come with seeing the propaganda against that land. It is ultimately an interesting conflict; this internal battle comes with feeling a connection to a place of residence as well as a place of origin that are warring and the implications that come with explicitly or implicitly assisting one or the other.

On Visit by Will Griffin to a NYC College Philosophy Class, Fall 2019

One Student Paper

What is it about the developed species that drives us to act as primal animals? Is it that innate desire within us for a marked territory, our tribal loyalties or the lust for blood? From the Romans and Spartans to the United States there has been a message to serve and defend you nation and, if need be, kill for the good of the state. True, no longer do we have the blood sports of the gladiatorial arena nor press every boy from the age of seven into the military to live and die for the state, or do we? A former paratrooper and current peace activist would agree and advocate the the United States is just as backward in its actions using young men and now women for the state, but even more vicious. For these 18-year-olds die not for glory or defense of a nation but to spill the blood and sack the resources of others for profit.

Another Student Paper

Will Griffin is an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran but, most importantly, he is an anti-war activist and organizer as well as content producer for the youtube channel, “The Peace Report.” In his presentation, he mentioned that whether or not someone is planning on joining the military, everyone has the responsibility of learning about the wars and what the U.S. military is really doing around the world, with 800 military bases overseas and 1000 military bases on U.S. soil….

Griffin talked about the reasons why he joined the military as well as the reason why some other people join…. In a place like southeast Georgia, which is where Griffin grew up, there are not a lot of opportunities for growth. One of the few options he had was to join the U.S. Army. He recalls while in basic training he met people from Hawaii who mentioned they had never had three square meals a day before in their entire lives….

The United States has been at war 93% of the time since its creation in 1776. Currently the military is bombing 7 countries and supporting other countries, like Israel, in oppressing Muslim people from Gaza. In 2016, the United States dropped 26,172 bombs and currently, in 2019, it is estimated that the U.S. is dropping a bomb on one of these 7 countries every 12 minutes. That is why the Pentagon budget is about a trillion dollars, not 700 billion like is usually said by mainstream media or found in internet searches. A trillion dollars could be used to create better education systems or invest in health care, housing or infrastructure, rather than using it to kill innocent civilians….

After returning home, Griffin began questioning the real role of the military and realized he had been supporting or working for an institution that has been oppressing countries all over the world for years, not an institution that serves and protects the country…. Currently there are 80 countries all over the world, mainly in Africa and the Middle East, where the U.S. military is conducting “operations.”

…And Another Student Paper

After seeing Will Griffin’s presentation on U.S. imperialism and the Army, I was moved to do some of my own research. Originally, I was a bit shocked at the information Mr. Griffin provided because I was unaware of all the conflicts the U.S. military is involved in. He did provide many sources and information from his personal experience, but I was skeptical.

My research turned up in line with his presentation and reinforced what he was saying, which is that the Army is an institution based around oppression. Even the people who volunteer are oppressed since the moment they begin basic training where the Army has perfected a system to break people. Mr. Griffin shared with us that in his time in the Army he was encouraged to be violent and view the people of the region where he was deployed as subhuman. He shared with us that while in service the troops would use derogatory terms for the Arab people. Racial slurs in the Army have a history. Even his own ethnic background had been slurred since he is of Korean descent.

As a vet he also feels the Army only used him. After leaving the Army he was left with no options and great guilt. He shared with us that he has not been able to get a job after service and that many of his friends have suffered from depression as a result.

I respect Mr. Griffin for speaking out about these things and advocating for the U.S. military’s imperial practices to end. He is not the first to defy the Army. He shared with us how former soldiers historically have spoken out but been suppressed. I believe he is doing the right thing by going out of his way to educate and bring awareness of these things since the military does so much to influence how we view it.

Another

Will Griffin gave us an inside view of the reality of what soldiers do to “serve our country.” While the U.S. claims that the military is “providing a service” for the people, what we’re really doing is interfering and taking control of other countries. The U.S. has approximately 800 military bases abroad, while every other country combined have only abut 80 bases total.

And Another

During Will’s presentation, he brought to the class’s attention facts that had no been known to us and for which he advocates. Me mentioned the real reason for the the United States invaded Iraq. The reason has nothing to do with saving the Iraqis from Sadam Hussein, the official reason given to the troops. The real cause is deeply tied to the fact that Iraq has the second largest oil reserve in the Middle East. By invading and destabilizing the country, Iraqi reserves were taken off the market. Moreover, he commented on how certain wars are “resource wars.” This portrays the hidden intentions of the country that invades.

On Visit by John Burns to Class Studying “Just War” in an Alternative NYC High School, Spring 2018

One Student Paper

… The military breaks people down  by erasing and suppressing one’s individuality physically and emotionally. Once training has begun, you’re pretty much the government’s property, your right as a recruit to leave the military estate or to quit the armed forces is denied or tightly restricted and you could face consequences otherwise. Your family is the military first.

According to John Burns, a former bomb tech in the military stationed in East Africa who joined the military to save lives, “You’re not a human being, you’re property. You’re here to do a job. You’re turned into a brainwashed robot with no emotions. You don’t have a say, you’re told where to go and told what you’re supposed to do.”

What this means is you’re physically trained to suppress all characteristics that make you human, they recreate you as their property, as a machine with a new ideal trained to shoot weapons, fire missiles, kill people, etc.  To become this “fighting machine” the military expects to partially submerge individuality for the good of the unit which also means to show no emotion for stressful situations.  Suppressing one’s individuality and emotions is not human but makes you more like a robot, like John Burns mentioned.

When asked to go home to see if John was a match for his cousin’s kidney transplant, he was denied because his cousin wasn’t an immediate family member. So, if you have family counting on you back home, your family is now the military first. Nothing else matters.

Physically a recruit’s daily routine is highly controlled. It’s described by the Canadian-American sociologist Erving Goffman: “The training regime determines how recruits must make their beds, polish boots, and stack their clothes; mistakes are punished.” Individuals are torn down – they are harassed and ridiculed, and then eventually built back up. Psychological/emotional conditioning techniques are used to shape attitudes and behaviors, so that recruits will obey all orders, face mortal danger, and do what they’re supposed to do in battle.  Recruits are  brainwashed into obeying all orders without hesitations or questions. Continuously, stressors will be applied throughout the training process. Instructors may deprive recruits of sleep, food, or shelter; shout personal insults; use physical aggression; or give orders intended to humiliate… Before joining the military John described himself as a happier, comedic person. Now he describes himself as more serious and security conscious.

Mental health remains an important topic and issue not just in today’s society but also in the military. From John Burns’ experience, he was ostracized from the rest of his unit, treated differently, because seeking help was considered as a sign of weakness. “The military is a very macho society, you could even be charged with malingering,” says John. If you get on the wrong side of your command it can result in docked pay, extra duty where you work from 4:00 am and not allowed to stop until 10:00 or 11:00 pm. Also there’s tedious jobs like moving boulders in the desert which they called “beautifying the garden.”

During the first day of basic training John witnessed his friend, another recruit die from cardiac arrest triggered from  heat exhaustion because they were denied drinking water. When seeking help from a military chaplain, he was told to “suck it up” and “clean the sand out of his v-gina.”

Another Student Paper

“For a war to be just, it must abide by principles and morals. A war shouldn’t only be about the countries going to war. The individual lives that will be impacted by a war must be taken into account, and those lives need to be looked after if war has been waged. People, all too often, are dehumanized by war. This isn’t just about the neglected soldiers either. Innocent civilians become targets of murder before being seen as human. A lack of care for humanity that ruins lives then becomes a never-ending reality when the war can’t possibly be won. The war the U.S. waged on terror was exactly this. A war defended and pushed by false intentions that is full of civilian targeting, soldier neglect and which can’t be won is a war that can’t be justified.

…The class was fortunate enough to be visited by John Burns, a veteran learning to overcome the struggles of being part of a war…

Civilians should never be targeted, yet they are in this supposed war on terror. As a class, we watched the DVD of ‘Collateral Murder’ where we witnessed the murders of several individuals at the hands of the U.S. military. An Apache helicopter shot at reporters after seeing a camera and mistaking it for a gun. The innocent men were shot. Two men attempted to flee while carrying a wounded one into a van. Kids were present in the van, but that didn’t stop anyone from being eager to murder them. The van was shot at and that made someone in the helicopter laugh. One kid was left with glass in their eyes and hair. The other wouldn’t move. The father didn’t survive, murdered and thought of as a joke.

Soldiers are also expected to shoot into buildings when entering them. There is no expectation to look at who they are shooting. Civilian lives aren’t even regarded. The soldiers can’t even refuse to do so because they’ll face harsh consequences from their higher ups. Human life simply carries no meaning for those who push these inhumane rules onto the soldiers.

The war on ‘terror’ … was argued as justified in order to find weapons of mass destruction. There were none to be found. The invasion of Iraq wasn’t justified. After 9/11, the war on terror was heavily pushed. Using such a horrible event to push an agenda is simply disgusting. Most of the 9/11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia – none were from Iraq. The justification George Bush and his administration gave for for the invasion of Iraq was never supported by any evidence whatsoever. He claimed the war was needed to protect this country from Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction and his connection to them, but no weapons of mass destruction were ever found nor have any connections ever been explained. According to John Burns, the official reason was to look into a factory for weapons of mass destruction. There was no way for the U.S. to have known there was anything suspicious going on. All they could see was a factory. This doesn’t even justify suspected anything was going on let alone a war that has lasted for well over a decade.”

On Visit by Miles Megaciph to College Philosophy Class in NYC, Fall 2018

One Student Paper

“…Miles’ story starts no less than three months after his 18th birthday when he was sent to Parris Island. This part was very graphic to me and affected me because I pushed one of my close friends to go into the Marines. Not only do new recruits go through sleep-deprivation but they are forced to drink water to the point where they vomit. Miles went through almost twelve weeks of this type of torture that would ultimately rob him of his humanity. The Drill Sergeant’s job is not to be your friend but to make you into a killer, whatever the cost. Yet society wonders why our soldiers come back with PTSD. As Thomas stated,’Studies show that PTSD first occurs in basic training camp…’ Now, by definition Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is when an individual has difficulty recovering after witnessing a terrifying event. My understanding of this is that the war starts before our soldiers even set foot on a battlefield.

After failing a drug test, he was forced back home. He stated that everyone smoked, even his superior officers. Smoking and drinking was how you got through your day. This type of lifestyle followed him home depressed and angry. He drowned himself in drugs and alcohol. Miles stood up eventually with the help of peers around home and decided to reinvent himself. He began writing lyrics that would explain everything that he was going through. Those around would later know him as Megaciph…

The two songs that I heard spoke of change and wanting to show society that there are people being hurt. ‘Nuchi Du Takara’ speaks about how the Okinawan people are on strike against the construction of U.S. army bases being built at Henoko. All life is a treasure is the meaning of title and as we watched the video we see that even Miles gets arrested for striking. Regardless of this, the people rally to his call and he’s greeted with open arms as he is released from jail.

The next song is called ‘CIVIL.i.AM’ and tells us as listeners that all Black Lives Matter, how cops are killing without warnings and shooting on assumptions rather than facts. The whole video captures protest and strong imagery of oppressed groups.

Overall, Miles made it past a very difficult moment in his life and now has a family. I have nothing but respect and admiration for his music. I was lucky to meet a man like him.”

Another Student Paper

“I was never one to buy into the American Dream or the United States military and always had my doubts. Many ofmy friends and family have been, or are currently, serving in the military. They have always been hesitant to share their experiences in the military in detail which is why I am eternally grateful to Megaciph for providing me and the class with a raw detailed account of his time in boot camp, during his service and his dishonorable discharge…

I never pictured boot camp to be a vacation. No one that I know really says anything more than it sucks or provide minimal examples of their time there. I have always known it was worse from the look they get in their eyes but Megaciph really shed light on the mental torture that people literally sign up for every day. For the most part, people sign up to serve for patriotic or good intentions. When Megaciph started to explain, right off the bat, that boot camp is literally physical and mental torture. The privates are all sent to a place isolated and cut off from the world where they are mentally broken down and then built into cruel weapons with any emotions cut out from their hearts.

He described joining the military as signing away his rights which shocked me because the military always comes to mind with being the institution that defends our rights… Many people while on base drank away the pain… and even turned to drugs to cope…

Soldiers stationed in one of the many bases in Okinawa have gone so far as to rape girls. This has not been a single incident but an ongoing practice. I really am glad that Megaciph got out, even though it was because he got caught smoking weed. I see now how hard it is to talk about your time in the military, seeing that it took even  him 12 years to tell his own wife about his time serving. He enlightened us that after World War II the wars that the United States has waged have not been for freedom but as a means to serve the country’s own interest…

One could even argue that the military turns people into worse criminals than a prison could, and that was really eye-opening. There was hope though. Megaciph and Veterans for Peace try to shed light on all these and many other harming effects that the United States military has brought not only on other countries but on the very people that sign up to become a part of it. I hope that many of these organizations continue doing their work and Megaciph continues to do what he loves and make songs about injustice.”

…and Another Student Paper

“It was a pleasure to watch Miles Thomas, aka Megaciph, perform and tell us about his life story… The U. S government … is supposed to be protecting people but instead tends to do other things that cause harm to us and many people around the world. I agree with Megaciph on the idea that the U.S military can strip the humanity out of a person and turn them into monsters and cold hearted people based on how they get treated in boot camp and throughout training… I found out it is true after doing my research and interviewing a couple of people who were in the Marines and who went through these camps… ”

Another

“…we had a guest speaker come to  class to share his knowledge and experiences during his ‘Marines life’ and thereafter. He came as a representative of We Are Not Your Soldiers which is an activist anti-war organization that aims to make people know about the history of US wars, hear different opinions and make people think outside the box to understand what’s going around and why. It runs with a principle that in order to create a better world, every individual’s voice should be heard…

‘THIS IS  MY RIFLE, THIS IS MY GUN, THIS IS FOR KILLING, THIS IS FOR FUN.’

The Marine life is a process in which a human leaves all his humanity, gets detached from rest of the world and is highly committed to kill people whenever required and take it as a fun act. All the struggles, pain, abuses and inhuman behaviors they face during the training in boot camp are to prepare them for the future and make sure that they can survive in extreme conditions and lose their emotions. The rifle is something they play with and gun shooting is a fun activity for them. This is the phrase that affected me a lot because people think that the Marines and military are the ones to save us during wars and help us whenever we are in danger. We give them a high respectful position in the society. They are honored for their bravery as well. But when a person enters the Marines he has to face many anti-human activities…”

…And Another

“…we had a speaker from the organizations We Are Not Your Soldiers and the Veterans for Peace come visit us. His name was Miles Thomas aka “MegaCiph” (his rap name) and he is a military veteran who served from 1992 to 1997, stationed in Florida, North Carolina, Cuba and Japan. His presentation was based on his military experience and how it connected to ethics and morality.

The first thing that stood out to me was Miles’ shirt which said, ‘Military recruiters, get the f*** away from me.’ At first I found it kind of weird since he was a veteran, but throughout the course of his presentation I began to understand why. Miles started off talking to us about why he joined the military, which was he thought he could be a force for good around the world. After that he began to talk about his descent into the horrors that awaited him in boot camp…

According to Miles there are some eight hundred U.S. military bases around the world, and thirty-two bases are in Okinawa. Miles next began to talk about the violence that occurs in military bases, even adding that there is a lot of gang activity in the military (Bloods, Crips, white supremacists, etc.). Miles claimed that a lot of the violence that happens around the military bases are caused by military members because they have immunity, a lot of them commit crimes and run back into base. He stated that females who were residents in Okinawa were raped by military personnel…”

One More

“…Immanuel Kant said you should never treat people merely as instruments; never just as means to your own goals. Humans, he says, are autonomous beings with their own goals. Meaning even if the military was made for the purpose of fighting, recruits or members should never be dehumanized in a way that they are left with trauma for their entire lives…”