In Defense of Civilian Life

Even in our current state of, what passes for, de-militarization in the aftermath of the Iraq war and the winding down of the American occupation of Afghanistan, there is a certain segment of the population that maintains dangerously militarist ideas. These individuals have a prominent perch at fox news and other right wing outlets and the backing thereof. The recent release and box office success of American Sniper is a symptom of the larger effort to turn the United States into a perpetual war machine. This film will overpower the objective narrative of real history of the events and participants in war, as good propaganda is supposed to do.


What rebuilding the history of our invasion and occupation of Iraq will do is place doubt in the minds of those of us who lived through it, rationalize the events and motivations for those who fought in it and supported the war policies of GWB, and influence the next generation of American boys when the time comes for another war. Re-envisioning what the United States did in Iraq as a "good war" of noble American warriors fighting evil Muslims will be essential if the militarists ever want to pull off another adventure in the Middle East. Suckering young men into joining the military through lies about the nobility of our cause will be much easier after seeing American Sniper, where every boy can see himself a hero through the lens of Chris Kyle. Or at least the fictionalized version of him. The film will stand alone, no other research can be expected of the young. Especially anything as difficult as reading a blog post.


It is for this reason that my colleague penned this short statement in defense of living a peaceful and productive life away from the military. Enormous effort is made by the militarists to shame anyone who does not chose to enlist. This is wrong, even though the vast majority of Americans never serve in uniform, the guilt persists for many. As though life loses meaning in a purely civilian existence and that those who did wear the uniform and survive combat gain enlightenment and superiority over those who did not. Dr. Miller felt the time was right to push back against this narrative:

I would like to thank the brave men and women who have chosen to live their lives as peaceful and productive civilian citizens of the United States. You keep the economy going, you live out the notion of freedom, you provide culture and art, you raise families; you show love to others, you strive to be better people and to make things better for others. Some of you work tirelessly to make sure that our institutions live up to our ideals of justice. Some of you have come from other countries trying to carve out a better life for yourselves and your children. Some of you chose to serve as teachers and social workers. Some of you fix cars or build houses. All of you participate in the maintenance of our republic by paying taxes. I am proud of you, and I thank you for the immense benefits I receive for being part of you. You show me what it means to be a free citizen.

Your choice to not be in the military does not make you less of an American. It does not suggest a moral failing or cowardice. It does not mean your value to others and to your country is inferior. It does not mean your civil rights are invalid, undeserved, or contingent. It does not make suspect your political opinions, nor force deference on your part to those who have chosen a military career. It does not mean you cannot criticize the military or one of its members if he or she has chosen to participate in public discourse. It does not mean that you are missing something or lack wisdom and strength.

~R. Miller