If the military address with honesty the requirements to shift your thinking and view of the world when entering the military, they probably would get more of the right people to join As a result the military retention would probably be higher. But to address the truth about the military would deter more people than they attract. Why is this the case? because the military’s lifestyle is counter to what people value, for example, freedom, integrity, accountability and fairness.
The military world is completely different than the civilian world, a place we grew up in and come to see as normal. There is a reason many service members refer to the civilian world as the “Real world.” To prepare for military service, simply take what you know and think opposite. For example on the most basic level, as a civilian, an American citizen, you are protected by the constitution, laws, a legal process that is transparent.
The legal aspect in the civilian world is guided by “due process.” Due process ensures fair play and rights for everyone. If a person’s rights are violated, then the person has the right to sue the offending party to obtain monetary and substantial satisfaction, they are made whole. To think about the military, simply view everything I said, from a 180 degree position.
In short, the military service members do not have these rights. There is no accountability if a service members rights are violated. The service member is limited to legal representation provided through the Judge Advocate General (JAG). This representation is limited in both quality and quantity. The JAG officers defending a person is not held accountable for their actions. If a service member is suspected of committing an offense punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) the JAG, commander or officers are not held accountable to uphold due process rights. The lack of accountability is supported by the Feres Doctrine. A doctrine that prevents a service member or family from suing the government for issues arising from poor or lack of representation by an attorney.
The military is a closed organization, because the officers hide under the umbrella of autonomy, self rule. Meaning other government agencies can not tell them what to do. The system is not transparent, meaning that any complaints are dealt with behind closed doors and the outcome of allegations against the military or officers are never or seldom released. Lack of accountability is made possible by the Feres Doctrine, which means, the miliary and officers can do what they want, without fear of repercussions for the most part. This is especially true for enlisted members of the military. Enlisted members seldom lack the funds to hire good civilian attorneys and in most cases do not have the social connections to address the problem and hold the military accountable.
When considering a military career, doesn’t make sense to take into account the level of “real” legal representation and the workings of the military lifestyle in a world that has laws, regulations, a process that is not held accountable and a structure where a service members do not have an rights….rights that are supported with actual accountability measures. The United States Constitution and Laws do not apply to service members, because, based on the military contract, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) as administered by the Judge Advocate General (JAG) office.
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