Myths About the Military - Jonathon Burguess

The military is one of the best professions to get into. They offer any opportunities for all people who decide to serve. While it is a very good field there are many myths surrounding it that hurt the reputation of it. Items such as a lack of education, PTSD is untreatable and creates a hostile environment, not having a connection with your friends and family, and females are discriminated against are all myths that severely hurt the military for what it really is. 

Myth #1: People join the military because they can’t get into college 

It is very easy to blame a lack of education as a reason to join the military. While in the past this might have been a reason nowadays joining the military can offer many benefits when it comes to a college education. Natalie Gross stated, “A 2017 RAND Corporation study found education to be one of the most commonly cited reasons new recruits gave for joining the military.” There are multiple benefits when it comes to combining college and the military. Full paid tuition, paid room and board, and semesterly stipples are some of many benefits that help active military members be financially safe throughout their colligate careers. The benefits continue even after college. After graduating you will receive a higher rank be more respected and looked up upon in the everyday workplace.  

Myth #2: PTSD cannot be treated 

War is a very brutal and unforgiving experience. Sadly, many soldiers that come back after being deployed suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It causes the life and the lives that surround the person to dramatically change. Many people believe that this mental disorder cannot be treated or improved at all, but this is not the case. Ralph Ryback states “Researchers and clinicians have uncovered multiple treatment modalities that reduce the symptoms associated with PTSD, including cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization therapy, or EDMR.” While there is no definite cure of the disorder these treatments can greatly help a person suffering from PTSD. These treatments can help a person's mood, attitude, and behavior. A calm environment around the person suffering from the disorder is also very important. If the people surrounding said person have a tight and nervous feeling about the disorder so will the person with the disorder. It is very important to stay calm and try to help as much as possible.  

Myth #3: Military life is not compatible with having friends and family 

Many people think that when you join the military that your friend and family life get thrown out the window. While it can be harder to stay in contact with people it is still very possible. Katie Lange states, “Smartphone capabilities and other tech advances have made communication easier than ever.” Troops can use tools such as skype and facetime which make it very easy to cope with the distance. It is also possible to have a family while you are in the military. Katie Lange also stated, “52 percent of the enlisted force is married, while 70 percent of the officer corps is.”  Many people in the military can balance their family life while deployed or working.  

Myth #4: The military discriminates against women 

Some people believe that being a female hampers their ability to be successful in the military. Females have very many opportunities in the military. Sarah Kemp states, “99 percent of Air Force positions –officer and enlisted- were open to women, as were 66 percent for Army, 68 percent for Marines, and 88 percent for Navy.” Females can get most jobs that a male can get. There are multiple females that are in the rank of brigadier general or higher. “The percentage of females in position of power in the military is almost double that of the civilian world.” The difference of power for women in the military verses the civilian world is drastic. Out in the civilian world some can argue women have it harder than in the military world. In the past the thought of a female on the battlefield could be frowned upon but nowadays it’s becoming more and more common.  

Many of these myths that surround the military are hurting its reputation and making it less and less of an honor to serve your country. We must remember that these people that we are creating myths about are the ones that are risking their lives to protect us. Past, present, and future troops need to be respected and taken care of to ensure that they are health and do not feel discriminated against.  

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Works Cited 

Kemp, Sarah. “Think You Know Everything About the Military? Think Again.” 2017, https://www.uso.org/stories/1799-fact-or-fiction-military-myths-examined. Accessed 8 Nov 2019. 

Lange, Katie. “Fact vs. Fiction: Dispelling some common myths about military life”, 2016, https://www.army.mil/article/177743/fact_vs_fiction_dispelling_some_common_myths_about_military_life. Accessed 8 Nov 2019. 

Ryback, Ralph M.D. “5 Myths About PTSD”, 2016, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201610/5-myths-about-ptsd. Accessed 8 Nov 2019. 

Gross, Natalie. “All veterans have PTSD’ and other myths debunked”, 2019, https://rebootcamp.militarytimes.com/news/education/2019/01/04/all-veterans-have-ptsd-and-other-myths-debunked/. Accessed 8 Nov 2019.