US Commander Says Troops More Law-Abiding Than Locals

[MeinJapanLongTime]

I always thought the military volunteered in orphanages so much because it was the military that filled them up with little unwanted half-lings (no doubt, a product of those US-Japan Friendship organizations).

But for the life of me, I can't understand why the military would feed Japan's homeless.

Maybe back in the 50s. Not so much today.

And like Greji said, it's not the military directly, but groups of volunteers inside the military that feed the homeless--I know of at least one group specifically that goes out regularly to feed the homeless.

My point is that when they restrict military folks to the bases, they also prevent all the good volunteer work--that doesn't get the publicity--from happening as well.

And, of course, we always stand ready to help Japan when there's a need. Anytime there's a big typhoon or earthquake, all the Gov of Japan has to do is ask and the military is ready to help out. In most cases, those same volunteer groups are looking to help out whether asked or not. Please don't forget them.

[joshuaism]

Maybe back in the 50s. ]

Jeez, of course I don't think this is a military mission. It's individuals that do these good deeds and the military didn't twist anybody's arm to make them do it (although if you don't do any volunteer work it reflects badly on performance reports... how strange). Likewise, it's not a military mission to have a tiny number of young, dumb idiots straining Japanese/US military relations by going out and committing robberies, rape, and murder. Regardless, these rare crimes committed by individuals reflect on the military as a whole whether we want them to or not (that's why it's a crime to do anything that is service discrediting under Art. 134 of the UCMJ).

It's the same for volunteer work. Individuals perform the volunteer work, but those individuals and their command play up their military service. Otherwise, why bother mentioning a volunteer's rank and branch of service in press reports and news releases? The public will not differentiate between the individual and the military, so why bother here?

My point is that when they restrict military folks to the bases, they also prevent all the good volunteer work--that doesn't get the publicity--from happening as well.

This is a very good point! I wonder why it was never made an issue in the news reports about Okinawa's recent restrictions. All I ever heard about was selfish personal and commercial inconviniences. I guess most people do not consider volunteering that important (and that is a shame).