system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: If you become a soldier willingly, you are perpetuating war.

This is a view I've had since I was a youngin, appropriately so as it does sound childish, but hear me out.

I'm imagining a world where soldiers do not exist, first however it would be helpful to define exactly what I mean by "soldier":
A soldier, by my perspective, is an individual who willingly or unwillingly is assigned to serve in a *nationally* provided army.
So, they cease to exist. Please try to imagine this hypothetically, not practically. I am fully aware that millions of people losing their job at once would be outrageous.

Let's start, so what would be the most noticeable differences? Well I believe that:
- Countries would become powerless against one another and thus way more peaceful
- Citizens of countries that are generally pleased with their lives would not be warmongering, further pushing the above point
- High ranking politicians would be unable to cause the death of innocents because of a dispute with another country
- If a dispute arises between countries, at least it would be brought on by the citizens and the blame would fall upon themselves

I understand that some or even most people become soldiers to *defend* their country, but if a country so wishes those same people could become tools of war, fighting a war they would not agree with if the veil of inevitable propaganda was lifted.

Ultimately, I am aware that something like this is not feasible, but it does make me question if i should respect soldiers in the first place. There's such a strong push for respect towards people "serving" the country, yet really those people could easily become killing machines for the sake of a stupid argument on a politician's telephone. I find that ridiculous.

Change my view, please, I don't like disliking soldiers.
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gpt
I can provide an example of his not necessarily being as you describe: Switzerland.

Switzerland is famously neutral and has stayed out of international conflicts for close to a thousand years. Yet, they do maintain a smallish core of professional soldiers, even if the majority of their forces are conscripts and militia.

Their armed forces exist for exactly one purpose: prevent war by making sure it is too much trouble to invade them.

Therefore, joining a military can be about preventing war by preventing neighbors from viewing you as weak and vulnerable to invasion.