Isn't the possibility of being a POW a risk associated with being in the military?

Question

I won't discount what McCain endured as a POW.

However, isn't being a POW is a risk that comes with being in the military? Anyone who joins the military and fights on the front line gets told that this possibility exists. They know that going in.

And, they are trained on how to respond/react if they do get captured.

Also, officers are TRAINED to let OTHERS go before them! So, wasn't McCain just doing his job as a military officer?

Thoughts?

Answer 1

In my humble opinion, a POW is a person who surrendered to the enemy and did not actually fight them when the chips were down and everything was on the line.  If every soldier and airman did what McCain did, we'd all be speaking German.  Consequently, I believe McCain suffers from what I would call "Surrenderer's Syndrome".  I see him as being essentially so upset with himself for giving up in Vietnam and having to endure the torture he endured that he'll be totally unreasonable and mentally unprepared to deal with these situations and, consequently, will be way too trigger and attack happy instead of being diplomatic and resourceful.  

Answer 2

Fact is that POWs are exposed to humiliation, torture and in some cases even implants. People who have been implanted can do really stupid things like push the wrong buttons at the wrong time. The fact that he was captured and exposed to severe physical and mental abuse should disqualify him for president.

Answer 3

The Office of  The President of the United States Of America is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Is there somebody else who is running for President in this election who has military training and experience?

Perhaps you'd like a leader who would sell you out for their own selfish ambitions.

Answer 4

In response to Enders' remarks...here is how it works..you serve your country in the U.S. military and if you are captured, tortured and survive with honor, that makes you what we call a hero and we consider that an asset to our country, not a liability.  We HONOR those men and women for their service to our country. Yes, it has always been a risk and they are fully aware of the possibility of capture.

Answer 5

I appreciate his service and respect him as well.  In all the military services, most of the time the pilot is an officer, whether commission or warrant.  They do not have people under them, they are given a mission or an area to bomb and they execute.  Now a commanding officer is the one who is in charge of companies, battalions, squadrons, etc.  But the one who leads and trains soldiers are the non commissioned officers, the SGTS, who are the backbone of the military service.  They are always forgotten about.  

However, once Sen McCain was released, he was assigned as the Cdr of a squadron at the war college in Florida.  I don't take anything away from his service, and I respect him even more for not leaving the others behind when his father became the theatre commander at that time, (they offered to let him go, he said only if you release the others as well) I just don't believe that is all that is necessary to be president.  I served also, does that alone qualify me? Thought not.  

Answer 6

In the wars fought today their are no POW's . You understand ?  

Answer 7

your point...he actaully did it, he fought got captured and endured 5 years he had too much honor to say i quit let me go...thats the kind of man i want in the white house

Answer 8

McCain did do his duty and I am sure many people would have taken  early release if it was possible, and the fact he didn't proves not only did he perform his duties with honor but it also speaks to his integrity.

McCain For President

Answer 9

Actually, Officers are trained to LEAD and care for those under their command.  Duty and Responsibility.

With regard to LDCR McCain refusing to accept the North Vietnamese "pardon": it would have required him to make false comments / statements against the USA.  This is against the US Serviceman's Code of Conduct... we believe in Duty.

It also would have required him to go against the code that the first prisoner in is the first out.

In the US Military... in Vietnam, less than 1% of combatants were ever taken POW.  Yes, we're "trained", but then again the NVA didn't play by the "rules" (read about it someday).  Those who were POW's in Vietnam went through horrors you couldn't even understand... and they came out with HONOR.

EDIT to ZAP:  Let's break your arm and leg, stab you in the shoulder and groin, and see how well YOU keep "fighting".  LCDR McCain refused treatment for weeks rather than give up classified material... THAT is fighting.