I never agreed that these were "toy soldiers." Not being in the military, I can't comment about why soldiers in the "Honor Guard" were there, but I can say that with their discipline and attention to detail, they sure looked like the best. Tell me, then, what is the difference between dehumanizing an enemy prior to killing, as opposed to numbing one's feelings when watching and hearing the grieving sobs of past loved ones?
shareSpit and polish toy soldiers do not win wars. Good to learn in basic training for discipline but after that it is simply for parades and honor guard details such as the TOG (The Old Guard). While necessary to honor our war and veteran dead at Arlington they are not really field soldiers. They do practice going to the field and are proficient in those infantry tasks but not as proficient as a soldier in a non TOG unit such as the 82nd or 101st or any other infantry division.
The army is changing. I entered in 1971 and retired in 2004. When I 1st went in it was standard practice to "dehumanize" young men to prepare them to meet with the enemy and destroy him, which may mean teaching 17 and 18 year olds to ram a bayonet into another human being's body. Quite a thing to ask of young people. While we sang songs about burning, killing and pillaging that is no longer done. It is a kinder and gentler army now. How we can expect these young people to commit these almost unspeakable actions nowadays is beyond me. To have a soldier hesitate when going to silently take out an enemy guard could cost many Americans their lives. I am glad that I am no longer in the army. It was an honor and privilege to serve but I wouldn't want any part of what is going on in today's army.