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Those who fight monsters inevitably change.

5.4K views 11 replies 12 participants last post by  rockapede  
#1 ·
Unserved Justice

September 28 at 2:45am ·

Those who fight monsters inevitably change. Because of all that they see and do, they lose their innocence, and a piece of their humanity with it. If they want to survive, they begin to adopt some of the same characteristics as the monsters they fight. It is necessary. They become capable of rage, and extreme violence.
There is a fundamental difference, however. They keep those monster tendencies locked away in a cage, deep inside. That monster is only allowed out to protect others, to accomplish the mission, to get the job done - not for the perverse pleasure that the monsters feel when they harm others. In fact, those monster tendencies cause damage...GUILT, ISOLATION, DEPRESSION, PTSD.
There is a cost for visiting violence on others when you are not a monster. Those who do so know one thing - the cost inflicted upon society as a whole is far greater without those who fight monsters. That is why they are willing to make that horrible sacrifice so that others may live peaceably.
Before you judge one of us, remember this...
We witness things that humans aren't meant to see, and we see them repeatedly. We perform the duties that you feel are beneath you. We solve your problems - often by visiting violence upon others. We run towards the things that you run away from. We go out to fight what you fear. We stand between you and the monsters that want to damage you. You want to pretend that they don't exist, but we know better. We do the things that the vast majority are too soft, too weak, too cowardly to do.
Your life is more peaceful, because of us.
The current political climate in this country holds that there is nothing worth fighting for. Submission is the popular mantra. Warriors are decried, denigrated, and cast as morally inferior. We know how childish, how asinine, and how cowardly that mindset is.
We know this - there ARE things worth fighting, and dying for. We know that not every problem can be solved through rational discourse - that some problems can only be solved through the application of force and violence. And, while we do prefer the former, we are perfectly capable of the latter.
We believe that fighting what others fear is honorable, noble, and just - and we are willing to pay the price for that deeply held belief. Why? For us, it isn't a choice...
It is what we are. We are simply built that way.
~ Author Unknown
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#4 ·
I have trouble agreeing with you on this. Some people feel the need to help others. The desire to protect other people. While there are other options. For some Law Enforcement calls to them.
It must suck otherwise why would you in today's climate?
I chose Law Enforcement early, realized I could make much more, found job I loved while going to College. So as part time had ended in MN went into EMS a to fulfill "helping others.
Local Officers kept after me, ride alongs (beyond norm).. Finally I decided to get into Law Enforcement as time commitment to work was down. Got injured badly during training ( car accident) after conditional hire.
I chose not to become LEO. It came back. Now unable. Still feel that I should have.
Someone feeling that stronger. Likely wouldn't have had (much) choice.
 
#6 ·
It is an innate drive for me first in EMS/Combat Medicine and it continues to this day, I do what I do to help others the type of help I provide now is different but the desire is the same.

I got tired of treating the injuries caused by malicious people and switched into hunting them down a long time ago.

There is a price for any of us that enter public service, you can ignore it but eventually it will catch up to you.
 
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#10 · (Edited)
QFT
 
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#8 ·
Okay, that's where it left the trail and wandered into the corn field just a little. Choosing to serve is a choice. An honorable and good choice, but a volitional one nonetheless.


:dog::dog::dog:
For the right folks, they never had a choice.

It was never a choice for me.
 
#9 ·
Okay, that's where it left the trail and wandered into the corn field just a little. Choosing to serve is a choice. An honorable and good choice, but a volitional one nonetheless.


:dog::dog::dog:
Yeaaaaaaaaaa,,,,,,,,,,,,,,No.

We choose to serve, then the thing takes on a life of its own. Things that you may hear, but until you see, it is never understood. Then it can't be unseen.
Those who care too much pay an awful toll. Something, most thankfully can't understand.
 
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#11 ·
When I came back from Vietnam a normal job was not going tie happen. My education as a clinical psychologist or going into the family business want going to happen. Drifted in to policing and was good at it. Well the rest is history as they say.got both of my masters cause of the go bill like so many of us.
Hey 42 years go by with 3 retirements and not am too beat up. But what the hell I had a hoot and hopefully did some good. So I'm now a beat up old retired police sgt. And Leona quelled yesterday with 100 day and night.not bad for someone turning 70 on Oct 10
 
#12 ·
The worst calls for me are the ones involving intangible "monsters" I can't even arrest or do anything about. Lost an infant to apparent SIDS last week. That was a rough call and long week.

I'm also learning as a new supervisor that ALL the bad calls are my calls. I didn't fully anticipate that prior to promoting. Wouldn't go back, but it gives a new perspective to all those bosses I thought were just cold, crusty ********s before.
 
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