"to Kill People and Break things"

[Gunpowder]

With all the military guys on here I thought you may know...

Who is the original source of the quote: 'the purpose of military is to kill people and break things"?

I know Rush Limbaugh has used the phrase periodically but I assume it has an earlier source.

 

[beyond the band]

Only heard Rush use it

Maybe Doc has the answer

 

[Gunpowder]

Also heard: Tom Clancy's The Dragon and The Bear.

 

[mjolnir01]

I'm not sure if there's a known original source or not... it's a pretty common expression. I prefer the variation, "kill bad guys and break their sh!t."

 

[Devil Doc]

I have no idea. Besides, I was a "Death Cheater", not a warrior. If anyone here knows, it's probably Ray.

Doc

 

[MadMonk]

I have heard that it was first uttered by an unknown U.S. Marine Drill Instructor. I think it might have been in reference to the military being deployed to do other tasks than fight wars.
I don't know that I agree with the part about them being only good at destruction. I have seen too many examples of how organized and efficient they can be.

 

[grateful1]

Vonnegut 1970?

But he probably got hte theory earlier.

Interesting topic.

-------------------linky------

• [*]I have this theory about why men kill each other and break things. ... Never mind. It's a dumb theory. I was going to say it was all sexual ... but everything is sexual ... but alcohol.
  • "Mildred"
  ~

 

[Salukis63]

I'm not sure if there's a known original source or not... it's a pretty common expression. I prefer the variation, "kill bad guys and break their sh!t."

Amen brother! Happy New Year!
R

 

[stlboarder]

I have heard that it was first uttered by an unknown U.S. Marine Drill Instructor. I think it might have been in reference to the military being deployed to do other tasks than fight wars.
I don't know that I agree with the part about them being only good at destruction. I have seen too many examples of how organized and efficient they can be.

Yes, we're efficiently organized at killing and breaking things.

 

[MadMonk]

I have heard that it was first uttered by an unknown U.S. Marine Drill Instructor. I think it might have been in reference to the military being deployed to do other tasks than fight wars.
I don't know that I agree with the part about them being only good at destruction. I have seen too many examples of how organized and efficient they can be.

Yes, we're efficiently organized at killing and breaking things.

That made me laugh out loud! Semper Fi.

 

[AVB]

Rush actually said: The purpose of war is to kill people and break things. Which AFAIK is a variation of: The purpose of the Army is to kill the enemy and break their will. (MG Leonard Wood?) Which is a turn of a phrase from General Carl von Clausewitz:
War is an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfill our will