not God nor country II

Bob McNamara preached that men are cogs
each interchangeable in the machine
and Kissinger contemned that we're mere dogs
disposable as pixels on a screen.
But vets remember bonding in the field
it's not for lofty principles we fight.
When bullets fly, it's regimental zeal
that makes me guard the brother on my right.
Conscription forges new identities
and honor binds the men who share your mess
well-drilled to uphold barracks loyalties
and die before we'd come home with one less.
Despite the propagandists' threats and pleas
each man in battle fights for Patrokles