If we discover alient life within our galaxy, and years pass and we become friendly. What if another galaxy attacks ours, and we fight them.

Galaxy vs. Galaxy.

One side wins, the other falls in line and is absorbed in their ways. The we form one huge 'quadrant' in space.

Another quadrant attacks us ad infinity.

When does the tribal, us vs. they end? -Does- it end?

Any species capable of reaching our planet from another galaxy will be more than advanced enough to wipe us out without effort. If there's any sort of competition for resources or territory between aggressive civilizations operating at that scale and we find ourselves in the middle, we just lose. Our "fighting" them would be akin to termites "fighting" a steamroller flattening their mound.

Pretty sure I didn't engage in any baby-killing, but thanks for furthering the stereotype.

Edit: I specifically said "baby-killing" because this is the kind of slander thrown at my father's generation when they returned from Vietnam. Not all soldiers are killers, and to imply that they are is offensive. It's sad that I have to point this out.

You personally aren't on the hook for this. You signed up for the military, took oaths to defend us (for which I am very grateful) and took orders from decision makers who may or may not have been influenced in their decisions to do the right thing. The rest of us have a right to voice those concerns and ask hard questions about the opportunity cost of warfare. That doesn't mean we're questioning the concept of chain of command.

I hope our sons and daughters end up living in a world where risk is still ever present, but it is used for exploration and the furtherment of humanity, instead of fighting and killing each other over what will later be considered less important matters.

Edit for fellow HNers: Voting down a soldier for expressing some emotion isn't cool. You don't have to apply (misweighted) negative karma to someone who is sharing an important experience of their life to make an impact in the conversation. +1 on the parent - listen to your fellow man, no matter what he is saying.

The term "military service" itself irks me to no end. It's not service, it's a government job. No one thanks DMV employees for their "service".

My husband is a career sailor, in his 3rd enlistment, Iraq war veteran, and he takes more of a "it's a job" look at it. He still doesn't really know how to respond to strangers' "thank you for your service" even after 14 years.

I think people say it because they respect someone's willingness to risk their life. Especially since we are taught that the military defends our freedom.

The OP quote was: "Soldiers fight for their own people but untimately [sic] end up killing other HUMANS."

I'm assuming the word was "ultimately", which is incorrect. Not all soldiers ultimately end up killing.

The statement was wrong and offensive. I will not apologize for getting in OP's chili about it.

- you must have missed something in basic training - why do you think soldiers carry weapons? It's not to help old ladies cross the street.

I totally understand why a nation needs a big stick to defend its interests, but please let's not delude ourselves that when we weild that stick it doesn't mean killing people.

Soldiers that are not killers are called civilians.

Enlighten me, since you apparently took comprehensive notes.

Soldiers that are not killers are called civilians.

Really? I thought they were called intel analysts, medics, chaplains, cooks, mechanics, electronics repair specialists, drill sergeants...etc etc etc.

I must have missed something else in Basic Training, I guess. Maybe I was all hopped up on adrenaline, while I was running around trying to stab people with my bayonet.

Perhaps you should re-check that filter between your brain and keyboard, son.

As an aside, many astronauts are former soldiers.