Dear Christopher:

Joining the Armed Services and as a member of the Armed Service in war does not, in itself. send the soldier to hell. The Catholic Catechism states (I have bolded portions that related directly to your question):

2312 The Church and human reason both assert the permanent validity of the moral law during armed conflict. "The mere fact that war has regrettably broken out does not mean that everything becomes licit between the warring parties."

2309 The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time:

- the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;

- all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;

- there must be serious prospects of success;

- the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modem means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.

These are the traditional elements enumerated in what is called the "just war" doctrine.

The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.

2310 Public authorities, in this case, have the right and duty to impose on citizens the obligations necessary for national defense.

Those who are sworn to serve their country in the armed forces are servants of the security and freedom of nations. If they carry out their duty honorably, they truly contribute to the common good of the nation and the maintenance of peace.

2311 Public authorities should make equitable provision for those who for reasons of conscience refuse to bear arms; these are nonetheless obliged to serve the human community in some other way.

What this says is that it is an unfortunate fact of our world that wars will be waged. Nations have a moral obligation to protect their citizens. In some instances it can also be a moral obligation to protect other Nations who are not able to protect themselves against an aggressor.

When these unfortunate event occur a person may feel called to join the military to protect the rights and freedom of peoples. As the bold section above states, "If they carry out their duty honorably, they truly contribute to the common good of the nation and the maintenance of peace."

As for who watches over soldiers, there are several patron saints for soldiers such as St. Michael the Archangel, St. Joan of Arc, and many others. Here is a list of Patron Saints for Soldiers.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary