If you're a (imperialist)soldier or a cop you're a bastard. Simple as. You may have been propagandized into it to a massive degree or you may have few other economic options. Still a bastard.

It seems obvious. If someone walks up to me and says hey "I'll give you 1 million Dollars to go kill that mom, dad, and kid over there just hanging out in the park" and I accept that is an evil action. Even if I'm dirt poor and dang a million dollars would let me escape poverty that's an evil action.

Choosing to join the military is the same thing except Americans have been told it's good their whole life. Plus it pays way less than my example so it probably won't even let you escape poverty.

Now I won't say soldiers or even cops are irredeemable of course. If you get out and realize your evil and spend your time now atoning one way or another then good job you are no longer so evil. Obviously expect no forgiveness from those you hurt but if you're truly atoning you wouldn't. This is where many people seem to go wrong. Like oh damn I joined the military and I know/knew it was bad but please feel bad for me now cause I feel sad about it. No you go do something to make up for your sins if you feel bad about it.

Of course individuals making evil decisions in a huge system that requires them is not the biggest issue. I won't spend all my energy on individual soldiers. They are bastards but the bigger problem is and the focus must be on the machine that told them to be.