I always thought it was about his friend joining the military. The guy is talking about how he always wanted it like he was brainwashed into it. But it's obvious in the vacant stare in his eyes that he hates it. "In their words I hear the shame" could be that he was brainwashed. "The scared boy thinks he's safe" could mean that he joined for the safety and financial protection it brings. Also, at the beginning of the song he references the appeal that you might have to other people for joining, and how that can be admirable but they used to mock it becuase they knew the truth.
I always thought it was about his friend joining the military. The guy is talking about how he always wanted it like he was brainwashed into it. But it's obvious in the vacant stare in his eyes that he hates it. "In their words I hear the shame" could be that he was brainwashed. "The scared boy thinks he's safe" could mean that he joined for the safety and financial protection it brings. Also, at the beginning of the song he references the appeal that you might have to other people for joining, and how that can be admirable but they used to mock it becuase they knew the truth.