Posted on Aug 20, 2015
Do you feel like you are owed something for your service?
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It was more noticeable while deployed however, do you know those Soldiers that believe they are owed something because they are serving?
Example: I use to joke that my first deployment was sponsored by Wiley X and Tobey Keith. Because of all the free Wiley X stuff Soldiers got. And that Damn red white and blue song.
But it goes beyond deployment, I've seen Soldiers get mad at restaurants and businesses because they didn't have a military discount. Or because they wouldn't send them a free car. Don't get me wrong I complained once about not getting military discount because I was retired and not active but that's illogical to me. But I didn't feel like I was entitled to a discount I just argued that if you have it for active you should have it for retiree's.
But are you owed something for your service or is your service something you do for your country and is truly voluntary? I felt as I was leading up to getting out that Soldiers had this sense of entitlement that they were owed something because they serve. Do you see that or feel that?
Example: I use to joke that my first deployment was sponsored by Wiley X and Tobey Keith. Because of all the free Wiley X stuff Soldiers got. And that Damn red white and blue song.
But it goes beyond deployment, I've seen Soldiers get mad at restaurants and businesses because they didn't have a military discount. Or because they wouldn't send them a free car. Don't get me wrong I complained once about not getting military discount because I was retired and not active but that's illogical to me. But I didn't feel like I was entitled to a discount I just argued that if you have it for active you should have it for retiree's.
But are you owed something for your service or is your service something you do for your country and is truly voluntary? I felt as I was leading up to getting out that Soldiers had this sense of entitlement that they were owed something because they serve. Do you see that or feel that?
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Responses: 43
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I'm only owed what I put in on. Nothing more. With that I mean if I worked for it, put into the system to get it back, then that I expect to be given to me. My retirement, healthcare, those I expect in full. Anything else is a bonus to be taken with a "thank you". No one owes me sh*t. I think it's a "new generational" thing. Not all of them, but quite a few. As far as serving goes, I did because I wanted to. I did it because all the males in the family served, so it was something I expected to do when I grew up. This is my home.
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I think military people are owed some respect but not "things" like discounts... we volunteered to do what we did, no one made us do it. Though noticing SSG Swan's post, healthcare and that kind of thing, we should get without issue.
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SSG Richard Reilly I have to say that I only feel entitled to those benefits that I've earned and nothing else. When I talk about benefits I mean my retirement pension, healthcare, VA Benefits, etc. The things that I've earned for serving my country. As far as discounts and special previledges that doesn't really matter to me. I don't feel entitled. Hope that makes sense. I'm very grateful to have been able to serve my country!
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SSG Richard Reilly
That makes total sense. I just have seen Soldeirs of various ranks ask business while deployed for free stuff or demand discounts etc. I always though serving was a thing you did without need for acknowledgement.
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PO2 Mark Saffell
Nope. I wish I would have used my GI Bill way back in 1980 but I chose to serve. I wasnt forced to, However I do get pissy when I'm around those that never served that think they have insight or a right to speak about wars or what it means to serve this country.
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SSG Robert Webster
SSG Richard Reilly - This is an unfortunate side effect of two things as noted: the sense of entitlement that many of the current generation have, and mass give aways by companies hoping to cash in.
I do have an interesting anecdote. Back during DS/DS I sent a letter to my aunt asking her to go to the Coleman Factory Store and buy me one of their multi-fuel stoves (similar to the old Coleman Squad Stove) with all of the accessories to include a replacement nozzle kit and the pan/storage container. When she went to the store and asked for assistance in insuring that she got all of the correct items, they told her that if there were any problems that she could bring the item back and they would resolve the problem. She then told them that it was for me and that if there were any problems that it would be difficult to resolve since I was in Saudi Arabia. The Coleman Company was nice enough to give the entire order for free and even shipped it. I was stunned by their generosity and sent them a thank you letter.
I wonder if any of today's soldiers sent a thank you letter to the companies that have given them free or heavily discounted merchandise.
I do have an interesting anecdote. Back during DS/DS I sent a letter to my aunt asking her to go to the Coleman Factory Store and buy me one of their multi-fuel stoves (similar to the old Coleman Squad Stove) with all of the accessories to include a replacement nozzle kit and the pan/storage container. When she went to the store and asked for assistance in insuring that she got all of the correct items, they told her that if there were any problems that she could bring the item back and they would resolve the problem. She then told them that it was for me and that if there were any problems that it would be difficult to resolve since I was in Saudi Arabia. The Coleman Company was nice enough to give the entire order for free and even shipped it. I was stunned by their generosity and sent them a thank you letter.
I wonder if any of today's soldiers sent a thank you letter to the companies that have given them free or heavily discounted merchandise.
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