Anyone else deal with a civilian who does not care for Service Members?

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 17:53:37 -0500

Ok so i have worked for people since i have been out that do not respect what we did. They have called the Military glorified welfare. I cant say your an idiot because i really needed the job. But it amazes me how many civilians that dont have ties to service members think that. I dont think we walk on air and dont demand everyone respect me because i served. Has anyone else dealt with this?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2014 6:01 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 18:01:41 -0500

Oh yes. I've met and talked with people who believe that service members look for notoriety and preferential treatment. In my opinion, most of their perceptions come from resentment and bitterness. Generally speaking.

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Nov 16 at 2014 6:50 PM

1SG Nick Baker — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 18:50:25 -0500

Welcome to America

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 2:41 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 02:41:40 -0500

Not too often but I think many are becoming braver in the hate that far too many veterans have lived through.

Response by PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith made Nov 17 at 2014 2:51 AM

PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 02:51:06 -0500

Yes, I have.

In a work setting this is my response. How many hours will you work this week? The average response will be somewhere between 35 - 45. I then explain that during peacetime, I worked an average of 48 to 52 when I was in. Guys who are in a combat setting never get a day off. Guys on submarines won't see the sun for three months at a time. If it's just glorified welfare, if it's so easy a caveman can do it, why aren't you and everyone else on welfare lining up at the recruiter's office? Yeah, that was rhetorical because we both know the real answer.

In a public setting, I try to remember Gen Mattis' axiom. Be polite, be professional...

Sometimes I actually manage to maintain that.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 7:31 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 07:31:26 -0500

I have particularly in Govt Service. Civilians resent Veterans because of the Vets preference and they feel because we may get the job over the Civilian that we are only getting the job due our preference not our qualifications. I have to be polite and professional but I merely remind them that they enjoy the freedoms they do as a result of many others' selfless sacrifices.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 8:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 08:01:25 -0500

In my own experiences I have never met someone that talked trash or made negative comments about our military and our veterans but I have heard numerous experiences. Most often those people that make negative comments are just ignorant and wannabe's in my book just ignore them !!!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 8:08 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 08:08:56 -0500

All the time while riding the metro in DC. Part of why I'm in favor of uniformed service being allowed to conceal carry.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 2:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 14:18:41 -0500

Granted, I'm only a senior in Army ROTC and won't commission until May, but we wear our uniforms at least once a week (three times/week if you're a Junior/Senior) and I cannot believe how much derision and "talking down to" we get from other students and in some cases, FACULTY and staff.

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Nov 17 at 2014 6:22 PM

PO1 Michael G. — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 18:22:10 -0500

PO2 Corey Ferretti Not often, but I have. Especially when certain people find out that I volunteer with youth groups when I'm not on duty, in particular the Sea Cadets. I've been accused of "brainwashing" children and being a blind follower. If I am actually engaged in conversation by the person--and this has only happened twice--I usually find out that the person who is accusing me of being on glorified welfare or of being a bloodthirsty monster is a) completely unaware of that the military actually does and b) only has a tangential connection to the military, something like, "my cousin's neighbor's uncle knew a kid down the street who was drafted during Vietnam, and the Vietnam War was wrong!"

Long story short, I really don't let it get to me.

Response by CMSgt Ray Theriault made Nov 19 at 2014 7:29 AM

CMSgt Ray Theriault — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 07:29:38 -0500

Presently a civilian employee and do not and have not ever felt disrespected, nor have I seen anything like that going on around me - plenty of vets and non-vets around this 5K person organization. And while active duty and working mostly civilian organizations (intel) for several years, still never came across that.

From the responses, it exists, but I've never felt it personally nor seen it in any form.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Feb 4 at 2015 6:36 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 18:36:46 -0500

I'm a bit late to this game, and I was V rather than SM back then...

1985: I went to work as a contractor doing real-time control software for a large American corporation.

On my first day, the Section Supervisor introduced me to everybody and made it clear that if I had any questions at all, my associates in the section would gladly help.

So, a couple of hours later I asked a question to the guy at the desk behind me (this was the Open Plan Office From Hell -- no cubes, no walls, just desks and cabinets).

He did not make eye contact, got up from his chair, walked around me to the Supervisor's desk, and said: "Do I have to answer this guy's questions? It's not part of my job."

He would not exchange a civil word with me until an incident a couple of months later. Iin the mean time I discovered that everyone in the section had seen my resume, which now included the stuff about military service that we all left out earlier in the era. It turned out that, although he came from an excessively conservative area of Western Michigan, he was rabidly unable to tolerate any "Rambo" characters in his work life.

The commute from Waterford Township down to Dearborn was debilitatingly brutal, so I arranged to have my work hours set to 06:30 to 15:00, which got me in and out when the traffic was almost bearable.

He had arranged his hours to start at 07:00, so for some awkward weeks, we were the only people around until the others began to trickle in starting at 08:00. One morning shortly after coming in, he was on the phone in urgent conversation with his wife about the condition of their child, who had been hospitalized. I overheard enough of the conversation to know that their kid was going through the same thing that our kid had gone through a decade or so back.

When he got off the phone, I quietly expressed my concern, and offered some advice based upon what we had gone through ourselves for the same condition. That broke the ice. Over the next hour, we actually made acquaintance, and he discovered that I wasn't "Rambo". Something quite different, in fact.

Shortly after that, we were going out to lunch together.

That experience has framed my entire approach to communicating with people who are reflexively hostile, and I am pleased to say that the techniques continue to work.

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Feb 4 at 2015 10:00 PM

Sgt Jay Jones — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 22:00:25 -0500

PO2 Corey Ferretti, unfortunately many Vietnam Veterans dealt with this very issue back in the 60's, 70's, and 80's. That is why you see so many of us old guys wearing veterans hats and memorabilia now. We are finally being thanked for our service. The next time one of the retards tell you that the military is glorified welfare, just tell them that they are the reason you served our country so they could have the freedom to say just what they said. Freedom isn't free, 1% of U.S. Citizens serve so the other 99% can have Freedom of Religion, Free Speech, Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure and all of the other Article of the U.S. Constitution that we are guaranteed. And you would gladly do it again to protect their right to think you a welfare recipient when you put yourself in harms way. Also, your oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic did not end with your enlistment was up. It still holds true to this day!

Response by 2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 11:36 PM

2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 23:36:21 -0500

I have definitely had issues with this. I am only a cadet in AFROTC, so I go to college classes in uniform twice a week. One of my old teachers used to give me shit. He'd say a section/paragraph number of the Constitution and ask me if I could tell him what was in it. Naturally I have not memorized it.

He would then lecture the whole class for 2-3 minutes about how service members have no idea what is in the constitution, because we don't serve the constitution. (I did remind him that as an incoming officer, my oath of office is sworn to the constitution!) He would talk about how his old Army buddies burned their uniforms after getting out because it was the worst. I never understood why he had to give me a hard time about it.

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Feb 5 at 2015 2:31 PM

SGT Francis Wright — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:31:48 -0500

All the time but it will be okay fore they will call us when it hits the fan

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Feb 5 at 2015 3:34 PM

SPC James Mcneil — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:34:16 -0500

Yes. I just let them be.

Response by SFC Douglas Davis made Feb 5 at 2015 5:33 PM

SFC Douglas Davis — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 17:33:58 -0500

Yup I live in the Boonies and this retired teacher thought that the military was full of wackos. She has been very nice since I shot a Mountain Lion that was about to have her for lunch. Us old farts still have skills.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 7:07 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 19:07:16 -0500

The family and I returned from Turkey in 2005 and while on Vacation visited Mount Rushmore during the week of the 4th July (Strongly recommend going for those who have not). At the end of the day, right after the last presentation at the out door amphitheater the speaker asks for all Active Duty, Veterans, and Retirees to come down and line up on the stage. At which time they pass the microphone down to each person, you introduce yourself, your Branch, and time in service.

After it was over and we were moving back to our seats, I was talking with and assisting an Active Duty Sergeant who was on crutches recovering from surgery. We talked about mutual units at Ft. Bragg and of course jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. As we moved along, I overheard this man say to his wife as we passed, "This is our tax dollars are going, freeloader on crutches!' The comment hit me like a brick and instantly hit the 150% line on my "Pissed Off Meter".

I stopped and turned and leaned in to him and said, "Excuse me, have you ever been in the Military, any branch of service, He said no. I said have you ever had anyone shoot at you because of the uniform you wear or just in anger or accident, he said no. Have you ever spent 30, 60, ninety 90 days or longer away from your family being out in the heat, mud, freezing cold, snow, training to do a job and build a team out of group of individuals so if the calls comes to go fight, you hope to bring them all back alive...he said no! I said, you see that Sergeant right there, he's on crutches because he re-injured himself doing just that, and oh by the way, he got his 1st Injury jumping into Panama 5 yrs ago. I said, what have you given up in your life as payback for the freedoms we all have in this country, just what have you done other than pay your taxes....well we pay the same taxes you do...so now who is the freeloader! I said, "next time you see a active duty Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or Marine, you might to just look at him/her and say thank you and move on out....YOU FREELOADING SON OF A BITCH!"

As I turned to walk away, his wife said, "I'm sorry!" I just looked at her and said, "Ma'm, so am I, I'm sorry for you!" I had not paid attention to those who were sitting around this clown as I was dead focused on him...but after saying what I did, about 10-15 people who were sitting near him had also heard what he said and apparently what I said. They stood up and clapped, and a few came up to me after it was over as we were walking around and shook my hand and said they appreciated what I said as he had been making comments the entire time everyone was on the stage introducing themselves.

I have met others who have no appreciation for members of the military and I try to keep my cool, professionalism when having to deal with them. However, I will only let it go so far. We are NOT second class citizens to anyone in this country. My feeling is this....you served, you did your time be it 2yr, 4yrs, 10-20-30 yrs....you paid your dues to this country and even more so to those who choose not to serve. But, when that "pissed off moment comes" I address it, but I try to do it professionally, looking them striaght in their eyes and letting them know I mean every word I say to them. I do not threaten or become hostile...but I do make sure they understand, I will do my best to kick their GD Ass if he has to come to that, so please...don't challenge me.

You can have your opinion.....and you can express it....but guess what...I served 22+ yrs in the Army and earned the right (that they take for granted) to express mine right back to you....whether you like it or not.

YES, people like this get under my skin quick and unfortunately...it's one of those things that..."you just can't ....let it go!" I can't!

Sorry about that...I'm thru ranting now!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 7:19 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 07:19:34 -0500

Yeah, I deal with an entire liberal community that doesn't care for Service Members. They don't act out against us physically, they just don't want to give us the same latitude when applying for jobs that they give civilian applicants. And, they look at all of us as if we have PTSD and are about to go into some sort of PTSD rage or emotional breakdown.

How do you deal with it? You prove them wrong in their assumptions.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 4:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 04:16:27 -0500

Most civilians see it as welfare simply because we don't turn a profit, they don't say it because we do nothing and get paid for it. Many civilians see it that way and they realize the military is necessary. When they say it's glorfied welfare they don't mean it in the way you took it. If they did I would have run down a day in the life of a soldier, in that aspect we are very different from a welfare organization, we work hard....

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 10:09 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 10:09:41 -0500

"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier paraphrasing George Orwell paraphrasing Rudyard Kipling.

There will always be some idiot (like that fat slob Michael Moore) who thinks that "good tactics" equals cowardice, despite never having been brave enough to put on a uniform. Unless you plan on giving them a right cross in their pie hole, I suggest you grow a thicker skin. The ONLY person who needs to be satisfied with your service is YOU.

Response by MSgt Joanna Clute made Feb 11 at 2015 2:55 PM

MSgt Joanna Clute — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:55:00 -0500

Sadly, yes. One of my college professors tried to fail me for writing "military propaganda". It was a creative writing class. Luckily I had taken other literature classes with the head of the English Department and was able to have her review the grades. She gave me an 'A'.

Also got turned down for a volunteer position with the Girl Scouts (ON BASE) because they were looking for 'positive role models'. I'm still scratching my head over that one.

Response by SGT Marika Waiters made Feb 11 at 2015 3:04 PM

SGT Marika Waiters — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:04:41 -0500

When we were still in Indianapolis, we ran into a lot of anti military sentiment. The VA hospital was some of the worst, since it is deeply staffed with students from local universities. I briefly recruited for the IN nat'l guard there. I practically had to sign in blood that their precious kids wouldn't be on active duty! But then again, I also had kids I couldn't pick up at home without being told to leave the property because "we don't like your kind," and they didn't mean military! I was a lil too dark for their white sheet wearing kind. But that's another story for another day haha

Response by SGT Jim Perry made Feb 18 at 2015 7:00 PM

SGT Jim Perry — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 19:00:43 -0500

I try to overlook slights from people who have never served but when I was younger the Viking in me would come out. I and six brothers served from WWll to Vietnam. All of us deployed somewhere.

Response by MSG John Wirts made Feb 18 at 2015 7:11 PM

MSG John Wirts — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 19:11:47 -0500

When I ETS from the Active Army and went to work for U.S. Civil Service I had a boss who was ok with me until the start date for the Vietnam war was set. I suddenly became a 5 point veteran, before he had retention rights over most new hires. After the Vietnam Start date was established veterans who served after that date were awarded 5 point veteran status. This did not set well with him as all non-veterans were laid off first by reverse seniority. Then all 5 point veterans next. and last to go were 10 point veterans. So there was some friction on an Air Force base, where I was employed as a flight instrument mechanic. Strange we were all DAF Civilian Employees,with out the military none of us had a job, but he despised veterans.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 18 at 2015 7:52 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 19:52:57 -0500

Most civilians who ever had a problem with the fact that I am a Vietnam era vet have had the wisdom to keep it to themselves.

On one occasion, I had to visit the University of Hawaii campus to interview a student there with regard to a soldier who was being investigated. When I stopped to pick up another officer who was to accompany me, I found him dressed in civilian clothes. He was adamant that he would not go on campus in uniform (this was during the Vietnam war - about 1969). I refused to proceed until he changed into his uniform. We received many glares as we crossed the campus but no one dared say anything to us though you could see they wanted to.

About 1980-something, I had a clergyman who had been active in the antiwar movement who tried to give me some grief over my service. I excoriated him for even considering me a fair target.

Ultimately, I believe that those who trouble military personnel for their service are fundamentally cowards and treat them as such.

Yes, they are entitled to their opinions. Aren't I?

Response by SPC Thomas Higgins made Feb 18 at 2015 8:57 PM

SPC Thomas Higgins — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 20:57:55 -0500

My one and only run in with a negative just happened to be a State cop in Alabama. Seemed to hate Military folk and It didn't help that I was a "Yankee". He managed to screw me hard in the court room, but I got a pay back at his home dept. I happened to have witness who backed up my story and he was hurt more in the long run. They busted him back to just plain trooper. He was a corporal and they took his stripes. I would hope he learned a lesson form that one, but we know that people with a grudge like this only dig their heels in deeper.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 18 at 2015 9:53 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 21:53:26 -0500

I always keep a shovel, roll of plastic sheeting, duct tape, rope, gloves, lye, and blanket in the trunk. If just one person sees the contents of your trunk, word WILL spread......(quickly and quietly). Problem solved. No discussion necessary.

Response by SFC Joseph Belote made Feb 18 at 2015 9:59 PM

SFC Joseph Belote — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 21:59:57 -0500

Please contact your State's ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) representatives. They will help you in dealing with difficult relationships between you and employers. To find your local reps go to: http://www.esgr.mil

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 10:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 22:20:04 -0500

Not really, but I did open the front door in uniform to a woman wanting me to sign a petition to reduce the defense budget. I went up one side and down the other, asking her why she wanted to take money out of my pocket. She ran off the porch and left the neighborhood quickly.

Response by SFC Rodrick Carter made Feb 18 at 2015 10:52 PM

SFC Rodrick Carter — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 22:52:40 -0500

I have had my share of dealing with civilians while both on active duty and now that I am in the civilian workforce. It used to annoy me at first when I would hear negative comments coming from someone who had never served nor ever will. I have had the honor of serving with Officers, NCO's and Soldiers who were of exceptional caliber. I never take it personal when a civilian makes a negative comment about the Armed Forces. Some of them will never understand honor, commitment, teamwork, or discipline. I always think of Col Jessup on the movie a few good men when I hear a civilian say something negative towards the Armed Forces.

Col. Jessep: Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to........ijs

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 18 at 2015 11:17 PM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 23:17:45 -0500

As a former Garrison Commander, I can tell may civilian employees care deeply for the service members they serve, but I also know there are some, that don't ever realize why we/they are there. That is, were it not for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, they would not have a job. I tried to fix that in my time a GC, but I knew, know they are still there. Most a great, some just don't get why they exist and why they have a job...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 12:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 00:31:02 -0500

I have dealt with this very issue. And in 3 years have been through 2 jobs because of it. You try and inform them of what we are going through and then they attack like a wild pack of dogs.

I pray that the next job I acquire will be up to the challenge of having a veteran on their staff. And if they want to know...... How about they just ask.

Response by SSG Sean Garcia made Feb 19 at 2015 1:59 AM

SSG Sean Garcia — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 01:59:08 -0500

I had a civilian make an issue of the fact that I get a military discount. This was at a UPS store, I asked him if he served and he said "hell no". I said that it may have been for the best that he didn't and I offered to pay for his bill.
Even though he made a scene about it, I never lost my composure and stayed professional. In doing so, the clerks at the UPS store now know me and chat with me whenever I go in.
Had it been younger me, I would have made a scene right along side of him. Now that I'm older, I felt it necessary for him to make himself look like a fool

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 19 at 2015 2:48 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 02:48:57 -0500

I'm sure there are some out there but I haven't met one yet.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 12:57 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 12:57:17 -0500

I never met anybody like that while I was Active Duty but I sure have met some real winners since then. Most of them work for the VA which is like fate has some kind of twisted sense of humor. Make vets deal with people who genuinely can't stand them...make people who genuinely can't stand vets work with them. Maybe the VA is some sort of purgatory.

Response by SFC Timorhy Hughes made Feb 25 at 2015 3:53 PM

SFC Timorhy Hughes — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:53:16 -0500

Many times I have ran into issues after my retirement of 22 years! After they finish there negative jesters, I tell them they are welcome! Of course they ask why, I tell them for fighting for there freedom and liberty to be ignorant and self centered. I them ask them why didn't they serve this great nation. The replies are priceless.... lol!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Feb 25 at 2015 3:58 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:58:40 -0500

I just ask that person to explain themselves and then I make them fee two inches tall.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2015 10:07 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 10:07:36 -0500

Yeah...I did and do. One of the more memorable events was during my tenure at Ft. Meade. Being the young 'go-getter' I opted to take some courses at the local community college. I took two classes that semester. In the first class on the first day the professor asked us: "how many of the class are military or former military?" About half of the class raised their hands. The professor continued: "Those with raised hands may as well leave the class and withdraw now. No matter how much work you put into this class you will never obtain a grade higher than "F". You are simply incapable of understanding what it takes to truly learn - otherwise why would you have joined a barbaric system such as the military?"

To say I was stunned would be an understatement. I sat in the back for the rest of class thinking....boiling over in anger. Class ended and I went to my next class. In that classroom I sat down and waited. Class proceeded rather quickly and the end of class arrived at which point the instructor said: "will those who have served or are currently serving stay behind after class?" My stomach felt like stone. So, myself and several others sat waiting for the hammer to fall. Once the class emptied the instructor closed the door and approached the center of the room. "I have a proposition for each of you. If you never show up in my class again, submit a single paper, take a single test or even take the final exam - I promise you a "C". You may take the syllabus, do the term papers, take the tests and the final exam all without returning to be in class and you will get a "B". If you show up to class and do all the work you will get an "A". Any of you taking professor "X's" class who just listened to him make his usual comments about not allowing military personnel to pass the class - should you decide to stay in his class, submit to his tirades, do the term papers and take his final - all knowing you will get an "F" will find that I will do more than just give you an "A". I will help you get rid of that sorry excuse of human existence."

I raised my hand. "Where do I sign on?"

Bottom line: I got a B, an F (overturned to an A-) and an a$$hole got his comeuppance. Watching that tenured professor pack his office out was one of the greatest pleasures I had had up to that moment in time.

Lesson learned: You don't have to be loud and proud to make a difference.

Response by SPC Donald Cook made Mar 1 at 2015 10:13 AM

SPC Donald Cook — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 10:13:22 -0500

I have dealt with it and all I say is.... Ur welcome on behalf of myself and the other service members have fought for ur right to think that..... That's the polite way of saying fuck off dick head.

Response by Cpl George Goodwin made Mar 4 at 2015 2:50 PM

Cpl George Goodwin — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:50:56 -0500

While in the service I travelled the country quite a bit. I can definitely say that most of the places we went we were welcomed. The only time that really jumps out at me was a time we were in Kennebunkport, ME. Three or Four of us were out and stopped at a little mom and pop store. A pick up with a couple older teens pulled up and said they didn't want our kind around.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 11 at 2015 3:28 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:28:20 -0400

Tell those damn people who liberated the US, Europe, and Asia. Some of the Europeans are stupide A-holes. I have heard them say:

- America did not care about Europe.
- America took her sweet time.
- The Europeans and Russians won WWII.

There are also stupid Americans who don't understand the value of the military. Those effers can rot in hell. Sometimes effers say I am a fake veteran. They can rot in hell as well.

Response by SFC Gary (Bigsarge) Portier USARMY RET. made Jul 27 at 2017 1:42 PM

SFC Gary (Bigsarge) Portier USARMY RET. — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:42:11 -0400

It gets worst than that, Americans are now, since 2016 coming out and saying the US Military are the Biggest Terrorist in the World. Can't get any worst than that, can it?

Response by PO3 Kenneth Fox made May 16 at 2019 1:20 PM

PO3 Kenneth Fox — Thu, 16 May 2019 13:20:08 -0400

When I got out in 1972 I had to hide the fact I served. It was a disgraceful to have served. Was hard to even find a job. So great that now people at least show some respect and their are some benefits.

Response by CPL Marcellus Jordan made Jan 7 at 2021 10:03 AM

CPL Marcellus Jordan — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 10:03:16 -0500

Absolutely! And I just smile at them and say your welcome! This is why I served so that you can have and keep the freedom of opinion and speech! You have a wonderful life! Oh yeah thanks to me and people like me who afforded you that right!

Response by TSgt Pamela Hoelscher made Jan 20 at 2021 7:34 PM

TSgt Pamela Hoelscher — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 19:34:25 -0500

More than you might think.
Because of my age (68 now), people think I'm too old to have served.
I know people who were on welfare because we didn't make enough even as E5s to make ends meet.
They were treated like dirt when they, ashamed, used food stamps to feed their families.
I also knew some, including me, who couldn't get that help and who ate only after their family had eaten.
Glorified Welfare?!?!?! Let them do what we did in war and support. They would probably go home crying the first day.
Haters and idiots are all over. No, we don't walk on air. WE are in a unique club they can never join or understand. Soldiers in all services, and veterans. You are one or not. I'm proud to be one.

Response by CW5 Mark Smith made Jan 31 at 2021 9:33 PM

CW5 Mark Smith — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 21:33:13 -0500

Viet Nam, USMC. College. First interview after graduation. "How was the dope over there?" Guess how I felt? Just got up and walked out.
Next interview I was hired because I was a vet.

Response by PO3 Steven Taylor made Mar 11 at 2021 4:03 PM

PO3 Steven Taylor — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 16:03:46 -0500

I just tell them to eat my shit. That usually ends it.

Response by Vonice LarsenBailey made Mar 16 at 2021 12:58 AM

Vonice LarsenBailey — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 00:58:40 -0400

Hmmmm pretty sure these types would be the first to hand over to any invaders alien or othewise.

Response by PO3 Scot StClair made May 29 at 2021 5:25 PM

PO3 Scot StClair — Sat, 29 May 2021 17:25:11 -0400

A yard sign in Norfolk 1978:

Sailors and dogs, stay off the grass!

Yeah, California howdy them all. They just don't know.

Response by SGT John Ball made Mar 1 at 2022 9:58 AM

SGT John Ball — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 09:58:12 -0500

When I retired, I definitely noticed the resentment towards me because I was military. I had to hear condescending statements such as, you only get the job because you were military, or this is the real world now buddy. I usually ignored this ignorant disrespect, but a manager took it away too far and was under investigation and eventually reassigned somewhere else. I would just chalk it up to just ignorance.