Are we creating a generation of entitled Veterans?

Some are, but I feel it is a generational gap. What are the ages, and work ethic of that group in general...about the same has been my observation. SO I don't think it is just vets who have served, but that generation of never having had to work hard for anything.

SCPO (Join to see) Veterans are a sub-segment of society. I believe we have a 'government' mentality seep into the active/AGR ranks which then follows to any career they choose. It used to be we could count on military veterans that were mission focused and would work tirelessly to resolve issues 24/7. Now we have a third that are out for the benefits and will do the minimum to get buy. Good luck telling the difference during the interview process.

I have run into something similar to this - well, the significant other has. She works for the Dept of the Interior - USGS. She is a contracted worker, but the USGS is trying to get rid of all the contracted workers & bring them all "in-house". She was told to apply for a position created specifically for her. She did. She was beat out for the position - one that she had been working 5 years - by a veteran who rescheduled his interview three times, showed up late, and then only stayed on the job for 2 months before quitting when he didn't get what he explained to the supervisor out there, "his due".

While he was there, it was felt around the office that he wanted special treatment & that he should have supervisory duties because he was a squad leader while in. I never met the gentleman, but sounds like a grand case of entitlement to me.

No, I don't think you can be so general in describing an entire group of people. At the end of the day were all still people, some people show up to work on time some don't being a Veteran doesn't solidify that this won't happen. Employers might think that since serving the military the Veteran would have better skills then your average employee and this is true however it's not true for all. I think to some degree their is an entitlement that all Veterans feel depending on what it applies too and within a individual situation, but nothing as far as I should be guranteed a 90K a year job without enough experience that just bad form.

It is the society as a whole that feels entitled. Young people today that start the workforce out of High School and especially right out of college have an entitlement expectation that they deserve a house, car, motorcycle, farm, shop or whatever like mom and dad because they have a degree. What they don't realize or where we have failed them is that it took mom and dad 25+ years to work hard, pay dues, and get to that point.

In the military we teach it from the ground up and reward with promotions etc just like any other company in the world...except we aren't a company for profit. That is why it shocks me a little bit to hear this about military personnel. Most of what I hear is the other way around.

I retired from the military after 20++ years with great training that would make me successful in a civilian company and had expectations of a great starting job. Until I humbled myself and realized even though I was highly qualified, I didn't know the businesses and profit mentality of the companies. We start over when we leave the military and most o f the time it is entry level. What I don't like is when someone doesn't hire you because you are retired. I like it when businesses hire veterans but I am not upset when they don't if they hire the most qualified person.

Are we an entitled generation? Absolutely...but we shouldn't be. Just because we wore the uniform and deployed doesn't make us any better or worse than anyone else...just different life experiences. If the vets he hired are lazy, incompetent etc...then fire them...he has full right to not carry that baggage. My guess is these individuals probably got out of the military after their first enlistment for the same reasons he is having problems with them...lazy and incompetent and if you talked to them they probably would blame the military and thought the military wasn't catering to their "needs" in life. I would be willing to bet that a retired veteran would not disappoint him.

I believe it is good to hire a Vet, but also good to fire one that does not perform....to keep a vet on the payroll that is of questionable value to the organization because they are vets is not rational...purpose was served when they were hired and their lack of support for the organization led to their firing.

How about living in a veteran transition community and getting bombarded with entitled veterans. I see it every day. They served for 5 minutes and now they expect a handout

Wow, I have not seen that kind of performance from veterans in the company I work for. At one point we had 350 people of which about 60 were veterans, and none were classified as Lazy, lacking loyalty and feeling entitled. Not sure if it is where you are or the newer generation veterans. But to answer your question, the entitlement comes from the upbringing in my opinion and not because of anything the military has done.

As others have said, we are creating a society of feeling entitled period. I notice it a lot with the younger crowd. "Why should I have to do what you tell me?" I don't know, maybe it's because I'm in a position over you and you're supposed to do what I tell you? Or, "Cleaning the head is beneath me..." How is it beneath you if you're a Seaman Recruit fresh out of A school? I could go on but I think you get the point!

SCPO (Join to see) Chris, I tend to lean towards MSG Brad Sand thoughts... Though I would have to see the recruiting and HR actions myself to really provide good feed back... That doesn't sound like any circumstance I have seen in hiring. I would even submit that if this is systemic... Then maybe it's the process and criteria that makes this seemike a standard.

As do the "sense of entitlement" not sure I agree 100%; however,I have seen this in a few instances. I would submit that part of this "sense of entitlement" is a result of the media bombardment with what politicians and civilian corporation keep saying. If I keep hearing that "I have a right to a job" this could tend to lead me believe that it's an "entitlement".... Which most of us know is a fallacy. What we want is a chance to compete... Not a hand out.

Well..., my 2cents