Are we "right" simply because we are veterans?

CPL Zachariah Chitwood — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 02:41:00 -0400

So we have all heard about the Bruce Jenner thing. The whole "hero" thing has bothered many people, myself included. I don't feel that he rates that title, but I also don't feel that I have any more ground than the next person to judge who calls someone a "hero".

What I am going to ask, and I may catch flak for this, is when did being a veteran suddenly mean that we are the judge and jury? Don't get me wrong, I have lost more than my share of brothers. But am I REALLY any more deserving of my opinion than anyone else? I don't feel that I am. And I am sorry if this offends, but I don't think any of us are.

As an example, I use my son. He calls me a "hero". Well, I am not. But at the same time, I have no right to tell him how to feel or shah to think. When it comes down to it, I think that many of us get heated and tend to jump the gun. Do I care what a transgender person does? Nope. Do I feel that they're heroic? Not by my definition. But that is the thing. It is MY definition. We all have our own.

So what are your thoughts? What are your opinions on this highly sensitive topic? I don't believe that anyone is right or wrong, so to speak. I'm just curious if I am the only one with these feelings, or if people even care.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 6 at 2015 2:42 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 02:42:01 -0400

Right or wrong depends upon context.

In the military it comes down to whether it supports the mission or impedes the mission.

The military is not (or in my view should not be) a social engineering project; the function of the military is to defend the country and to win the wars we are sent to fight.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 6 at 2015 5:38 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 17:38:04 -0400

Being a veteran does not make one right by default. It's like the saying, "The customer is always right". The customer may be the most important part of a business/sales model, but that does not make them right all the time, especially from a customer service perspective.

Because RallyPoint is all military, it may appear that veterans and SMs are being judgmental, but take the same Jenner issue to Facebook, and the same judgments are being made on a global scale by civilians, SMs and vets alike.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Jun 6 at 2015 9:54 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 21:54:57 -0400

Just because we are veterans does not make us correct we are people just like every body else.
Calling Bruce Jenner a hero, never in a thousand years, but courageous yes it takes guts to put you neck on the line and take a stand on what you believe.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jul 1 at 2015 4:46 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:46:57 -0400

Veteran make me "right"? No.

I'm right because I'm smarter than everyone else. ;-)

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jul 1 at 2015 4:56 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:56:41 -0400

Sometimes we get oversensitive about the use of the term "Hero".

People called Jenner a "Hero" in the Olympics and all he did was run really fast.
People call sports personalities "Hero's" all the time.
The other day I stopped and pushed someone's stalled car out of the road and they called me their "Hero".
I named my dog "Hero".

I'm sure to some people suffering in silence about their gender Jenner is a Hero. That's fine... he isn't hurting anyone.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made May 30 at 2016 4:08 PM

Capt Michael Greene — Mon, 30 May 2016 16:08:00 -0400

Some heroes:
1. Charles Lindbergh (first to fly around the world, a dangerous undertaking at the time.)
2. Pilot Sully Sullenburger (landed in the Hudson River, saving passengers and crew.)
3. Rosa Parks (refused to leave her seat. There was the danger of jail and reprisals. She lent her face to be the image of the rebellion.)

They faced danger, but just as importantly, they were a symbol of HOPE.
They gave people hope that a problem could be solved. 1. Global transportation. 2. Surviving an engine problem. 3. Equality for Black people.

Other people have done all these deeds, but the hero did it publicly and allowed themselves to be used as a public image. They were SYMBOLS expressing the best of our nature.

Jenner took the lead for the LGBT people by being the public face of the TG movement. Certainly there was pressure on her, and there was actually danger because lots of people hate her. But most of all, she gave TG people hope that they might be more well accepted by society.

So I guess Caitlyn Jenner is a hero to her people.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 15 at 2019 3:58 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:58:02 -0500

Hero has different definitions.