Do we act as an entitled group (current generation); do we understand how this branding as "the one-percent" can actually work against us?

LTC (Join to see)

I very much enjoyed the article. I have seen the "entitlement" raise it's ugly head in restaurants and bars around the U.S. What's worse is when the spouse chimes in and demands discounts or recognition.

I don't believe it is all the veterans fault, our country definitely did not want another generation of Vietnam era veterans to be treated the way they did. The push to support the troops lit the fire and the not fully mature veterans bought it hook, line, and sinker.

As a senior Infantry NCO I have no expectation of walking out of this job in two years and walking into a civilian job with the same responsibility or pay. I will have to start over, prove myself and work my way up. I have no problem with that.

The majority of my career was served during peace. Every once in a blue moon someone would pick up the lunch check or buy you a beer and it was usually an older veteran. It makes me a little uncomfortable when someone thanks me for my service, I usually reply with thank you for your support and move out smartly.

Great article sir, I shared it on my facebook page. I have a lot of young vets on the page and I am sure it will make it's rounds.

LTC (Join to see) Sir, great article. As a group we need to keep focusing on what we have in common with our fellow Americans and how we can help each-other. We can't rest on our laurels, we have to keep achieving and being capable and humble at once. "What have you done for me lately?!"

Couple of issues you bring up here. First is the entitlement theory. While there are certainly those who act this way, I'd like to see some kind of quantifiable "for instance." I tend to find these types are usually younger Soldiers or posers (not actually in the military at all or are retired and are valor thieves). I'd say the majority of the people who have bought into the ideals of the Army don't care one way or the other. Is a SFC going to turn down a free beer...nope...neither will I generally, but that doesn't mean they expect it. Traveling in uniform. That one has been brought up before. I like the idea. If everyone in the service were required to be in uniform while traveling, it wouldn't increase the threat. The people who want to conduct attacks don't care and are looking for soft targets. A Soldier isn't a soft target and may actually reduce the risk. That's why I'm for traveling in uniform everywhere. It's not a security risk, and it isn't about getting upgrades of free crap...I can't remember the last time I got anything for free, have never received an upgrade, and definitely never seek it out. As far as companies and branding ourselves, I'm not sure there's a solution. In trying to brand a Soldier or a veteran a certain way, aren't you playing into the same stereotype? We are veterans...we bring certain things that other people don't have. We are better, stronger, faster, more intellectually agile, etc, etc. Why did teh vets of WWII do well when they came back? Probably has a lot to do with the economy and the jobs that were available for the blue collar worker at the time. Industrial boom and all that. It might also have to do with the love of the Soldier throughout the war and after, but it also may have something to do with the fact that they just blended into society and they worked hard, knowing that what they did in the civilian world had little to do with their military career...and didn't fret about it. They didn't tell war stories and they didn't bring their nightmares to work. They were there. Keeping them up at night, invading their minds at work...but they locked it away. They "man'ed up." Lock it down in a place somewhere and don't let it show. I'm not concerned. The more it becomes a goal, the less attainable it is to "brand" a veteran. Let the actions speak for themselves and damn the torpedoes.