Do yo prefer to date current military, veterans or civilians?

SPC Lukas Jones There are plus and minuses to each of the categories.  Just like each type brings their own strengths and weaknesses as well as points of view, even those that are similar may have different experiences.  I look at it like, just as two service members are not alike it is hard to generalize an individual into a "cookie cutter" mold.  However, all that aside this is what I have learned by personal experience:

Service Member - their strengths are apparent but depending on where the relationship is going the weaknesses are that majority are going to put their work before the relationship (I mean that is what WE do).  We struggle to maintain that home/work balance but when you have two people who are very focused some things are lost once exposure (seeing that person everyday) and distance (PCS windows are different) start to come into effect.  However, like any relationship if you are devoted to it then you can overcome these obstacles.

Veteran/Prior-Service - I would say this is the happy "medium".  The strengths are that you have a similar mindset and military background while having all the benefits of being a civilian.  However, there are as many types of veterans as there are types of service members.  I wouldn't "throw the baby out with the bath water" if there is a couple bad experiences.  

Civilians - Many do not truly understand the sacrifices of the military members until it affects them.  There may be a lot of adjusting to the different lifestyles and at times conflict can come out of this.  There will be many things about your service that they just will not get.  But the very thing that we consider a weakness is actually a strength.  They bring another point of view to the table.  One we might not see anymore because of our training.  They may help to bring clarity in an issue that we may be too close to.  Though I would say this is by far the category that requires the most "relationship work" it makes it all the more satisfying when you get it right.  

Just food for thought.  :)

All women just love a man in uniform, go for it!

I have dated someone in almost every branch of the military and also dated civilians. My current boyfriend was prior af and personally I prefer military over civi for many reasons.
1. I don't respect civilian men as much unless I view their job as more dominant than my own or at least equally. Ex. Police, doctor, lawyer, etc.
2. I have had civilian guys I dated feel threatened by my job. (Kinda piggy-backing on point number 1.)
3. Civilians do not and cannot understand the military lifestyle. Even if they were a military brat it isn't the same. Inevitably they will want to know why I can't be with them as much, or why I can't tell them what I do. Military for the most part understand this. I don't know some of the things my bf has done, and he knows nothing about what I do. We accept this and move forward.
4. The uniform. I don't care if you are wearing green, blue, or multicam-guys in uniform look way better than guys out of uniform about 90% of the time.

These are just a few of my reasons from my own experience.

I think dating someone who is prior service is a much wiser choice. They can be there for you when you get back from the field or deployment, but do not deploy themselves. They also know what you go through. Dating another SM just seems like trouble. Either you are in different units and therefore have a different training schedule or you are in the same unit and IMO that can get a little awkward.