Do you believe civilians now have an indifference or even mild hostility towards military members?

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 02:07:24 -0500

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 5 at 2016 2:17 AM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 02:17:38 -0500

CDR Private RallyPoint Member Well, in what context? There's been a long history in this country, since the Vietnam war, of the general populace hating on service members.

Response by Cpl Bryan Whittaker made Jan 5 at 2016 2:53 AM

Cpl Bryan Whittaker — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 02:53:38 -0500

LCDR., I have seen this for a while now towards military, veterans, police and authority figures. I never dreamed society would diminish to what it has today. It is very sad and disheartening.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 5:01 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 05:01:33 -0500

It depends on where you are at. It seems like in my experience the Northern states going from Minnesota and west tend to have an anti military vibe among the younger hip crowd. Montana, not so much. California seems to be neutral. Nevada seemed to be very accepting of the military.

With the exception of Seattle, my experience seems to be that areas with smaller cities tend to be less accepting of the DOD. Seattle seems to be the least accepting of military personnel in larger cities. I get the vibe that they think that we are in the military because we could not get a job somewhere else.

I also notice that the civilian population seems to be accepting if you don't wear you military affiliation on your sleeve. I find that if it is thrown into their faces they tend to be turned off. If they find out later that you serve or served, then you seem to get a better reaction from them.

Response by PO3 Bob Walsh made Jan 5 at 2016 5:31 AM

PO3 Bob Walsh — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 05:31:23 -0500

Yes, and it seems to flow from the White House. In his early Term he would ignore Veterans' day ceremonies at the National Cemetery and has moved on to firing senior Military Officers who do not agree with him. There is a long list of Generals and Admirals purged from the Military. God help us.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 5 at 2016 6:18 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 06:18:43 -0500

Not really. For over a decade we were placed on a REALLY high pedestal. I think what you're seeing is the shortening of that pedestal. Having said that, it's still there, and the average servicemember gets the benefit of the doubt more often than not...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 6:33 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 06:33:30 -0500

CDR Private RallyPoint Member In what context?

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Jan 5 at 2016 7:35 AM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 07:35:30 -0500

Depends on where you live! Here in parts of the Peoples Republic of Maryland, just 20 minutes from Fort Meade, Military is loathed, because they carry "Guns" can you imagine that? In the late 60's, Every problem in Clarksville, TN or Hopkinsville, KY was blamed on the 101st, those damn soldiers, and then the 101st deployed, no more soldier cash, all of a sudden soldiers were important (Same thing happened in a number of places in Germany after BRAC shut down a number of Kasernes. People who hate the military know nothing about it, and when you have the current Secretary of State stating that soldiers are uneducated and are contributing to the hatred of Iraqi people because they terrorize women and children, it doesn't help things.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 7:43 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 07:43:23 -0500

... no ... at least not around me ... maybe I am too intimidating to others .... lol

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 7:57 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 07:57:04 -0500

Not outside the gates of Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Incredible support throughout the state.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jan 5 at 2016 8:04 AM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:04:44 -0500

We mobilized and just went through ATL airport, everyone was great and multiple people expressed thanks. I have only seen people of good will.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jan 5 at 2016 8:22 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:22:37 -0500

If there is any indifference or hostility towards military members I think it is on a case by case basis. Everyone that I interact with in my travels are very appreciative and thankful for the military and what we do to help ensure a safe and free America. I think the hostility comes in when a service member gets a case of butt hurt because he or she was expecting something and not just being thankful for the support.

I'm not saying this is the case with CDR Private RallyPoint Member, I'm just speaking in general terms. I will say that we, the modern age military members have it a lot better than the men and women that served in the 1960s, 70s and somewhat the 80s. When I came home from my deployments I was met with signs of support and thanks no people spitting on me or calling me names.

I feel that it is up to use, the military community, to continue to conduct ourselves correctly. To show our thanks for all the support. To act as professionals. And to remember that without people's support we would not have it as good as we do. And if you are met with hostility, it is important to maintain your professionalism, deal with the situation in a good and productive manner and then move on.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jan 5 at 2016 8:30 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:30:25 -0500

I think someone said it pretty well, the military has been on a pretty high pedestal for a while now. Perhaps that is cooling a bit but I don't see outright disrespect toward the military. We are now witnessing the law enforcement folks being demonized a bit in society. That could certainly bleed over to the military at some point.

It has been significantly worse at different points in recent history. I can tell you from experience that post Vietnam War those serving were not viewed well by many and were treated accordingly.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jan 5 at 2016 8:31 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:31:34 -0500

I agree to an earlier post it does depend on where you live, here in the Democratic peoples republic of Massachusetts the military goes mostly unnoticed,and you have to remember the home state of john f Kerry who made that statement about the military not being bright enought to make it in the real world.I am ashamed by this attitude, but as a Vietnam veteran do not expect much more from this area.I do say welcome home to fellow vets because I know thats all we will get here

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 9:57 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 09:57:53 -0500

I haven't noticed it at all and I am in the hippie central PNW. I believe a couple of others have noted that the pedestal that the military has been placed on for the last decade is shrinking, but that any hostility is on a case by case basis. I view the indifference as a good thing. Our job is to be a part of the society that we have sworn to uphold and protect, if every member is constantly spotlighted as different than I think we have become something that we shouldn't be. Please don't get me wrong I am not saying that we shouldn't thank and respect each military member that is serving, but we don't all deserve a trophy from society just for joining.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 10:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:11:18 -0500

Not at all. I get thanked for my service constantly if I have to be out and about in my uninform for some reason. Generally, at least 3-4 times a day. We have parades, schools hosts events for us, etc. I am from the SE though. We love us some guns and military...so that helps!

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jan 5 at 2016 10:24 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:24:09 -0500

Starting?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 5 at 2016 11:51 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 11:51:00 -0500

It's been going on for over a year. People have been saturated with videos of returning SMs popping up at their kid's schools AND anything Middle East is viewed more negatively. Old repetitive stuff loses it's shine quickly. I will say results vary by location significantly. If you're in small town conservative areas, the appreciation is still high. People ignore SMs more at LAX. Unfortunately the public opinion of SMs probably passed its peak on this cycle.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 12:42 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 12:42:37 -0500

As opposed to the deference and homage to which we're entitled? Maybe if we weren't known for being self-absorbed and long-winded and hyperbolic and closed-minded, the citizenry wouldn't roll their eyes when we opened our mouths. Annoying people are annoying, what can I say?

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 5 at 2016 12:55 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 12:55:11 -0500

Mostly around military bases, as usual. In the sticks like where I live, 98% have positive feelings or keep their traps shut. Yeah, its mostly a conservative end of the state.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 5 at 2016 12:56 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 12:56:58 -0500

I think it gets down to the war is over, now go back to whence ye came from. To many Vets expect a sense of entitlement. I see here to often.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 4:39 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 16:39:20 -0500

Yes I do. And I believe that a large portion of it is due to the media propaganda of "police and military is bad." I have seen more than one video on the news of military vehicles rolling through the streets (en route to a training exercise on the other end of town) being portrayed as "military presence overwhelming and intimidating civilians." It is stupid, and foolish, but that is the way we are being portrayed in this day and age. It has led to soldiers being attacked at random on the street simply for being in the military, and a general disregard and apathy for our men and women in uniform.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 4:40 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 16:40:33 -0500

I don't know Eric...I've seen it both ways, and honestly, we're not guiltless of looking down on "them" either. I think it's regional, and has a lot to do with whether or not the average person's interaction is with vets who served twenty years or more ago in the past...or brand new E-1s and O-1s out on the town.

Response by Sgt Tom Vaughn made Jan 5 at 2016 11:07 PM

Sgt Tom Vaughn — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 23:07:56 -0500

e I go around the University of Montana , the more I find uninformed and uneducated childern who should still be in the 8th grade .
Just today I stopped to 20 somethings from telling others that US Marines and special forces only want to murder innocent people .
I held back believe me , my best friends mother called me s murder and a killer of children 2 days after I came home from Viet Nam , these idiots reminded me of her , so I let them have .
I informed them that they support killing babys for profit , they were both wearing planned parenthood shirts !!!
So I called them baby killers

Response by SGT Chris Hill made Jan 5 at 2016 11:32 PM

SGT Chris Hill — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 23:32:45 -0500

Hell yes I do. It definitely seems that they have forgotten the sole reason as to why they have a job. Problem seems to be that they are not held accountable for their attitudes.

Response by SPC Ryan Desmond made Jan 6 at 2016 8:01 AM

SPC Ryan Desmond — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 08:01:02 -0500

Yes, Civs fear us and hate us.

Response by PV2 Victoria Krieg made Apr 18 at 2017 9:27 PM

PV2 Victoria Krieg — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 21:27:29 -0400

I've noticed that it changes depending on where you're at. For example I've experienced hostility from civilians while in California, but never in Texas. It's usually from young adults with no understanding of military hierarchy or culture.

Response by SSG Diane R. made Jul 9 at 2017 12:00 PM

SSG Diane R. — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 12:00:29 -0400

I found there was much more hostility in the mid-seventies when I entered the Army. Call it the Vietnam effect, as American military personnel were still being portrayed very negatively in the media.

I can remember being harassed buy a guy when I was leaving Fort Jackson South Carolina after basic training. He was disheveled, big and Hulking and thankfully another Soldier took him down.

This also varied by generation, older people being much more supportive of the military, whereas college age types had a more negative opinion of us at the time.