Do you feel a connection with other veterans that you do not feel with civilians? Why or why not?

2015-07-21T18:52:36-04:00

Do you feel a connection to other veterans? Can you explain why? The recent shootings in Chattanooga fill me with anger and frustration, yet many people act like nothing has happened. I find it interesting that a lifetime bond can form with people we may not even know.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jul 21 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-07-21T18:54:39-04:00

Because we all wrote the check payable up to and including our lives to support and defend the constitution.

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Jul 21 at 2015 6:58 PM

2015-07-21T18:58:07-04:00

We ALL raised our hands and swore to defend this country against ALL enemies both foreign and domestic!

And I still mean it!

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Jul 21 at 2015 6:59 PM

2015-07-21T18:59:17-04:00

Such a true statement on the picture!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 7:04 PM

2015-07-21T19:04:22-04:00

Of course. Veterans know the sacrifice and commitment that you have made being a service member. You can't deny that bond. That bond is undeniable and unbreakable.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 7:05 PM

2015-07-21T19:05:05-04:00

I'm army. But I'll ride for anyone who put their right hand up swore in. We all signed up for the same thing in the end. To defend this beautiful country from threats foreign and domestic

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 21 at 2015 7:10 PM

2015-07-21T19:10:56-04:00

Yes. We all served something greater than ourselves.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 7:13 PM

2015-07-21T19:13:31-04:00

To quote the the SOA (Special Operations Ass'n), "you have never lived until you've almost died. For those who have fought for it, life has a special flavor the protected will never know." For All my brothers, Hoorah!!

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Jul 21 at 2015 7:19 PM

2015-07-21T19:19:29-04:00

We, veterans of all walks of life, share a common bond that can go unsaid but understood. We collectively make sacrifices many cannot understand, regardless of the attempts to educate the 99%. We share a belief in country first and self-second, while in today’s society country is much further down the list. We identify ourselves as American’s first and so the identity of a military member is not the social norm of the 99%, thus we stand out and we are one!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 21 at 2015 8:32 PM

2015-07-21T20:32:45-04:00

Ever since I got out of the Navy I've only been truly comfortable around other veterans. I seem to have almost nothing in common with "civilians."

Response by PO2 Kevin Peine made Jul 21 at 2015 8:39 PM

2015-07-21T20:39:45-04:00

I think why i connect better with my fellow veteran then with the other 97% of the US population, is the shared experiences we've all had.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 21 at 2015 8:40 PM

2015-07-21T20:40:50-04:00

We all served this nation in uniform SSG Ronald Williams, many by choice and a dwindling number who served as a result of being drafted. When I volunteered for active duty in 1974 I was outnumbered by the draftees in my first unit. A few years later there were much fewer soldiers on active duty who had been drafted; however, my memories of conversations with the draftees stayed with me and influenced in in mostly subtle ways.
I was puzzled by the question. I was thinking about the 4 Marines and 1 US Navy sailor who were killed in the line of duty. They are active service members and I feel a bond with them because we have each been a part of the brotherhood-of-arms. The brotherhood-of-arms is not exclusively composed of men but throughout our history there have significantly more men than women who have served. I feel honored to be part of such an august assembly.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 21 at 2015 8:42 PM

2015-07-21T20:42:33-04:00

We all choose to be part of a team regardless of service. I had the unique opportunity to be a dependent first and knew I would serve after this upbringing.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jul 21 at 2015 8:53 PM

2015-07-21T20:53:10-04:00

With so few people having served since the inception of the All-Volunteer Army, fewer and fewer members of society understand what it means or what it meant to have served and I feel more connected to them than I do with John or Joan Q. Public. While many civilians do respect those that have served, there are far too many out there that do not understand or appreciate what it is that we "provide" them in the way of freedom, choice, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that really burns my ass.

Response by MSgt Jamie Lyons made Jul 21 at 2015 8:55 PM

2015-07-21T20:55:40-04:00

It is the silent nod between 2 that only the other can recognize. It is a bond only those who have served understand. It is the soldier who can identify other soldiers in a crowd. It is the soldier that does not run away but toward danger or to lend a hand. Even after we leave service, give us a call and we will rise again if needed. We will support each other no matter what. It is the greatest fraternity ever.

Response by Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP made Jul 21 at 2015 9:29 PM

2015-07-21T21:29:11-04:00

I suspect the feelings of anger and frustration you mention (and I certainly share) are not so much the bond of military veterans - which I certainly feel - but rather to the sense that we are under attack and at war while our nation stumbles it's way into ho-hum work week followed by a weekend at the beach. I think that is the essence of the bond we share - the commitment to respond to the sound of the drums, the call of the trumpets, the echo of the cannons. I'm getting all philosophical, but think that is what makes us unique among our society, most of whom have never considered defending another, much less at risk of their own life.

Response by SFC Trevor Wilkinson made Jul 21 at 2015 9:30 PM

2015-07-21T21:30:31-04:00

HOOAH!! "One Team One Fight!", we harass each other between the Branches of Service", but it is fine among all of us as it is just normal as we are building a relationship, but if an outsider (non-military) person messed with ANY of you all, I would be there to defend you as we ARE one!!! The Army is only a small piece of this puzzle that we whom serve try to understand on a daily basis!! Stay Safe out there ALL my brothers and sisters in the military service as I am soon to be retired! Thank God, but my heart and love is still with ALL those whom serve our great nation!!

Army Strong!! (SFC) W

Response by SGT Robert Hawks made Jul 21 at 2015 9:43 PM

2015-07-21T21:43:20-04:00

Absolutely well said I wholeheartedly agree.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Jul 22 at 2015 12:00 PM

2015-07-22T12:00:29-04:00

Absolutely! It is an experience that a fraction of the general population has gone through. Unless you have been part of it you can't connect with those that have.

Response by SPC Miguel Rosario Cruz made Jul 22 at 2015 5:36 PM

2015-07-22T17:36:30-04:00

BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT ARM