Posted on Aug 20, 2015
Do you feel like you are owed something for your service?
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It was more noticeable while deployed however, do you know those Soldiers that believe they are owed something because they are serving?
Example: I use to joke that my first deployment was sponsored by Wiley X and Tobey Keith. Because of all the free Wiley X stuff Soldiers got. And that Damn red white and blue song.
But it goes beyond deployment, I've seen Soldiers get mad at restaurants and businesses because they didn't have a military discount. Or because they wouldn't send them a free car. Don't get me wrong I complained once about not getting military discount because I was retired and not active but that's illogical to me. But I didn't feel like I was entitled to a discount I just argued that if you have it for active you should have it for retiree's.
But are you owed something for your service or is your service something you do for your country and is truly voluntary? I felt as I was leading up to getting out that Soldiers had this sense of entitlement that they were owed something because they serve. Do you see that or feel that?
Example: I use to joke that my first deployment was sponsored by Wiley X and Tobey Keith. Because of all the free Wiley X stuff Soldiers got. And that Damn red white and blue song.
But it goes beyond deployment, I've seen Soldiers get mad at restaurants and businesses because they didn't have a military discount. Or because they wouldn't send them a free car. Don't get me wrong I complained once about not getting military discount because I was retired and not active but that's illogical to me. But I didn't feel like I was entitled to a discount I just argued that if you have it for active you should have it for retiree's.
But are you owed something for your service or is your service something you do for your country and is truly voluntary? I felt as I was leading up to getting out that Soldiers had this sense of entitlement that they were owed something because they serve. Do you see that or feel that?
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 43
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No. I got way more from the Marine Corps than I gave them. It gave me a foundation I didn't have before, made me infinitely tougher, gave me the "Never quit" attitude . . . and, oh yeah, the Cold War G.I. Bill which got me educated and into our first house. Nobody owes me anything.
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The only things I am owed are the things I was promised and earned. My retirement, my VA disability for what I left behind when in the military, VA benefits, especially my healthcare which has been good at the primary care level, but many of my needs require specialty care and I have been repeatedly denied much of that. Over an 18 month period my primary care Doc referred me 13 times for a neurosurgery consult and the 1st 12 were denied. I had three MRIs during this time period. I was not allowed to see the specialist until one of my 5 herniated or bulging discs ruptured. Even then it took three months to get in. I had gotten so bad the swelling around L5 was so bad that the nerves in my legs started to die. It has been more than two years since the surgery and I still cannot stand up strait, stand very long without severe pain or walk any distance without the same issue.
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I'm not owed anything. Honestly, I'm given more than I think my work in the service is worth. I sit at a desk five days a week, making sure software works and that other flights are doing their paperwork, and if I keep it up for a minimum of twenty(!) years, I can start collecting a retirement that could exceed my entire in-service compensation.
I get more vacation days than any private sector job I know of.
I get school partially paid for on top of it.
Airlines usually charge me less and give me a free bag or two.
I really wouldn't be butthurt about having my benefits trimmed down somewhat, if it means trimming down some of the stupid other nonsense the government pays for.
I get more vacation days than any private sector job I know of.
I get school partially paid for on top of it.
Airlines usually charge me less and give me a free bag or two.
I really wouldn't be butthurt about having my benefits trimmed down somewhat, if it means trimming down some of the stupid other nonsense the government pays for.
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No, I don't feel anyone owes me anything because of my military service. I did not join the service to get accolades. I love this nation and what it represents and simply see my service as paying back a debt that I owe for the freedoms I have been given by those who went before me, whose legacy I purpose to honor.
Not everyone wants to join and fewer can join the military. Fewer still make a career out of it. Serving isn't a right; it's a privilege and honor. Those who serve should be grateful for being afforded the opportunity. It does have some nice perks and so I am grateful to be in the company of a small and select group of individuals who have volunteered to take up arms in defense of our nation and interests. It is enough that Uncle Sam thanks me at the end of every month.
Not everyone wants to join and fewer can join the military. Fewer still make a career out of it. Serving isn't a right; it's a privilege and honor. Those who serve should be grateful for being afforded the opportunity. It does have some nice perks and so I am grateful to be in the company of a small and select group of individuals who have volunteered to take up arms in defense of our nation and interests. It is enough that Uncle Sam thanks me at the end of every month.
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SSG Richard Reilly I have to say that I have gotten so much more out of my service than I would have thought possible when I was young and dumb.
I do feel that, like many others, I am entitled to what was agreed upon, but beyond that, no, there is nothing else owed. Service is a privilege, and an honor, that I took up willingly of my own volition. When I finally hang up the uniform, I will have earned every nickel of what was agreed upon.
I appreciate it when the good citizens of our Nation see me and/or others in uniform and say thank you. I am grateful for the opportunity. And while there are some that hate us, most do not, and most do truly appreciate us. I know that as an American and a father, I appreciate the Hell out of the military. Without your (the military) service, our country would not be what it is today.
But as far as the feeling of being owed something else, nope. And if someone feels that way, they have missed the boat (sadly, I have met many who have missed the boat, as I can assume, have you, hence the post)!
I do feel that, like many others, I am entitled to what was agreed upon, but beyond that, no, there is nothing else owed. Service is a privilege, and an honor, that I took up willingly of my own volition. When I finally hang up the uniform, I will have earned every nickel of what was agreed upon.
I appreciate it when the good citizens of our Nation see me and/or others in uniform and say thank you. I am grateful for the opportunity. And while there are some that hate us, most do not, and most do truly appreciate us. I know that as an American and a father, I appreciate the Hell out of the military. Without your (the military) service, our country would not be what it is today.
But as far as the feeling of being owed something else, nope. And if someone feels that way, they have missed the boat (sadly, I have met many who have missed the boat, as I can assume, have you, hence the post)!
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1LT (Join to see)
Everyone that I sent/send to ECP that didn't bring them because they need the full uniform there. Privates.
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If I am offered a discount I take it but I never ask. Same goes for senior citizens discounts. I don't feel that anybody owes me anything.
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I live in W. Va. and have free Tricare Remote. In 1971 retirees living close to Hospitals or Clinics could get free care and medicine. Now nothing is free.
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