Does it bother you to hear "Thank you for your service!"?

It doesn't bother me at all. It its the acknowledgment alone that made me proud to serve. I had an illustrious career, got to travel across the globe, worked with fine soldiers, learned new cultures & skills, and used that experience in my civilian life. Granted I didn't achieve high ranking (Retired as CPL), though had various opportunities to advance but to chose other venues, the fact I had the opportunity to wear the uniform is praise enough. It may not come up as the primary conversation starter, but when asked, I gladly respond humbly "you are welcome" and DRIVE ON!!

My service was too long ago, never heard that directed at me much. I think with many people that say it, its kind of a catch phrase that in reality, does not come with a lot of heart felt emotion anymore, but just a natural response to hearing someone served. But like someone else said, its a lot better than what the guys went through in the 60's and early 70's for sure.

No it does not bother me. I am actually happy to hear it.

I was in the Air Force. I was in during peacetime, and not in combat, in a combat zone, and I do feel what I did back then, is nothing compared to the guys who were in combat, and fighting today what I think should have been over a long time ago, and swiftly, and decisively. I tell guys I see that are new vets, and I admit to them that I have nothing on them or what they have done, and seen.

I am not going to lie, it does make me feel a bit uncomfortable. I was never one that liked to be thanked for anything I did, especially when it was something I wanted to do, but that's just me. I think it's good that people actually take the time to appreciate our service though. Whenever someone thanks me for my service, I say "thank you" shake their hand and that's usually the end of it.

It depends. Occasionally, it feels obligatory. I always thank them bank, but the reality is that I did not serve to later be thanked.

Sometimes, when I sense they are groping for something to say or they say that and then follow up with a comment that demeans service or otherwise shows their non-support. Most of the time, I accept it at face value and thank them for the support.

Honestly people don't really know what to say other than that. It may seem empty from some and carry weight from others.

It does bother me. But a lot of it is my problem. I'll put in the caveat that the abuse that was doled out to Vietnam veterans who returned was abhorrant, and if the new culture of giving thanks to service members provides any solace to them than I am happy for it.

That being said, I'm never sure how to take it. Every time I hear "thank you for your service" it feels like an eternity before I can get the words "thank you" out. I find myself wondering why they said it. Most of the time I feel that people say it because they believe that they are supposed to "support the troops". Others I feel like they say it because they are sympathetic, and the rare few have insight, either because they have a loved one that went or because they have been themselves. The latter are the only ones I don't feel super awkward around.

The other thing I run into are those that want the "thanks" to breach into a conversation about my experiences and my thoughts about it:

"Oh, you're in the Army?" "Did you have to go to Iraq?" "Do you think we should've gone?" "Do you think there were ever WMDs?" "Have you been shot at?" "Did you see a lot of dead bodies?" "What was it like?" or "I'm glad there are people like you that go over there" "I could never do it" "I'm sorry you had to go" "are you ok now?" "

Most of the time I can behave myself and provide pretty neutral answers, and deflect away from the more intense topics. But there is the odd instance where someone will push too hard and I'll give them what they want, and they'll realize that they didn't want to know.

I suppose I should probably cut & paste this post to my shrink :)

As for the civilian population. When Some one says it to me , I kindly say" thanks, just doing a job."