Posted on Jan 21, 2015
Does it bother you to hear "Thank you for your service!"?
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All active duty stand down(but don't walk away, this will effect you later) Veterans does it ever bother you to hear that? "Thank you for your service" I apologize but it mmmm...bugs me something awful, telling me " your done go sit down and grow feeble " needs changed to something that endures like we do something like "YO JOE!" or another saying meaning get outta my way theres work to do and I ain't done yet! Forgive if I wasted your time, just wondering.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 623
I disagree w/ the majority of the posts here. Let me start by saying I have served 16yrs (8 active & 8 Guard) and continue to do so. I have been deployed to Afghanistan and Kuwait, and have been TDY in support of domestic disasters. I mention all this for credibilty purposes for what I'm about to say. Let's face it people, this is an all volunteer force and no one is doing this out of the kindness of their heart. We all have our reasons, but I dare say the majority of those who joined and stay in are in it for the money and the benefits. They're are very few if any that really do this for god & country. Outside of mere family tradition (the next minority), most people are in this for education benefits, health benefits, and a pension. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong w/ this. But where in that does it deserve gratitude? No one would serve if there was no pay or added benefit to do so ie: sign-on bonuses, post 9-11 GI Bill, 100% TA, etc...Therefore, it is my opinion that the thank you should be reserved for those that had no choice & were forced to serve (WWII, Vietnam). I also, hold in high regard anyone that has seen actual combat and/or been injured in support of such conflict. I say this because I believe that only a percentage serving today have actually been in direct combat. Most of us are fortunate including myself, never to have seen a frontline. I know that I'm going to recieve alot of push back on this, but I honestly believe that a thank you is unnecessary and unearned in many cases & it does make me uncomfortable when I recieve it. I'll end w/ this... To those who served during the draft and all those who have put their life on the line in combat so that myself and the rest of us didn't have to, Thank you for your service.
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SSG Keith Cashion
SSG Chris, I agree with you in part. I have family that were "Draftee" to previous conflicts and every chance I get, I thank them. But don't forget, this is an All Volunteer Force, Yes a lot have been in direct combat and alot were behind the lines. But no matter how you put, Recognition for your contribution is alway nice to hear. Unfortunately it's not always like that. Being a Retiree, Veteran and a Gov't SVC, Civilian, assisting Soldiers everyday....wait, because when you become one of the three that I mentioned, especially the last one, and a Soldier (An NCO no less) tells you straight to your face, that the only reason you have a job is because of him or her, then let me know how feel about being appriciated. I work for the Army, because I love my job and my Army...I worked corporate before deciding to return to work for the goverment. But a lot of the issues I see today are people with their sence of entitlement and forgetting simple customs and courtesies. Remember, this is all volunteer and no one owes you anything.
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SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley
I love my country, and if there was a need to be met I would serve. When I was single I did volunteer and would have served for food and shelter. When married with a family I would of course want my family taken care of. I still take serving my family, neighbors, and friends seriously. If we were attacked tomorrow I would prepare and head out the door without having to be called.
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Yes and no. As said by other posters, it makes me feel good to know that the time I've spent in the service and overseas is appreciated. At the same time, while I've been on tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan I feel like I shouldn't be thanked because I've never seen combat action (quite sad considering I'm a combat MOS). But I digress, some of you would probably say I'm crazy for being "battle hungry" and maybe I am. Some of my comrades that have seen action never lived to tell about it, have invisible scars from it, or have lost limbs and struggle to get through the day.
So I guess what it boils down to for me is that I felt like all I've given is time. Never shed blood or paid the ultimate price. Those who have, to me, deserve the thanks. Not I.
So I guess what it boils down to for me is that I felt like all I've given is time. Never shed blood or paid the ultimate price. Those who have, to me, deserve the thanks. Not I.
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Yes, it makes me very uncomfortable. I can't really explain it, but I just did my job. Getting credit for it makes me feel awkward. I don't really what to say, but I do appreciate it. I guess it differs from vet to vet.
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SSgt (Join to see)
It is bad. You have no idea what Vietnam Veterans suffered. Be proud and suck it up bro. Someone died in a field in Vietnam so you could be proud.
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SGT Seth Slone
It's just when you are in an airport every five minutes someone's comming up and saying thank you for your service and I am proud very proud of my service it is just a little much sometimes that's all
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SP5 Michael Rathbun
Late to the party, but...
One of the things I get a kick out of in an airport, ESPECIALLY SEA/TAC, is getting to know SMs in transit and perhaps buying a round or two. Being both a civilian and a veteran, I enjoy undoing some of the things that civilians and veterans did to us when we got back to The World.
One of the things I get a kick out of in an airport, ESPECIALLY SEA/TAC, is getting to know SMs in transit and perhaps buying a round or two. Being both a civilian and a veteran, I enjoy undoing some of the things that civilians and veterans did to us when we got back to The World.
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Yes. It's just turned into another trend that will go away after awhile. A thank you for your service now does not make up for a "baby killer" then.
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PO2 Lisa Lloyd
How about hey you guys were not treated right then. So I am thanking you now for the idiots then. I was just a little girl then
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SP5 Douglas Armfield
thanks.. I don't mean to be a hard case but I'm losing more buddies now to cancer than I did back then..Ya get to where you don't even want to bring it up.
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SFC Peter Thens
I have a lot of vets come up to me and thank me for my service, when I find out they are "older vets" I make sure I thank them for theirs and tell them how they should have been treated like they are treating me
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I know I am wrong in many cases but it has become a knee jerk reaction which makes it insincere. Some businesses make their employees say it when they become aware of it. My wife is also a veteran and when I tell them that they sometimes are dumbfounded and say nothing.
I think in a lot of cases it is pentance they think they owe for not serving. Yea, I know that might be wrong but I did 5 trips to Nam and when I get a welcome home itmeans a lot more because it pretty much always means the person was either there or is a close family member of someone who was.
I think in a lot of cases it is pentance they think they owe for not serving. Yea, I know that might be wrong but I did 5 trips to Nam and when I get a welcome home itmeans a lot more because it pretty much always means the person was either there or is a close family member of someone who was.
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yes, Do they really mean are they just trying to look good in front of people.
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