Feeling guilty when somebody thanks you for your service?

As others have said, they are thanking you for volunteering to fight for our country if the need arises. So far, for you, it hasn't come to that. But if it does, you voluntarily decided to put yourself in harms way. 98-99% of the country hasn't done that, and you have.

I've been stateside the last 14 years; these wars happened without my direct participation. Since I rarely work at a major installation, I probably get more sentiments of gratitude than most members.

I don't think of myself as undeserving, but there are others more in need of it than me.

If you ever feel the thanks you receive were for something someone else did, accept it as a proxy and then pay it forward.

Don't feel bad for it wasn't for having a military invaders would run this country into oblivion.

People are thanking you for agreeing to serve in defense of our country. If you are asked to leave the motorpool and defeat the enemies of the country....you will. This is what you are being thanked for. Only a small portion of our nation agrees to defend the country. It certainly is an honor to be trusted to defend this nation at a moments call.

SPC Ashley. Think again. If you are sitting in the motor pool or performing some other duty that would otherwise require someone else from the sharp end of the stick to pull the same duty then you are indirectly enabling us to deploy people at the sharp end of the stick: boots and weapons in the fight. Warmest Regards, Sandy

SPC Ashley F....I hope you aren't making your response verbally to people it is bad for morale. Why did you enlist into the Army? If you truly feel this way I suggest you choose another profession the military isn't for everyone.


Very Respectfully,
Floyd

No. I have a hard time accepting a "thank you for your service," particularily if I sense the person is saying it to be politically correct. I served from 1977-1985 and although I was in some pretty intense situations I wasn't in a hostile action where I was put in harm's way before an enemy during my time in the Navy. There is a small percentage of people who are sincere when they say it. It usually comes from a parent whose son or daughter is currently serving or from another veteran.

As for me thanking a serviceperson for their service should be reserved for those who have been in harms way.

You should be proud that you represent 1% of our population that have chosen to do this job. Its not easy sometimes when you know that some have given much more, but you should not feel guilty. Think of it as accepting the thanks on behalf of those who are no longer here to accept it for themselves. that's what I do.

I was about to pose a similar question! Don't get me wrong I am honored that folks thank me for my service, and I know that many of our brothers and sisters got a much different public response in the not so distant past..... Still, I feel like I get paid pretty well for what I do..... I often find myself avoiding conversations because I feel awkward always bein thanked.....

Ashley-you are there because that is your assignment. If you received orders to send you to an OP in northern Afghanistan, you would go and perform your duty. It takes an entire military to make things happen-you are in it and you volunteered to do that.

Often people thank you because they are trying to nice, and other times they are saying it for themselves.

You might feel frustrated for not being sent up front, but I hope that you do not continue to feel bad- that is beyond your control.