Posted on May 17, 2015
Have you ever been called something demeaning by a co-worker regarding your service?
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Have you ever had a co-worker refer to your service specifically, and call into question your loyalty to the company, your service to the nation or even your patriotism? I had an instance ten years ago where an otherwise mild mannered older female co-worker called me a traitor. I approached her, asked her why, took the steam out of her argument, and explained why this was not the case. We never really got along again. I imagine this was prevalent amongst Vietnam Veterans, but this was the first and last time I experienced it. So...what are your examples?
Posted in these groups: 
Patriotism
Service
Patriotism Service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
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I was called out in a meeting by my "supervisor" (I use the term loosely because he was a complete dickhead) and he told those present that it's a good thing I was deploying at this time (2005) so the company could save money by not having to pay my salary. I just sat there in utter disbelief at what I just heard, trying to come up with a snappy comeback. My eventual response was, "There are some people who defend the flag and some people who wipe their ass with it. I know where I stand. Apparently I now know where you stand!!"
"Oh, you misunderstood what I meant" was his response as he tried to backpedal for the next 5 minutes.
"Oh, you misunderstood what I meant" was his response as he tried to backpedal for the next 5 minutes.
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I was told I shouldn't be paid as much as I was because I already had retired pay from the military. They included my boss who was a retired Army major.
At the time I was a gray area retired Reserve who was waiting to age 60 to draw pay and medical benefits.
I will refrain from repeating my comments to her.
At the time I was a gray area retired Reserve who was waiting to age 60 to draw pay and medical benefits.
I will refrain from repeating my comments to her.
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LTC Gavin Heater
I am still Gray Area myself. My Boss thinks he should get back at least 10 hours a week more from me than when I was on Reserve Status. I often comply, but because I want to versus I have to.
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Capt (Join to see)
My one boss bragged that he gave me two weeks for annual training without charging me vacation. I was not paid for those two weeks. I reminded him that what he did was required by law. It was my shortest ever civilian employment. But, my exit did not involve the military requirements.
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Was told that my military service not worth anything because all I did for 9 years was suck sergeant's. My response, let the fight begin. Fortunately this comment was made at a party and not at work or someplace public. I lost a tooth, broke 3 fingers, and wound up with a black eye. His damage was somewhat worse than mine. Never make a comment about the military service that you won't be able to defend after it is made.
Was I right or wrong doesn't/didn't matter to me. I stand up for my service, my brothers and sisters in arms no matter which service they are in.
Was I right or wrong doesn't/didn't matter to me. I stand up for my service, my brothers and sisters in arms no matter which service they are in.
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LTC Gavin Heater
I think your actions sound appropriate considering the audience and the circumstance. Too bad you had physical reminders of this ridiculous challenge to your service.
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SPC Charles Brown
LTC Gavin Heater
As we who have served know, somethings are worth fighting for, no matter the painful reminders we walk away with.
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
On that night he let his bulldog mouth overload his chihuahua ass and I shut him up at both ends. Still waiting to get my boot back from him. lol
As we who have served know, somethings are worth fighting for, no matter the painful reminders we walk away with.
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
On that night he let his bulldog mouth overload his chihuahua ass and I shut him up at both ends. Still waiting to get my boot back from him. lol
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SPC(P) Jay Heenan
Violence never solves anything...but sometimes is sure makes one feel pretty good! To bad you broke bones on his face.
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PO2 Skip Kirkwood
I disagree. I've seen lots of issues resolved by violence - international as well as interpersonal. It is the business that we military folks are in!
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I was once told my opinion didn't matter because I have not deployed yet, and was told by my former commander that I would never understand.
I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the amount of times I have had to produce my ID to "prove" I was even in the military, let alone a commissioned officer. A friend posted a photo of me on the Facebook page "support tattooed military," it was a side-by-side of me in uniform & me in my civvies. Someone contacted Stolen Valor, who made contact with my CoC, who then verified that I was indeed in the military. It was all rather embarrassing.
I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the amount of times I have had to produce my ID to "prove" I was even in the military, let alone a commissioned officer. A friend posted a photo of me on the Facebook page "support tattooed military," it was a side-by-side of me in uniform & me in my civvies. Someone contacted Stolen Valor, who made contact with my CoC, who then verified that I was indeed in the military. It was all rather embarrassing.
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LTC Gavin Heater
Social Media can benefit causes and defeat them at the same time. I can't recall a time when my identity was questioned. If anything, I am more often than not mistaken for law enforcement.
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CPT (Join to see)
Yes Sir, that is for sure. I had no idea that it went on until my commander told me. It was very embarrassing. My friend that posted it thought she was doing something very cool, but it totally backfired. Oh well, you can't change the past.
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SPC Charles Brown
Was it on throat punch Thursday? NEVER let a civilian get away with that! Semper Fi Marine. Stay proud.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
Once a SM, always one. There is no such word as "former" in our dictionary.
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From a Navy Commander...
So you're playing Navy today? In reference to a Navy pride hat I had on with my ribbons on it while working as a Navy contractor at a Naval Air Station.
Nope. I'm retired says I. With a "jerk" comment using my inner voice.
I've not had to deal with the co-worker thing since there are several veterans at my current full time job. The contractor thing is a current part time job I have.
So you're playing Navy today? In reference to a Navy pride hat I had on with my ribbons on it while working as a Navy contractor at a Naval Air Station.
Nope. I'm retired says I. With a "jerk" comment using my inner voice.
I've not had to deal with the co-worker thing since there are several veterans at my current full time job. The contractor thing is a current part time job I have.
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LTC Gavin Heater
Sad to hear this is pervasive in government contracting as it is in the private sector.
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SPC (Join to see)
Do paratroopers get a special MOS? That's the only way that argument could even get close to being valid.
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SSG John Jensen
when it happened, there were the 3 of us there, former paratroopers in the 40th ID (calguard) i forget what the exercise was, they weren't in my unit, the senior nco (a really nice guy) had x-mas tree of Jump wings and EIB, the junior had jump wings only, and I had x-mas tree of jump wings and EFMB, and it was the guy with only jump wings that said the THING to me, and i thought if your manhood is based on belittling others, you're not worth my time
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I have actually been told that I was too patriotic! On the surface, that probably doesn't sound like it was meant to be demeaning, but it was the manner in which it was said that made it so. Something along the lines that I shouldn't be so naïve as to think that the United States is always right.
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LTC Gavin Heater
Exodus, Ex Pat stairs and migration are all legal in the U.S. Maybe your complainer desires to live in a less democratic republic. Certainly other nations need such an enlightened individual more than we do.
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PO1 John Meyer, CPC
When some people talk, isn't it true that it wasn't what they said, but the way they said it?
People like that, in my opinion, have no idea how great it is to be American.
People like that, in my opinion, have no idea how great it is to be American.
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I can't say that it's happened at my work, and definitely not by people who know me, but if I broaden the strict definition of "co-worker" I can tell you that it has happened here on RallyPoint.
Quick judgements made about surface or made up evidence with little or no knowledge of facts.
The times I can think of were in response to topics that had no connection between what was being discussed and the comment made, and resulted in a significant lowering of my opinion about the intelligence of the individual saying it and my dismissal of pretty much everything else they have to say about anything.
Quick judgements made about surface or made up evidence with little or no knowledge of facts.
The times I can think of were in response to topics that had no connection between what was being discussed and the comment made, and resulted in a significant lowering of my opinion about the intelligence of the individual saying it and my dismissal of pretty much everything else they have to say about anything.
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LTC Gavin Heater
When you assemble a group over 300k on a social media site, you are bound to get all types of opinions and personalities. The fact that some don't respect each other is a sad, but expected outcome. Not pleasant to experience, but not unique.
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I have had my loyalty and service questioned by people who should have never done so. Considering that I work for the Army, you would think that sentiment wouldn't exist there, but it does.
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