Have you forgiven your MILITARY enemies? Asked for forgiveness?

2016-01-26T16:47:42-05:00

Years after I left active duty I was working as a beat reporter for a newspaper. I get this call from a Chief that I had served with .I was surprised - we despised each other. He called me to apologize. I hadn't thought about this guy in YEARS. We talked, made amends, and that was the end of it. Never heard from him again. What about you? Is there someone you need to "square up" with?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 26 at 2016 4:48 PM

2016-01-26T16:48:54-05:00

Yes, by God's grace I have forgiven my personal enemies and pray for them PO1 Ricky Allen.
It took a long time for me to mature as a Christian to the point that I could forgive those who persecuted or abused me.
Now I not only pray for my enemies by name but for the groups that are enemies of this nation. I pray that our enemies respond to and accept the atonement of Christ and that the plans of the enemies are thwarted.

you tagged me after I responded SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. Thanks for tagging me.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 26 at 2016 4:51 PM

2016-01-26T16:51:38-05:00

I will hate my ex until I die. She was an evil woman.

Response by SGT Larry Prentice made Jan 26 at 2016 4:52 PM

2016-01-26T16:52:42-05:00

The only person I ever felt compelled to apoligize to for my actions was wife #1, when we split I was flat out a jerk to her and she did nothing to deserve it. It took me many years, and my father passing, to confront her and say sorry. After my heart felt apology, she simply said "I forgave you years ago". I have had a pretty clear conscience since that day. I vowed to never treat someone as badly as I did her.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 26 at 2016 4:55 PM

2016-01-26T16:55:59-05:00

No, what the hell for? Crap happens get over it. Apologies make you feel better, they do not fix the past. SMH

Response by SSG Gene Carroll SR. made Jan 26 at 2016 5:06 PM

2016-01-26T17:06:28-05:00

Yes I am

Response by Cathy Suarez made Jan 26 at 2016 5:16 PM

2016-01-26T17:16:07-05:00

Most difficult thing I ever did was forgive someone who did something unimaginable. It was also the most liberating and life-changing thing I ever did. It may sound corny, but I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't forgiven them.

Response by PO1 Ricky Allen made Jan 26 at 2016 5:20 PM

2016-01-26T17:20:14-05:00

I edited the question to make sure I was clear on what I was asking - and before this thread got out of control with rage and disgust. This is geared towards those "issues" you had in service or may still have. Personal issues - while just as hard to deal with beyond the uniform - was not the original nature of this question so I hope this clear it up. Nonetheless, I do pray for the responses already given. Forgiveness releases you, whether you think you needed it or not. Forgiveness closes that book even when you thought it wasn't necessary. Forgiveness removes the rage and turns the page. Otherwise, only darkness will remain. Hang in there folks.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 26 at 2016 5:55 PM

2016-01-26T17:55:08-05:00

Recently I had an epiphany...forgiveness wasn't for them...they have long since forgotten what they did to me. Forgiveness is so that I don't have to carry that grudge around and think about it any longer...all these years I have carried those burdens. If I called them and told them they are forgotten they would ask if I had been drinking because it has long since been forgotten with them. I have forgiven people from my military time, and I have also prayed to have a heart of forgiveness for mine and our nations enemies. Proverbs 24:17 states "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and He turn away His anger from him." Matthew 5:44-45 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in Heaven for he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain in the righteous and the unrighteous." God poured his blood out for me in forgiveness and I must do the same. It is a powerful tool that we don't use very often as it is easier to carry a grudge than it is to forgive and move on.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jan 26 at 2016 6:20 PM

2016-01-26T18:20:05-05:00

Nope. I cherish my grudges. What else do I have, LOL?

Response by SMSgt Sheila Berg made Jan 26 at 2016 6:38 PM

2016-01-26T18:38:45-05:00

No That person tried to ruin my life. I forgot about her and moved on. I have no need to converse with her as any conversation would not be sincere.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jan 26 at 2016 6:39 PM

2016-01-26T18:39:14-05:00

There's a few. To some I'd apologize that I didn't listen to what they were telling me, I'd tell them I'm trying to make amends by helping others not follow me and repeat the mistakes I made. Those would be the ones I'd like to talk to first. The second group would be those who we equally despised each other. To them, I'd extend an olive branch, but if we can't find a mutual "nirvana" then in my other hand I'd have my middle finger ready. And go to sleep knowing I tried, and will never care again. The third group would be those who I did listen to the first time and got things right. I'd thank them like the first group, and tell them I'm still trying and getting better everyday.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jan 26 at 2016 7:05 PM

2016-01-26T19:05:38-05:00

One day, I hope to be mature enough to forgive those who have wronged me. However, I have found one thing in those relationships: You must first be able to forgive yourself.

Thought provoking question, PO1 Ricky Allen!

Response by SSG Karl Fowler made Jan 26 at 2016 7:25 PM

2016-01-26T19:25:28-05:00

The day I retired, I stood in front of a room packed full of my fellow civil service workers and my unit personnel , I said that during my 32 yrs of service I have pissed off everyone in this room sometime or another and some have returned the favor to me, I hope you accept my apologies for that and I don't want to leave this facility with any enemy's.
Because of that day I felt better of myself, and my fellow exworker's said they see me in a whole different way (for the better)

Response by SPC Anne Miller made Jan 26 at 2016 7:33 PM

2016-01-26T19:33:05-05:00

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jan 26 at 2016 7:38 PM

2016-01-26T19:38:27-05:00

I never had anything that I believe either required anybody to forgive me, nor require me to forgive anyone .

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 26 at 2016 8:03 PM

2016-01-26T20:03:09-05:00

PO1 Ricky Allen great topic, I have some old enemies. Superiors that did not want me to succeed. It was tough, but I endured through Gods Grace of ever lasting mercy. I am RETIRED now, and I talk to some of my enemies but like John F. Kennedy stated, "Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnfkenn103659.html#AqqCgBjQiVP8SZdh.99

John F. Kennedy Quotes at BrainyQuote.com

"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names." - John F. Kennedy quotes from BrainyQuote.com

Response by CPT Maria Burns made Jan 26 at 2016 9:21 PM

2016-01-26T21:21:31-05:00

Forgive your enemies, but always remember the bastards' names. -borrowed from John F. Kennedy, and makes sense to me. No, I've not asked forgiveness, as they've probably all forgotten me.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 1:02 PM

2016-01-27T13:02:58-05:00

No.
And there are three that I can think of that I never want to see again.
Don't want their apologies.
Don't need to fix their conscience.
They can sort out their sins with their maker. I don't want anything to do with them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 2:49 PM

2016-01-27T14:49:06-05:00

No not at all. I was hoping to cross paths someday but it's probably not going to happen.

Response by SFC Richard Lee made Jan 28 at 2016 6:04 PM

2016-01-28T18:04:59-05:00

There are so many that do you wrong in a 33 year period, the last ones were during my last tour in Korea, CPT x 3, 1SG x 3, SFC x 3. It's sad to say, but individuals that are suppose to have your back since you have theirs would stab you in the back to make themselves look better. But for me, I don't hold grudges, so those individuals have nothing to worry about from me, there is something called Kama and it's real, I've seen it happen. Just forgive, forget and move on.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Oct 15 at 2019 11:12 AM

2019-10-15T11:12:47-04:00

The only enemies I had when in the military was The Soviet Union, and no I haven't forgiven them even though they call themselves Russia now.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 15 at 2019 1:24 PM

2019-10-15T13:24:29-04:00

Only had one person who I didn't get along with, he's long since passed away.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Oct 15 at 2019 1:28 PM

2019-10-15T13:28:21-04:00

There is one who is like Voldemort; he who shall go unnamed...I rarely think about him but I make sure I check any guest lists before I accept an invitation to an event where he will be. As for the other one, I simply don't care. If I ran into him I would treat him like any other officer whose path had crossed mine.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Oct 15 at 2019 1:54 PM

2019-10-15T13:54:34-04:00

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Oct 15 at 2019 7:26 PM

2019-10-15T19:26:05-04:00

I have no hate for anyone. There is one person I can't seem to stop disliking and I cringe whenever I see her. I loved her Dad, thought he was a great actor and good American, Jane on the other hand.................

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Oct 16 at 2019 2:15 AM

2019-10-16T02:15:28-04:00

I would have to say no. There was one particular Squad Leader in Korea who did everything in his power to hinder me, to include falsifying documents, "Losing" my leave forms, made sure I was on every detail that came the squads way, and continuously denying my promotion. The thing is, I was not a problem child, I did my work, I was a 280+ PT stud, Won both Soldier of the Month and Soldier of the Quarter, and I always shot expert. That is not to say that I didn't have minor infractions - as in Class "A" things being slightly off, or my boots getting a scuff or two on the polish - it was the man just absolutely had it out for me, and blew up any infraction into a catastrophic event. I would not have been as angry at the man if he was even handed with everyone in the Squad, but he wasn't. He absolutely had favorites, and I watched someone who was a PFC when he arrived, go to the Promotion board before me, despite me being better at my job, PT, and shooting.