How do you respond when civilians question you about your military service and don't like your answer

It is tough many times; but, I try to treat each person who questions the value of my service to this nation with respect. It was harder when I was young during the Vietnam War and afterwards when so many seemed to hate anybody who was in uniform.

If they're a fellow vet, the question is usually couched with reverence. The pleasantries like: Where'd you go? Who did you know? Did you get the t-shirt?

If they're questioning me with a negative tone, I tell them as much as they want to hear. No more. If they want to talk politics vis-à-vis the military, I let 'em make their point and move on. No use stirring the pot with a wannabe (nodding to Sgt Jay Jones).

I have a very blunt side to my time spent. They can FO

Civilians who question your service are nothing but "wannabe's". They like to live vicariously off of your military experience. Unless you were John Wayne they feel cheated because they don't get the thrill of a horror story.

It depends on the person, but I cannot recall having anyone having issues with my answers on questions about the military...throat punches on Thursdays, not so much.

When folks have questioned me about my choice to protect and serve and do not like my answer I usually just point out that I freely chose my profession and that I am responsible for my action and accept the consequences, good or bad, just like they should for their choices. I also tell them I respect their question as they should respect my answer - and neither has to actually like the other's position - just respect it. Doesn't both me, many are into that 10% left or 10% right zealots' groups and are not seeking a respectful, learning opportunity... then I move on with my time. For the other 80% we both learn something.

It's the fat blowhards and bullshitters I have the most problem with. With practice, though, I've gotten pretty good at disengaging and walking away from the convo. I've learned you can't fix stupid OR teach a pig to sing. Both are a waste of time

Years ago a civilian asked me why didn't I join the Marines and that his "daddy" had been in the Marines.

I asked him, "Why didn't you serve".

Most have no idea how the military operates and many, many more may not even know a solider (and I use soldier to cover all military personnel) so I try and treat them with respect and if i care to elaborate on an answer, I will.

And with regards to assignments, I never received anything i asked for. I know it might be different with officers but with enlisted, it never happened. The Vietnam War was still going on when I enlisted but I was 17 and went to Korea while my whole AIT class went to Germany! My twin brother was AWOL so many times, they told him if he misses another formation they were going to ship his butt to Nam and thats exactly what they did. We are pretty close and if he was going over, so was I. They would not even consider a transfer in Korea but I read up some of the regs and realized I could reenlist for country of choice.

Well with just over a year in service, I reenlisted to go to Nam. Reenlistment NCO would not sign the papers for weeks as he said he didn't want to be responsible for my death. Well I kept at him and he finally did. Just after my 18th birthday I was on my way to Nam!

I was gung ho then and wanted to fly door gunner on Hueys and requested transfers out of my signal unit to an aviation unit. Little did i know, no one ever processed my paperwork but when I got assigned to the 16th Combat Aviation Group I thought my request was approved. While I was assigned to an aviation unit and did fly gunner several times, it wasn't my responsibility. As the 23rd Infantry was standing down, I did the same thing all over again, requested transfer to an aviation unit.

When I got assigned to 101st Airborne Aviation Battalion, i thought the same thing again, my transfer was approved. No such luck. While i have thought about for many years, i think some people were really trying to keep me from getting killed. I loved flying and wanted to do it full time. I did it as often as i could outside my primary area of responsibility.

Honestly, if I chose to answer, I really don't Give a Rats what they think about my service. I don't talk to people I don't know about it anyways. AND if I do talk about it, it is usually only with Veterans. (Veterans and SM's usually tend to be more understanding.)