How does one respond when people denounce your service?

2019-05-12T09:32:48-04:00

How does one respond to a statement of people denouncing your service with you never deployed, you've never seen combat, and also the fabled, you're in the National Guard; you're just a weekend warrior. I have a friend that constantly talks crap about it, his brothers in the navy, he isn't in the military.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 12 at 2019 9:33 AM

2019-05-12T09:33:57-04:00

You have a few options:

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made May 12 at 2019 9:36 AM

2019-05-12T09:36:03-04:00

You walk away. SPC Private RallyPoint Member And, you walk away proudly.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 9:38 AM

2019-05-12T09:38:52-04:00

I wouldn't care. There is someone always bigger and badder. I heard it both ways. When I was on the Guard some would say remakes because I was ranger qualifed. At the end of the day you can choose how you respond. I just wouldn't care.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made May 12 at 2019 9:40 AM

2019-05-12T09:40:36-04:00

Since he's not in the military, tell him "Until you put on the uniform, you have no standing to judge anyone who has."

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 12 at 2019 10:02 AM

2019-05-12T10:02:45-04:00

Ignore him. Before you get pissed and hit him. Walk away with a smile.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 10:22 AM

2019-05-12T10:22:43-04:00

A. Deploy through tour of duty.
B. Don’t have contact with said person.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 10:41 AM

2019-05-12T10:41:07-04:00

Don’t give them the satisfaction of responding. If asked why? I then explain because it’s not healthy to have conservations with someone who can’t find their Ass with both hands.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 11:26 AM

2019-05-12T11:26:42-04:00

Speaking from experience
Word that rhymes with duck em.

I did 5 years Marine Corps as an 0311. 0 deployments, 0 Combat, pretty much 0 time doing my actual job.

What I did do however was provide security for 8th and I and then for the White House Communications Agency.

Yeah it’s a little hurt to the ego, but at the end of the day, I completed the mission to which I was assigned and served honorably. And if in some little brovetflake’s mind that doesn’t qualify me as “really serving” I remember everyone is entitled to their own wrong opinion.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 12:04 PM

2019-05-12T12:04:25-04:00

Just laugh with him and agree. Eventually he will stop when he sees you don’t really care what his opinion is. Being passive about it is the best route.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 12 at 2019 12:31 PM

2019-05-12T12:31:06-04:00

Doesn't sound like much of a friend. Let him know that he can come back and talk shit after he raises his right hand and completes IET.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 1:42 PM

2019-05-12T13:42:40-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I think you are dealing with a jealous person - you have accomplished something he may be afraid to even try, while keeping in school as well. The fact that he disparages his brother's navy service is the same issue. You might offer him a chance to meet your favorite recruiter, just to get his reaction. Thanks for serving, your efforts and time are appreciated by the many, even if they don't sat so,

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 12 at 2019 1:45 PM

2019-05-12T13:45:35-04:00

Tell the bastard how we gained our freedom from England.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 2:06 PM

2019-05-12T14:06:58-04:00

Ignore them. I don’t remember signing up to impress anyone.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 4:58 PM

2019-05-12T16:58:40-04:00

Not much of a friend.

Response by SSG Dale London made May 12 at 2019 9:34 PM

2019-05-12T21:34:46-04:00

As a minister and former military chaplain, I am constitutionally required to advise you to turn the other cheek.
That being said, I started out in the National Guard and I am a flawed human being subject to the frailty of pride. If it were me he was speaking to, I would aprise the pusilanimous pipsqueak who is ragging on my service of a few facts:
As of 29 AUG 2018, Out of the 1,379 soldiers killed in Operation Enduring Freedom, 215 were National Guardsmen. Out of the 12,103 soldiers wounded and injured, 1,613 were National Guardsmen.
Likewise, as of the same date, out of the 2,492 soldiers killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 495 were National Guardsmen. Out of the 16,444 wounded in action, 4,123 were National Guardsmen.
I could go on but you get my point.
I would, I suspect, tell that gutless wonder that until he has the cajones to actually put on a uniform and place himself between the enemies of our country and the home he (supposedly) loves, he's got no room to talk. I might even ask him if perhaps he needs a testosterone supplement seeing as how he's too chicken to join up. Or perhaps he'd like a yellow jockstrap to go with that big yellow streak up his back.
I would, of course, be ready to clean his clock when he swung at me.
Then I would apologise sincerely to God and the coward, beg the Lord's forgiveness and go my way.
But that's just me.

Response by SP5 Theresa (Terri} Hollencamp made May 13 at 2019 12:24 AM

2019-05-13T00:24:59-04:00

when i was in the army 50 years ago,we probably all said something similar ,but BOY have things changed . plus they seem to get deployed alot more often which is really bad. (thirty years later a messed up mind} oh and journal often because the military will really jerk you around. (like "oh really,,,,,what DAY did that incident happen"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2019 8:08 AM

2019-05-13T08:08:45-04:00

I'm not sure, I've never had it happen. I once knew a civilian that made such a statement to me about someone else though, of which I promptly told him, "You don't get to make fun of National Guard and Reservists when you haven't served yourself." You may be weekend warriors ;) but you still signed up to do what the majority of the population never will, and that deserves respect.

Everyone pokes fun of each other to some degree within the service, but in an endearing way, because we are family. Outsiders don't get that luxury. My brother is a leg, and yeah I'm ashamed of it, and I make sure to remind him of that frequently, of which his comeback is to viciously call me a POG-*ss Skyrat. We've served in combat together though, so we both know what we bring to the fight. Good times!

Don't worry about your friend. Him making fun of you is like a homeless person making fun of someone with a job; it might make them feel good about themselves, but outsiders observer them with pity.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made May 13 at 2019 10:08 AM

2019-05-13T10:08:59-04:00

You have never seen combat...because of the ones who went before you..honor them...I was injured in deployment training and some of my friends in the Guard are crippled from IED blasts....I am 63, deaf on one side..cross eyed...194% Disabled (VA Math) one National Guard friend age 70 friend is over 200% (VA math)..our lives were destroyed...foreclosures , bankruptcy...failed relationships...jail...homelessness... restraining orders , head aches bad joints and backs. diabetes...years fighting the Army and VA.. the worst was the pain meds..opioids and psych drugs....there are Vets..way worse off...honor them....they went before...your day will come...consider yourself blessed....

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2019 12:14 PM

2019-05-13T12:14:12-04:00

Laugh and walk away.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made May 13 at 2019 7:43 PM

2019-05-13T19:43:23-04:00

You took an Oath and wear our Country’s uniform with the expectation when called upon to protect and defend,those that denounce you do not and will never know that honor,feel sorry for them,as a seventy three year old Vietnam Vet I do ,and thank you for your Service Brother.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2019 8:16 PM

2019-05-13T20:16:34-04:00

What anyone's opinion of you is just that, their opinion, don't let it bother you, you and we know the truth.
So why waste your time thinking about it, go on and continue what you're doing and stand proud of your service, regardless of what anyone thinks about you.
Personal quotes of others aren't the way to get things done, it's your values in life that do.
I was a Cop for 21 years, and got called many a names by the public, PIG was a big one, and I always turned around and let the person(s) that call me PIG, that it sanded for, "People-In Forcing- Good".
Returning from overseas in Jan 1974, I was met by a crowd of people as I exited the San Francisco airport, they SPIT on my uniform, called me Murderer and Baby Killer, but I held my head high and latter cleaned my uniform.
So, as you ask, "How to respond", don't, it's your world and they just live in it.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made May 14 at 2019 2:21 AM

2019-05-14T02:21:07-04:00

Generally I ignore it. If it becomes harassment, I have a polite conversation. Much of the time, once they better understand, they have a better attitude. After that,if it rises to the level of mockery, I calmly and assertively pull them aside and kick their ass.It has been my experience, the few times that has happened, they begin to understand we are soldiers whether or not we wear the uniform daily. But, most people are reasonable.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made May 14 at 2019 8:45 AM

2019-05-14T08:45:52-04:00

You don’t mind, because it simply doesn’t matter.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2020 7:51 AM

2020-11-27T07:51:08-05:00

Tell him that you're wearing the uniform and he ain't.