In general, do those who serve in the military make better citizens?

Great question CPT Jack Durish. I would have to say that it really comes down to the individual and his or her upbringing though. My experience has been that those who serve for a long time tend to care a little more and don't take as much for granted. At the same time I have seen folks that have never served, but are much better citizens than a lot of our younger military members.

Service Members make better citizens because they have personally invested in the country.

Wow great question.....I will say we tend to think we make better citizens....but the reality is we forget that while we are out defending this great nations the local populace still needs local fire chiefs, police chiefs, city managers, county treasure, county coroner....etc who all are also great citizens... guess what i'm saying it that there are many ways to serve your fellow countrymen and citizen soldier is merely one of them...all who serve the public deserve to be treated with equal respect....without them we would not have hometowns to come back to.

I am going to go against the grain and say no. The vast majority of us that serve honorably are more invested in our country however I know plenty of people who have not had the privileged to serve or did not want to serve in the Armed Forces that are just as equally dedicated to our country. Saying that our service is any greater than that of Law Enforcement, EMT's, Firefighters, Search and Rescue, etc. is putting ourselves above people that contribute just as much - if not more - to the greater good. What of the non-military volunteers that work at the USO's that we visit? What of the handicapped citizens that contribute what they can? What of the thousands of people that volunteer with scouting organizations or work with food banks? President Kennedy put it best, "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." (I may have paraphrased that off the top of my head). I believe that anyone that contributes to the greater good of our society is a patriot - regardless of what uniform or organization they affiliate themselves with.

I would say yes in terms of the understandings of the Freedom. However, there are exceptions to the rule as others have stated before me.

I suspect someone will earn a Doctoral degree researching this question. I suspect the answer is "Yes," however, that is, at best perhaps, informed speculation. Personally, I believe, that they (we), as a class, have a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the responsibilities of citizenship. An understanding learned through service and experience.

I think so.

I look at the overall person. I have seen some who served that are dirt-bags, and some who have no interest in signing up that invest their time in finding the cure for cancer. Personally, I don't look at those who serve any higher than those who don't. We all play our role.

I think vets do make better citizens... we r u used to showing up early and getting the job done... and it kinda opens your mind to a whole side of politics and areas that are not right in the civilian side... like police reform... i know some may not agree.. but in my opion... if i never would of joined deployed and seen how it really felt to almost loose my life (literally), and to come back and see that we have some strict rules of engagement with citizens of another country... then why does the police force have so many gray areas... but thats just some of my opions... off topic maybe...

Yes.