Is the current generation of military (5 years or less) too entitled?

SPC Chad Kolod — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 02:00:11 -0500

I have noticed a rash of meme's like the one pictured popping up lately. One that really got too me was where a soldier pictured in a classroom was annoyed about non-veterans feeling like they deserve free college. It bugs me because I feel like that's why we joined, to defend the people of our great country and their dreams. Why do we as a veteran feel as though we deserve more than those we joined to protect? Maybe it's just me, but has anyone else noticed this? I see it more in the more recent military and veterans. What are your thoughts?

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made Feb 19 at 2016 2:01 AM

SPC Chad Kolod — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 02:01:59 -0500

This was the picture that got me started on my rant.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 2:40 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 02:40:34 -0500

SPC Chad Kolod, I agree with PO1 Andrew Gardiner. Sure, college is expensive, but that does not mean non-veterans deserve free college, because they do not. Veterans have made sacrifices to earn the G.I. Bill, which is paid for by sweat and blood. When I go to a restaurant, I sometimes ask for a military discount, because you should take advantage of discounts when you can. If the restaurant does not offer a discount, I do not demand to speak to the manager, and do not believe too many veterans would go to that extreme.

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Feb 19 at 2016 3:45 AM

1SG Nick Baker — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 03:45:35 -0500

We give an f'n free ride to some jock to play a sport or any other college subject. A veteran does deserve more than someone because they earned it. I did not get the Cadillac education funding of the Montgomery or the post 9/11. I paid for mine. We give free rides to kids that beat out other high school kids and non citizens to give them a chance.

Why don't we line up all the veterans families, that lost their loved one in war, and take their benefits so the rest can get more. I show my retiree ID card when an ID is required, not for a hand out, because I am proud of my service. My drivers license does not define me, nor does it say who I am.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Feb 19 at 2016 4:26 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 04:26:29 -0500

I'm going to come out and say that I joined the military for the benefits (school). In the time serving I do admit that I did learn a lot about the world and the US and am glad to have served.

After serving, I do not believe anyone owes me anything more than what was said in my contract. I am not entitled to anything, I do not want to be given special treatment because I wore ABUs at some point in my life. I don't feel I deserve a job more or less than the guy next to me without the veteran card. I do sense the entitled vibe coming from some veterans though.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Feb 19 at 2016 4:36 AM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 04:36:48 -0500

SPC Chad Kolod First of all, you should feel a little silly for getting worked up over a meme. It's not even a good one (neither one you posted in this thread).

Second, and more important, you're just wrong. Veterans don't get free tuition. They don't get free ANYTHING. They gave up years of their life to get what they get, often in less than pleasant conditions, sometimes at the cost their health, and all of it under the oath of service and the UCMJ. We DO deserve it more than those we joined to protect, because we worked harder for it.

Some civilians do get free tuition, but not without cost. They busted their asses to get scholarships through long hours of study, or long hours of developing their bodies and athletic skills.

Why would anyone else feel they deserve free tuition? The only reason I can think of is that they don't have any understanding of what college actually costs. Either that, or they are just spoiled brats.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 7:35 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 07:35:38 -0500

none of them connected the service members signed a contract that might cost them their lives in exchange for something like "not so free" G.I Bill depend on what university you want to go.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 19 at 2016 9:17 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 09:17:35 -0500

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 19 at 2016 10:02 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 10:02:37 -0500

Some veterans think their sacrifice in the service equates to special privileges.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 10:16 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 10:16:41 -0500

"Free" tuition was anything but. I bled for it/ Lost time with my children for it. Fought and burned and nearly died for it.
The notion that Veterans are hypocrites for saying that money for school should not be given to everyone because of "reasons" is bull.

Don't worry, entitled guy. Bernie would never get that through Congress. You'll still have to either work hard, get mommy to pay for it, or incur debt just like your parents did.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 19 at 2016 7:34 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 19:34:59 -0500

I appreciate it when people appreciate something I've done. As a junior officer, I received far more than my fair share of free drinks, free meals, invitations to go fishing, etc. (mostly from financially well-off veterans). But I never expected them. If I ever do expect them, I'm suspect I'm in the express lane to hell. Now that I am older and well-off, I try to do the same for younger service members when I see them.

Response by SGT Eliyahu Rooff made Feb 21 at 2016 12:39 AM

SGT Eliyahu Rooff — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 00:39:22 -0500

I'll sometimes ask if there is a discount for military or veterans, but I don't expect it. And frankly, it means a lot more when people or businesses do it because they want to rather than because we expect or demand it. Back when I joined (here we go again, I know...) the base pay for a new private E-1 was $78 a month. Discounts made a real difference for us then. But now, consider that someone who just joined is getting over $1500 a month and if they live in the barracks, that is discretionary income, meaning they have $1500 a month in spending money free and clear. I never had that much left over to spend as a civilian. I'm not sure they need a discount. For married troops with kids, I can see how it will make a difference if they get a discount, just as a discount can help for someone outside who's working in a low-paying job. If it matters, it's not hard to find which places offer military discounts and to patronize them. With all that said, I think the discount that meant the most to me was a decade ago when the local humane society decided that for the Veteran's Day week, all adoption fees were waived for anyone who was a veteran or active duty. They didn't have to do it, but they chose to, and a lot of us came home with new pets that week.