Retired E8-E9, should your status be used as a bully platform?

I was on the opposite side of the spectrum. I was everything a applicant to the service academies was supposed to be, except I was reckless. Brought home by law enforcement a lot; not for illegal things, but dangerous "what could go wrong" stupid things. And I would not walk away from a fight, no matter how bad the odds, and lost way more of those fights than I won. Plus I had a serious problem with authority, I was always looking to embarrass whoever was in charge.

My Dad was a Navy Flag Officer and told the Navy Blue and Gold officer not to waste his time because I was "a walking Bad Conduct or Dishonorable Discharge." Don't get me wrong, Dad and I had a great relationship, he just thought the military and I would get along like nitro-glycerin and vibration. He even sent a letter to my states service academy applicant interview board saying I wouldn't make it through Plebe Summer, let alone Plebe year. Dad wasn't against his boys serving in the military, he was Gung Ho about my brother serving, but he thought a tour in the military would leave me unemployable.

I know I’m no E-8 or E-9 or above. However; I will answer this respectfully.

I feel this entire read is very offensive towards any of your peers or your seniors. As such I feel you very well could have put this across a lot better.

It doesn’t make it right to use any title/rank as a means to support your child who has decided to enter the military as a means to accelerate their career. I feel this is fraternization in the highest degree and should be handled as such. Just because their child has decided to go into the military doesn’t mean they need to influence their enlistment/commission in any way. Their child chose to enter the military to make their mark - LET THEM.

Respectfully yours,

Not an E-8 or above nobody. Lol

Way to absolutely destroy any modicum of credibility one may have scraped together over the years!

I served with a guy who’s father is a 3 star. Our leadership would use it to bully him

nope everyone has to earn their own way & respect of his/her follows that he or she serves with. doesn't matter what his or her Grand farther or farther did in service to our country. not everyone can fill the shoe's of the farther. or some can fill them better. but no one should get treated for his Farther's deed's or misdeed's

No preferences at all to be allowed for any of them no matter who. That goes for E or O grades and polititions. No deferents unless medically warrented. That even goes for the draft to include the ladies. In fact have a mandatory active duty requirement in place. I could go on and on but no time or space to put it all down. All officers should do at least a minimum four years as an enlisted and no special anything except be considered only after the fours being at having reached E5 and genuinely rated superior with no blind eyes to pass by during consideration and performance

1SG: I don't think anyone should get a pass for being the son or daughter of a service member. We do the right thing regardless of our affiliations. Professional courtesies are sometimes extended and there is nothing wrong with that as long as special favor is not extended or implied in those interchanges. Thanks for the interesting question. COL L

Wow! I couldn’t imagine asking for a favor for my son! And he’d be truly p.o.’d if I did! My husband and son are both active duty, they both have the mindset that they are here to protect this great nation. Neither one of them want special treatment.

Of course all of your questions are rhetorical and don't really need an answer but here goes nonetheless. My stepson and daughter in law are both in the military and if anything, I'm probably harder on them than their own unit. Not so much directly implied but I believe they are given "special" treatment because of my (R) status. I ensure that they know that they have to work harder than their fellow Soldier's to get to where they want to be. Nothing is going to be handed to you.......

Stay out of ur child life, let them make their own way and find their own path whether military or civilian. It's not ur job to micro manage their lives. Ur child and his, or grandchild needs to find their path through all of the clutter in life's journey!