Posted on Nov 12, 2023
How do you respond when someone says "Thank you for your service"?
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I've never asked this question, and I've never seen anyone else ask it, but I'm curious. What do you say when someone thanks you for your service?
My Military ID is right next to my driver's license and debit card in my wallet, so it's visible if I have to show my driver's license for something or if I'm taking my debit card out to use. Very often, someone who sees it will ask what branch I was in. Then they will thank me for my service. My usual answer is "Thank you for your support." But I'm curious about how others respond to that.
My Military ID is right next to my driver's license and debit card in my wallet, so it's visible if I have to show my driver's license for something or if I'm taking my debit card out to use. Very often, someone who sees it will ask what branch I was in. Then they will thank me for my service. My usual answer is "Thank you for your support." But I'm curious about how others respond to that.
Posted in these groups: 
Appreciation
Appreciation
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 324
SPC Timothy Smith
My response most of the time is, You are very welcome, thanks for your support. Lots of time no matter if they were Veterans or not, we will get into a deeper conversation. I for the most part enjoyed my eight years in the Army.
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Amn Roger Omberg
I always thot of my Dad, & my 3 brothers, when someone would say that to me, because I was the last of my family to enter the US Military. I normally reply, thank You for saying that, & I would do it again, if I could!
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PO3 Gregory Hott
I had uncles in Vietnam Army and Navy all came home. I also had Uncles and great Uncle in WWII. Army all! One was in Philippines, fought Bataan wounded death march died as Japanese POW October 1944 on Hell ship! His older brother fought under MacArthur up New Guinea and finished war in Philippines. Great Uncle fought Europe from fall 1944 to end and an uncle fought Europe till end and occupier of Japan. I served during Vietnam but never in country. A Vietnam combat Veteran 66-67 asked me once "IF I WAS ORDERED INTO NAM WOULD I HAVE GONE-YES" He made me feel better about myself.
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MSgt (Join to see) Thank you for your support.
Most of us do not serve for the "thank you for your service" aspect.
This country's treatment of veterans (and to some extent service members) has come a long way since WWII and Vietnam. But there will always be a mix of people who see service members as some random selection from the spectrum of "baby killing stooge of the military industrial complex to the unquestionable heroes of the republic. We all know Soldiers and Veterans who run that spectrum and earn the derision or praise.
At the end of the day, we aren't special. Veterans day used to be about remembering why the military exists and what is could prevent in the future and not a way to pat each other on the back. And much like Memorial Day, it has become diluted by commercialization. Discount hounds, "thank me for my service" types, and the civil military gap widening for every WTFArmy or reported sexual assault moment has lowered the perception of professionalism that used to accompany service.
So every time someone thanks me for my service, I thank them for their support, no matter how performative.
Most of us do not serve for the "thank you for your service" aspect.
This country's treatment of veterans (and to some extent service members) has come a long way since WWII and Vietnam. But there will always be a mix of people who see service members as some random selection from the spectrum of "baby killing stooge of the military industrial complex to the unquestionable heroes of the republic. We all know Soldiers and Veterans who run that spectrum and earn the derision or praise.
At the end of the day, we aren't special. Veterans day used to be about remembering why the military exists and what is could prevent in the future and not a way to pat each other on the back. And much like Memorial Day, it has become diluted by commercialization. Discount hounds, "thank me for my service" types, and the civil military gap widening for every WTFArmy or reported sexual assault moment has lowered the perception of professionalism that used to accompany service.
So every time someone thanks me for my service, I thank them for their support, no matter how performative.
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CSM William Everroad
SrA Cecelia Eareckson - Its obvious you just want to be riled up about something and are having trouble engaging in adult conversations.
Sexual assault is not unique to the military, what is unique to the military is the power structures that allow SA to continue while at the same time claiming that the military and its leaders belong to a profession of arms. This contradiction and the near constant reports of SA affects public perception of the military.
It in no way indicates SA is not a problem.
It no way indicates that what the military is doing is adequate.
It does indicate that the public is aware of the issue and is one of the reasons that recruiting is down and respect for the military as a profession is decreasing.
People can say these things and not minimize SA. Your perception of what I am saying is the problem here. You equate WTFArmy with "hijinks", when there have been serious violations posted all across SM, that particular site was used an example. The "lumping together" is you forcing a hierarchy of outrage, when there need not be one because this particular discussion is not about that. I never insinuated that Soldiers posting hazing on WTFArmy was more detrimental to the image of the Army than reports of SA, I never claimed they were equal in concern.
What I wrote was that these things, together with all the others issues the Army is poorly handling, affect how the public perceive the people in the army and military service in relation to the OP asking how I respond to, "thank you for your service". I would think that a reasonable people would find that I take very seriously the things that affect Soldiers since it came to mind when I think about how the public perceives our professionalism.
If you want to continue to feel like I am minimizing SA just to "sell an idea" that reports of SA hurts the image of the Army and should have posted a thesis on the effects and impacts of SA and MST instead, its a free country. Just be aware that you are incorrect and I hope one day you realize how unreasonable you sound.
Sexual assault is not unique to the military, what is unique to the military is the power structures that allow SA to continue while at the same time claiming that the military and its leaders belong to a profession of arms. This contradiction and the near constant reports of SA affects public perception of the military.
It in no way indicates SA is not a problem.
It no way indicates that what the military is doing is adequate.
It does indicate that the public is aware of the issue and is one of the reasons that recruiting is down and respect for the military as a profession is decreasing.
People can say these things and not minimize SA. Your perception of what I am saying is the problem here. You equate WTFArmy with "hijinks", when there have been serious violations posted all across SM, that particular site was used an example. The "lumping together" is you forcing a hierarchy of outrage, when there need not be one because this particular discussion is not about that. I never insinuated that Soldiers posting hazing on WTFArmy was more detrimental to the image of the Army than reports of SA, I never claimed they were equal in concern.
What I wrote was that these things, together with all the others issues the Army is poorly handling, affect how the public perceive the people in the army and military service in relation to the OP asking how I respond to, "thank you for your service". I would think that a reasonable people would find that I take very seriously the things that affect Soldiers since it came to mind when I think about how the public perceives our professionalism.
If you want to continue to feel like I am minimizing SA just to "sell an idea" that reports of SA hurts the image of the Army and should have posted a thesis on the effects and impacts of SA and MST instead, its a free country. Just be aware that you are incorrect and I hope one day you realize how unreasonable you sound.
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
SGM Bobby Langford Sr - I served in the 70's, pre-Tailhook. When my squadron cdr told me to go see the deputy wing cdr off duty, I was E-3, halfway around the world, in a country under martial law. I did see the JAG.. His advice, which I believe was well meant, was that if I complained, I "would be lucky if nothing happened." That is verbatim. So, it's not surprising you never heard what might have been going on. BTW, the first evening I went to the Col's quarters, he had a dozen or so other officers in for drinks. Nobody raised an eyebrow, and they all moseyed along after awhile. It was a small base, very few women, and if they never saw me at the O club, they knew I was enlisted.
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
CSM William Everroad - So, why the heck bring MST into the thread at all? It should indeed be a topic on its own. That's a rhetorical question, and I really don't see any point in continuing any exchange with you.
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