What are some of the behaviors that service members and veterans display that reflect poorly on the veteran community?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 14:25:25 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 2:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 14:41:20 -0400

One things that always gets me is if a veterans gets upset that a business does not offer a military discount and gets offended if they don't. If they do thats great, if they don't do not make an issue about it like you deserve it for some reason.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 15 at 2017 3:13 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 15:13:06 -0400

Over-the-top Stolen Valor watchmen.

Advice for such guardians of valor: I take no issue with pointing out a fraud, have at, but that comes with 2 important qualifiers:

1. If you are absolutely sure you're dealing with a scammer, and with cellphone camera in hand decide to point out said faker, don't be so obnoxious, and go so far overboard that you look like an even bigger ass than the d-bag you're shaming.

2. Know--with absolute certainty--you are calling out an actual faker! There have been cases where legitimate vets were wrongly accused by some self-appointed YouTube warrior of steeling valor. That is never excusable. Better to let 100 fakers go, than falsely accuse a legitimate SM or vet; especially if that unfortunate person wrongly accused is pasted all over social media by the self-righteous, yet wrong. The internet lives forever. And if you do falsely accuse a legitimate vet, own that shit! Grow some fucking balls and say, "damn, I fucked up, I'm not the be-all, know-all I thought I was, and I am sorry". Then slap yourself. No, no, no. Harder!

Response by SPC Sean Slaughter made Jun 15 at 2017 7:14 PM

SPC Sean Slaughter — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 19:14:03 -0400

Kinda getting annoyed with the "Dysfunctional Veteran" shit. I mean seriously everyone doesn't need to think we are all crazy nutbags with spec ops/duck dynasty beards, grunt style shirts and a bad attitude towards anyone that didn't serve. Also former infantry guys need to chill with the POG shit. I kicked more doors in 2003-2004 invasion of Iraq than most infantrymen and get treated like I'm less of a soldier cause I did it with less training, no Gucci gear and no blue cord!

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jun 16 at 2017 11:47 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 11:47:21 -0400

Public displays of flatulence with pride instead of shame and embarrassment, announcing your need to perform a certain bodily function and the colorful description of such function thereafter, foul language, dip spitting in the office trash can, etc. etc.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2017 2:05 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 14:05:08 -0400

Using your service in protests/political activities unrelated to military issues, thinking it gives your argument increased value. I totally understand publicly advocating as a veteran when it comes to things like VA healthcare or other issues that are directly related to military service. But when I see people using it as a "hey everyone look! I'm a veteran who hates Donald Trump, that gives my argument more power!" it kinda really pisses me off a lot.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2017 3:51 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 15:51:54 -0400

The thing that annoys me is when vets bring up their veteran status when it has nothing to do with anything. Example: A while back a neighbor of mine was complaining on social media about kids in the neighborhood ringing doorbells and running. In her rant about how rude this was she stated "I'm a vet and I don't think this is very courteous". Or something like that. My immediate thought was, who the hell cares if you're a vet? What does that have to do with absolutely anything? Another example would be guys at working talking about a movie and then someone says "Oh yeah, I saw that movie when I was in Iraq". Again, that is unnecessary information and looks like you're just fishing for kudos even if you aren't.

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Jun 17 at 2017 9:34 AM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 09:34:27 -0400

Dip, chew, and spit bottles in public view.

Response by SPC P Noelle made Jun 17 at 2017 12:32 PM

SPC P Noelle — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 12:32:47 -0400

Most vets get upset when not offered a military discount. Another one is that vets blame their troubles on PTSD, and make the disability look bad for those that have PTSD.

Response by SSG Michael Burdiss made Jun 17 at 2017 12:40 PM

SSG Michael Burdiss — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 12:40:51 -0400

Men in dresses

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Dec 29 at 2017 5:18 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 17:18:03 -0500

These T Shirts and bumper stickers challenging others to disagree with them. It's no wonder we are disrespected

Response by SPC Greg Campbell made Dec 19 at 2019 10:57 PM

SPC Greg Campbell — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 22:57:46 -0500

I ask, if they do I say thank you, if they dont I go on with my life.

Response by CPT Robert Holden made Dec 21 at 2019 10:34 AM

CPT Robert Holden — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 10:34:37 -0500

The biggest one That bothers me is lack of respect for the colors or the country . Unfortunately we’ve seen way to much of tar lately

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 21 at 2019 10:44 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 10:44:01 -0500

On a personal level I disagree entirely with the premise presented in the question no other persons actions reflect upon me.
So a person who gets a DWI and kills up school bus full of nuns and puppies they may be a veteran but it doesn’t reflect poorly on me.
Just like every time somebody murder somebody else with a gun it does not reflect on me at all as a gun owner.
Somebody that kills another driving recklessly does not reflect poorly on me at all as a fellow vehicle driver.

If somebody tries to lump you in to a negative issue because both parties are in the same veteran group the problem is with that third-party pointing the finger not the veterans

Response by CPL Rob Wilson made Dec 22 at 2019 12:31 PM

CPL Rob Wilson — Sun, 22 Dec 2019 12:31:33 -0500

A dude across the street blasts loud music all the time and if anyone says anything he starts running his mouth about being a veteran. Like that gives him license to behave any way he wants.