What are some of the funniest misconceptions people have about your military job?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 13:16:28 -0400

I have been Air Traffic Control since I graduated AIT in 2008. Since that time, when I tell people what my MOS is, I am usually greeted with either "Oh my god that is so stressful, how do you do it?" or "You're the guy with, like, the flags and s**t, right?" To which I reply, yea, it can be stressful, but so then can any job and no. I'm the guy on the radio preventing aircraft from hugging each other in the sky . . . aircraft don't tend to like hugging, they're too manly for that.

What are some of the funniest cases of dealing with misconceptions y'all have had to correct, be it in civilian or military life? Please post your corrections to them as well, this might be a good opportunity for everybody to learn as well as have a few laughs.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 27 at 2015 3:28 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:28:46 -0400

When I rolled into the AO the infantry would heckle us and banter in a less than gentlemanly like way. I would thrust my hand toward the 120 mm gun and slightly bow. Then the vitriolic attacks would cease.