What do you really fight/serve for?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:41:21 -0400

So as I read a lot of things where people get upset about, I often stop and ask myself, Why?? I personally feel that I serve and have served the last 16 years to protect and defend the rights of the American citizens! I do not get to beg and choose what rights it is that I am truly defending and neither do the rest of the service members. So why do we let ourselves be upset by others exercising the very rights that we defend?

Are we that sensitive? Or have we forgotten what our true purpose is as Service members?

If you need examples let me know and I can post some, or you can look on any social media site RallyPoint included, for the "does this bother you" type posts, and then read some of the comments. Maybe I am the one that is just not seeing things clearly here and hopefully you the RP community can help me understand.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2015 12:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:44:27 -0400

I serve the Constitution and the people of the United States of America. This is all I ever wanted to do. 23 years later, I am still doing it. I love it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2015 12:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:48:12 -0400

I fight and serve because I am physically able to do so. I also serve because I feel like its the right thing to do for my family and the American people. When you get down to the meat and potatoes I serve because I believe the Army pays me a decent salary and I am able to do things with my kids that I wasn't able to do growing up because my family just didn't have the money. I serve with the hope that in 20 years I can retire and have a check with benefits coming to my mailbox for the rest of my life.

I see some folks say they serve for there brothers and sisters in Arms. After almost 12 years in the Army and multiple deployments I am serving to get that 20 year retirement. I consider myself to be an outstanding NCO.. easily top 10 percent in the Battalion, but when I come home and see my family and see the nice material things I have in my home... well quiet frankly I do it because I enjoy it and for me its an easy living. At my age and with my almost non- civilian education background minus a HS Diploma... I can't do the things I do in the Army and get paid the amount of money I do anywhere else in the civilian world. The Army comes very easy for me. But I am curious to see what others say. Hope I didn't come off as to cocky or selfish.. just my thoughts and opinions.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 31 at 2015 12:49 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:49:43 -0400

To support and defend the constitution for the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.

And to learn the art of war.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Mar 31 at 2015 7:07 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 19:07:50 -0400

That's a very good question. I initially joined the Air Force because it seemed like both a good thing for my country and the right thing for me personally. It was also somewhat of a family tradition. I grew up listening to C-130's at Keesler AFB in Biloxi MS. Where my father retired to after 20 years in the AF. I also had an uncle who was a POW in WW2 and took part in Bataan death march and another uncle who drove an ambulance in Germany during WW2. My brother joined the AF as well and stayed in for 12 years. Now as for why I made the AF a career? During my 20 years, I was motivated by different things at different times certainly there was a feeling on patriotism. But there was also a need for regular employment, a love of travel and adventure, the AF paid for my education, and I had a strong desire for stability with a good retirement and medical benefits. I also felt that my service as a Safety Specialist/Technician/Manager did some good for my fellow service members and their families. On the other hand at 20 years I knew it was time to go and I haven't regretted my service or retirement once!

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Apr 1 at 2015 11:23 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 11:23:12 -0400

To support and defend the Constitution, which encompasses the rights of my fellow Americans - whether I agree with their stance on issues and behavior. Regardless of whether I agree with their stance, I fought for their rights while Active Duty and continue to as a DOD Civilian.