Posted on Sep 8, 2017
What is the biggest military myth that people have that you want to dispel?
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I have been in the Army Reserves since 2009. I meet a lot of people who think that the Reserves is nothing more than a group of people who get paid to goof off for one weekend a month and that we aren't real Soldiers. What they don't know is that the Reserves is filled with hardworking Soldiers who accomplish amazing things for their unit, the Army, and the United States. This made me wonder, what myths or opinions have you heard about the military that you wish you could dispel?
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Servicemembers
Servicemembers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
MSG (Join to see) During my civilian career, I worked with Reserve and National Guard men and women. They were all top notch. When I served, I came into contact with protestors that knew nothing about the war, but they were against it, and therefore, they were against service men and women. In college, I came into contact with folks that disliked me because I had served. I had one classmate tell me that I did not look or act like a monster, because her friends said that we were all monsters that wanted to kill people. I do not associate with folks that hate the military. I know a lot of folks that respect service men and women for the tough job they perform in serving our country.
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SGT Dave Tracy
Good that you do avoid such people. Besides, people like that who are (intentionally) that steeped in myth and fantasy narratives probably still believe in Santa Claus.
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I don't really much care what myths civilians hold, but I do get a little incensed when I see members from other services say something to the effect of "The Navy is just REMF's" or "You guys never have to face danger", etc. And that happens quite a bit. They speak from a position of not knowing jack shit about the things Sailors face at sea, even in non-combat situations. Anyone that thinks Sailors aren't warfighters needs to pick up a history book. Or even a newspaper, recently.
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Sgt (Join to see)
SN Greg Wright The Navy Corpsman we had were called "Doc" and went through the same dangers and hardships that we endured. I have the utmost respect for anyone that puts on the uniform, because, like you mentioned, there are dangers, even in non-combat situations.
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Sgt Wayne Wood
Docs & Padres ain't sailors... they're Marines who got reduced sentences for good behavior.
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Sgt Dale Briggs
MAJ (Join to see) - completing 25 missions was a real challenge, some of the highest casualty rates in the military at that time. Bomber crew was a pseudo death sentence.
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Most people think we get brainwashed in boot camp. Others think our entire time in the service is a Full Metal Jacket-like experience. Both are obviously incorrect.
The other thing that bugs me more is that people assume I know exactly what's going on in North Korea or elsewhere. Or that I know what we need to do there. As if I get briefed by the President on this stuff. I don't even watch the news so they probably know more than me.
The other thing that bugs me more is that people assume I know exactly what's going on in North Korea or elsewhere. Or that I know what we need to do there. As if I get briefed by the President on this stuff. I don't even watch the news so they probably know more than me.
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Sgt (Join to see)
PO3 Bob McCord - I went through Boot Camp in 1968, and the training was intense. It was not brainwashing, but training so that you can react without thinking about it, and possibly save your life and the lives of your brothers.
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MSG (Join to see)
People never ask me about North Korea, but I had a similar experience as a mechanic. Everyone thinks I'm 'Mr. Fix It' because the Army trained me to be a helicopter mechanic. I know how to do it because I was taught. I cannot fix your car, VCR, computer, or T.V.
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