What is the criteria for a "hero"? Do we throw the term around so loosely that it has lost any real meaning?

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 01:16:14 -0400

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Sep 13 at 2016 1:24 AM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 01:24:43 -0400

It is unfortunate to accept the fact that once both wars kicked off it was politicians that were the first to over use the term Heroes for political gains which was followed by business for financial gain.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 13 at 2016 1:29 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 01:29:43 -0400

Don't ever throw that term my way, I was a Dumb Schmuck that had few scruples and did my Countries Dirty Work. Never was really hung up with Right and Wrong, Black and White and always had a "Why Not" mentality which is probably a Bad Thing (Why Not, Probably because it is Illegal or Immoral).

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made Sep 13 at 2016 1:45 AM

Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 01:45:48 -0400

I was watching the movie "Battle: Los Angeles". In the movie a veteran NCO explained to his young Lt. that there may not be a right decision. It seems to me that almost anyone can be labelled a "hero". You just have to be at the right place at the right time.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 13 at 2016 1:48 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 01:48:11 -0400

A headstone.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 2:58 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 02:58:32 -0400

In the eye of the beholder in my opinion

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Sep 13 at 2016 6:45 AM

CPT Tom Monahan — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 06:45:01 -0400

Soldiers don't, but civilians do. Often you can see a hero's ribbon bar and see where their leadership recognized their acts. However, this may not recognize the true heroes who prevented a suicide; coached a life saving skill; or fixed a price of problem equipment that worked when it was needed. Checking my own thinking, when only 1% serves the civilians may think all who serve are heroes to them and their families. It's no different than the warm regard for fire fighters.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 13 at 2016 6:55 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 06:55:32 -0400

My criteria is A) someone that risked their life to save another, B) died risking their life trying to save another, and C) someone that served in the military, and died while serving.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 8:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:32:32 -0400

Not only has the term been thrown around so much that it is little meaning, there are many service members who feel entitled to being called it because they got a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service while doing the same exact job overseas as they did back home in garrison. It is a disease of the modern military where service members demand respect. You don't see WWII, Korea, or Vietnam veterans running around screaming stolen valor, nor did they shamelessly promote their service like many modern veterans do.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Sep 13 at 2016 8:57 AM

SSgt David Tedrow — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:57:05 -0400

A hero is that "other guy" in my opinion. We all do heroic things in our lives but a true hero never takes or wants credit for it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 10:16 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:16:17 -0400

Hi, Major Zeski.
"A hero is a victim of circumstance. In that moment, he longs to be an honest coward like everyone else." - Umberto Eco.

Response by CW4 Anthoney Lowry made Sep 13 at 2016 10:28 AM

CW4 Anthoney Lowry — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:28:03 -0400

Right after the first gulf war, I was a lowly PFC stationed in german, when everyone came home there was an E6 who called himself a HERO because he got a bronze star for destroying the first Iraqi tank of the ground war. not exactly sure how they figured that out. but this guy displayed his medal and certificate proudly every chance he got. nobody else called him a hero, they called him many other things but never a hero.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 10:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:29:28 -0400

yes I believe so, to me a hero is someone that saves lives out of a fire or bad car accident or things like that.

Response by Cpl George Crab made Sep 13 at 2016 10:51 AM

Cpl George Crab — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:51:23 -0400

I consider myself a hero, because I picked up a soda can from my neighbor's yard, and disposed of such an offensive piece of garbage. Are you saying that I may be exaggerating my role of being a hero??? How dare you! ;)

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 11:40 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 11:40:07 -0400

When the term is "liberal-ly" applied to the likes of TV and movie personalities, musicians, and sports figures, then the adulteration of the term is complete!!!

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 13 at 2016 12:13 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:13:04 -0400

Yes it gets thrown around a lot, but everyone has a different definition of hero. Sometimes being a hero is just being someone people can look up to. To me, being a hero is doing some kind of a noble deed that the average person probably wouldn't do. Yeah, we're all trained to charge into battle, but the average person will run screaming at the sound of gunfire. So even amongst ourselves, we might not think we're very heroic, but we'll perform feats the average person couldn't fathom.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 2:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 14:51:49 -0400

I don't know exactly what I think it is. The thing that I do know, is that anybody who believes it applies to themselves is wrong, regardless of what they have done for whom.