Posted on May 11, 2018
What is the worst part about being a service member or veteran?
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I know that we are (or should be) proud of our service. I, like many, believe that my experience in the military made me a better person and is definitely something that I am glad to say that I had the opportunity to be a part of. That being said, not everything is sunshine and rainbows. Although there are various positives that go along with having served, the world is not perfect and because of this, there are always negatives that come along with things. What is the worst part about having served or presently serving in the United States military?
Experience
Military Career
Combat
Relationships
Resiliency
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 188
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I know I'm saying the same many of you are, but I also saw a whole different side of things when I left the navy versus the civilian sector. I worked in retail for several years (Value Village, think Goodwill, but red). Most of the people I worked with would do their jobs fine, but a lot of the management would push push push but not help to get the team's numbers up for the day. Then the next morning they'd get yelled at for not making numbers. How do you expect your people to do their jobs and in turn make you look good to the executives if you don't come down to our level and realize what's going on and help out to make the difference? On the ship, even some of my chiefs (E-7s) would be down in the machinery space tearing apart the turbine generators with the rest of us. So much nicer when they know what's going on because they were doing it too.
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CPO Arthur Weinberger
I have had similar experiences. Leadership is only as good as your juniors. When help is needed at a lower level it is time to roll up your sleeves and jump in.
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Suspended Profile
My experience is exactly the same as yours regarding leadership...both military and civilian. Only, in my case, it was our C.O. telling our commissioned officer pilots they had to help with maintenance. The pilots weren't happy, but ALL OF US ENLISTED loved our C.O. for giving that order. My civilian experience: exactly the same as yours...regarding management.
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The worst part for many enlisted women who are there for their comrades, is being raped. Their lives are never the same afterwards. What if it would have been your wife or sister that was sexually molested?
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CPT Angela Wilder
The worst part for many Female Officers who are there for their Soldiers, NCOs, and fellow Officers is also being raped or sexually molested.
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1SG Ernest Stull
On behalf of the Men who looked at the female soldier as an equal and not a thing I want you to know that I am sorry you had to endure being around scumbags like those who had no sense of honor.
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Suspended Profile
What no one ever talks about, are the male members of the military who get raped by other males. Within the last year or two, I learned of a junior enlisted soldier who got raped by 3 or 4 staff NCO's. It never got reported to command because the soldier who was victimized knew it was his word against theirs, he was out numbered, and out ranked, and so no one was going to believe him. The numbers of male victims might be a lot smaller, but they do exist, and they're every bit as messed up afterwards as the women are. Maybe, possibly, even more so. I do NOT mean to trivialize ANYONE. All I'm saying is that it happens to men, also. The soldier who told me about it was in the same unit as the victim. I'll grant that what I'm telling you is "hear, say", but I have no reason to question the integrity of the individual who told me. Also, he has/had nothing to gain by telling me, and I have nothing to gain by telling all of you. My point being: I believe him.
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Listening to so many stupid, lazy, incompetent employees with no experience of life, travel (Cancun does not count). Too much of the Facebook type crowd. Headphones were a savior.
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The worse part, attempting to adjust to civilian life, after 20 straight, consecutive 20 years, even with a college education. I am just to military. SSG Mark Metzler, USA-Retired, Military Police Corps.
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No matter where I am or what I am doing it is all a challenge, life provides obstacles, too which military life gave me the tools that help to overcome, about the only difference is no deployments and that is what affected me the most; the adrenaline rush.
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It some places as a Veteran, such as my little closed minded town. Very few people give us the respect we are due. I'm not talking about discounts either. I rarely even ask for a discount. But people take the freedoms we have in this country for granted. Now when I go to Cheyenne, a Military town, I am thanked and given discounts every day many times. I give them thanks in return. But it is the difference between cultures in my opinion.
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TOmany protestors and too much dis respect to the american flag from today kids and you can not do anything
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SSG Raul Alaniz
Really hacks me of when I see Our Colors being DISREPECTED. I BETTER KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT AND MOVE ON. Don't wanna go to jail just yet.
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When you get a shitty leader you have to deal with for 2+ yrs, PCSing every 2-3 yrs, dealing with CIF personnel, and being shot, blown up or killed.
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The Veterans Administration is, don't get .e wrong I know there are some good people in there working hard. As a whole though it is hurting more than helping
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