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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Well, for me I was never deployed and went overseas or any of that good stuff and I don’t feel like a “true veteran” but then I look back at what I did do and I feel I did my part.
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SrA Michele Burgman
Don't be dismissive of your service. You have done what many aren't willing to do. I never deployed or went on TDYs either but I am still a Veteran and got my DD214 to show for it.
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COL John Power
You sign up and do what the service wants you to do. Once you raise your right hand you are no longer in charge. Nothing to apologize for. You may not be a combat veteran, but that was beyond your control. Be proud you served the people of this great nation.
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SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott
You're as much a Veteran as the rest of us. As long as you have that DD214 you're good! I never served in a war zone, but I took care of the loved ones left behind, while their soldiers were deployed. What I did was important and I'm very thankful I got to do it! You have no need to apologize, my friend!!
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I was separated in October 1968 after serving almost 4 years in the Army. I experienced some negative reactions from people, but I felt that was their problem. I had become a better person and citizen from having served. Would I do it again, even knowing the outcome of Vietnam ? Better believe I would.
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I guess my greatest disappointment in the Navy was being RIFed back to an NCO status from a Chief Warrant Officer. I had qualified as an Officer of the Deck Underway, and as a Command Duty Officer in port, and served on two ships as a Torpedo Division Officer. I thought that I had done a good job. Such apparently was not the case. The disappointment was in my failure to make the grade to remain in service, and the threat of being sent to a command where the Captain was known to have said he was, "just waiting for me." I knew I would never get through a tour on that submarine, so I left the service on 20+years. I know this is a personal concern, but it always has marked, to me, my failure in an effort for which I had a great affection. My later completion of a Bachelors and Master's Degrees, the later with Distinction, served to soothe the sting of my RIF, to some small degree. Respectfully Submitted, J.L. Mathews TMCM (SS), USN (Ret.).
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CWO2 James Mathews
My thanks for your comments. In general, I would tend to agree that the RIF decisions are in no way determined by political or personal idea. That is, until a Naval Captain told me that of three applications for LDO (Limited Duty Officer) Ensign, he favored onebecause of his abilities, in the Engineering Deparment, and since the Advancement Board would never consider more than one such advancement per ship, he didn't bothher much with the other two applications. Actyall, I don't blame the Commander, (later advanced to Captain because he finally got his Bachelors Degree, an effort in which I helped him significantly), but rther some of the unwriiten rules of the Advancement Boards in their favortism, special delays for particular applicants, and many other little tricks and ideas that have come down to the fleet over the years. Also the original selection procedure for advancement without a careful review of the needs of the particular service. Respectfully Jim Mathews MCPO. TM (SS), CWO-2, USN (ret.)
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The bullshit is less predictable. At least we could mitigate some of the BS when we were still serving.
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Having retired 30+ years ago, I am depressed at where our country stands, militarily, borders, financial actions, lack of planning and operational actions in Afghanistan, etc. I feel for our current troops and the type of "leadership " they have now. CRT Training, threatening discharge/repayment of costs of Training, etc.
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Watching our politicians getting us into WAR’S that we have no intention of WINNING! Watching our servicemen coming back home with no arms or legs and other horrific injuries including PSTD.! We should not allow these people to stay bin office. You would have thought we learned enough after the Vietnam War, but noooo! Afghanistan and the War with Iraq were total disasters in my opinion. We should have never gone in the first place. Just ask some of families of these dead and wounded veterans. Im sure that many would agree with that.
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SSG Raul Alaniz
Hey SGT, LMAO on that one. Humor, it's important in the military to a certain degree. Had many a good laugh with my comrades-in Arms, I'll never forget them.
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Suspended Profile
LMAO!!!! Too funny!!!! The hi-jinks that go on in the military are definitely one of the things that I miss the most. Some of the funniest stuff you can possibly imagine. Civilians think we make these happenings up.....but you just CAN'T make this stuff up!!! Ya know the old saying: "Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.".... Well, in this case, the saying is: "Sometimes the truth is FUNNIER than fiction." The memories are flooding through my mind right now.
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Honestly the worst thing about being in the service for me was imposed stupidity. I completely understand necessary stupidity, but when there is a better way to do things and "the boss" refuses to do things that way simply because it's not his/her idea... yeah, that sucks.
But... then again, the same is true in the civilian world, you just have more of an ability to tell "the boss" what you really think (maybe at the cost of your job, but not at the cost of UCMJ / "the law").
But... then again, the same is true in the civilian world, you just have more of an ability to tell "the boss" what you really think (maybe at the cost of your job, but not at the cost of UCMJ / "the law").
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-What I liked about the military?
Structure, steady pay check, travel and my friends.
-What I disliked?
Too much favoritism, people take credit for your work and get all the awards, toxic leadership that cared more about rank then their own troops, everything went PC (politically correct), more of a dog & pony show with less effort on training, command preaches standards but most don’t meet them, etc.-Too many to name.
Whenever you get out of the military you have to rediscover your purpose and self worth all over again. For me I focused on my physical (fitness/nutrition), spiritual (meditation) and mental (knowledge) health.
Currently using my G.I Bill for Welding Technology at Sierra College.
Life is progressing day by day.
Just have to take it one battle at a time until you win the war.
Structure, steady pay check, travel and my friends.
-What I disliked?
Too much favoritism, people take credit for your work and get all the awards, toxic leadership that cared more about rank then their own troops, everything went PC (politically correct), more of a dog & pony show with less effort on training, command preaches standards but most don’t meet them, etc.-Too many to name.
Whenever you get out of the military you have to rediscover your purpose and self worth all over again. For me I focused on my physical (fitness/nutrition), spiritual (meditation) and mental (knowledge) health.
Currently using my G.I Bill for Welding Technology at Sierra College.
Life is progressing day by day.
Just have to take it one battle at a time until you win the war.
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