What is your experience--and opinion--of Americans who never served in the military?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 16:34:39 -0400

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 5:47 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 17:47:09 -0400

Nothing against them, SGM Private RallyPoint Member. There are plenty of great people who never served. There is a special bond, a certain "I know where you're coming from" among people who have served, but that doesn't take anything away from those who have not served.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 6:53 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 18:53:07 -0400

When I'm stateside, they're all around me, including family members. I have no problem with Americans who have never served. Now, are there some who spout off about the military and/or service members in a negative way? Yes. There are also some who spout off in favor of service members and have no idea what they're saying. There are good people and bad people who never served, just like there are good and bad in uniform.

Either way, we shouldn't resent those who haven't served. They're still Americans, and I for one wear the uniform in order to serve and protect them. Part of the reason I serve is so others don't have to.

I do feel it would be good for the country if everybody had to serve their fellow Americans somehow. I don't feel it should be in the military for everyone, there are many ways to serve. That being said, part of what makes this country great is our freedom to pursue our own goals. Those goals include military service for a few of us, and don't include it for most others. And we fight for their freedom to choose what to do with their lives.

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made Apr 26 at 2017 6:51 PM

SP5 Robert Ruck — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 18:51:12 -0400

Their choice. They miss out on a very unique experience.

Response by MSG James Hughs made Apr 28 at 2017 11:04 AM

MSG James Hughs — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 11:04:02 -0400

The military service is not for everyone. ...and as a "quiet professional" I do not want people in my profession that do not want or are not capable of being a "professional"
That having been said, I served in the "draft" Army....and many of those "civilians in uniform" did a great job..... had tremendous talent and experience that raised the bar.....
Many people deleteriously divide the military into " action guys'....(front line combat troops with their face in the mud and the blood).... and REMFs.... (service men and women who push pencils and drive trucks)..... WE ARE A TEAM.... we each do our part as members of that team to bring VICTORY....we can not bring that victory or even survive without each other ..... the same is true of the NATION...... civilians and the military are a TEAM ......and the nation will not survive without civilians and the military working and supporting each other

Response by SGT Kyle Bickley made Sep 9 at 2017 10:02 PM

SGT Kyle Bickley — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 22:02:44 -0400

If a person can't give a couple of years to our country o really have no use for them! I don't care if your in charge of the mail, a cook, mechanic. You don't have to be a line dog, but serve! At least outta respect for your families!

Response by SN Earl Robinson made Oct 2 at 2017 3:59 AM

SN Earl Robinson — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 03:59:37 -0400

I was the only one of my friends who served. We were too young to be drafted and the draft ended in 1973. Do I begrudge my friends for not serving? Given that time, no. Also none of them had the family history of service to country. So why would they? One of the things that came out of the Ken Burns documentary for me was to talk to my older cousins on both sides about who had served in my family. I personally recalled 18 relatives. The reality was not counting myself 18 Murrays and 14 Robinsons served on my father's side that included my father all 3 of his brothers and my grandfather. So it was a tradition.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Oct 2 at 2017 10:52 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 10:52:40 -0400

I appreciate that the world is made up of different people with numerous different talents. Maybe military service isn't one of the ones in their "portfolio". It doesn't make them less. However, if one of those non-service individuals begin to run down active, retired, or veterans and their branch of service, I take a dim view of that....