What's your reaction to being spit upon?

2015-04-29T08:38:01-04:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/04/24/ghosts-of-vietnam-fraternity-brothers-expelled-after-reports-of-spitting-on-veterans/

Ghosts of Vietnam: Fraternity brothers expelled after reports of spitting on veterans

In one Florida town, a recent incident recalls the ugliness of the Vietnam War.

Response by SPC Christian Ziegler made Apr 29 at 2015 8:47 AM

2015-04-29T08:47:55-04:00

I was spit on in NY in march 2005, it ended in a fist fight. It was right outside Watertown NY.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 29 at 2015 8:52 AM

2015-04-29T08:52:29-04:00

I ETS's in 1970 in Oakland California.
Didn't happen to me.
Never saw it happen to anyone else.
Never talked to anyone that said it happened.

The worst thing that happened to me was being totally ignored.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Apr 29 at 2015 9:11 AM

2015-04-29T09:11:11-04:00

I was spit on and called a baby killer about a decade ago at a rest stop on the PA turnpike. It was a middle-aged woman, I said "your welcome for your freedom" went to the restroom, clean off the spittle and pressed.

Response by SPC Carson S. made Apr 29 at 2015 9:11 AM

2015-04-29T09:11:54-04:00

I hope I never have to find out, but, honestly, that is where I would hope my military bearing would kick in. The only way I can see someone spitting on me is if I am wearing something that displays my veteran status (a hat, a shirt, a pin, etc.). And if I am proud enough of my veteran status to declare it, then I should honor it enough to not react when someone tries to antagonize me. Spitting is nasty, but it does not physically harm me. Now, if it becomes a matter of protecting myself from blows, that is a different story. But as far as spitting is concerned, I feel the best way to deal with it is to not react. The antagonist is trying to solicit a reaction, so don't give it to them.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Apr 29 at 2015 9:43 AM

2015-04-29T09:43:01-04:00

After the initial outrage, a good throat punch would be in order

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 29 at 2015 9:53 AM

2015-04-29T09:53:52-04:00

How do I begin. I would initially begin a question in that are you #*?! Once I let my thoughts drive my consquences, punch to the face. I may need a little self regulation.

I am rightfully owed one phone call?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Apr 29 at 2015 10:02 AM

2015-04-29T10:02:49-04:00

KILL!!!!

Response by CSM David Heidke made Apr 29 at 2015 10:08 AM

2015-04-29T10:08:20-04:00

I think I would flip my shit... People would be restraining me.

But I've never had it happen.

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made Apr 29 at 2015 10:08 AM

2015-04-29T10:08:25-04:00

It happened to me once in Afghanistan, although I didn't know about it until a few minutes afterwards. If the detainee hit me, I didn't feel it or see it. I think the guy tried and missed. I really didn't think much of it. In retrospect, if that had been the worst thing that happened on that tour, I'd have been doing well. Alas, it wasn't.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-04-29T10:35:14-04:00

I'd like to think that I would maintain my bearing and professionalism and not give into creating a public spectacul. However I'm human so I really don't know what I would do, and I hope I never have to deal with it.

Response by SGT James Murphy made Apr 29 at 2015 10:48 AM

2015-04-29T10:48:32-04:00

My First Enlistment I ETS'd out of Ft Lewis Washington in 1969 and landed in Chicago at 3am. I was in my Class a's and stopped to get something to eat. I hadn't seen round eye'd women in 2 years and was fortunate enough to be the only GI in the Cafe at 3am when a flight of girls landed from Stewardess "Smile School" as they called it. I was in heaven. They all wanted to practice making me comfortable and chatted me up. Ok That was were my head was at..Very Very Happy to Be Home. I had to change terminals and took that rolling flat sidewalk to the terminal. Coming from the other direction I saw this very pretty hippy looking girl whom appeared to be intentionall ignoring me so I thought big deal she's got something on her mind. Just as she got directly accross from me she spit on me and called me a baby killer. I was very very confused. I had no freaking Idea what was going on at home. It didn't take me long to figure out I needed to get rid of my uniform and put on civilian cloths if I didn't want to be treated like "The Enemy". So much for "Welcome Home".......

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-04-29T11:20:07-04:00

Anyone spitting on me is telling me "I don't believe you earned your black belt in taekwondo. You need to prove it to me.". I will be very happy to accommodate that request.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 11:49 AM

2015-04-29T11:49:31-04:00

Legally in most states, it's assault and I can defend myself.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-04-29T12:02:53-04:00

Can't recall a reaction other than stoic ignoring of the spitter. I will say the one thing that really set me off was when I was a civilian police officer & I had the illustrious duty of escorting Quin Snyder (the now Utah Jazz head coach) off the court when he coach the University of Missouri men's basketball team. He was days from resigning (i.e. resign or be fired, your choice Quin) & the fans absolutely HATED him. As we passed the student section after a rather noteworthy team destruction - grasping defeat from the jaws of victory - we were pelted w/ food. What set me off was the hot dog covered in ketchup (catsup...katsup...whatever) & mustard. I don't know why, but it just really got under my skin. Fortunately we walked into the tunnel & were out of the fire-zone.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 12:59 PM

2015-04-29T12:59:39-04:00

I dont remember people spitting on me but I had a lot of people criticize me for being in ROTC during the early 70s at Univ. of MN. When I was with the group going from drill we had hippie type students throwing tomato on us. in those situations I held my head high and because I was still proud to wear that uniform and I wanted to serve in the military!

Response by MSgt Gayle Litton Jr. made Apr 29 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-04-29T13:11:41-04:00

A good ass whippin would be my initial reaction.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 1:58 PM

2015-04-29T13:58:10-04:00

This happened to me during the Portland Rose Festival 2014 in the midst of being called some "colorful things". We were just out walking around town in our Dress Whites (as directed by 3rd fleet). The majority of people were very nice approaching with the kind of respect that takes you off guard and makes you believe that serving your country is the best thing in the world. Then there are the few that disapprove of the military. I guess we (one of my fellow air controllers and I) were walking by the wrong group of people at the wrong time. It took a lot of self control to restrain the natural feelings of wanting to become confrontational but as luck would have it some other people saw this act and came to our aid, shaming the anti-military group of people. A few minutes later, not much further down the street a police officer stopped us (some people told him of the incident) and apologized for the conduct of their fellow citizens. Not something I expected.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Apr 29 at 2015 4:03 PM

2015-04-29T16:03:29-04:00

In 1970, when I returned from Vietnam, I was at LAX and there were War Demonstrators all over the Airport. Hell, they were even inside by the arrival and departure gates and as I walked by, a female hippie type person called me all kinds of names including "baby killer, and she then spit on me. I stopped, looked at her in the eyes and I really wanted to deck that broad, but I just turned and walked away. I can tell you that I was some pissed because the Airport Police, Deputy Sheriffs, were also there and they saw what happen and they didn't do anything. There is more to this story, but this is enough for now.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Apr 30 at 2015 12:42 PM

2015-04-30T12:42:41-04:00

Back when I was a private, I had the unfortunate experience of witnessing that type of behavior outside Fort Ord, CA. One of my roommates, who had served in Vietnam on three diferrent tours, was spat on by a long hair man and three of us had to hold back the Sergeant from actually harming the individual. I'm pretty sure he would have killed him or put him in the hospital. Even back in December of 1975 there was a lot of anger and hate for the military. Different times and different attitudes. It has been a long journey to have citizens coming up to you and thanking you for your service instead of calling you names and spitting on you. A big shout out to all of our Vietnam Veterans for their service to country. They deserve a "welcome home and thanks for your service " every time you run into one or meet one! Hoooah!

Response by SMSgt James Williams made Apr 30 at 2015 5:06 PM

2015-04-30T17:06:55-04:00

I was at an airshow in Canada in the late 90's, when I worked on B-52's. I was spot on and had red paint thrown at us while we were in uniform. It was my first and only experience with it. All I cared about was them not getting paint on my plane, so I didn't have to spend hours cleaning it off. The pilot i was with kept us all in check, helped us see it wasn't worth the time to get into a fight.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 4 at 2015 1:31 AM

2015-05-04T01:31:30-04:00

I would most definitely engage the enemy.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 8:06 AM

2015-05-21T08:06:59-04:00

I have to keep the sticky note in mind. Spitting on someone is one of the most disgusting and vile acts in my opinion.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made May 21 at 2015 8:24 AM

2015-05-21T08:24:38-04:00

In Frankfurt train station,I was in uniform waiting for my train and women with their heads wrapped and long loose dresses began yelling in whatever language and spitting near my feet. I moved further away,didn't interact,maintained military discipline. Soon their male partners arrived. A discussion amongst them started. The men began yelling at me, throwing pop cans and yelling,"Ami go home(American) and stop Reagan!" I remained silent,did not get on the train and waited for the next one.

Response by PO2 Terry Meadows made May 21 at 2015 3:38 PM

2015-05-21T15:38:25-04:00

A hit for a spit.