When talking to people who have no military connections, have you been told you must have led an interesting life and should write about it?

SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 14:59:48 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2017 3:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:04:20 -0400

Most of those stories would probably go something to the effect of "So no s**t, there I was. Jones was smoking a Marlboro I was spitting Grizzly long cut into an empty <insert energy drink here> can. 1SG Smith came walking around the corner and the next thing we knew we were mopping rocks and painting sand green."

Response by Sharon Lee made Oct 19 at 2017 3:25 PM

Sharon Lee — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:25:02 -0400

LMBO!!!

Response by Sharon Lee made Oct 19 at 2017 3:26 PM

Sharon Lee — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:26:27 -0400

Well, I guess that's about right...because you travel the world, or at least have the opportunity to do so. And you get to do a lot of G.I.Joe kind of stuff...

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Oct 19 at 2017 5:55 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 17:55:07 -0400

Wanda not to often because most of the people I associate were either there with me or have their own exciting stories.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Oct 19 at 2017 6:03 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 18:03:31 -0400

Most once they find out that I am a vet just express their thanks my serving our country. The kids will ask if I ever killed anyone and if I missed my mom and dad when I was gone. No to the first question and yes of course I did terribly.

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Oct 19 at 2017 9:11 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 21:11:06 -0400

I wrote about my interests of the 25th Inf div but was told I couldn't publish it because it wasn't wise to because it was a black eye to the officer in the div. it was about injustices to the enlistedmen and nco's of the 70's and if I had it published I'd have my benefits taken away.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 20 at 2017 10:51 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 10:51:39 -0400

I'm in the category if everyone who thinks they had an interesting life, whatever that is, wrote about it, we'd have a deforestation problem. That and interesting to some, isn't interesting to most, hence the forests are safe. I had to chuckle a bit because a number of times in my life, people stop me and say I have a "radio voice", whatever that is too. The most awkward instance was at the Basketball Hall of Fame where they have this announcers booth that you can try out your play by play skills. After 3 minutes there, I turned around and was confronted by three janitors who just wanted to see who was in the booth. Had to check my fly.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2017 12:34 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 12:34:43 -0400

I'm usually told we're a bunch of assholes and the military is messed up, or something about punching a Drill Sergeant in the face. Which, I'm sure we would all love to see someone actually try.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2020 9:07 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 21:07:29 -0400

Yes- very annoying.

Response by PO3 Patricia Miner made Sep 25 at 2020 7:18 PM

PO3 Patricia Miner — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 19:18:20 -0400

Yes by some. Others are just rude or say "thank you for your service" and it's obviously a response you know they have just learned to say and don't mean. I've even been told I don't deserve VA benefits because I didn't serve in wartime. The fact that I'm 100% service connect disabled from chemical exposure means nothing to these snowflakes.

Response by MSgt Don VandeBogert made Oct 13 at 2020 2:11 PM

MSgt Don VandeBogert — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 14:11:59 -0400

I think most vets could write volumes about what they've seen and/or done. On the other hand, whether its fit for public consumption could be questionable. Some of the shenanigans I've seen, and dare I say were involved in, would have some people rolling and wondering what kind of idiots the military recruits. Sometimes it's best to just let folks assume what they see from Hollywood is "real" and roll with it.

V/R
Bogie

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Oct 13 at 2020 6:25 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 18:25:55 -0400

I think that it's the mystery of having served and the fact that the civilians out there know very little about serving. If you are creative you can tell them about throwing a live grenade in basic training or shooting your personal firearm during training and later on guard duty.
Have you been out of the country and served in Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain, Africa, Egypt, or any other countries? You can always tell them about your exploits in these other countries.
If after discussing the subject they suggest that you write about it your life has been much more exciting than mine has. After all only 7% of the population in the U.S.A. has ever served in the military and your stories might just get you a publisher and you'll be on your way.
Most of the time after hearing some of my stories they yawn and tell me they need to go and get their flu shot now? I tell them the clinic isn't open and they holler back that they know and will just wait till it does. LOL
I wish you they very best in your career!