Why does the public trust military Veterans and Service Members?

COL Lee Flemming — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 02:39:54 -0400

Like it or not your opinion counts, but why? What sets us apart from the average politician or non-military affiliated civilian?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 8 at 2016 2:51 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 02:51:32 -0400

I think the public realizes that being in the military is like living in constant pain and agony. No one wants to do the job. They just want all the benefits that come from those with the courage to serve. Everyone in the military is held to the highest standards and gas to perform at 100%, unlike our elected officials who seem to earn serious cheddar and operate without impunity.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 2:58 AM

Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 02:58:58 -0400

I think there is a perception that military members take their oath of service seriously - more seriously than most. The "evidence" is in the adherence to discipline,order and steadfast obedience to the chain of command. After a series of mis-steps in the 1990s briefly tarnished the image of the military, a concerted effort was made to clean house and restore dignity to all branches of the Armed Services. As a result, you see the poll results above, an indication of the significant trust and esteem bestowed by the American people on their faithful servants

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 8 at 2016 5:03 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:03:13 -0400

I really need to remind someone that does part of my Previous Job. My Primary Job was Communications Security but that also meant I worked with and did OPDEC Operational Deception, Smoke and Mirrors, Cloak and Dagger without the Dagger. As part of Good OPSEC a good OPDEC Program that involved Lying, Deception and Propaganda aimed at US Citizens and our Fellow Troops.

Response by PO2 Kristy Williams made Sep 8 at 2016 5:06 AM

PO2 Kristy Williams — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:06:51 -0400

Because no matter which branch you served in, you were willing to give up your life for theirs. Its a big deal to some and quite honestly others think we're idiots.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Sep 8 at 2016 6:01 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 06:01:34 -0400

The armed forces and consequently veterans get pretty high praise in our culture. You have seen a lot of effort over the last 15-20 years to honor and recognize the service to country. Companies do so, celebrities, sports teams, political figures etc.

Very few that serve make a lot of money in the armed forces and most only serve a few years. There is a sense that most serve out of for patriotic motives. That may or may not be true.

It has not always been this way. During and after Vietnam, until really Gulf War 1 there was not a lot of positive thought about the armed forces. We existed and were not talked about much in the general public.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Sep 8 at 2016 8:30 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 08:30:42 -0400

The military PR machine has learned much from the Vietnam War. They made sure that after 9/11 the citizen's knew of the sacrifices the men and women were making on their behalf. And when the political popularity of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan waned, the politicians practically fell over themselves making sure that the people knew that there lack of support for the cause was not a reflection of their support for the troops.
People now equate their patriotism with their feelings toward the military which is reflected in this poll.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 8 at 2016 8:56 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 08:56:13 -0400

We are fast, strong, extremely good looking. What's not to like?

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Sep 8 at 2016 9:01 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:01:11 -0400

COL Lee Flemming I believe the public holds us in a high regard. We have high standards and expect people to live up to them as well. We have not always been held in this regard- when I joined we were less than popular around most training bases.

Response by PO2 Marty Sharpe made Sep 8 at 2016 9:09 AM

PO2 Marty Sharpe — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:09:23 -0400

Former military are much more disciplined than non military and are usually more dedicated to any endeavor. They will do what they say they will do. With a few exceptions.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Sep 8 at 2016 9:27 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:27:15 -0400

Because active duty and veterans are believed to embody, honor, loyalty and a desire to do the right thing. Political persons are seen as being lower than a used car salesman

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Sep 8 at 2016 9:39 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:39:48 -0400

I think it's great that the American public has regained the trust in the Military,gone are the bad old days of my time Vietnam,where those serving were blamed for the war,these current Veterans and Service Members deserve the trust and recognition they have earned it at a terrible price.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 8 at 2016 9:53 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:53:57 -0400

I can't claim to know but I can make two good guesses. First, people fear those with a gun and veterans have held that gun without ever turning it against them thus earning trust. Second, people fear those with a gun and veterans have stood between them and those who would harm them thus earning gratitude.

Response by PO2 Dave Cutsinger made Sep 8 at 2016 10:00 AM

PO2 Dave Cutsinger — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 10:00:28 -0400

Attitudes change over time. We're in a good place at the moment with the civilian population, but that can be lost. Give the country a couple decades of peacetime, and you'll have the environment I entered in the late 80's. Not that the military was looked down upon, but more than one person let it be known that I was throwing my life away by joining.

A few years later after Desert Storm everything changed. All of a sudden the military was in fashion again, and my friends and family went out of their way to tell me how proud they were of my service. My position hadn't changed much. The physical dangers I faced hadn't changed too drastically either, but the public's perception had.

Sadly I believe most civilians trust us out of guilt. They know in their heart that we are doing and have done something that they themselves were not willing to do. What we have done is taken the best, most productive years of our lives, and sold them to our country for a pittance. I'm not sure if that should be a reason to necessarily trust someone over someone else, but I'll take it.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 8 at 2016 10:42 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 10:42:30 -0400

Overall, the most effective, professional and honest of any other profession. And they actually volunteered knowing that their lives would be at stake to preserve the Constitution and our country, without reservation.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 10:46 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 10:46:38 -0400

I think because the vet and the active duty person tends to hold himself/herself to a higher standard. Certainly this is not universal, but as a group I think we stand above some others.

And, those standards in behavior, grooming, etc show.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 11:26 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 11:26:40 -0400

Hi, Colonel Flemming.

The civilian population recognizes that service members took an oath of service that is never forgotten or taken for granted, never turned off, even after our time in uniform has ended, and will be adhered to until our very last breath. They trust that, as a group, we move unhesitantly to the fire when no one else will.

They might not understand why, but they understand we will.

Response by CPO Ronnie Townes made Sep 8 at 2016 2:55 PM

CPO Ronnie Townes — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 14:55:42 -0400

I think the public understands that the Armed Forces exemplifies integrity.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 7:26 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 19:26:48 -0400

COL Lee Flemming Sir, it is great to see the confidence that the public has in the military. This was not the case when I served. I believe that the public admires men and women that are ready to put their lives on the line in defense of our country. It takes someone special to want to do this.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 10:01 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 22:01:13 -0400

The general public holds us to a higher standard. What better person to trust than someone willing to die for you and the country you love? Integrity and military service go hand in hand. I remember as a child, I thought "Soldiers" were flawless. I can see how many American's could share similar views.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2016 5:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:25:44 -0400

army values come to mind

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Sep 10 at 2016 5:45 PM

Col Dona Marie Iversen — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 17:45:55 -0400

We are a major corporation (DOD) that has it's issues, drama, BS and politics BUT we forge forward to do what we were hired and trained to do to the best of our abilities with and for perfect strangers globally, with little regard for our our safety. We are an all volunteer force. We live and breath Core Values. Aim High!

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Sep 11 at 2016 9:24 AM

SA Jim Arnold — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 09:24:38 -0400

I think they feel a little more comfortable and secure in hiring a veteran, because they realize we have a greater sense of responsibility and commitment than most.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2018 12:18 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 May 2018 12:18:02 -0400

I know this is old, but who says they do? They sure weren't supportive of Veterans during and after the Vietnam War. "Thank you for your service" is meaningless and only political correctness. If it were more original I might believe them.
At the VA I often hear young veterans complain how they are unappreciated by the public. I agree with them. Businesses only offer freebies to Veterans because everybody else is doing it and it makes them look good. I rarely take advantage of those offers unless I'm with a veteran who was recently discharged. I feel they are more entitled and I'd rather give up my seat to them. Some places don't even ask for military-related ID. I wonder how many non-Veterans have gotten a free meal because of political correctness which I am against.