Posted on Oct 14, 2014
Why is it taboo not to love your time in the service?
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I am perplexed by the idea that everyone who put on the uniform has to love what they are doing. How is it that you expect everyone to be able to have the few goods override the many negatives? We all know that every day we lose great talent because they are unhappy with the work conditions, and no longer want to tolerate them. We speak about how we might be able to retain them if possible. I understand not everyone can retire from the military but like any other company shouldn't the Army be doing its best to retain as much prime talent as possible?
I learned a lesson as a child in school, "you do not have to love the job you have, but you have to do it to the best of your ability". In the military I learned, "if you don't like the way things are, get promoted and change what you can in your A.O., or get out and lobby for change from the outside".
Maybe this is a rant, but I have some real interest in knowing why it is so taboo for people when they hear you are not happy about your service as of yet, or your overall experience in general.
I learned a lesson as a child in school, "you do not have to love the job you have, but you have to do it to the best of your ability". In the military I learned, "if you don't like the way things are, get promoted and change what you can in your A.O., or get out and lobby for change from the outside".
Maybe this is a rant, but I have some real interest in knowing why it is so taboo for people when they hear you are not happy about your service as of yet, or your overall experience in general.
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 12
It has occured to me that the ones that "did not enjoy their time in service" never adapted to being in the military in the first place. Either they were "only there for the coledge money" or "wanted to try something new" etc... They never embraced the suck, they did not take seriously the Oath of enlistment and or did not understand it. You don't join the military for the freedom of expression or the great living conditions. Bottom line up front you join the military to Support and Defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that Iyou will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over you, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help you God.
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I think I see where you're coming from. I've seen many E-9's and O-5's respond to negative comments regarding time spent in service with skepticism. I can't speak to their frame of thought. I have had ups and downs in the Army and for the most part have accepted the downs as part of the job.
I can't say I hate having served; my wife and I met on a deployment to Iraq. There have been many things I do hate about the job and they mainly revolve around specific people more than systemic problems.
I respect those that, despite their personal feelings about the work or the job, continue to do what is expected of them. It takes a certain level of personal character to be able to set those feelings aside and get the job done.
That being said, I'd have to agree with general sentiment of the responses here. I enjoyed parts of the job. There are even some aspects I "love". But to each their own.
I can't say I hate having served; my wife and I met on a deployment to Iraq. There have been many things I do hate about the job and they mainly revolve around specific people more than systemic problems.
I respect those that, despite their personal feelings about the work or the job, continue to do what is expected of them. It takes a certain level of personal character to be able to set those feelings aside and get the job done.
That being said, I'd have to agree with general sentiment of the responses here. I enjoyed parts of the job. There are even some aspects I "love". But to each their own.
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