Posted on Mar 8, 2015
PO2 Brendan McCarthy
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As a veteran I often wear military garb such as hats, shirts, etc. or the most commented on "cruise jacket" from my GWOT Carrier deployment, I often am thanked for my service, and/or brought into a discussion in regards to my military service. There is one instance that currently is stuck in my craw as to how some civilians see us veterans, and how they see service to one's country altogether. This winter, I was wearing my aforementioned cruise jacket that has a few F-14 patches on it due to my deployment being the last "combat cruise" for the Tomcat, if not the last time they were actually used in true combat (CAS for our boys and girls on the ground). Nevertheless, this gentlemen that I have to work with decides to strike up a conversation. Ok, completely normal. He decides to tell me that he had though about becoming a military pilot at one time, but got a civilian job and has been doing that since. Ok, fine. I didn't have much to say to the comment, being that the conversation was broached solely so that he could tell me that he had once, possibly considered, becoming a military pilot. I commented something like I enjoyed being on an aircraft carrier, and that flying always looked like fun. Awkwardly, that ended the conversation. It seemed to me as if the gentlemen had been looking for some praise for the fact that he had, in fact, once considered, but otherwise decided not to, possibly joining the military to be a pilot. For me, I was taken aback. I'm sorry, but your one time thought to maybe join the military and support your country, but your ultimate decision to make money and not inconvenience yourself by staying a civilian, does not garner any praise from someone who has made the sacrifices and has lost friends, and brothers in arms in service to one's country. Your decision to not join our military did not help my fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines when they maybe could have used another bird in the sky for CAS or maybe one more bomb to stop that enemy assault. This "conversation" really sat with me due to the audacity of the intention. I understand full well that military service is a very alien concept to some of those that never served and never had the desire to do so. But the sheer audacity of the individual to believe that thinking about military service can almost be considered in line to actual military service, and therefore deserved of some sort of praise or thanks is mind boggling to me. Lastly, I thank God that I have the ability to spend my life and my career with some of those that have in fact answered the call, and understand what sacrifice really is. To wrap up this long thread, does anyone else have any particularly memorable civilian interacts, both good and bad? I'd love to hear them!

Thanks,
Mac
Posted in these groups: Civilian CivilianC4304a0a Memory
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Cpl Anthony Pearson
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Great discussion and write-up, brother.

I am going to think about this one. Been awhile since I was approached like that.
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