Posted on Dec 8, 2017
Fighting Against the Movies: Not Everyone Pulls Triggers
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Recently, I have found myself having long conversations with civilians about the military. I am a full time student at a private university in Kansas and much of the faculty and student body has never even thought about joining the military. It isn’t anything strange; this is to be expected at such a small school and the fact that the military makes up less than 1% of the population of the country. What is interesting is that many of them have only the movies to go off of when forming their view of what everyone does in the military. Sadly, making movies about productive supply sergeants and personnel clerks doesn’t really make people line up outside of the theaters. Many civilians, in my experience, have this idea in their head that every single member of the military is out on the battlefield, kicking in doors and getting shot at or blown up. Those of us who have spent any amount of time in the military knows that this is far from the reality of the military. Perhaps this is where recruiting takes the biggest hit.
I spoke to a professor of mine who is going through a point in her life where she is trying to make a transition from her current position to a new one. As she was looking through openings at different universities across the country to put in a packet for the position, I made a joke about how she should just go and commission in the Air Force or something. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being in the Army, but I also know the kind of people that would be able to be successful in the Army and she is far more suited for the Air Force. She actually took the comment seriously. The money as an officer is more than she is making now. The opportunity for advancement is obviously there. The only real concern that she had was that she didn’t want to find herself in Iraq or Afghanistan in a year, getting shot at and blown up. I couldn’t help but to laugh.
I began to explain how the military is made up of many occupations that have almost nothing to do with direct combat. This was new information for her. As I began to name off occupations like public affairs, logistics, intelligence, and clerical her eyes went wide. I tried to break it down in the easiest way that I could by telling her that you can think of the military as a microcosm for the country. We know that the military makes up less than 1% of the population in the United States and in almost an exact, similar fashion, those who work as combat arms occupations (such as infantry, tankers, and cavalry) make up about 1% of the military. I went on to break down the military into the three categories that we all know and love: combat, combat-support, and support. I finished up by explaining that, if she chose a certain occupation, the chances of her being involved in direct combat were slim to none. I will follow that statement up by saying that I did tell her that there is always the possibility and that there are still non-combat service members that are injured or killed in combat.
This entire conversation made me wonder if this woman’s view of the military, where everyone is running around with fully automatic rifles, night vision goggles, going in under the cover of night and wrecking shop, is really what the rest of the country thinks is all that is done. They don’t know what goes on behind the scenes; they don’t know what goes into conducting a single mission long before the first HMMWV rolls out of the FOB. After this thought, I began to wonder if this is why many people don’t give military service a single thought.
Next, I wondered if this same idea is why we have so many guys, or gals, who leave the military honorably after serving in a support role and decide to go out and say that they were Delta Force Seal Special Ranger Snipers or whatever the kids are saying these days. Are all of the recent military movies that glorify only that small percentage to blame for these issues? When we really begin to think about it, if combat arms is such a small population within our military, just how small is the population that works as a member of these special groups? It is tiny.
I do not know what the remedy for this issue is. I do not think that there should be a ban on military movies glorifying heroism and bravery under fire, even if I do find that many of the movies are awful. What is there that can be done though? Is there any way that we can properly educate citizens on what makes up the military? How can we also get it through the minds of our people that get out after serving that there is no need to act like something that you were not?
The military takes all kinds. It is a giant machine that requires numerous moving parts. If one part fails, every cog in the machine grinds to a halt or, at a minimum, does not function nearly as well as it needs to.
I spoke to a professor of mine who is going through a point in her life where she is trying to make a transition from her current position to a new one. As she was looking through openings at different universities across the country to put in a packet for the position, I made a joke about how she should just go and commission in the Air Force or something. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being in the Army, but I also know the kind of people that would be able to be successful in the Army and she is far more suited for the Air Force. She actually took the comment seriously. The money as an officer is more than she is making now. The opportunity for advancement is obviously there. The only real concern that she had was that she didn’t want to find herself in Iraq or Afghanistan in a year, getting shot at and blown up. I couldn’t help but to laugh.
I began to explain how the military is made up of many occupations that have almost nothing to do with direct combat. This was new information for her. As I began to name off occupations like public affairs, logistics, intelligence, and clerical her eyes went wide. I tried to break it down in the easiest way that I could by telling her that you can think of the military as a microcosm for the country. We know that the military makes up less than 1% of the population in the United States and in almost an exact, similar fashion, those who work as combat arms occupations (such as infantry, tankers, and cavalry) make up about 1% of the military. I went on to break down the military into the three categories that we all know and love: combat, combat-support, and support. I finished up by explaining that, if she chose a certain occupation, the chances of her being involved in direct combat were slim to none. I will follow that statement up by saying that I did tell her that there is always the possibility and that there are still non-combat service members that are injured or killed in combat.
This entire conversation made me wonder if this woman’s view of the military, where everyone is running around with fully automatic rifles, night vision goggles, going in under the cover of night and wrecking shop, is really what the rest of the country thinks is all that is done. They don’t know what goes on behind the scenes; they don’t know what goes into conducting a single mission long before the first HMMWV rolls out of the FOB. After this thought, I began to wonder if this is why many people don’t give military service a single thought.
Next, I wondered if this same idea is why we have so many guys, or gals, who leave the military honorably after serving in a support role and decide to go out and say that they were Delta Force Seal Special Ranger Snipers or whatever the kids are saying these days. Are all of the recent military movies that glorify only that small percentage to blame for these issues? When we really begin to think about it, if combat arms is such a small population within our military, just how small is the population that works as a member of these special groups? It is tiny.
I do not know what the remedy for this issue is. I do not think that there should be a ban on military movies glorifying heroism and bravery under fire, even if I do find that many of the movies are awful. What is there that can be done though? Is there any way that we can properly educate citizens on what makes up the military? How can we also get it through the minds of our people that get out after serving that there is no need to act like something that you were not?
The military takes all kinds. It is a giant machine that requires numerous moving parts. If one part fails, every cog in the machine grinds to a halt or, at a minimum, does not function nearly as well as it needs to.
Command Post
Entertainment
Movies
Military service
SGT
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 89
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However it doesn't change. Post-Army in 1993, I was military retired and looking for meaningful work. I got offered a lot of Police, Fire, Emergency, Security Guard, etc ... but none wanted me to supervise anyone. I retired as a Platoon Sargeant. I found it hard to get it across that the very position I applied for (supervision) was what I was best qualified (after 18 years NCO) and I was really trying to do that job.
After a year I started a trucking company and was very successful. So successful that I sold at the 6 year mark to another company that wanted my contracts. I made a mint AND capped out mine and all my 25 employees' 50K 401K plans .
Afterwards I got into military contracts. I did fine and made money there too. Today I owe nothing to no one or any bank other than a couple of car payments, gas, electric and water. I am truly retired and have been since 2011. I've done a few contracts and currently work part-time (EMT to keep busy) at an EMS transport company.
Last year - despite their knowledge that I (for the last 25 years) have made a very decent living leading my own debt-free companys, paying off my parent's large hospital bills, supporting a mother-in-law, put two daughters through two expensive universities, paid off my house, paid off numberous other small debts, managed a medium-sized trucking company and several overseas contracts - I was told that I should 'take' a security job in a local company. All because as the guy (who told me) saw what I was "best suited for" according to what he thought.
I laughed and paid for their lunch. I then thanked them for their time to tell them I had intended to consider their (small) company but I would have to pass (as I shook their hands) on the 100k investment. He (that made the comment) gave me a very odd look. His wife, the actual owner (minority-based business owner who knew what was supposed to happen) made an apology.
As I said, It doesn't change.
I had to shake my head after that meeting to clear it - After all I am just a uneducated, unskilled, trigger puller.
:D
After a year I started a trucking company and was very successful. So successful that I sold at the 6 year mark to another company that wanted my contracts. I made a mint AND capped out mine and all my 25 employees' 50K 401K plans .
Afterwards I got into military contracts. I did fine and made money there too. Today I owe nothing to no one or any bank other than a couple of car payments, gas, electric and water. I am truly retired and have been since 2011. I've done a few contracts and currently work part-time (EMT to keep busy) at an EMS transport company.
Last year - despite their knowledge that I (for the last 25 years) have made a very decent living leading my own debt-free companys, paying off my parent's large hospital bills, supporting a mother-in-law, put two daughters through two expensive universities, paid off my house, paid off numberous other small debts, managed a medium-sized trucking company and several overseas contracts - I was told that I should 'take' a security job in a local company. All because as the guy (who told me) saw what I was "best suited for" according to what he thought.
I laughed and paid for their lunch. I then thanked them for their time to tell them I had intended to consider their (small) company but I would have to pass (as I shook their hands) on the 100k investment. He (that made the comment) gave me a very odd look. His wife, the actual owner (minority-based business owner who knew what was supposed to happen) made an apology.
As I said, It doesn't change.
I had to shake my head after that meeting to clear it - After all I am just a uneducated, unskilled, trigger puller.
:D
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Well illustrated and written! I hadn't thought on that perspective, but you're right--hence the many examples of stolen valor by nut cases. Your elaboration with the professor may be one-on-one, but it is a strong example of getting our message out to the minions about military life. Consider making copies of your narrative and have one ready for the next potential member of the military.
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You make a good point. When I mentioned serving in the Military, people are generally surprised. I didn't serve in combat. Immediately I get the" OH" look. Civilian do not understand that support positions are very important. True the Movies give Civilians the idea that only Combat personnel are heroes. By doing our job we make them "look good". Sometimes explanations should be simple because of their limited knowledge. If they ask additional questions answer them. Most are idle curiosity once its settled that's it. Don't feel bad.
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TSgt Jennifer Disch
I never deployed and I get the same reaction. I was a Paralegal in the Air Force and when I say our AFSC deploys Inget the strangest looks!!
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SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates
Same. I was a personnel clerk at a garrison, then a Corps HQ, then a garrison. We did a lot of preparation overseas movement briefings for those folks that had to go. That was the closest I ever got.
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SSgt Gary Andrews
Absolutely.......every Marine is trained as a rifleman and becomes familiar with a wide range of weaponry. But then many go on to learn very technical skills as well. I was an aviation electronics technician......but I qualified as a rifle expert with the M-14 and later with the M-16.....and fired sharpshooter with the .45 caliber pistol. Regardless of your occupational specialty.......Marines have to qualify annually at the rifle range, and have to be able to pass the physical fitness tests.
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SSG (Join to see)
3 extra weeks of basic training is literally the only difference. That too will change soon.
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We can be in contact with thousands maybe even millions of people. Let people know what you do and how the military is structured to be very self sufficient which means it has the personnel and jobs associated so that it really does not need any civilian intervention
. Not sure what the numbers are but for the military in special units there just as many who help to train, supply and feed them to prepare them for their jobs. We also have the equivalent jobs in many ways. Mechanics, electricians, clerks, medical has a huge staff, air traffic controllers, air craft mechanics, truck drivers, mail clerks, psychologist, supply, and so much more. The military is like it's own community and is served by people in all these different areas of expertise.
. Not sure what the numbers are but for the military in special units there just as many who help to train, supply and feed them to prepare them for their jobs. We also have the equivalent jobs in many ways. Mechanics, electricians, clerks, medical has a huge staff, air traffic controllers, air craft mechanics, truck drivers, mail clerks, psychologist, supply, and so much more. The military is like it's own community and is served by people in all these different areas of expertise.
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There is no good answer to your question - how does the civilian population get educated about what real military life and careers are all about. Honest one to one conversations are a good start, such as you've indicated here. A bit unrealistic for educating the majority of the population - especially now that such a very small percentage of America has served/ is serving and thereby knowing what military life is all about. My father was a career soldier...he served in the 6th Marines in Okinawa, got out of the Marines, joined the Army and quickly reached rank - retired as a Sergeant Major and served in Vietnam the year before I served my tour. And yet I would bet you'd get different perspectives from the two of us about our military experiences.. ....like I said...no pat answer, no universal answer....
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Suspended Profile
The antidote to this, and in my thoughts and study the only antidote, would be to do something that not much of anyone - military or civilian - would have the palate for, and that's to undo the all-volunteer force and go back to conscription.
If you think about it, it wasn't that long ago that we had something pretty close to universal military service, at least for able-bodied men. Elvis Presley was drafted. He was drafted after he was famous. He did his duty in the Army. He didn't ask for or get any special treatment. This was the king here, folks. This was just a couple of generations ago. And, before we completely undid the draft in 1978, we really had never had a truly all-volunteer force, at least not under our current constitutional government. There had always been, as long as there was a standing army, some form or fashion of compulsory service, and it was generally accepted by the population that this was the natural and normal way of things; that military service, by those who were capable at the time, was simply a part of being a citizen. That notion is something scholars and sociologists and such call "civic republicanism". What would Elvis being drafted look like in 2017? What pop idol would ride around in a tank for a few years now https://history.army.mil/faq/elvis.htm ?
So, when we decided not to do that anymore, it wasn't just a decision to have a more professional, more steady, more competent force. I will be the first one to say, as a former line infantry leader, that I'm glad I didn't have any draftees. It was hard enough to keep volunteers motivated sometimes. But we did do more than just get a more professional force, what I think we did - and this is me - is divorce the military from it's role as a component of citizenship. Because it's not anymore. At all. People who don't serve at all are legally no different than you or me. They have not failed in any legal duty or obligation. I don't even think it can be said they've failed a moral or ethical obligation. They had no obligation. You and I, we volunteered to take up the burden, and kudos to us. But those folks, they didn't, and who am I to blame them? I didn't volunteer to be a doctor, or to be a mechanic, or to be a teacher or any of the things they chose to be. I chose certain jobs, they chose certain jobs, none of us were under any requirement to choose any certain thing. There's no expectation that I'll know anything other than what I personally signed up for, and why should we expect that of anyone else? We all have our work cut out for us learning our own trades. Why would we learn someone else's if we didn't have to?
That's perhaps some tough stuff for us to swallow as veterans and soldiers but the reality is that under the legal construct that we chose when we took the military service obligation out of "citizenship" at large, we divorced our military from any reasonable expectation that everyone else would learn our business. The wisdom of civic republicanism was that everyone, everyone, everyone had skin in the game or a husband or brother who did. Everyone. Everyone had a vested interest in learning what it was about, and everyone stood to lose from bad decisions about what we do with our military. Before the late 50's and then the 60's when all the waivers and ways out of the draft crept in, when the military went to war it meant everyone went to war - the sons of doctors and lawyers and politicians; the wealthy, the poor; everyone. Pretty close to it. Or, at least, a lot closer than now. It was hard to make that happen so we did it a lot less. The draft got corrupt in the late years and we threw the baby out with the bath water. Now here we are. If you're looking for someone to blame - 1978.
This is the cost of admission for the all volunteer force. We may not like all of the consequences; but you can't have your cake and eat it, too. If you want everyone to pay attention to the military and learn about its business, everyone has to have skin in the game. What you're sort of harking back to is the time when we were all in it, and we can't have that unless we really all are.
If you think about it, it wasn't that long ago that we had something pretty close to universal military service, at least for able-bodied men. Elvis Presley was drafted. He was drafted after he was famous. He did his duty in the Army. He didn't ask for or get any special treatment. This was the king here, folks. This was just a couple of generations ago. And, before we completely undid the draft in 1978, we really had never had a truly all-volunteer force, at least not under our current constitutional government. There had always been, as long as there was a standing army, some form or fashion of compulsory service, and it was generally accepted by the population that this was the natural and normal way of things; that military service, by those who were capable at the time, was simply a part of being a citizen. That notion is something scholars and sociologists and such call "civic republicanism". What would Elvis being drafted look like in 2017? What pop idol would ride around in a tank for a few years now https://history.army.mil/faq/elvis.htm ?
So, when we decided not to do that anymore, it wasn't just a decision to have a more professional, more steady, more competent force. I will be the first one to say, as a former line infantry leader, that I'm glad I didn't have any draftees. It was hard enough to keep volunteers motivated sometimes. But we did do more than just get a more professional force, what I think we did - and this is me - is divorce the military from it's role as a component of citizenship. Because it's not anymore. At all. People who don't serve at all are legally no different than you or me. They have not failed in any legal duty or obligation. I don't even think it can be said they've failed a moral or ethical obligation. They had no obligation. You and I, we volunteered to take up the burden, and kudos to us. But those folks, they didn't, and who am I to blame them? I didn't volunteer to be a doctor, or to be a mechanic, or to be a teacher or any of the things they chose to be. I chose certain jobs, they chose certain jobs, none of us were under any requirement to choose any certain thing. There's no expectation that I'll know anything other than what I personally signed up for, and why should we expect that of anyone else? We all have our work cut out for us learning our own trades. Why would we learn someone else's if we didn't have to?
That's perhaps some tough stuff for us to swallow as veterans and soldiers but the reality is that under the legal construct that we chose when we took the military service obligation out of "citizenship" at large, we divorced our military from any reasonable expectation that everyone else would learn our business. The wisdom of civic republicanism was that everyone, everyone, everyone had skin in the game or a husband or brother who did. Everyone. Everyone had a vested interest in learning what it was about, and everyone stood to lose from bad decisions about what we do with our military. Before the late 50's and then the 60's when all the waivers and ways out of the draft crept in, when the military went to war it meant everyone went to war - the sons of doctors and lawyers and politicians; the wealthy, the poor; everyone. Pretty close to it. Or, at least, a lot closer than now. It was hard to make that happen so we did it a lot less. The draft got corrupt in the late years and we threw the baby out with the bath water. Now here we are. If you're looking for someone to blame - 1978.
This is the cost of admission for the all volunteer force. We may not like all of the consequences; but you can't have your cake and eat it, too. If you want everyone to pay attention to the military and learn about its business, everyone has to have skin in the game. What you're sort of harking back to is the time when we were all in it, and we can't have that unless we really all are.
Elvis Presley's Military Career
Elvis Aron Presley entered the United States Army at Memphis, Tennessee, on March 24, 1958, and then spent three days at the Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, Reception Station. He left active duty at Fort Dix, New Jersey, on March 5, 1960, and received his discharge from the Army Reserve on March 23, 1964.
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The other side of this is when a civilian finds out that you are a veteran they ask: "oh! What kind of job training did you get?" I tell them that I learned how to shoot so I could kill people. Then I learned how to use heavy.machineguns so I could kill more people, faster. I got strong and learned endurance so I could jump my ruck and fight at the same time. I learned how to use a map so I could find the.enemy and kill him. I learned how to use a.map and radio to call for air or artillery, so the enemy would be killed in large batches. I learned how to execute ambushes, so I could kill the enemy by surprise. I learned how to use a bayonet so I could kill the enemy with what amounts to a spear.
When people hear this sort of thing, it freaks them out a bit. This is when I explain to them that what I just described is the heart and soul of the ar.ed forces. Killing people. Nothing else. Anyone who tells you otherwise is running for office, trying to get a promotion, or arites fiction.
When people hear this sort of thing, it freaks them out a bit. This is when I explain to them that what I just described is the heart and soul of the ar.ed forces. Killing people. Nothing else. Anyone who tells you otherwise is running for office, trying to get a promotion, or arites fiction.
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I gave up on the whole explanation thing. Just don’t engage. Nothing on my resume says veteran. Trying to explain military to civilians is like explaining a rainbow to a blind person.
Why beat your head against that wall? Nothing to be gained. Just be you. The military is part of your identity, but it isn’t ALL of your identity.
Why beat your head against that wall? Nothing to be gained. Just be you. The military is part of your identity, but it isn’t ALL of your identity.
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SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates
I still can't get an HR job because I have NO experience even though my 8 years of military service was 100% HR. Retirements, Awards, Benefits processing, personnel records.....But I don't have any HR experience.
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Sgt Wayne Wood
Grunts all have HR experience... they specialize in firings :-) SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates
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We tend to call anyone that dons a uniform a warrior these days and contribute to the myth. Most in the military are not in combat arms MOS's and the likelihood of them seeing or hearing a shot fired is remote. That doesn't mean their job is not important but they are not warriors in the traditional definition of the word.
This notion that everyone in the military is running and gunning is also in the media. They treat every homecoming as though the person coming home was in combat. I see these massive greetings for people that are coming home from boot camp or from being overseas not in combat.
This notion that everyone in the military is running and gunning is also in the media. They treat every homecoming as though the person coming home was in combat. I see these massive greetings for people that are coming home from boot camp or from being overseas not in combat.
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SSG Edward Tilton
It isn't that no one knows, it is that no one cares. It's the nature of the beast. I recall as a Police Office most publicity tends to be bad.
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