What aspect of military/veteran life do you wish civilians understood better?

Excellent point! The recent rash of crashes between Navy ships and tankers seems to have opened the eyes of the public about what our service members are doing every day.

I get your perspective, but I politely disagree. The end game of your statement is that since it's an untenable goal, we shouldn't even try. But I'll dispute that, since I have seen countless civilians over the years write or call in to the show and thank us for explaining an aspect of military life to them, and that they can better understand their veteran. We veterans are not forced to adapt to "their world" any more than they are forced to adapt to ours. It should be an understanding between both groups, and then they can decide which world they want to live in.

Capt Bob Abbott - I probably didn't word my initial response as effectively as I should have and I apologize. What I was getting at was that there are distinct differences between civilian society (their world) and the military micro-culture. They may wish to know more. They can understand certain aspects but I do not think they can fully understand it. I know for me, I have a hard time explaining it to non-veterans because of my inability to articulate the experience accurately. I am not sure if that is my own shortcoming or just a limitation of language.

I do firmly believe that we must adapt in order to reintegrate into civilian society. I see all too often those who don't and they left behind. Civilian life is great (in my opinion) but it is not all rainbows and unicorns. We have stereotypes we need to overcome. Most employers could care less if we led troops in combat and are only concerned with the value we can provide to that organization in the here and the now. So we face many challenges that they never will. That's why I think they cannot fully understand. I didn't mean to imply that we shouldn't try and create an understanding as much as possible. Only that there are limits.

Awesome discussion post. I like posts like this that make me think.

I’ll give great big hooah to that PFC Cody "Delta" Dunn! They don’t make magic pills to help fix some of the stuff we dealt with or seen. But I wouldn’t change a thing even if I could. that would be like undoing Gods path and purpose. Some times we don’t always see the connections, but their always there. Patience and perseverance.

SFC (Join to see) I agree. Well said.

You may not actually relate to others PFC Cody "Delta" Dunn, having read your profile briefly you may have what’s known as “Natural” Kinesics! Which is a form of reading body language. Natural readers are very few and far between but we are out their. We can actually feel the emotions of others, and vastly calculate and understand why some people act and react the ways that they do.
Most federal agents are trained in this art but not many are natural readers. I refer to them as scanners. Artificial Kinesics if you will. Still sharp as a whistle however they will inherently make mistakes or poor judgment calls. Because like a scanner making a copy, they scan people looking for certain movements. Where as a natural reader sees everything.

Natural Kinesics can see the innocent child in a grown cerial killer and know why he is the way he is. However, you can never change a grown man once that have chosen that path, but your heart breaks for the path you see in them. But like a lame horse they must be put down so they don’t suffer anymore. They have no more control over themselves then a dog trained from birth to only fight! Not all of them can be rehabilitated.

They have tests out their to determine if you are a natural Kinesics or a scanner. Again my own terminology of the name use. Though if you do get the test you would be put on the same watch list a hacker. Only because we can point out others like ourselves. Because we purposefully throw our own body language off to keep people from reading us. Sad business and a lonely life to live some times. But embrace it and you could live a pretty good life.

My heart goes out to you my friend.

PFC Cody "Delta" Dunn - it was very much a compliment :)