Being called the 1% - good or bad?

LTC Jason Strickland — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:02:05 -0400

On Wall Street, 1% identifies the wealthiest Americans - protested pretty aggressively a couple of years ago.
On Main Street, 1% identifies those of us who have served.

Which begs the question: do you like being recognized as "the 1%"?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 4:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:04:32 -0400

Sir your question and voting options differ! I love being part of the 1% (actually less than 1% I believe) which is your voting option.

The question is, "Do you like being recognized as the 1%"

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 4 at 2014 6:40 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 18:40:25 -0400

This is the good 1%, so yes.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 4 at 2014 7:00 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:00:04 -0400

And I always thought the biker gangs were the 1% (that's what the patch on their vest says)

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Sep 4 at 2014 7:02 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:02:10 -0400

My wife is pregnant and was on birth control. I don't like being part of the 0.1%.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 4 at 2014 7:09 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:09:31 -0400

I'm proud of what I did as part of THE 1%. Don't think there are that many in those other 1% groups that can say that, especially those Wall Street 1 percenters - long live Bernie Madoff? Pa-lease.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 7:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:17:46 -0400

I'm one of the few, the proud... o wait wrong branch!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 4 at 2014 7:40 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:40:17 -0400

It's a statistical inevitability, an irrelevance. ALL professions comprise less than 1% of the nation. Doctors, Lawyers, Police, Paramedics, Janitors, Chefs, Seamstresses and Alaskan Crab Fisherman can all make the same claim that military personnel can.

It's not an accomplishment, it's just a bit of meaningless statistical data.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 4 at 2014 8:38 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:38:29 -0400

I'm definitely proud to be one of the 1% who have served; and I have absolutely no grudges against the top 1% of income earners.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 4 at 2014 8:42 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:42:45 -0400

I wouldn't say "no opinion" is really my answer. Its more of a mixed response. Being a part of "the 1%" can be both good and bad. First it says that we are all part of something much greater than ourselves, and only 1% of the population is able to take care of something so vitally important. And lets face it - we all go through experiences that help us to relate to each other and understand each other on some level, but that no civilian could completely understand.

On the other hand, if we are here to defend the nation, isn't it better that we consider ourselves a part of the population and not separated from it?

I'm not sure its a matter of whether we want to be considered a part of the 1% or not. The fact is, the minute we raised our right hands and swore an oath, we became a part of that 1% whether we want to admit it or not. What we do with that fact from there is up to us, and I for one am glad I decided to go for it.

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Sep 16 at 2014 10:56 AM

SPC David Shaffer — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 10:56:35 -0400

It is good on a personal level to be part of the few but on a national level it's bad because there are less people willing to serve in our voluntary military. I think it shows the changing of the times and I don't personally believe it's a good change.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2014 11:34 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 11:34:28 -0400

I think we all should be very proud to be part of the Main Street 1% - those who have served their country in the military. People are generally quite supportive of our military (and veterans, families, DoD civilians, the total force) these days.

Response by COL Eric Holmes made Sep 16 at 2014 5:29 PM

COL Eric Holmes — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 17:29:29 -0400

If you are competitve and always striving to better yourself in whatever field you chose, then being in the top 1% is a mark of distinction and success.

Response by SPC Randy Torgerson made Sep 16 at 2014 6:53 PM

SPC Randy Torgerson — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 18:53:07 -0400

Just to be clear, 1% of those that served....

Response by CW2 Geoff Lachance made Sep 16 at 2014 7:40 PM

CW2 Geoff Lachance — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 19:40:36 -0400

Great place to be, but sad to think this is the actual percentage of the total population! Just think how many more there would be if we were part of the 2%.
Part of the 5% would be overwhelming! I'm dreaming now!!!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 20 at 2014 10:42 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 10:42:49 -0500

Less than 1%.... we are the .45 percent.
http://www.rangerup.com/weare45.html

We Are The .45%

We Are The .45% - This Product is Discontinued There are two fundamental approaches in life: strive or blame. You either look at problems and ask yourself how to solve them or you look at problems ...

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 10:45 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 10:45:26 -0500

I hear 1% and I don't think of rich guys I think of the Motorcycle Clubs. I'd rather vets and service members be known as the 1%.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jan 20 at 2015 12:51 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:51:32 -0500

I have recently seen a wide variety of T-Shirts with a slogan that I feel speaks to this.... I may not have it exactly right, but the jest of it is the same: "it is not that I can and you can't....it is that I did, and you did not." It is referencing Veteran, Soldier, Marine, etc.... I made a conscious decision to do what I did in joining AND staying in the military.... and it is no different then the masses that made a conscious decision NOT to join the military. I can now forever wake up in the morning knowing that I did. I really don't care what they think about when they wake up!

Response by Col Robert MacDonald made Jan 28 at 2015 2:13 PM

Col Robert MacDonald — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:13:36 -0500

As we grow older, we all grow the most in our areas of strength, reinforcing who and what it is that we are. If I am disparaged for having served, I reinforce the difference between my calling and the spewing dufus I am standing next to by highlighting the gift that my service provided me (as well as family and our fellow citizens) by praising it mightily--and all those that walked with me on my life's journey. If I am teased by my brothers in arms, I take it graciously and return fire in kind, with love, laughs and gracious gratitude for not being thought invisible. The opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. Our time in service will never be indifferent to those on either side of the 1 percent line, and that galls those who seek to elevate themselves by denigrating the few men and women they refuse to measure against.

Response by CW3 Eddy Vleugels made Feb 1 at 2015 10:36 AM

CW3 Eddy Vleugels — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 10:36:05 -0500

As long as the 1% is meant to identify those of us who have served, or are still serving, then I'm OK with it. Nothing more nothing less.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 2:22 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 02:22:30 -0500

As some other post have eluded to but not fully mentioned, 1% to law enforcement officers and some other people 1% indicates the motorcycle “clubs” or gangs but not any motorcycle club. The people that were the 1% on their jacket or cut as it is known are the one that are self proclaiming that they are the 1% of criminal or outlaw bikers or motorcycle riders. The history of the 1% is that in 1947 in response to a gang fight at a motorcycle rally the American Motorcycle Association announced that 99% of motorcycle riders were law abiding and the fight involved the 1% that is outlaws. As a civilian police officer this was usually the first thing I thought of when I heard 1%. As a service member I am proud of my decision (many years ago) to join and to continue being in the military even if it is sometimes only in a part time condition. It is somewhat disheartening to know that only 1% have ever served in our military and that percentage will go down as more of our WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War brethren go to their final formations.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Feb 8 at 2015 2:33 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 02:33:18 -0500

99% of people who have not even tried can take a leap. I volunteer to keep a pair of clippers for their hair and one night of my couch if any of them want to join up. I volunteer to keep cot space for those on the a rough transition out. The only qualification is trying to be a brother. (I am not PC so if you think brother should include sister you are on the right track.)

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 20 at 2015 2:34 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:34:30 -0400

I take great pride in being apart of the 1% (.05%) of society who has stood up and made the choice to be part of a team of Americans that serve this great country. Regardless of how you became a part.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 2:58 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:58:55 -0400

I am proud of my sevice, however this is a career to me. Much like being a teacher is a career. I appreciate the thanks I get but most of the time it feels like empty words. Once all is said and done the only people who will look back and remember your service is family and those you served with.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 20 at 2015 3:32 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 15:32:27 -0400

I think its fine however, there will be some ultra liberal types who hate the military without giving the politicians a thought and they might say we are arrogant.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 4:05 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 16:05:53 -0400

Actually, I am more than willing to joint the financial top 1% also.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 20 at 2015 5:34 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 17:34:53 -0400

Multiple deployments have forever changed some of the 1%. Many of the civilians don't know, don't understand, and don't care.