In general, do those who serve in the military make better citizens?

2015-08-02T12:06:36-04:00

I am no longer surprised when responses by members of RallyPoint reflect a deeper knowledge and greater respect for America than I find in other Internet-based discussions. It seems that those who serve are better, more informed citizens.

For example, someone recently asked if the electoral college should be eliminated and several responded with great insight into the workings of that institution. The same discussion outside of RP would elicit inane and ill-informed responses.

Thus, I suppose my real question is "Why do those who serve make better citizens?"

I suggest it is because service members have a greater investment in their nation. Sadly, about half of Americans have not only not served but also don't pay taxes. They take without contributing. In other words, they have no investment to protect.

What say you?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 12:08 PM

2015-08-02T12:08:52-04:00

That is an unqualified yes!!! You said it as well as anyone, Captain Jack. But, you're way off on the percentage of Americans who have served in the military. Statistically, it's never risen above 5% of the total American population. So, we generally do stand out in terms of a certain quality of citizenship. And I, for one, do not find that surprising. We have dedicated our lives to this country in ways few other Americans have or still do today, with the very notable exception of the people in our public service occupations.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 2 at 2015 12:13 PM

2015-08-02T12:13:13-04:00

Yes. Veterans understand the cost of freedom.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 2 at 2015 12:15 PM

2015-08-02T12:15:22-04:00

I would say yes ,Capt.,but i may be a little prejudice.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Aug 2 at 2015 12:19 PM

2015-08-02T12:19:27-04:00

CPT Jack Durish i think that those who serve have a vested interest in this great country.

That being said, citizenship is priized by those who've served to protect the rights of citizens and who have garnered an understanding and respect four the gifts that citizens of this country are given and sadly overlooked.

The discipline that we have received in the military spreads over into our lives as citizens.

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Aug 2 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-08-02T12:23:55-04:00

In broad terms 'yes'. I think the fact JROTC exists supports your statement. Kids who can never serve in the military are able to do JROTC which is primarily a citizenship program not a recruiting tool.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Aug 2 at 2015 12:34 PM

2015-08-02T12:34:49-04:00

I would say yes in terms of the understandings of the Freedom. However, there are exceptions to the rule as others have stated before me.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-08-02T12:44:21-04:00

Yes!! "you have never lived until you have almost died. For those who have fought for it, life has a special flavor the protected will never know." Veterans get it, civilians don't.

in the long run, we (veterans, active duty) know what's at stake, and we protect it with our lives. Thank you for caring, CPT Jack Durish

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Aug 2 at 2015 12:55 PM

2015-08-02T12:55:28-04:00

I believe so. I think that those that have or do serve have a greater understanding of what the cost of freedom is. I've observed a greater since of patriotism. I also think that those who have or do serve follow the political climate a bit more or at least differently than those that have never served because it effects them directly.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-08-02T13:07:02-04:00

Not all of them. But I would say about 90% do

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 2 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-08-02T13:14:02-04:00

Service is an Investment. Possibly one of the greatest we can make as Free Citizens. We are dedicating the one resource which we can never reclaim, Time. Each of us are promising a period of four years to the Nation.

During that four years, we catch "glimpses" of its inner workings. It's like having Toto pull the curtain back, and seeing the Wizard for just a second. We can choose to ignore the man behind it or we can dig deeper to find out what is really going on.

The vast majority of people never bother. They are content to have the "All Powerful Wizard" just run the show...

But I digress, as with any Investment, when you "own" something, you care about it. When we dedicate a portion of our lives to this Nation, we take ownership of it. A share. A small share, but a share none the less. And that share has value. We don't want to see it constantly devalued. We want to see it increase in value. We want to see the Nation get better. And when "others" do things that make the Nation worse, it makes us angry, because they are destroying something we own (collectively).

Those who don't Serve, who haven't worked for it, take it for granted. The Nation is a "resource" that can be wasted to them. There is a philosophic difference there, which I do not believe can be overcame.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 2 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-08-02T13:46:50-04:00

With out a doubt 100% in my military mind. Duty Honor Country, will always prevail. I am so glad I joined the military when I was young. It sets discipline and values to be a better citizen.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 3:20 PM

2015-08-02T15:20:44-04:00

YES. Citizenship should be earned. Like the book Starship Troopers, civilians get basic rights and citizens get full rights.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 2 at 2015 3:41 PM

2015-08-02T15:41:52-04:00

CPT Jack Durish, I would expect that most of those who serve or who have honorably served in the military forces of the Armed Forces of the United States of America make better citizens than the average citizen.
Each of us, whether we have served in combat or not, by joining the military has risked deployment to hostile areas where we could have been killed or wounded. By the grace of God none of us on RallyPoint have been killed; but, many have been wounded while serving this nation.
I would also expect that those military members who received bad conduct and dishonorable discharges make worse citizens than the average citizen.
Everyone who enlists or is commissioned swears an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States of America ... In addition each of us goes through educational classes on military law and the constitution, customs and courtesies, and we are encouraged to vote in Federal elections. These basic activities have command support. This distinguishes military members from most of the citizens in these United States with the possible exception of those who serve in law enforcement.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 2 at 2015 5:16 PM

2015-08-02T17:16:33-04:00

Yes.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 6:38 PM

2015-08-02T18:38:16-04:00

I think vets do make better citizens... we r u used to showing up early and getting the job done... and it kinda opens your mind to a whole side of politics and areas that are not right in the civilian side... like police reform... i know some may not agree.. but in my opion... if i never would of joined deployed and seen how it really felt to almost loose my life (literally), and to come back and see that we have some strict rules of engagement with citizens of another country... then why does the police force have so many gray areas... but thats just some of my opions... off topic maybe...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-08-02T18:54:05-04:00

I am going to go against the grain and say no. The vast majority of us that serve honorably are more invested in our country however I know plenty of people who have not had the privileged to serve or did not want to serve in the Armed Forces that are just as equally dedicated to our country. Saying that our service is any greater than that of Law Enforcement, EMT's, Firefighters, Search and Rescue, etc. is putting ourselves above people that contribute just as much - if not more - to the greater good. What of the non-military volunteers that work at the USO's that we visit? What of the handicapped citizens that contribute what they can? What of the thousands of people that volunteer with scouting organizations or work with food banks? President Kennedy put it best, "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." (I may have paraphrased that off the top of my head). I believe that anyone that contributes to the greater good of our society is a patriot - regardless of what uniform or organization they affiliate themselves with.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Aug 2 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-08-02T18:54:11-04:00

I look at the overall person. I have seen some who served that are dirt-bags, and some who have no interest in signing up that invest their time in finding the cure for cancer. Personally, I don't look at those who serve any higher than those who don't. We all play our role.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 9:33 PM

2015-08-02T21:33:47-04:00

Wow great question.....I will say we tend to think we make better citizens....but the reality is we forget that while we are out defending this great nations the local populace still needs local fire chiefs, police chiefs, city managers, county treasure, county coroner....etc who all are also great citizens... guess what i'm saying it that there are many ways to serve your fellow countrymen and citizen soldier is merely one of them...all who serve the public deserve to be treated with equal respect....without them we would not have hometowns to come back to.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Aug 2 at 2015 10:49 PM

2015-08-02T22:49:26-04:00

Service Members make better citizens because they have personally invested in the country.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 11:46 PM

2015-08-02T23:46:02-04:00

Great question CPT Jack Durish. I would have to say that it really comes down to the individual and his or her upbringing though. My experience has been that those who serve for a long time tend to care a little more and don't take as much for granted. At the same time I have seen folks that have never served, but are much better citizens than a lot of our younger military members.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 7:28 AM

2015-08-03T07:28:29-04:00

Overall yes. Are there Service members who are bad citizens in general, yes. We all know which one of our Military service members are not upholding the values of the Military while off duty in the community and it's usually the same service member who is having trouble serving honorable while on duty. Some people just can't get it together and some start off as as a lost cause and the Military serves as a wake up call and helps in the transformation process to making those individuals better Americans.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-08-03T13:59:47-04:00

I feel majority would. I feel military members would take accomplishing tasks a little more serious. Appreciate the little things and not that so much for granted.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 3 at 2015 4:46 PM

2015-08-03T16:46:22-04:00

We know the importance of sacrifice, compassion, working hard, the importance of the nation, and the importance of living a life driven by values.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 9:52 PM

2015-08-26T21:52:20-04:00

I think so.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 27 at 2015 12:26 PM

2015-08-27T12:26:14-04:00

I like to think the values that guided us in the military still guide us as civilians.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Sep 23 at 2017 4:10 PM

2017-09-23T16:10:33-04:00

I suspect someone will earn a Doctoral degree researching this question. I suspect the answer is "Yes," however, that is, at best perhaps, informed speculation. Personally, I believe, that they (we), as a class, have a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the responsibilities of citizenship. An understanding learned through service and experience.