Simple questions to any self-respecting military person?

uscgensign

I think I will take a stab at this one.

First off I am a reservist. I am highly educated and I get paid very well by my civilian employer. To be frank, everytime I do active duty I lose money. Period.

Why do I do it then? I do it so I can save lives. In my military branch, the US Coast Guard, we exist primarly to save lives and to support our mission in Iraq.

If you recall after 9/11 happened and then we took the fight to the terrorist in Afghanistan and Iraq. While we all may disagree with the reasoning on engaging a war in Iraq, you have to admit that Iraq was a honeypot for terrorist.

Bottom line, you may not like us, we may not like you... but because of the efforts of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard (and their reserve components) there has been no terrorists attacks on our soil.

Sleep well under the blanket of freedom I and my shipmates provide you.

Semper Paratus,

Jennifer K

You do realize that every member of the military pays federal taxes, right? That means WE are taxpayers too :)

Matthew

I think your anger should be directed at the government, not the military. We don't make the decisions on whether to go to war, the politicians do. As a Soldier, I just follow orders. We all do.

-To answer the second part of your question, literally thousands of people have died in the desert because our government has ordered them to fight. It's something that I'd be willing to do, and I'd do it for you and your family.

You don't think that wiping out terrorism is an honorable task? You don't think it's worth dying for?

Thanks for your taxpayer dollars to feed me and my family. Because of your taxes, my children got life saving surgeries. If I have to pay you back by giving my life for your freedom and safety, I will gladly do so.

majgross

You are very welcome! I thought I would start off that way. I had no idea there exists such hatred among Americans for those of us who choose to serve our country. You claim that we would be homeless were it not for your gracious generosity. It must be because we in the military are so poorly educated and lack motivation. Unfortunately we on average have a higher high school education rate and a higher college graduation rate than the civilian population in America. Hmm, that doesn't support your thesis. Possibly you don't even understand the point as you are likely one of those who doesn't qualify to join the Army based on your education level. I'm only basing this on your writing so I can't be sure. Perhaps you should work on your grammar?

You might also consider a review of history. You "feel", I won't say think, that we have done nothing to protect America for the last 50 years. I'm wondering if you are familiar with the Cold War and the stated goals of the USSR to spread communism, by force if needed, around the world. You can be sure, Germany and Europe in general were not kept safe by their own defenses. Those were Americans keeping Europe safe and by extension we kept America safe. A USSR that controlled Europe would be unstoppable.

Please continue to pay your taxes and feel good about yourself. We'll continue to do what we do.

el' Robo

As a military person of 20 years that fact that people like you have to even ask that question means you have had it too good for too long.

I have seen 1st hand the carnage of war. I have been thanked 1st hand by Iraqi citizens. As my grandfather learned in WW2 and my Uncle in Korea, there are lots of thankful people we do what we do and keep the Saddam's and the Hitlers from ethnic cleansing and 'real' torture. (Cutting fingers and burning limbs) But the media will cover what it wants to cover and you will formulate your opinions solely on that. All I can say is I have lived it 1st hand and have been thanked much much more than cursed. At liest you can curse the military from the comfort of your couch and laptop at home all cozy huh?

I believe you have posted this many times under different names and phrasing over the past few weeks. You need to quit trying to rile up military people.

WE PAY TAXES TOO!!!!!!!!!!!! So essentially what comes out of our checks on the 1st helps to pay us on the 15th. Yes other tax payers money is along with that, but it is not like we don't help support ourselves.

When you are willing to put your life on the line for people who could care less about you, then you give me a call. I do what I do so that you can have nice little rants like this without even knowing what you are talking about.

And no one owes me anything, and I have NEVER portrayed myself as such!!! Military personnel do not ask for thanks, but it is given by people who respect us and what we do.

Guru

I think you have a lot of *issues* with the military

Since we have President Obama we will see in the next four years how

he handles himself with the rest of the world.

I sincerely hopes he does not have to use the Military of the USA

But the odds are better then average there will be Great need for

increased military actions here and abroad.

Your question sounds like you are most naive.

Tha Goose

Well, let me be one of the few people to say thank you. You do have problems with the military. In fact, I may not like being in the military, but I am proud to have served in the military, and overseas as I am doing right now.

Now, tell me, why don't you believe we're protecting your freedom? It's called secondary effects. We stabilize, we create a safer world with less terrorism, lest you forget 9/11, we've felt the grip of terrorism on this nation. Do you realize the military only employs less than 1% of the total population in the US? As for the image of the US, yes, it has gone down, but the politicians are to blame. Like the person stated above, we only follow orders. We have no say on what gets done in Washington, just like a footsoldier had no say in strategy within the past however many hundred years.

We do not believe you owe us anything. We're here because we chose to be here, and nothing more. Now, answer me this... are you willing to go through weeks of training and deployments that separate you from your family? Are you willing to pack up and go to a country in a far off land? Didn't think so with that attitude. We only ask you APPRECIATE what we've been through, and what we're doing. You may not like the wars, but respect us, because obviously you just aren't cut out to endure the mental and physical pain required to serve this country.

And really, I don't thank you above for your money. I thank you above for showing your freedom of speech. We pay taxes in the military too if you didn't know by the way...

SSG D

You have never served any thing in your but yourself, thats sad, I take great pride in serving my country in which grants me the freedom to choose and do what ever I want to, I like all of my military brothern pay taxes as well both federal and states so we pay ourselves to serve our contry, cool is it not, what have we done as in Freedom for the US, look around, go out side, walk among those fellow citizens, then visit another country such as Iraq, or maybe even China, Hell go to France,
if you still feel we ( the military) have not done any thing for you then choose else where to hang your hat, Why dont you think the US has been attacked again like The trade Centers on 11 Sept 2001?, do you think its because the terrorist believe we have had enough and understand there point, or would you think its maybe because we took the fight to them and seriously shortend there life span, and nubers of there fighters. Yes I actually agree with you on being a watch dog for the world, I think that is crazy, but I also understand that if we dont there would be more little crazy things popping up and blowing up. Why thank us , I dont look for any thanks when I get off a plan from an opperation Im returning from, I look for my family, When I do receive a thank you from someone it reaffirms me that there are people out there that me risking my life, and leaving my family for months on end make it some how worth the sacrafice. You need a better understanding of life and explore what is really going on, stop listening to all the media, and your PC friends. Live a little take up the challenge I dare you. If not then sit back and enjoy the ride. Like so many do, When and if you do take a better look around and see whats going on, then fly our flag that so many have died for with a little pride to know that not only your a patriot but some one that is willing to go against the grain and show they believe in America and what we stand for, that you now have honor in knowing truth.

Pat

You think that we haven't protected YOU in 50 years? How long ago was the invasion of Afghanistan? How long has it been since we've been attacked on the homeland by Al Queda or any other Terrorist group. You have to thank us for saving your a** if we were to get invaded by anyone. You sir would probably cower and hide in your house while the Army, Navy, Airforce and the Marines made sure your house didn't get blown up.
I don't know what has gotten into civilians, I mainly think its because they are jealous of our image, us military people have a better image than the majority of civilians, we walk with pride, we have the best teamwork, we have the majority of females loving us just because we wear the uniform, and we make money to do the best job in the US and thats protecting your sorry a**

tchevy89

To answer your first question, we are not defending our freedoms. We are defending theirs. Because every person deserves to be free from oppression. As to your statement about the last 50 years. It LOOKS like our military hasn't protected our country only because our military is so great that no one dares try to invade. They know what would happen. As for our image, nobody likes the U.S. because we are the most powerful nation in the world. Nobody likes a winner. As for your last rant, I don't want your thanks, I only ask for your respect. For volunteering to serve my country to fight and die if need be to preserve your freedoms you enjoy, and for the freedoms of others around our planet. Everyone deserves freedom!!

centurion613

Gee..sounds like you think you never got your money's worth out of any of us vetrans. Sounds like a certain problem that been around for years...

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!

Now Mr Kipling wrote that in the 1800s...i dont think what you are feeling is unique.

And yes, as a military person, i paid taxes Too. You dont think the IRS forgets where the money goes, do you?

bravo

You make me sick!! so you're the reason I'm not homeless???WTF!
I have a college degree that the Navy paid for. Does that piss you off more? I also probably paid more in federal taxes than you before a joined the Navy. If you hate us so much, please move to Canada. EAT SH*T AND DIE! I've lost some of the best human beings I've ever met, protecting your a**.

chasier1

let me start by saying that even those who served our country are coming home and being homeless, even though we are in the military we are still taxpayers as well as you are, don't hate the military , be mad at the government,the politics the president they are the ones that make the decisions what what goes on. Now that i have said that I am a military Veteran of 10 years, and my husband is over seas serving his Second Tour, and if it wasn't for him fighting for our country we would have them over here on our soil and we would have more problems then what we did with 9/11. You are not the only one that is paying for taxes, and such, everyone including those who are serving is paying them, and have to worry rather they are going to come home to their families or not, Unless you have loved ones over there, or been there, you shouldn't complain because if it wasn't for those fighting and making the Ultimate sacrifice you wouldn't have the rights and freedoms you have today.

Anthony D

why doesn't anybody understand that we are not just fighting for the freedom of americans. we fight for the freedom of OTHERS. if you don't think that we are doing a good thing by fighting for the freedom of others, instead of only ourselves, maybe you should just leave.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: