To (ex) military personnel - do civilians give you the respect of your service?

truthspeaker007

Some do. I was in Iraq for 13 months and when I got home I couldn't stand the news it was all wrong, they didn't show anything good we accomplished, they made the war out that no one had our backs, that soldiers are all war criminals, No one got to hear about all the hospitals and orphanages we built, all the food we gave out to the staving, how we made running water and plumbing available electricity as well. All the free health care we gave to Iraqis. But when I got home most people in my town were grateful to me, and showed me respect but I'd never ask for any

Jason B

I have been retired from the military for 2 years now.... I am a disabled Vet.... I have traveled the globe and seen a lot of things. I have met some interesting people along the way now that I am retired and fully inserted into civilian life.

I have come across opposing views with the majority who thank me for my service. I have also come across a few who did not care for my service nor do they care for the way that freedoms are protected. I have listened to their views and then ask them a simple question.... "Who defends your right of free speech?"... I will usually get a blank stare for a minute then a rebuttle of ... "The constitution does!"... I will usually answer with ... "I have never seen the Constitution wear a uniform and fight.... So who defends the Constitution?"... Again with a blank stare..... I have even had a rebuttle of ..."It's the press who defends my right to free speech!"...... Really!...."When the reporters go imbedded with the military who defends them so they can report the news fairly and with an objectional eye?"......

The answer to who protects your freedoms is the MILITARY.... Regardless of your walk politically. Give a nod or a smile... You can even hug a Vet if you are so inclined... But a simple thank you is all that is needed to brighten a Vets day. Do I think that I deserve respect for my service.... Damn right I do!.... Going to college or a job after high school is easy.... Standing up for those who do not wish to stand up for themselves is the nobelest of all causes and deserves the gratitude for doing so.

Thank a Vet today for what you will continue to have tomorrow.... Freedom!

vdv_desantnik

Since leaving the Royal Marines in 1999 I have had the following problems:-
Applied for a council house because my girlfriend was heavily pregnant and no longer able to manage the stairs in our bedsit. Turned down, because locally priority is given to asylum seekers. There is a street near where I live full of brand new houses and they are full of Somalis.
bacame ill with combat related post traumatic stress disorder and went to the doctor asking to be referred to a counselor. 14 month waiting list. This was 3 years ago. Still waiting. Notice on the board in the doctors surgery offering free mental health care services and counselling to the afro-caribbean community.
Applied for incapacity benefit when my combat related PTSD became so bad there were some days I was unable to leave the house. Declined by the DSS, yet all the people round here who arent from this country and have never paid NI contributions turn up once a week with their hands out, and when I see them shopping in the local supermarket they always have full trollies. In the end I had to go back to work despite being unfit to do so.
Applied for working families tax credit when my girlfriend had our baby. Declined because we were no longer living at the same address together (she had gone back to her mums when she could no longer climb the stairs)
Couldnt afford to go to the dentists, so went to the local dental hospital (which gives free treatment) was told that despite the fact my tooth problems were service related (caused by getting a brick in the face in Belfast) they wouldnt treat me as I was working.
Every year when i go to the Remembrance day service and dress smartly with my beret and medals I have little scrotes shouting abuse and taking the mick.
Few people will consider employing me because I have no qualifications relevant to the civilian market or they stereotype and think 'oh, ex-marine he must be a headbanger'.
You tell me if I get the respect of my service

northcarrlight

No sometimes wish I had never do it, ho-hum such is life, have you read Rudyard Kiplings barrack room poems? he speaks at length about this its a little over a hundred years old now but is just as relevant to your situation. He speaks about red coats being the first in (to battle?) but the first asked to give up their seat at the music hall.

ROBIN HOOD

WOULD LOVE TO KNOW ASWELL
IM ON CIVI STREET MYSELF IN 3 MONTHS
14 YEARS 26 RA

swanjarvi

Not always, not everywhere, is the frank answer! What might spring to ones mind is the good old piece "......When misery is past, When War is over..., God and soldier alike are forgotten...." !

John H

I feel better about my service now than I did 35 years ago. At least now I can hold my head up and publicly admit that I am a Veteran. Once upon a time, that was something I felt the need to keep secret. I can't ask for much more.

I hope that things don't spiral downhill like they did back then. I hope our young Veterans will be able to remain proud of their service, and not have to endure the abuse that was the experience of my generation.

bill a

Not just no but HELL NO!!!!!

Mr.Tee

HELL NAH.... Americans dont appreciate nothing we DO!!!!!

We should respect all our Armed Forces and(ex).

zach_718

It depends on who you talk to. I don't wear my veteran status on my sleave but it did help me with employment but it wasn't always that way for me.

Ex-military enlisted members have the highest unemployment rate of any other socioeconomic sub-group. The jobs just aren't out there for our skills like they used to be. Our jobs in the military have become so specialized that in many cases it is very difficult, if not impossible, to translate them to the outside world. Education is key, which the military will pay for, but gone are the days of 4 years of drudgery rewarded with a lifetime of smooth sailing.

gandamack1

no...they never have recognized my service...but my generation is from the 1960's-70's....they hated all things military and I never saw any change...the newer folks have a little different heart...at least some of them do....

rowdy

Yes, but the clue is at the end of your question. It's there, but I feel it rather than actually hear it. From the people that matter, anyway.

CLIVE C

All services take care of their own, food, housing + education . But, when you come out, its a new ball game entirely.

nosdda

No never unless you are a War Hero.

driverfus

i dont know how the us looks after their ex service men
i know that in my country after ten years service i cant get a house or flat geting work is not easy .i dont want anything from the army, i dont need their help ill do it myself i joined the army by myself .so ill sort myself out..as long as there are no a.k rounds, coming my way or any other incoming then ill be a happy man i still have my health,i dont want other people's respect. i feel that
my service to my country is somthing that i wanted to do.
i need to earn respect of people by doing the wright thing by them.and living an decent life

2LegsMalone

I don't think just because I've been in the forces that I deserve any more respect than anyone else who has worked. The problem I did have when I left in 1993 was that any of the qualifications that I had gained in the Royal Navy were not recognised in civilian circles. I spent a lot of time being told I was getting the best available training in the world only for it to be worth nothing at a later date. I'm glad I got out when I was still young enough to change career.

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