Why does everyone diss on the military?

gugliamo00

Jeannie,

People asked me the same question when I joined the Navy in 1960. They asked me when I reenlisted in 1964.. and again when I opted for OCS.

They do it because they can. For some reason it's "politically correct," to trash your country, your trash the military, to trash its command structure. Were it not for the country, the people who serve it, and their command structure, these bashers would not be able to do what they do. They fly those flags from their car doors and display their magnetic "support the troops" decals on their cars. They seem that's all they need to do.

Some are ignorant. They don't know that, while the military hates war more than they possibly could, the military realizes that sometimes war is a necessary evil. So, you're a war-monger. How can you do such a thing?

Some are selfish. They think that they are the only ones who deserve to be protected... who deserve the freedoms we have. So, how could you do such a thing?

Some are foolish. They say that they'll fight the enemy when he's marching down their streets. To be marching down their streets, he'll have to have overcome our Army, Navy, Marines, Air force, Coast Guard, all our reserve units, and the local police. He'll have disabled our missile defenses.. Now these untrained pacifists are going to defend their land? They'll be killed before then can throw the first rock. So you went to fight the enemy away from this country... how could you do such a thing?

Some are self-centered. They think it's ok for others' to take care of them... to protect them... to defend their freedoms. And here you go off to fight someplace else... how could you do such a thing?

Some are lazy. It's so much easier to sit in a chair and trash stuff they don't understand. They listen to the media and believe it... therefore you're doing a bad job. What you're doing is immoral. You are a murderer. It's easier to parrot things others say than to find out for themselves. So how could you do such things?

Some only want to have an excuse for their inability to do what you're doing. If they can make you question your actions, it validates their inaction. When you can't answer the question, "How could you do such a thing?" they sit back on their yellow backsides and say... "See. That's why I didn't do what you did."

Me, I did my time... at least that's what they tell me. I retired in 1985 after 25. When OIF started I offered to come out of retirement, but their's this problem with my birth certificate. Told them that I may not be as spry as I once was, but that maybe I could take a bullet so some younger guy cold keep fighting.... nope... and I'm probably in better shape than most of the guys in the office.

The WW II Vets are about all gone. The Korean Vets are not far behind them. We Vietnam Vets aren't getting any younger. It's good to know there are a few Americans like yourself, and all those with whom you serve, that are following along behind to catch the banner when we fall. Thanks.

ADDENDUM:
A poster suggested that you (and I guess, by extension, all military) shouldn't be looking for thanks or glory. By and large, the military isn't in it for that. Some guys never get their name in lights. I know guys who can't even wear all the medals they've been awarded because some things "never happened."

But, as you pointed out, the military seems to take a lot of stuff. So, if somebody wants to throw some thanks, recognition, or even a modicum of glory your way. There's nothing wrong with accepting it. Just don't let it go to your head. ;-) Maybe that's why nay-sayers were created?

crazyziggy6_0

I do not know where you are going but everywhere I go people thank me. they only ask me why I join if we are having a conversation and then I say to serve my country.

Jessica F

Because they are ignorant and don't want to face the reality that we even need a military. They don't realize everything the military does for them. I come from a military family and I personally thank you for wanting to dedicate your life to help us. Don't worry about what other people say- they can only bother you if you let them. Best wishes to you!

John S

Ignorance.

Idontcit

because they are not good enough to join so they feel the need to compensate by bashing those who are better

Kiss My Pumpkins

Not everyone disses on the military. Gently remind them that the military is the reason the have the priveledge to disagree with their government and voice an opinion without being killed by a dictatorship government.

Some of us are grateful people like you agree to serve our county.

Thanks from the Pumpkin Patch

Fairness, why

Because they are jealous losers who screwed up their lives and now they can't get in and their parents won't let them come home.

They will become either homeless, crack addicts, or whinny liberals who want everything for free.

Thank You for protecting me.

civil_av8r

Because they are too chicken to do it themselves. They want you to give them an answer that makes themselves feel better about not joining.

Sgt Big Red

Tell them you did it to fight for their right to ask you such a stupid question!!!!!

TDAL

because they are to chicken to do it themselves. ill tell you i have been in for almost 4 years and never has anyone outside of the people i work with ever talk sh it about the army in front of me. I am guessing they are also jealous cause they could not do what you are doing. but i would not go foward and tell them you are protecting them cause that always causes problems and debates.

Cap'n Rita

Thank you!

spartan 117

mostly jealous and stupidity

Charming Gentleman

Two issues we need to address here. 1) Their ignorance. I love the quote from the movie a few good men when Jack Nicholas says "You dont want to know who is standing on the walls protecting you at night, you just want someone to do it." 2) Your need for gratification. If you want a thank you out of the people then join the glee club or the girl scouts. We, as military personnel, voluntarily took an oath. I kid you not when I say that our thanks comes in a paycheck on the 1st and the 15th of every month. It is a duty we volunteered for and you really shouldnt expect a thank you in return because if you do you will be very dissapointed.

I have been cursed at by people whom I have never met before simply because I wore my Marine Corps tshirt into a store. It's their right for which I would willingly lay down my life. You want it to be different then raise your children to respect military personnel. Thats all that we can do anymore thanks to the media.

Kelsette

First of all, thank you very much for serving in the army and protecting my right to freedom.

However, as far as why you're getting the question "why did you join the army?" instead of a "thank you" is probably only because of everyones negative feelings about this war we are involved in right now.

While I am DEFINITELY not a liberal, I am a conservative in all other views, I do actually agree that this war we are involved in right now is illegal, and we got involved under false pretenses. It's a mess.

So while I understand how this might hurt your feelings to get a 'why' instead of a 'thank you' try to keep in mind that while most of us are all VERY supportive of our troops, even the majority of liberals, we just do not agree with this war we are involved in and we want to know WHY someone would want to fight in this unneccesary war, and so sometimes I guess we just get caught up in the politics of it rather than seeing you as a wonderful person for serving this country.

Again, thank you and God bless!

Andrew D

Im liberal and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! It takes a special kind of person to go out and protect our freedoms at home and abroad. I feel I should do my duty and join

bonstermonster20

The answer is that people share a common misconception about the military based on what the media has fed them. I continue to appreciate people who do what I can no longer do. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that way. I recently 'adopted' a soldier to support in Iraq. I wish more people would do that! After all, if not for many who put their lives on the line for us, we wouldn't be speaking English in America.

kim v

JEANNIE!!!
thank you soo much for joining!!
I'm joining in Feb 2008 :)

I always HATED the military!
I never understood why we were were at war, and I never supported war.

It wasn't until I trained with the national guard for 6 and half months [[i actually lived in the barracks with 40 other girls]]
that i gained so much RESPECT for them!

People just don't realize that they are so free because we are over in differenct countries defending our freedom!

CONGRATS!!

what's your MOS??

IM me or email me!
amor0528@yahoo

Ben j

We really don't do anything to protect except act as a show of force. The US military presence in other countries is the reason for the world's unfavorable attitude to America. If you don't think so, do a couple years overseas then ask yourself, how would you feel if Isreal, Pakistan or Saudi Arabia put an Aibase in your backyard?

As for a show of force we could do that much more effectively from our own country and maintain some credibility by staying out of other country's business.

SeÃ¡n O

By in large people are compensating for a gnawing feeling they don't have what it takes to be a solder; lets be honest it's no summer on a Spanish beach. It takes commitment, strength and determination. Like a lot of things in life almost anyone can become a soldier - but it takes an exceptional person to be a good soldier - and most people realise they don't have what it takes. They continue to believe they are something special - not just another grunt in a mass of uniforms.

Proud Army Wife!

Because people fear what they don't know!

Armyeyes9195

For the most part, they are jealous. I wish I had a dime for everytime someone told me "I wish I had joined the service when I was younger" I was in the Army for 4 years and I wish I was still in. I loved every minute of it. Also alot of it is ignorance. Most people have no idea what it is like being in the military, they think you get yelled at 24/7. When in all actuality it is similar to civilian jobs, except you get to wear a uniform. Be proud of yourself. Don't worry about what ignorant people have to say, they just don't understand.

AngiSchy

Have you ever asked them why they do *their* job?

I don't think that you should *expect* thank yous or hero-worship should necessarily go on in the name of anyone serving our country. If people do say those things, that's great, but you're not in it for the glory, right?
It's a job, just like anything else people do for money and a sense of purpose. Some jobs are great and worthy of our time, and others aren't.

As for your question, I think that many people disrespect the military and/or people in it because they have really no idea what it's like. It's a foreign idea and lifestyle to them, and it's their own ignorance of it. That doesn't mean they are stupid, just a bit uneasy or unsure of what it all means, and because so many things in the military are secret or ritualized, perhaps there is a bit of an anti-elitist attitude on their part...i.e. "Do you think you're better than me because you're in the military?"
Even if this is never stated, they may fear it's implied and therefore turn it around on you before you have a chance to treat them as such.
This is all ridiculous of course, but it helps to perhaps explain the behavior.

Ultimately, I think it's just your average fear of the unknown and avoidance of learning in order to gain understanding.

I did not grow up in a military home and it was a very "not normal" lifestyle in my mind, but then a friend of mine married an Army man. I was skeptical, but rather than alienate myself from her because she would now be leading a different type of life, I chose to educate myself as to what this really meant.

I found that it's not really that different, of course. The stakes are higher for many aspects of their lives, but well, so it is for anyone who dares challenge themselves and take risks with their lives.
Her husband was deployed, it was hard, but he is home safely now, and they have a pretty great life...not in spite of nor necessarily because of...because they work hard at making that happen.

The ultimate result of me opening my mind to the military life (through my own volition, not at anyone else's urging) is that I now am enlisted as a DEP Recruit in the Navy.
I hope to challenge myself in many ways that I'm not in basic civillian life and I hope to come out a stronger person with many marketable skills and a lifelong commitment and understanding of what it means to be part of something much bigger than myself.

I hope you can look within and really understand the reasons why you did join and why you choose to serve and that they prove fruitful in your life. It's not for someone else to thank you or respect you...if that comes, that's great, but the real pride and confidence should come from you and radiate outwards.

In the meantime, don't take it personally when people say those things. Tell them that it's not for everyone, but you would appreciate their support because it's the life you've chosen to live.
Good luck!

gib000

Some people go by what they see on television and others secretly wish they had joined up.

jason

because in today's society people have grown soft and choose the easy way out of things. its much easier just to hold your hand out instead of work hard for something. the governement and hollywood has made it so that people believe the military is a bad thing...be proud you joined and serve your country, trust me we have it good compared to other countries...my opinion everyone should join the military, true its not for everyone but all should try. serving ones country is very honorable too me. our nation has become lazy and selfish.

NIKKI1118

Haha..I just asked that about the Navy. Everyone needs to be thanking you along with other military branches too. I agree with you 100%. You were the one brave enough to join.

feif_1202

the ones who diss the military are a bunch of losers who dont have the balls big enough to serve there country overseas or wear the uniform proudly!!! and they are blaming the military for doing there job overseas in iraq and afganistan they are just doing there job and taking orders needless to say im not conservative and im not liberal but i sure dont have no bones about speaking my mind and telling it like it is about anythingand by the way thank you for your service to this country and GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!!!

Brianna's Mommy

Maybe they want you to give them a good answer like, "to protect my country." Not some kind of self-righteous answer.

zombi86

Not everyone disses the military.

perspective

you aint protecting me yall in iraq findin oil and shyt and im in the bronx getting shot at and seeing people die every day, we both in the military as far as im concerned except the one im fightin is in my hood in this ****** country im suppose to be protected in

Smelly Cat

Because they kill people ?

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