Military Guys

"Thanks for you service" always weirds me out, am I supposed to respond with "You're welcome?"

I prefer "I appreciate what you did for us." or "I appreciate what you were willing to do for me." I can respond to a statement like that either playing it up or down.

In some towns, particularly in the midwest, there are still stars in the windows. Don't forget to thank them too, in particular if the star is gold.

JoeyM wrote:

wbjones wrote: I think it's a bit over done...

better that than the response to troops returning from vietnam

Yea, thanks why folks thank service men and women now. I was about 1-2 years too young for Viet Nam. From the stories I heard from a fellow grad student years later, I'm not sorry I missed it.

Whenever we saw a service member hitch hiking they always got a ride, and anything else we had to offer.

DaewooOfDeath wrote: Some veterans expect hero worship, or at least one of them I know does. I treat him like a normal person and I've gotten some static for that. As for why it feels icky ... snip

I think you're making broad generalizations because of your acquaintance. The military is a cross-section of the country. There are good and bad apples; just like with everything else. I'm sorry if someone is an shiny happy person to you about it. And what did Petraeus do that was so heroic?

People are people...

I do work for USAA so I run into a lot a vets. From current enlisted folks to 90 year old WW2 vets.

My Dad did 20+ years in the Air Force.

My FIL is a retired enlisted Marine and my MIL is a retired Marine Colonel. She was the public affair officer for General Peter Pace (former chairman of the joint cheifs of staff). Her Christmas parties are usally interesting. While General Pace was still active the house was checked prior to his arrival by security and there were a couple large guys standing in the corners.

I usually just treat them like a normal person and don't offer thanks right off the bat. If they want to talk about their service they will. Afterwards I will usually make some type of thanks or comment how much I respect peoples service. If they don't want to talk about it they won't. General Pace was excited to tell me about a relative he has who works for a NASCAR team down in Mooresville, NC and remembered to ask me about my racing hobby last time I saw him.

In reply to DirtyBird222:

What's your AFSC? I got my Bachelor's 3 years ago, joined the AF about 18 months ago, but because I'm a 1A8(x1) I'm still in training.

In case you were worried, BMT won't be as bad as you think (well, not looking back on it anyway )

Greg Voth wrote: People are people... I do work for USAA so I run into a lot a vets. From current enlisted folks to 90 year old WW2 vets.

I am a member :-)

rotard wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: Some veterans expect hero worship, or at least one of them I know does. I treat him like a normal person and I've gotten some static for that. As for why it feels icky ... snip

I think you're making broad generalizations because of your acquaintance. The military is a cross-section of the country. There are good and bad apples; just like with everything else. I'm sorry if someone is an shiny happy person to you about it. And what did Petraeus do that was so heroic?

Not all veterans are like that. Actually, the guy I'm referring to was a mechanic who never left the base, which is another reason I'm not going to kiss his ass.

Petraeus ... my reasons are very much based in the realm of poly sci, but I think he saved thousands of lives by engineering the surge and fostering the Sunni Awakening. Honestly, it's kind of off topic, but I admire his results. Whether or not he was heroic, I don't know. I also don't think it matters.

OrangeRazor wrote: In reply to DirtyBird222: What's your AFSC? I got my Bachelor's 3 years ago, joined the AF about 18 months ago, but because I'm a 1A8(x1) I'm still in training. In case you were worried, BMT won't be as bad as you think (well, not looking back on it anyway )

3D0X3, seems we will both be working in the Communications field. According to my recruiter, Tech School for me is about 2 months and "OJT" will be around a year. I'm not too worried about BMT. I've been in DEP for about a year now and watched almost every video on it, I've been following the Naval Special Warfare workout guide (The AF doesn't have one of those). I run 4 times a week; do push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups 5 days a week, work out my core everyday, etc. I should be more than prepared physically. I really wanted to try out for SF, but the more I think about it, 3D0X3 would be a better choice long-term. Whether it be a career with the military or in a civilian career down the road.

A couple of GRMers in the AF have been great to talk to and given me a lot of insight and information that I greatly appreciate it!

DaewooOfDeath wrote:

rotard wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: Some veterans expect hero worship, or at least one of them I know does. I treat him like a normal person and I've gotten some static for that. As for why it feels icky ... snip

I think you're making broad generalizations because of your acquaintance. The military is a cross-section of the country. There are good and bad apples; just like with everything else. I'm sorry if someone is an shiny happy person to you about it. And what did Petraeus do that was so heroic?

Not all veterans are like that. Actually, the guy I'm referring to was a mechanic who never left the base, which is another reason I'm not going to kiss his ass. Petraeus ... my reasons are very much based in the realm of poly sci, but I think he saved thousands of lives by engineering the surge and fostering the Sunni Awakening. Honestly, it's kind of off topic, but I admire his results. Whether or not he was heroic, I don't know. I also don't think it matters.

I guess the base is relatively safe. Personally, the closest I've ever come to dying was while I was on a FOB. I don't really care about all this gushy "Thanks for your service" stuff, but I do get the impression that you don't respect anything about what this guy did. It's almost as bad as someone dismissing you because you're only a civilian who couldn't make the cut.

Edit: This doesn't excuse his behavior. He sounds like a jerk, and I'd probably not care for his company. I'm also not a mechanic, but I do like it when the A/C in a vehicle works, haha.

Strike_Zero wrote: Honestly, treat me how you want to be treated. No more . . . no less. But then again, I'm not one of those hardened infantry guys either. I just taught soldiers how to drive trucks, finish the mission and come back in one piece.

That is good advice. It is a little embarrassing to be singled out but a smile and a "Thank you" is what I do when someone thanks me for my service.

Let me also say, I cannot stand seeing Service Members with entitlement issues. We don't deserve free drinks, to go first in line, or any special treatment. We're humans, who joined knowing what the job entailed.

It makes my blood boil when I hear Service Members complaining about how much America owes them.