My son wants to go RECON when he signs up... I hope he doesn't have any strong feelings towards that full head of hair.... He's about to lose it. Lol....
Yep. She's like me. We support him in his dreams. We also understand the gravity of what he'll be doing.Congrats ! Infantry, is your other half cool with that ? As a mom I wouldn’t
Please thank your son, from another grateful US Citizen. Wow.
I have yet to be rebuffed by any Vet I see in real life (stores, etc) when I thank them for their service. and I mean it with all my heart. After Vietnam and the reprehensible treatment our fine people endured re-entering civilian life, it's the least I could do...but please, is there a better way to thank them? What's your viewpoint?
It's just that at times, it comes across as contrived...
I feel similar. I enjoyed most of my days in service. I used to say “Can’t believe I get paid so much to have so much fun” Even during the Gulf War I was out shopping for perfume & eating Shawarma from the street venders under the oil blackened afternoon sky with no visible sun and buildings being bombed. It was exciting.Most of us who have served truly don't need or expect "thanks." Most of us volunteered (since the Vietnam draft). We wanted to do it. I dare suggest that most of us enjoyed it, even if only to realize it AFTER our service.
If some one wants to really show appreciation…how bout buy me a cup of coffee or lunch. Show some interest in what actually I did during my service. Most vets will share a war story or adventure with anyone interested enough to ask…and appreciate that much more than a thank you.but please, is there a better way to thank them? What's your viewpoint?
Can't believe you get paid so much?! You must have been a officer.... I remember getting Fu**ed financially to do a job that I wasn't even guaranteed to see my rack at the end of the day. Not to mention, if I screwed up, ALOT of people died or got seriously hurt. Lol...I feel similar. I enjoyed most of my days in service. I used to say “Can’t believe I get paid so much to have so much fun” Even during the Gulf War I was out shopping for perfume & eating Shawarma from the street venders under the oil blackened afternoon sky with no visible sun and buildings being bombed. It was exciting.
In the Philippines while mt. pinatubo was blowing its top, volcanic ash falling/piling up like snow, we were there working…but I can guarantee it was party time at night at the clubs etc… open and powered by generators during the disaster. Yeee Haaa !!! When someone tells me thank you for your service I’d never think of rebuffing them but… it feels extremely awkward and very uncomfortable for me.
The person thanking me has absolutely no idea what I did or even if I did anything to be thankful for. I could’ve been a sick bay commando, dead weight or jerked off my duties.
Imagine, the person at the store check out register …thank you for yr service by each person checking out. Weird right ? They are just doing their job. That’s how I think/feel;just doing my job.
If some one wants to really show appreciation…how bout buy me a cup of coffee or lunch. Show some interest in what actually I did during my service. Most vets will share a war story or adventure with anyone interested enough to ask…and appreciate that much more than a thank you.
See that. I’m no officer I’m an old school member of the goat locker brother hood.
HTC(SW) qualified to run a double (boiler) propulsion plant as EOOW or do an emergent repair of a hole bombed in the USS Tripolli. An engineer, snipes do all nighters, a way of life underway and on the beach.
Work hard play harder.
Yep get paid A LOT. What the heck does a young boot E2/3 enlisted man do with 2K a month, sea pay , combat pay and absolutely no bills. Oh, and it’s tax free while in the box. It’s all spending money. As an E6 and E7 I was rolling in the dough. Haze grey and under way baby ! I was pulling in 7-8K a month to blow or save. Take someone’s duty inport and Cha Ching an easy $500 + to stand a 4-6 hr watch, even better when it’s shore patrol.
Anyone here have even close to 2K to blow ? That’s a lot for a 18-20 yr old to party on double or triple that if there’s no port o call for a couple months.
Did I see or do some things that is/are difficult to live with/through ?
Did I have to do things I did not want to or like ?
If I failed to accomplish my mission were others lives at stake ?
If I made an incorrect decision were the consequences dire ?
Yes, of course to all the above. That’s all part of it, that’s what people in the military do, it’s the job you signed up for, that’s the life. Every job in the military has its + and -. It’s mind over matter, suck it up, carry on, it could be worse.
I guess it's all in how you view it. I saw myself as broke, but as soon as I got to my duty station, I pulled a loan from navy fed and bought a Nissan Skyline, so I had the payment on that, and I was pretty poor at managing money so....