Playing the Vet card

[Silverharp]

I'm going to preface this with a simple statement.
My father is a Korean War Vet.
One of my dearest friends was in the first supply convoy into Bagdad after it fell, and she STILL has nightmares about what she saw there.
I have friends in every branch of the service and have nothing but respect for ANYONE who serves their country, especially in war time.

This rant is aimed towards towards those who abuse workers with the phrase "I'm a VETERAN! I served this country and you WILL give me a better rate/more time/ a bigger room/faster internet!"

First off, while I do believe in veteran discounts/perks, I also believe that to DEMAND them demeans not only your service, but the uniform that you fought in and your brothers and sisters that served beside you.

How DARE you demand that I bend over backwords for you when I've already told you that I pulled every trick out of my hat to make things sweeter for you? Respect is one thing pal, but to turn into a complete ranting entitlement whore and SCREAMING in my ear that you deserve more? Fuck you, asshole. I don't have to do a damn thing for you, I do it because of your service, and if you want to taint that with tantrums that a 3 year old would be embarrased to admit to? Go someone else and leve me be. I have adults to work with.

[Lillfilly]

I agree, or use it as an excuse as to why they should be allowed to get away with something.

Had a guy park in the fire lane and refuse to move. Finally moved, then pulled right back in when he thought we weren't looking. Started to right him a ticket and he got in me and my coworker's faces SCREAMING how he was a vet of 3-wars, he had a baby in the car, he fought for us and how DARE we treat him like this! For the record, he looked to be in his 40s and this was about 2008, so possibly he could have been in Kosovo and Desert Storm, maybe over in Middle East after 9/11, (Not wars) but still. He should hold himself to a higher standard and obey the laws and rights he swore to protect.

[DrFaroohk]

Especially the Not-Vets. Washing out halfway through bootcamp does not make you a vet.

[crashhelmet]

Especially the Not-Vets. Washing out halfway through bootcamp does not make you a vet.

I know a large number of these people. They wash out of boot camp or before they fulfill their initial commitment and have enough NJPs against them to discharge them and cut their losses. But these guys (I've never met a female like this) walk and talk like they served their full term with full Honors and demand we kiss their asses. The large majority of them were all Marines too. It's sickening.

[Tanasi]

I've seen the "Vet" excuse used several times, I've seen other vets call them out on their behavior and I've called some out on their behavior. What I've discovered after some questioning most never served a day. One guy claimed his time in HS JROTC counted as service as he still suffered from PTSD. Unless you can produce a DD214 it's best to keep your mouth shut.

[bara]

When people find out I served most say thanks.

Im happy with that.

And I have met many marines (I was Army), some were raging douchebags. But most were cool.

Just like every other group out there.. most are cool but there are always the douchebags.

One guy claimed his time in HS JROTC counted as service as he still suffered from PTSD.

No... no it doesnt. It might boost you a private rank, maybe all the way to e-4 as an enlistment incentive and looks good if you apply for one of the military schools. But it doesnt count as military service. (Although he MIGHT have PTSD. Maybe he got picked on a lot in highschool)

In fact, those guys normally got their asses kicked in basic cause they thought they were tough shit. Piss off 40 other guys and see what happens when the Drill Sergeant closes the CP door and pretends he cant hear anymore.l

[Lillfilly]

Especially the Not-Vets. Washing out halfway through bootcamp does not make you a vet.

I was actually in the USAF long enough to qualify as a vet and discharged with my DD214 since a medical issue cropped-up while I was in tech school and I couldn't continue to serve. It's just on paper though, I didn't do anything to deserve the status and have never used it towards anything.

That guy had PTSD from ROTC!? I thought that was optional to be in anyway. I was in Civil Air Patrol and loved every minute.

[fireheart17]

One guy claimed his time in HS JROTC counted as service as he still suffered from PTSD. Unless you can produce a DD214 it's best to keep your mouth shut.

That guy had PTSD from ROTC!? I thought that was optional to be in anyway. I was in Civil Air Patrol and loved every minute.

What the hell are JROTC and ROTC?

Are they anything like Army/Navy cadets?

[Mishi]

Pretty much, but I think they get to do a bit more than our lot are allowed to. Don't forget the Air Cadets!

[fireheart17]

Don't forget the Air Cadets!

Them too

I had a few friends in the army cadets program. One of them is now training to be a security guard and one "friend" (I use it loosely) DID go into the army, but his knee acted up and he was discharged. He's now at uni, studying to be a teacher, and continually haunts my dreams (I fucking kid you not) -.-

[DrFaroohk]

I was actually in the USAF long enough to qualify as a vet and discharged with my DD214 since a medical issue cropped-up while I was in tech school and I couldn't continue to serve. It's just on paper though, I didn't do anything to deserve the status and have never used it towards anything.

Yeah but that's cool. You didn't "fail" at anything, you did your best and you don't claim undue honor for it.

I respect anyone for serving, it's something I could never do. And even the guys who never left the janitor's closet on base for four years, you're serving your country but don't act like you're a seasoned vet now.

My ex-father-in-law was also like that. I believed he joined the military right around the end of Vietnam and was like "Yeah, I'm a big badass Vietnam vet! I've seen some things, man!" No you didn't carl. You saw the bus, the airplane and the boat.

[AdminAssistant]

In my experience, those who served in dangerous places, had to kill people, watched friends die.....they don't talk about it. The bigger the braggart, the more likely they stayed on base.

[Mishi]

Thanks Admin-Assistant! I was trying to figure out how to word it because that's been my experience too. A couple of my mates went into the army, only one talks about it and he's the one that was dishonourably discharged for striking a superior officer.

Every ANZAC Day, my dad is an unofficial counsellor at the bar. He was too young for Vietnam and not fit enough for the rest, but he listens to the stories that the Vets need to let loose, the ones that the alcohol and lack of eye contact helps them to talk about, because they know it's like going to a confessional. He won't repeat anything they say, ever, and he won't think less of them for it either. He looks after them because they need it and they damn well deserve it.

Anyone that demands something in return for their service has less value than an amoeba.

[bara]

In my experience, those who served in dangerous places, had to kill people, watched friends die.....they don't talk about it. The bigger the braggart, the more likely they stayed on base.

You mean like the guy who was telling people he went on a suicide trip to kill terrorists in fallujah.. by himself?

Yeah. we told him he obviously failed since he never committed suicide.

[tropicsgoddess]

What the hell are JROTC and ROTC?

Are they anything like Army/Navy cadets?

JROTC= Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp . That's in high school and depending on the school is which branch you train for. My alma mater had the Army branch. I had a lot of friends in high school that were in JROTC.

ROTC = Reserve Officer Training Corp. Regardless if you do this or JROTC from what I was told it bumps your rank up a bit when you're in the military.