Thank you Airborne for saying what I was thinking. After getting out after eight years in the Marine Corps, I feel I got out ahead with the intangibles like leadership skills, work ethic, and perspective that I know gives me a leg up, not to mention the benefits I have had such as seeing the world for free, a college education, and a rocking deal on a new Jeep while deployed. You get out of life what you put in gents, there are no shortcuts.
Vets
- Thread starter JoeyChopps
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CreamyGoodness said:
Maybe on a technical level. True, no one has ever asked me to break down a 240b in a job interview. But I think it prepares you for other things. Most people don't have the opportunity to lead others at such a young age, have to maintain and account for the massive amounts of equipment, have to deal with adversity on the same levels. Those sorts of skills do translate pretty well in my opinion.
CreamyGoodness
Well-Known Member
Yknow what Vince, you're right, I wasn't thinking about the intangibles. What I had in my head was something like the fact that the helicopter mechanic or the guy who purifies water (et Al et Al et Al) have a series of very tangible line items on their resume.
Cromwell
Well-Known Member
I kind of agree in principle that vets should be given compensation for putting their lives on the line for this country. As an emotional issue, we owe vets more than we can repay.
As a realistic issue though, I start to change my mind and think like Yooper and others here - you got paid, you got trained, you got experience. Purely from a supply/demand point of view, you got exactly what you were worth, as long as you weren't drafted.
So I thank our vets whenever I know they are one, but whether you get thanked or not, you get to carry around in your heart the fact that you've saved lives, promoted freedom, and protected your country from oppression. That's actually priceless.
As a realistic issue though, I start to change my mind and think like Yooper and others here - you got paid, you got trained, you got experience. Purely from a supply/demand point of view, you got exactly what you were worth, as long as you weren't drafted.
So I thank our vets whenever I know they are one, but whether you get thanked or not, you get to carry around in your heart the fact that you've saved lives, promoted freedom, and protected your country from oppression. That's actually priceless.
mbauer013
Well-Known Member
First off - Thank you to all of our vets, your volunteered service is way above and beyond what the average citizen would bear to live in a free country.
I do think vets should get a little something extra, not rights per say but perks definitely I grew up in San Antonio with multiple military bases all around us, most of my friends were military brats. Back then even the retired servicemen had access to some extra services such as commisary and I believe hospital access (not that the doctors were very good). VA loans are a nice extra, and the GI bill is amazing. For anyone who went to college without it, you know how those payments seem to follow you forever. I would definitely support federal concealed carry permits for vets, afterall they were trained for it, and maybe discounted ammo! At the same time i see the others points that volunteering for service could be seen as cheapened by others if it has too many perks with it.
The best thing we can do for our Vets is to support them when they come home. Sorry to hear about your expiriences in Baltimore, I know around here if somone disrespected a service member, they might find themselves without use of some bodily appendages. My BIL served 5 years in Iraq and when he came home he needed some time to decompress and get through school. Between my wife and I and his mom, he essentially lived for free for four years and this really helped him be able to get some perspective on being a civilian again and reintegrate.
I do think vets should get a little something extra, not rights per say but perks definitely I grew up in San Antonio with multiple military bases all around us, most of my friends were military brats. Back then even the retired servicemen had access to some extra services such as commisary and I believe hospital access (not that the doctors were very good). VA loans are a nice extra, and the GI bill is amazing. For anyone who went to college without it, you know how those payments seem to follow you forever. I would definitely support federal concealed carry permits for vets, afterall they were trained for it, and maybe discounted ammo! At the same time i see the others points that volunteering for service could be seen as cheapened by others if it has too many perks with it.
The best thing we can do for our Vets is to support them when they come home. Sorry to hear about your expiriences in Baltimore, I know around here if somone disrespected a service member, they might find themselves without use of some bodily appendages. My BIL served 5 years in Iraq and when he came home he needed some time to decompress and get through school. Between my wife and I and his mom, he essentially lived for free for four years and this really helped him be able to get some perspective on being a civilian again and reintegrate.
Welcome fellow vet. Better to think in grandiose terms than go down to the gutter like "we fought so that others could have cheap gas for their suvs". It still puts you in a small group of people regardless of the benefits. If the benefits were so awesome everyone would weigh in and want a piece. But it is hard in only the ways a vet and their family get to understand.
Sorry I keep editing. One thing that would be nice is job placement, yes? There should be no unemployed Vets...none...nada. Not that I'm unemployed, just under haha.
Sorry I keep editing. One thing that would be nice is job placement, yes? There should be no unemployed Vets...none...nada. Not that I'm unemployed, just under haha.
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JoeyChopps
Well-Known Member
First off (being the op) I don't need any kind of mental help. If I really disliked civilians I wouldn't be one now and wouldn't have married my oxygen wasting wife (haha). I and many of my co-workers that are young vets feel the we deserve a little extra. Does that make us wrong? I don't think so I think as mentioned we are new to being civilians/ adults in a different situation because most of us joined at 18 I believe it's just a new chapter in our lives and its way different then the military. I have really enjoyed all the discussion on the topic. Chopps
Then you must not have been a marine
I'm guessing air force from the location? My sister was in Monterey Bay for language school, near one of the most liberal areas on the planet. They would run on the beach, and some people would yell "There goes another body bag". Granted they were probably crazy beach bums, but hey you can't generalize everyone right?
mbobhat said:Then you must not have been a marine
My sister was in Monterey Bay for language school, near one of the most liberal areas on the planet. They would run on the beach, and some people would yell "There goes another body bag". Granted they were probably crazy beach bums, but hey you can't generalize everyone right?
Gotta be a little.nuts to join The Corps
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JoeyChopps
Well-Known Member
Right you are I was a Air Force kid. However I was never stationed at robins afb. I was stationed at elmendorf afb Anchorage ak and Albuquerque nm. I never said I wasn't a little crazy I just don't need help. Most vets have difference sense of humor then non vets I have found.
Well, shoot, I never got any of that stuff! Of course, I wasn't' in during the GI Bill years- they had a terrible new program called VEAP. Which meant I got $2 for every $1 I put in for education once I got out. It was under $5000 total, but they did pay 90% of my tuition and books while I was in.
While I was in, I got a free trip to Grenada. That trip sucked.
I got a free trip to Germany, too, which was great. I lived in Germany for the rest of my enlistment.
I probably could ask for Veteran's Discounts at the auto repair shop, and get it. But I never thought to ask.
I got exactly what my enlistment contract said I would- a pay, 30 days vacation per year, free medical and dental care, and all for several years.
I did get some free Space-A flights (unexpected), and education while I was in. I bought a TV at the PX.
I don't mean to sound hard, but when you sign up, you have a contract which is honored by the government. To expect more later is not realistic.
Where were you in Germany? I was in Mesau, Stuttgart, and Keiserslautern. My free trips were all to the wonderful Balkan countries, all 4 tours.
Subsailor
Life is Tough, Stupid makes it Tougher
Retired Ballistic Missile Submarine Sailor here. First - Thank each of you that have served and then Thanks also to family, friends and communities that supported you!
When I first retired I was unaware of what was available to me. I do know that as a Submariner, I think differently than most people, especially civilians and even other Service Vets, we tend to be construed as strange or even abnormal for volunteering to man ships that sink on purpose. After 2 1/2yrs as a civilian, my uncle, 34yrs in Army, turned me onto all of the benefits of the VA. I do take advantage of what is offered to me as a retired (disabled) vet. I have a 70% rating from the VA and that gives me great opportunities for Home Loan Guarantees, Property Taxes and a few other areas. I would prefer to be able to be 100% healthy despite these benefits, which included a complete re-education into the Computer/IT world. (side note: the benefit I appreciate the most is a permanent free hunting and fishing license from the State of Alaska - my boys and/or their friends help me pack out my successes).
I have yet to be mistreated or mis-handled at the VA but here in Alaska, either in the Va or the community at large, we seem to be treated pretty well no matter what. I enjoy greeting each military member that I see and thanking them person to person for their commitment and their service. My wife and I believe this to be especially important.
I received everything I was promised to me when I volunteered over 36yrs ago, I saw a good portion of the World, met some very fascinating people and learned their cultures, I received a paycheck every 2 weeks, medical, dental, optical care. If I desired they even provided housing or a benefit of a housing payment for off base living.
My wife and I do hold the belief that if you are old enough to volunteer to fight and die - you are old enough to vote, drink and smoke!
Leaving the Submarine Service was the Hardest thing I have ever done in my life.
When I first retired I was unaware of what was available to me. I do know that as a Submariner, I think differently than most people, especially civilians and even other Service Vets, we tend to be construed as strange or even abnormal for volunteering to man ships that sink on purpose. After 2 1/2yrs as a civilian, my uncle, 34yrs in Army, turned me onto all of the benefits of the VA. I do take advantage of what is offered to me as a retired (disabled) vet. I have a 70% rating from the VA and that gives me great opportunities for Home Loan Guarantees, Property Taxes and a few other areas. I would prefer to be able to be 100% healthy despite these benefits, which included a complete re-education into the Computer/IT world. (side note: the benefit I appreciate the most is a permanent free hunting and fishing license from the State of Alaska - my boys and/or their friends help me pack out my successes).
I have yet to be mistreated or mis-handled at the VA but here in Alaska, either in the Va or the community at large, we seem to be treated pretty well no matter what. I enjoy greeting each military member that I see and thanking them person to person for their commitment and their service. My wife and I believe this to be especially important.
I received everything I was promised to me when I volunteered over 36yrs ago, I saw a good portion of the World, met some very fascinating people and learned their cultures, I received a paycheck every 2 weeks, medical, dental, optical care. If I desired they even provided housing or a benefit of a housing payment for off base living.
My wife and I do hold the belief that if you are old enough to volunteer to fight and die - you are old enough to vote, drink and smoke!
Leaving the Submarine Service was the Hardest thing I have ever done in my life.
Where were you in Germany? I was in Mesau, Stuttgart, and Keiserslautern. My free trips were all to the wonderful Balkan countries, all 4 tours.
I lived right in downtown Frankfurt, at the then V Corps headquarters. For a while I was in Fulda, during the height at the cold war due to my intelligence MOS and the threat due to the "Fulda Gap".
I worked in PsyOps, mostly, but in CI at times. I also worked for the "Smell-em" (SMLM) in Frankfurt. It basically meant we watched the Soviets who used our Px while they watched us.
I spent very little time in K-slatern, and some in Stuttgart with VII corp.
I was Intel also, 96B. CI is 97 right?
I literally could not disagree with you more.
Obliviousbrew
Well-Known Member
so civilians are oxygen wasters? I don´t understand, or it at least I just hope I don´t understand, my english is limited so there is a chance that I just didn´t got that rigth, besides the US is not my country, I respect your decision and I aplaude your service to your contry but I disagree. Strongly disagree.
PS: The only reason I actually read this thread is because i tought you were a veterinarian and not a veteran,
PS: The only reason I actually read this thread is because i tought you were a veterinarian and not a veteran,
Yeah! I was 96B by MOS, but then switched to 97B (made 97E) later on. I did some TDY as a 37F (psycological operations).
I broke my leg the first time in Airborne training. Damn gravity and all.
I have a good grasp of languages, although am no longer in fluent in them. This was almost 30 years ago, and I've forgotten more German and Spanish and Russian than I've remembered. I'm still "meh" in Spanish and do OK in Mexico and Central American countries although they smile at my pronunciation.
It worked well for me, and I loved it. I didn't like the SMLM duty, but it was part of it as well.
Obliviousbrew
Well-Known Member
Well of course I can see that, I just don´t think is funny or appropriate
If not, you have to feel sorry for a person who would exhibit such a sentiment for people that he swore to serve, and "uphold and protect". I would pity someone who felt that a citizen of the country they served would feel that way about a fellow citizen, because he didn't get a free meal at McDonald's.
Obliviousbrew
Well-Known Member
True.
bottlebomber
Well-Known Member
Yooper said:
You must be exaggerating... 34D at the absolute most.
Thank god for beer and Fridays!! Wool!! Oh... Um carry on..
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JoeyChopps
Well-Known Member
No offense mean by the term " oxygen waster" my older brother was in the army and that's what they called civilians and its has always been a joke between us. I mean zero offense with the term it's just a joke.
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JoeyChopps
Well-Known Member
Nice. I have to admit this thread has made me feel a little weird it seems that most people are a lot more proud of the time spent in service then I do. I don't feel the least bit proud of my service
JoeyChopps said:
I've never understood the whole "we don't get paid much" thing. My wife and I take what Uncle Sam gives us and goes from there. Cola, BAH, BAS and base pay make up a pretty good, dependable, living wage.
We bought a small house to start out with, we'll below our means, and now we have two rental properties, a home business, and some nice stuff in our primary residence.
So what if I didn't have a four wheeler, boat, big vacations, and a new truck when I made sergeant.
I think they should spend more time counseling the newbs regarding finances and budget..... Teach them to live within their means and teach them how to make their money work for them.
