Does everyone hate American Soldiers now?

Question

I'm a CPT in the US Army ROTC program and the other day I was shopping with my little brother and I was in uniform. Throughout the day I had people come up to me and tell me how I was a disgrace, I didn't deserve to live, and I was wasting my life. One lady even spit on me. I haven't even gone active yet and people are already mad at me. Do alot of people feel this way or was I just having a bad day?

Oh for all that don't believe me we have a website go to yahoo and type in the "Kenosha Military Academy" I'm currently the S-5 Public Relations officer. My Senior Army Instructor is LTC Gibbons if anyone really wants to contact him go for it. I wouldn't lie about something like this. And if anyone can tell me how I can put my uniform pic on here.

Also for people that don't know in the ROTC programs you don't come out as a captain but within the program we have positions such as squad leader, company commander, battalion commander, and so on. With certain positions come certain ranks. I'm on staff therefore am a captain.

Answer 1

I don't hate them but I've lost a lot of respect over the last year.

Answer 2

Now I found your first question.

No, I don't hate American soldiers. I have lost no respect for them. The training you receive is amazing. You learn respect, teamwork, special skills, your bodies are in utmost condition, cleanliness, loyalty, etc. These are important skills to take into a work environment. I would always rather hire a military-trained person over others because they know how to get a job done, they are on time, and ready to work.

Ignore the ignorant right now. So many Americans are being led down a treacherous path by the news media right now. The avg. American is unable to research and find the truth so they let pretty faces on TV control their thoughts and beliefs.
So, they are just a reflection of a media who is angry because they cannot be "on the scene" of a beheading or a military operation. Jeez, that's only because they don't belong in the way. Can you imagine what would happen if they were out getting in the way? Oh, sergeant, the light isn't just right, could you please aim the rocket launcher that way instead? Or, wait, can you remove your burkah - we need a big smile now before you behead this hopeless infidel.

You are doing a great job and all I worry about now are our borders and all our guys getting safely back home to their families. You are making sacrifices being in the military but Americans are still free to express their feelings. However, downright rudeness should not be acceptable.

A good answer to someone like those people might be: "Sir/Madam, I suggest you write your Congressperson and the White House if you are dissatisfied. I am just trying to fulfill my contract and obligations and I am so sorry you feel this way because I really love America too." Then just salute and walk away.

The spitting is another matter. In many states, that is considered battery. Check it out - get the license number on their car and hire a lawyer.

Stand proud, you are loved.

Answer 3

The vast majority of Americans don't hate you and respect you even if they don't like what the military is doing now (I actually believe the Military is doing a good job and the right thing right now) but no matter what you do there will always be someone who hates you. Look at this Hillsbouro Baptist Church out of Kansas that is protesting soldiers funerals because they believe that the US is promoting a Gay agenda. These people should be shot, but they are such a small minority of the people in the US but they do things that gets them noticed. Keep your head up and realize that 90% of us are with you and keep doing what you are doings and

Thank you

Answer 4

A lot of ppl just have high emotions right now about this war we are in.

Also, the same thing happened during the Vietnam war. The troops would be met at the airports when returning from duty with protest crowds that would throw things, yell obscenities, etc...

I personally have mixed feelings about the troops. I am also a female and I was in the military during the late 80s early 90s. I'm very glad that I was not in when this war started because I would have refused to go but I'm sure a lot of the troops don't agree with it but feel they have to because they signed up. It's the ones that do agree with it that I have a problem with.

Answer 5

i don't believe this story but i couldn't let this go without addressing some of the answerers

city girl4you...what is the basis for your loss of respect for
these people who are putting their lives on the
line for their country (and yours) every day.
unless you no longer wish to claim it in which
case maybe you should consider moving.

cantcu..... you are pretty free with that word murderers
considering that no one has been convicted of
it yet. as for marines commiting a "rash" of
killings of "innocent" civilians, that remains to be
proven also. don't you think that the very people
in a position to die to insure the guarantees of
liberty we all enjoy under the constitution of the
United States, deserve the same protection
under that constitution as all Americans do?
Further don't you think that humility and respect
for all those in uniform demands that you not
make any proclamations of guilt until decided at courts martial or a court of law? Is this not the honorable thing, especially since you really don't know what you are talking about?

ANadineR You actually have a problem with someone
serving who believes that we should be in Iraq?
In other words you're ok with them as long as
they don't believe in what they are doing.
Have you had some kind of head trauma?

Answer 6

I am very sorry for what happened to you. It was probably just a bad day. I rarely meet anyone who has a problem with the soldiers, I'm a bartender I hear it all. Whether or not I agree with this war is not important but I do respect and appreciate everything all of the men and woman now and in the past who have fought for our country. I believe you should take pride in your country. Its like you do with your family, you take the good with the bad and even if they piss you off every once in a while you stand by them, and kick any ones @ss who tries to hurt them.

Answer 7

I am serving in Iraq and when I went home on leave and when I was back in the states before I deployed no one came up to me and said those things. But you might want to remember that while we are doing our job we are supposed to be in uniform. While we are not on the job you should not be wearing your uniform, even if you are only in ROTC. And to all of these people that say that we suck for being in the military you should ask yourself what has the anti-war activist ever done to protect the world. To all of the people who have ever disliked the military you should know that we, who are serving in the military, are doing our job to our country. Take it easy cadet. Can't wait to salute you when you join the active side.

Answer 8

I am not going to affirm or discount this story. I will say this about some people we have in the united states. I am a soldier myself who is on the tail end of my tour in Iraq as we speak. When I went on leave there were mixed reactions to me in my uniform. I didn't have anyone spit on me or anything of that nature. When my flight arrived in Atlanta and we were headed to my connecting flight everyone there stood and clapped for us. I was deeply appreciative. When I arrived in Philadelphia which was my final destination I received alot of stares and glares for my clothing, which was still ACU's. I guess it just depends on where you are, some places show alot more respect and gratitude to myself and fellow soldiers then other areas of the united states. I love my country and the fact that I am willing to defend its freedoms. I don't let the fact that some people don't care for what I do bother me, if someone were to spit on me while I was in uniform while I would be rather disappointed in them but I would merely turn a blind eye to their ignorance.

Answer 9

What the heck, where on Earth were you shopping? Apparently these people were free from the loony bin and on leave for the day. I would chaulk it up to ignorance, and know that there are many many people that respect you for wearing that uniform. Hold your head up girl. And no, I don't know of anyone who feels that way, even people that don't support the war would never spit at a soldier.

PS. Self respecting soldiers aren't liars, ither. Shame on you.

Answer 10

I dont hate the troops, they have no say in what happens to them. People that spit on you are being ignorant. If nobody joined the military there would be a draft and then it would be mandatory. People should be more mad at the people leading those into combat, like politicians.

Answer 11

I don't believe you at all. No one comes out of ROTC as a captain. Also, I have never heard any similar stories of abuse from the public from my fellow servicemembers. Stop trying to get attention.

I live in Austin, one of the most liberal cities in America, and I've never received one cross exchange from anyone.