Why do certain people feel the need to point out that they used to be in the army or AF when it has nothing...

Question

...to do with the question or answer...?

they always like to note their former service in the "sources" field when the question doesnt really mention the military or anything pertaining to it and neither does thier answer...

they just reply with thier political opinion and then as a source they put "USAF vet" or some other military service...

Former service may have something to do with ones opinion, but it seems to me more like its being used to make them seem like their opinion is better than someone elses, better than other people who served and didn't feel the need to point it out... and ive seen some people say they served and they dont point it out every opportunity they get.

a lot of people on here will mention what they did in the armed forces and what that has to do with the question they answer GOOD!

Military service is something to be proud of... why use simply as a weak attempt to make yourself look better... that seems cheap!

Are We Whatever... you could've answered my question but you just help prove my point... yay for you youre not the only person with 5 more years left.

military service doesnt automatically make you a better person, i hate to say it but guantanamo bay and other incidents illustrate that with ease.

I said that i think its something to be PROUD OF.

I know plenty of people who serve that dont have to garner respect by throwing around thier military service unless it comes up in conversation.

Answer 1

I, for one, started mentioning it because I got tired of hearing about how I either hate my country and/or our servicemen, or how I would change my opinion if I had ever served one tour in the armed forces. I have a family history of U.S. military service going back to the Revolutionary War, I retired from the Navy in 1992 after a career that went back to the Nam era, and my daughter is on active duty now. None of that changes my belief that the war in Iraq was ill-considered, poorly planned, and is being incompetently run. The purpose of a military is to destroy the enemy's ability to wage war, our troops are not being given the manpower, supplies, or equipment to do that, we don't even have a defined enemy nation to attack. All that's being done is setting our people up to be used as targets, I don't see it as "supporting our troops" to condone that.

Answer 2

Cheap, no way. Being in the military is not only an honor to be proud of but it was a job and reference. When you list in the souce section you are listing your references for know how to answer a question. Many come here and use it like a chat board and it is supposed to be intelligent people helping others with lifes questions and problems.
If I saw that someone had military (any branch) as their souce I would respect their answer the same a teacher, minister, psychologist, beautician and so on. They show that they are not just an uneducated fool that is not mature enought to answer some of the deep questions here.
I have many so called credentials I use here depending on the question and all are parts of my long life. I just hope I can help others with my mature and well thought out answers. I try to skip any questions that make it a game. I am only here to help everything else is secondary.

Answer 3

If you have ever been in the military you would understand. Once you are out of the military you still have that pride in yourself. You have been a part of something bigger than yourself. I put "U.S. Army Vet" at the end of military questions and at the end of political questions because some of the political questions have to do with the war in Iraq. I am very proud that I served. I'm not trying to show off. I learned alot in the military and even though you don't think it is important in life to be in the military; it really is because it gives you self esteem, motivation and it teaches you to be dedicated to your country. Not all military people are like Lyndee England and those guards at Guantanamo Bay. Those are just a handful of stupid fools who didn't know any better.

Answer 4

Ok, a serious answer to a serious question, if you are indeed serious. What it boils down to is exactly what you yourself mentioned: Pride. I also find that when it comes to political opinions or responses, military vets mention their service to help the reader understand their viewpoint. In some of the political discussions I've been involved in, it has helped me to mention my own service, many times because I was personally involved in the subject being broached. So in those cases, I have a "birds eye view" so to speak. My credibility is enhanced when I can tell them exactly the situation, which very often differs from what the media has put out. Hope this helps some....

Answer 5

Allow me to explain why I put my military service in the source list. First, my experience in the service adds credibility to what I have to say.

Second, if someone asks a question that is pertinent to my service, I list it, so that they know I am not just blowing smoke. After all, if someone asked a question about the ASVAB, I doubt seriously that most civilians even know what the acronym ASVAB stands for, much less speak to the question.

It's about credibility and authority. We (more often than not) know what we're talking about as it relates to military questions.

Answer 6

Because generally we know, by experience, what we're talking about. I'd take the word of a Vet over ALL of the Stay-at-Home, Couch-Field Marshals any day, who's only military experience is playing video games or watching movies.

Answer 7

just because you couldn't hack it, as a former WAC, Vietnam era vet I am damn proud to let people know this. Where would this country be without its vets and current service people? You should be thanking the vet instead of complaining.

Answer 8

maybe they want every one to know they served there country. there proud. i don't mind knowing who served. my dad was in the Korean war. my 3 uncles was in Vietnam. my niece was in the marines, went to Iraq when we first went. and now she's married to a guy in the F.B.I. and boy are we proud of every family member that served for are country. i walk up to solders, and thank them for the great work there doing for America and her citizens. try it some time, you'll feel good you did. don't be so harsh with are sevice people.

Answer 9

Because the are proud...with every reason to be...sounds like someone just might be jealous......All our men and women in uniform are a step above...not everyone can serve our country..God Bless them for it!

Answer 10

shall we do it with purely 4 human beings and me. I pity the Beelzebub that tries to end us. i wager he will become street kill. EDIT: Jeep? we don't need no stinking jeep. sigh. i assume i'm tremendously stinky.