I heard a 25 year old guy who just got out of the military today on the radio. He had not been hurt in battle but said that his back hurt to bad to work from having to carry his heavy back pack in the sand. His knee also hurt him. He was mad because the thought when he got back here there would be people lining up to give him a job but turns out there were not. He thinks they should be because he was a soldier even though he as no education beyond high school. He also said he could not bowl anymore or be around people because it scared him not after being in Iraq. He drinks now to help the pain. My question is why in the world we would owe him anything but the paycheck he received for doing his job. He is the one who signed up for the military, as far as I know we have not drafted anyone in a long time. It is not my fault he did not chose to get and education and stay the hell out of the army.
2006-12-21 07:12:16 · 23 answers · asked by Brian 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
They signed up. Case closed. They know the dangers of the job. Firemen, police etc... they all know the dangers and get paid to do so. If it was a volunteer basis, then yes there should be special treatment. Don't cry to me. I chose college and not a rifle. The Draft is another reason for accolades.
2006-12-21 07:15:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Okay there's a lot of different information in here. When I got out of the military I wrongly expected entitlement. I quickly realized that I just needed to improve my skills and education and that helped more than brandishing medals. Still proud of my service, but I don't expect special privileges.
As to this person's disability (service-related injury), he should go to the VA and get some assistance. When someone is getting ready to leave the service, they are asked whether they have a service-related injury to claim---even if the person is not visably injured.
There are also other programs out there such a federal funded/financed vocational rehabilitation programs that assists people with disabilities to get help to get back into the workforce.
There is also the notion of getting over one's disability or letting become an excuse for unmotivated behavior.
2006-12-21 07:41:53 · answer #2 · answered by lakewood_lefty 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think there's a middle ground, even though I've never served.
I believe our veterans deserve a measure of honor and dignity, and that as a nation we should do what is reasonable to provide ways for our veterans to engage our society, whether that's additional job opportunities, retraining programs, and the like.
I do not believe, however, that this should equate to some sort of "free lunch" program...and let me say I don't think it ever has.
We should balance the realities that our men and women in the military are risking their lives for the sake of our country with the fact that every person is accountable for their own personal choices, and that even in the event of a return of the draft, this doesn't mean that veterans would be "owed" a lifetime of ease upon their return.
I freely acknowledge that working out these principals in real life requires some hard decisions to be made, and there will always be folks on both sides of the decision who will say we're not doing enough...or that we're doing too much.
Best to you. No easy answers.
2006-12-21 07:19:36 · answer #3 · answered by Timothy W 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If the veteran in question had the misfortune to have drawn actual combat duty, then of course he should get special consideration. If, and this is the majority of cases, the veteran simply did a civilian job in uniform, then he should be given the same consideration as any other jobholder, no more and no less.
I think that there have been a lot of veterans who have borrowed glory and patriotism unfairly from those few who have indeed served in combat, and brought the entire system of "veteran's benefits" into disrepute.
2006-12-21 07:24:29 · answer #4 · answered by dkmeller1953 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe they deserve respect for doing what they believe is serving the country.
True history has shown however that basically all wars carried out by the U.S. since WWII have been political or corporate wars, not genuine defending the homeland type wars.
This is ofcourse not the fault of those serving.
It is something future prospects should bear in mind though.
2006-12-21 07:24:42 · answer #5 · answered by netarse 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if he was smart he invested in the GI Bill when he was in boot camp like I did. I was able to attend a four-year university because of it.
We do get some special treatment...VA loans, points towards federal jobs, military discounts on certain things, Veteran's Day. He doesn't deserve a free ride in life because he chose the army but he does deserve some respect...he put his life on the line for the rest of us.
2006-12-21 07:30:02 · answer #6 · answered by teeyodi 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm assuming you aren't a vet and you are a repbulican?
Everyone says Rah rah for this war. Yes the country owes these folks. They at least had the guts to sign up and go while the rest you sit on your rumps doing nothing. Yet you say you support the troops. Supporting the troops goes beyond sending these folks to war. It entails getting them jobs, an education, medical attention. A damn life they missed out on because they thought they were doing the right thing.
2006-12-21 07:20:38 · answer #7 · answered by Gettin_by 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
This country wasn't founded on handouts, nor should it have been. On the other hand, I'm proud of my military service and it's noted in my resume. Most employers will look at it as a plus, providing you also have the skills the employer desires.
2006-12-21 07:25:47 · answer #8 · answered by cornholingmidgets2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think we should still have the GI Bill so veterans can go to college cheap after they get out of the service.
If he was injured physically or psychologically while he was in Iraq I think he should receive services and/or disability.
2006-12-21 07:21:55 · answer #9 · answered by Sean 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He feels like that because that is one of the selling points they use to get you to enlist. I had alot of the same feelings when I got out of the service. When you get back in the real world and the truth that nobody really gives a s**t hits you in the face it's a bit of a shock.
2006-12-21 07:17:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Quite the attitude. Our country was built on our grandfathers and fathers fighting for our freedom. Should we stop now just because we don't want to give military people special treatment? I think not! Show some support, these people entirely changed their lifestyles in support of our ways, whether they "signed up" or not. Someone must defend our freedoms. This guy may not be the best example, but he has earned my thanks!
2006-12-21 07:17:31 · answer #11 · answered by Steve H 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋