If You are a Veteran of the Military do you feel Appreciated or under Appreciated? Why? feel free to vent!?

Answer 1

Vietnam vet here. Frankly I've done enough venting over the years. Suffice it to say that I don't see much difference between today and the sixties. You may hear people today say they support the troops but I can never get anybody to explain to me what they actually DO to support the troops. Mostly lip service at cocktail parties it seems to me and somehow I doubt the troops are in attendance at those cocktail parties. Different rhetoric from forty years ago but not much difference in the mentality of those speaking.

Answer 2

I didn't join the Navy in 1982 and serve in Fallujah Iraq in 2004 for the praise. I joined because I feel it was my duty to serve the country I live in. I feel I now have the right to complain about certain "things". Those that served in Vietnam, came home to a hostile country for doing their job and fighting for what "most" believed in. A black eye in our history!!!

Most people have a high enough IQ these days to NOT believe everything they read in the liberal rags in this country. Thus... I've been treated pretty well. But then I don't go around advertising either. I think our country has done very well with returning combat vets from Iraq and the middle east. If only we had that intellect in the 60's and early 70's!

All gave some... Some gave all!!!

I feel just fine... how do you feel today, lol?

Answer 3

Well yes and no. When I came back from Nam, the very last thing I wanted to do is self ID myself. Nam vets were the whipping post for a majority of the nation.

With the ongoing wars this nation is involved in, the guilt of a nation on how Nam vets were treated, the idea of hating war but not the warrior, have led to general overall increase of appreciation of all vets.

Answer 4

I didn't serve for anyone else, so I don't really care what the public says or feels. It was my choice, I'm perfectly fine with it, and I don't need the appreciation some civilian who's total and complete effort on "supporting the troops" consists of putting a yellow magnet on their car to have pride in the years I spent in the military. I'm not bashing civilians here, it's just that their opinion of me doesn't matter.

Answer 5

I've always felt appreciated for doing what I did. I don't advertise it to everyone I see because I was just doing my job.

I've been on about 6 job interviews in the last 2 months. of course it's on my resume. I've heard all kinds of thanks from every one.

My response is always "I was just doing my job."

I know there a probably folks out there who have some unappeciative things to say. What's funny is, those who don't appreciate what us vets do or have done would never put the service of others before themselves. Some have such a negative view of the military.

Militart never did anything wrong to me. If anything they, helped me and gave me some good training and knowledge. I signed up for it, I didn't expect anything more.

Answer 6

I never seek appreciation for what I did because there are so many I know who did more and didn't get any. I have talk to a medal of honor winner and they don't seek it so why should I?

I have something that no one can give me an internal satisfaction that can't be explain to those who haven't worn the uniform.

When I do see other vets I also thank them for their service and we swap stories.

Who know how I can tell who was a real hero.

The most humble ones they are the heroes you will never read about.

Answer 7

I feel unappreciated by most people. I served in Iraq, border mission, and face the possibility of future deployments but since I am Army National Guard we get looked down on since we are "weekend warriors". Just feel people should respect that we give up our free time and a year away from our family and usually its a pay cut.

Answer 8

I didn't join because I wanted to feel appreciated. There will always be some people who do appreciate the military and some who don't. Both groups have some people who express thier views while others don't.

I know I did a good job during my 20 years, and get my satisfaction from knowing I did my job well and served my country.

To those who appreciate the ones who serve, thanks. To those of you who don't, you will some day.

Answer 9

Seems that no one really cares about Flag day, Independence day, Memorial day, or Veterans day. To many, it's another day off to go shopping or play.

I went to a store that said "Come celebrate Veterans day with us" on a large banner. I went to buy something, asked if they give military discounts. The manger smirked saying "why should we give you a discount because you have a military ID, it doesn't take much to join the military."
On the window, another sign said "Senior Discount 20% Off."
I said to him "why do they get a discount, it doesn't take much to become old."

I wanted to smack that punk. But I left their goods at their store, which no longer exists.

I joined because I felt it was something that I needed to do for my country.

I have to agree with SGT Moto

Answer 10

Very definitely under appreciated. I am regarded as a werido because I went in during Vietnam and got out after 1st Gulf War. Everyone regards me as lazy copout who could not function in real world with real time job. As a combat medic I dealt with trauma that would make most people scream and faint in horror yet I am regarded as someone who cannot handle real life job stress! I am perceived as some one who is incapable of dealing with society and its pressures...AS IF.