Vet VS Vet?

Question

There are many new veterans that served in Iraq coming back and actively protesting against the war and marching in front of the white house. As a veteran myself who doesnt agree with the way the war was started or handled and served twice in Iraq, I dont see myself protesting like they do, but i do voice my opinion. I think they are wrong, for making a mockery out of themselves and claming they speak for the whole military, when in my opinion most of those people are "dirtbags" problem people in the military with paperwork. Do you think its fine for them to do what they are doing?

It is a type of vet vs vet, cause on one side you have active military and vets supporting the troops and cause and then you have vets on the other sides giving interviews to CNN and the like saying they speak for many veterans even the ones serving saying the war is unjust, bring them home, bush is a criminal whatever.

To add my two sense to this discussion, I have to say when I got my military commision I swore an oath to obey orders (and did every single other military member) of the President of the US. So if the pres says invade iraq, regardless of what you think you have too. And on that same token why are you protesting, if you agreed to serve? No one forced you to take that oath?

In the context that I am speaking, I have criticized the president, in private with friends in political discussion. Just like every other mil person does. I have yet met a high ranking military officer that completely agrees with everything people above him do.

Response to Dont Emba- I agree thats why the sky is so blue and cookies taste so good chocolate cookies that it.

Thats how I respond to biggots such as yourself by answering with nonsense.

Answer 1

I think everyone has a right to speak their mind. That's what most vets fight for. The rights of all. But (like previously mentioned) when these veterans bring attention to their status as a veteran in some shape or form, then whether they mean to or not they are giving the appearance that they speak for more vets than just themselves. And when they are protesting the war or in someway doing something else which I as a vet see as offensive or disrespectful, I have a problem with that. It is their right, but it does not sit well with me. My brothers didn't die in that godforsaken land to have some knucklehead be perceived as speaking for us all. Do what you will as a private citizen, but don't bring us all into the mix (on purpose or not). Perception is reality. We as vets must be more responsible than that.

Answer 2

Sgt Martin hit the nail on the head, I'd have to say.

It's not an honorable thing to brag and flaunt your veteran's status as a way of somehow legitimizing a petty political opinion. People easily forget that 1: most veterans of this war support completing the mission, and doing it right; and 2: know better than to get involved in petty civilian politics. If a veteran chooses to back one cause or another, great--just don't start waving medals in people's faces and acting as though your veteran's status makes your cause more legitimate. Politics has already done enough hamstringing of the military and this entire operation from the beginning.

EDIT: If Sgt. Martin hit the nail on the head, Desert Viking just hammered that nail right on through the other side!

Answer 3

Okay. First, they do have the right to their freedoms of speech. Second, they did serve. Let them speak of their experiences.

Thirdly, alot of them do speak in a context that would lead you to believe they are speaking for all vets/military personnel out there, while that is simply not the case. I am a veteran myself and, while I have never, and will never get into the finger pointing/right-wrongs of the war irregardless of HOW we got there, I do not agree with alot of things these soldiers say- and I would tend to agree that most are the "dirtbags" just because in my 7 years in, even soldiers who dont agree with the war- they serve and do their jobs, then they get out of the military after honorable tours and go on with their lives. They dont use their military service to gain political affiliations or sway the people with their "veteran" status. The ones I respect are the ones who use fact based logic to prove their points.

Lastly- alot of these "veterans" who get involved deeply with the war end up being people charged with "theft of valor" for misrepresenting where they were and what they did as well as the awards they were given. So I dont put much stock in what they say anyways

Answer 4

I believe that they have the right to protest the war if that is the way that they feel. It is one of the many great things about this nation. Freedom of speech is one of the things that you fought for. However, I do not like it when people think it is okay to speak for the entire military. As a wife of an active duty army veteran, we still have many friends fighting in Iraq, and the majority of them feel like they are doing the right thing. So, I suppose my answer is two-fold.

Answer 5

I don't look at it as Vet against Vet, unless you are a vet that takes things personal. I look at it as: 1) a Vet protesting the way the War is being conducted, 2) Bitterness over losing friends, 3) the restraints put on soldiers conducting the operations, etc.
You speaking your opinion is a form of protest. If you are for the war, then you are protesting against the people that are against it, if you are against the war, then you are protesting the other way.
Anyway you look at it, it is a freedom afforded to all, whether you provided that right by serving, or born into that right by being an American.

Answer 6

As an OIF III vet, I somewhat disapprove of the protest.
Partially because it feels as if the veterans that are out "actively" , lack support for the troops. Especially the ones protesting in uniform which is a disgrace.
Also, I disapprove of the protest, because I'm a weekend warrior and proud to wear my uniform.

Answer 7

I'd want to check their DD-214s and their nomenclature to find out if they are indeed returning from the Iraqi Theater of Operations, with service in front-line units. I once did a year as a VISTA volunteer dealing with the homeless population in my community. Among that population were all these "homeless" veterans. When I checked them out, less than 10% had done a full hitch and got out with an honorable discharge or one under honorable conditions. Most were flat-out liars about serving in the armed forces.
I also recall an award-winning documentary on CBS entitled "The Wall Within". It aired in 1988 and was hosted by Dan Rather. The documentary featured the stories of several men whose health and lives had been severely affected by their combat service in Vietnam. Trouble was that none of these guys had ever served in 'Nam!
So, I'll reserve judgement on these "returning veterans", until they come forward with their bonafides. I suspect most were thrown over the side with a bad discharge before they ever made it to the Iraqi or Afghan Theater of Operations.

Answer 8

Why not, look at what John Kerry did? How are these soldiers any different? They are using their right to free speech. As long as they are not in uniform they should be okay. They also need to stay out of my way. I have a right to feel as I do too. I've been hearing today's military is a more wimpy than when I served, and I'm hearing from many sources.

Answer 9

Even thought I totally disagree with them I feel they have earned the right to protest and voice their opinions as long as they are OUT of the military...if they are still IN the military they should be disciplined under the military code of justice.

Answer 10

I absolutely think it is ok for them to protest,in fact I donated money to their cause, I heard one of them getting interviewed at a protest,his words gave me chills because they were so real and honest. Maybe more veterans should speak out. I do support our troops,bring them home.