Military service doesn't make me a hero.

Blackhawk said:
Probably stopped at the same Chili's on my way home for R&R. Beers started just showing up. Now THAT was the proper way to show appreciation.
Later, when that stupid general order was extended to all Soldiers/Marines/Sailors/Airmen traveling home in uniform, I would make the following announcement any time I saw someone in uniform boarding the airplane:
"For those in uniform, I understand General Order #1 prohibits the consumption of alcohol while you are traveling in uniform. Well, I am the captain of this aircraft and while you are on board this aircraft my orders take precedence over any other orders you have been given- even from a general officer. So for the duration of this flight General Order #1 is rescinded and the first beer is on me."
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This=awesome!
 
While I appreciate the, "Thank you for your service," I don't feel the phrase is warranted. Of course that's not my call. I appreciate the respect none-the-less. Often times I cringe because my deployment history seems more like taxpayer-funded vacations. Sure I worked my tail off and contributed to serious missions on some of the deployments, but my life wasn't in harm's way nearly as much as those further down-range. Also I see it as simply doing a job I'm paid to do. Do I consider myself a hero? No. Do I want or feel a need for appreciation from others? No. Do I appreciate the comments? Sure.

As someone above posted, our significant others deserve so much of the credit. When we're gone, we have a job to do which keeps us focused. Those at home are responsible for the bills, errands, meals, bath time, quality time with kids, etc.
 
Firebird2XC said:
That was a nice. That said, sometimes I feel a little odd when my background comes up and somebody feels the need to say the key phrase. It's not really so much a big deal, though. It's something I did, and personally, I think that when people in American *stop* saying that, we're all in a lot of trouble. I admit I hesitate to bring up my service now sometimes.. but still. No reason to worry too much about it.
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I think I felt just as awkward (probably more so) as I knew lots of folks (like Charlie) that did way more than I ever would. No one ever said "that phrase" to me, but a few anonymous drinks did show up when I was an underage airman/cadet in uniform.

I try to do something nice (but subtle) for kids I know that enlist, without embarrassing them.
 
Nark said:
I agree about the accolades, and the uneasy feeling.

I didn't do anything that any other person in my boots wouldn't do.

The one thing I don't particularity enjoy is the second questions I seem to get, "Have you killed anyone?"
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+1

I just stare directly in thier eyes and say, "Not today....yet!"
 
I'll sometimes say "Thanks, dude" if the occassion seems to warrant...like I've talked to them for more than ten seconds. Somehow this seems less awkward than That Phrase. But what's interesting (to me, anyway) is that what I'm thanking them for is being capable of dedicating themselves to something larger than their own personal care and feeding. I think maybe that's what a lot of people mean, but don't have the words to say (I don't either). And I say this as someone who is radically opposed (see above) to about 90% of what our military machine is used for.

The whole conversation is awkward and kind of sticky, and it probably should be. So, you know, "thanks, dudes". Take it how you like.
 
I agree completely with this thread. The other issue for me is that I've never deployed anywhere besides NE and WI, so it makes me feel a little more awkward since I've (fortunately) never even been close to a position where I have had to use some of the skills I've been taught.

But as a military man, I now make it a point to thank the guys that do go and have gone that I've met. I've spent a few months at Ft. Bragg and some of my instructors were Green Berets and Counter Intel with years downrange and they certainly played a part in sustaining the freedoms we enjoy today. At one point I remember being taught how to stack and enter a room by a civilian retired Delta Force Operator. I didn't know who he was until afterwards. Never did I ever hear them brag about how badass they were or crazy missions they took part in, the term "Quiet Professionals" is certainly a good description. And we certainly owe them a lot.

I also think about both my grandpas, both 88 years old, combat WWII vets and both alive and well. I guess whenever someone thanks me for my service I mentally reflect and pass those positive thoughts on to those who came before me and had to get they're hands dirty so we can enjoy what we have today. And hopefully if my country needs me I'll be ready.
 
My go-to response is always "It's my privelege". I feel this is appropriate because A) I have never deployed to a combat zone and therefore feel undeserving of gratitude, and B) I am constantly being reminded that this job IS a privelege, mostly by watching that privelege be revoked in peers that demonstrate less than stellar judgment or performance. I feel fortunate and greatful just to be here.
 
I'm always caught off guard when someone comes up and thanks me. I've never deployed or anything, I'm just a traditional guardsman. It's always awkward for me because of this. I just try to remember that my name is on a list of those that can be sent into harms way at a moments notice, and that there are civilians, whether prior military or not, out there that recognize this. So while it's awkward to be thanked when you really haven't done anything, or if you feel like you haven't done anything, be grateful that there are still those who recognize the military uniform as an honorable thing to wear :)
 
Rivanthe5th said:
I've never deployed or anything, I'm just a traditional guardsman.
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They also serve who only stand and wait

Certainly not a line I originated, but one in which I believe. Those who wish us harm know our strengths and our weaknesses. Americans such as yourself who have put their name on the dotted line to signify they are willing to put their life on the line for America are an important part of our deterrent.
 
I feel the same way but I don't ever get thanked anymore now that I am out and never wear my uniform but when I was in I usually traveled in civilian clothes so I rarely was approached. I was lucky enough to be in operation desert fox while I was still 18 years old, fun stuff as a kid. :)
 
I found this thread almost by accident.

I served in the Corps, my job was to support the guys who supported the Grunts; we stood by on the flight line and waited for an airplane to crash or for something to catch on fire. Like what the OP stated, I did a job, I definitely am proud of that fact.

My hat is off to the Grunts.
 
My .02.

We all do an integral part in a large system. Each and every ONE of us makes a team go. All those teams make a system work in both everyday ops and in a time of war.

To say we are all heroes is not right in my opinion. There are heroes out there who have given their lives and also been severely injured in battle to save others' lives. I tip my hat to them.
 
Joining and serving IS something that plenty of other people in your boots would never do. That's why I generally respond with just "thank you" or something along the lines of "somebody has to", depending on the type of person I'm talking to.
 
I get it almost every time I'm in uniform, especially in a non military town...read cross country's. It's not a big deal, I just say thank you and carry on. Every one does their part, from a ships engineer to the soldier on the front line.
 
Guy said:
I'm one of those gushy civilians. The service member will hear my words, but what he won't hear is the underlying emotion. The emotion that says "I'm not going to let you be treated the way other service members were treated by this county ....... people who didn't want to be where they were, but did their duty anyway ....... people who came back to the scorn of a very ungrateful populace ...... never again, not if I can help it".
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I am a veteran who testified before the Michigan House Committee on Veterans Affairs for legislation urging Michigan universities to accept veteran-friendly practices. One of the members on the committee, a Vietnam veteran, asked us if we were ever criticized or insulted upon returning and starting college. Thankfully, none of us had been.

In response to the OP, sometimes I use a line that my grandfather (a USMC officer and WWII veteran who was on Iwo Jima) used on me on Veteran's day. Me: "Thanks for your service, pop." Him: "I was paid for my service, you don't have to thank me." He also told me that during the battle, he was on a support ship off the coast. After he passed, I found out from an old album that he was in the battle on the island.

Sometimes when someone says "Thanks for your service," I say what my granddad said. But other times I will simply say thanks or "thanks for paying your taxes." I think it also makes people think about the disconnect between the average American civilian and soldier, and whatever sacrifice each had to make in the last ten years. I heard someone once say, "America didn't go to war. The military went to war," which was the point of Bill Maher's book, "When you ride alone, you ride with Bin Laden," an allusion to the old WWII poster to encourage people to save gas by carpooling.
 
Had a pretty cool encounter along these lines just yesterday. Couple friends and I had just gotten done flying for the day, probably one of the best flying days of our young careers honestly, and we dropped by the golf course restaurant to have a late lunch and a beer before heading home. Waitress tells us that someone has paid for our tabs, but didn't want us to know who he was. Process of elimination pretty much indicated it was probably one of 3 gentlemen at a table nearby who had that old navy fighter guy look about them. Just kind of highlighted the brotherhood that all of us in this profession share, regardless of age, era, or rank. Very cool of them, and a classy way of saying "thanks" to some younger nuggets. Hopefully I will be able to do the same when it is my turn in their shoes.
 
hook_dupin said:
My personal technique is to say "The real thanks go to my wife...she has to put up with alot more than I do." It's the truth and allows me to remain humble.
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So true!

Hacker15e said:
Despite all of our pontificating and complaining in this thread, that underlying sentiment is appreciated.
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I agree. I did not like traveling stateside in uniform and getting asked "Where are you deploying to?" "Going to training/a conference/etc" does not compare to deployments.
 
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