Posted on Mar 11, 2016

What are the primary reasons that we as Combat Veterans don't talk to civilians about our experiences?

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The purpose of this survey is to get a better understanding of the reason(s) fellow Combat Veterans don't talk about experiences openly with our civilian counterparts. I participate in a Toastmasters group in my hometown and am giving a speech on this subject next Wednesday. I'd like to give my civilian friends a better understanding of why we make our choices and how they can help!

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Posted 9 y ago

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Fear (judgment, not being understood, repercussion, etc.)

Social Stigmas (PTSD/mTBI/etc.)

Don't know who to talk to/what to talk about

Don't care to talk with civilians about it

Other

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Responses: 29

SGT (Join to see)

Posted 9 y ago

Talking to someone about something they can't relate to and/or can't understand is a pain and quickly comes to feel like a waste of time. - my 2c

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SGT (Join to see)

>1 y

SGT (Join to see) - Anytime. You're not the first to use RP surveys as a source for a briefing. I did it a few months ago with the "Black Lives Matters" situation.

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SrA Jerry Prizevoits

>1 y

SGT (Join to see) - would love to see the results of that briefing Sgt Spratley.

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SGT (Join to see)

>1 y

SrA Jerry Prizevoits -
I used these two forums and another one titled "Was it ok for the President to use the N word?" I can't find it. I also used a poll from my blog.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/president-obama-uses-n-word-says-country-not-cured-of-legacy-of-slavery-what-would-you-suggest-to-move-forward
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-your-interpretation-of-the-slogan-black-lives-matter?urlhash=859037

President Obama Uses N-Word, Says Country 'Not Cured' of Legacy of Slavery! What would you...

"It’s not just a matter of it not being polite to say n***** in public,” the president said during an interview with comedian Marc Maron for his “WTF” podcast. “That's not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. It's not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don't, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior." While the president said the history of slavery still “casts a long shadow” on...

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SGT (Join to see)

>1 y

SrA Jerry Prizevoits - You might also enjoy this post I wrote.
https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/black-unity

Black Unity | RallyPoint

http://golivelively.com/2016/06/06/black-unity-essay/I'd appreciate any constructive feedback and criticism for this post. I plan to write an amendment to this post later. Thanks in advance.

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MAJ Ken Landgren

Posted 9 y ago

Most civilians do not give rats ass enough for a meaningful conversation.

(16)

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MAJ Ken Landgren

9 y

I think the lack of passion in the civilian world is the desire to see the wars end but without action.

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MAJ Ken Landgren

9 y

SGT (Join to see) - I think most of America is not conditioned to talking with veterans.

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SSG Arvel Perry

>1 y

I agree with this part 100%:

"...generally, people just don't have any care or empathy unless/until directly affected. Then it gets emotional which is still a shallow response, then they are good to go when it personally no longer has an impact." - MAJ Ken Landgren

100%

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MAJ Ken Landgren

>1 y

MAJ T M. - Well said. It is my thought the public learned from the Vietnam war on how not to treat Veterans. They are disgusted with the current wars and the human expenses thereof, however, they have little vested in these wars with any semblance of passion. The wars might as well not exist to many Americans, and they don't understand how the best military can be so inept against insurgencies.

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