Posted on Oct 10, 2014
Have Soldiers developed a sense of entitlement?
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I am sure many of you have seen recent articles about a 1SG that was initially refused when he asked to have his ASU top hung up while flying. He was told no, that that was a first class perk. People offered up their seats, so on and so forth. I can't honestly say I have read anything that said the Soldier was outraged, more so the other passengers. I am not saying that the 1SG feels entitled and asking to hang up his jacket is an entitlement, more so some of the responses from service members on the forums of the websites.
However, reading some of the posts on the websites that have ran the article have led me to ask this question. It seems that many Soldiers, past and present, seem to think that if you are serving in the military you should automatically be upgraded to first class or something equivalent to the fact. Statements like, "All Soldiers should automatically be upgraded" were very common on the boards.
Here is my two cents for what they are worth. I never joined for the "perks". I wouldn't expect anyone to give up their seat for me because of the profession I chose. Do not get me wrong, I am certainly humbled and appreciate the gesture but in no way do I think that I am entitled to that level of gratitude. I wouldn't ask anyone to bend the rules for me just because I put the uniform on.
Selfless Service....think about it.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/passengers-outraged-over-treatment-army-ranger/nhfzk/
However, reading some of the posts on the websites that have ran the article have led me to ask this question. It seems that many Soldiers, past and present, seem to think that if you are serving in the military you should automatically be upgraded to first class or something equivalent to the fact. Statements like, "All Soldiers should automatically be upgraded" were very common on the boards.
Here is my two cents for what they are worth. I never joined for the "perks". I wouldn't expect anyone to give up their seat for me because of the profession I chose. Do not get me wrong, I am certainly humbled and appreciate the gesture but in no way do I think that I am entitled to that level of gratitude. I wouldn't ask anyone to bend the rules for me just because I put the uniform on.
Selfless Service....think about it.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/passengers-outraged-over-treatment-army-ranger/nhfzk/
Posted in these groups: 
Selfless Service
Leadership
Selfless Service Leadership
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 43
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I'm not sure anyone joins the military for the 'perks' and I'm sure there are some that have a sense of entitlement, BUT, is it too much to ask to hang up a servicemembers jacket during a flight?
Again, some may have a sense of entitlement...and some have lost a sense of respect for our servicemembers.
Again, some may have a sense of entitlement...and some have lost a sense of respect for our servicemembers.
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SFC (Join to see)
I had to revise my opening statement a little bit. The focus was intended to be more about the responses from service members that posted on the boards. My apologies for the confusion.
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SGT (Join to see)
The sense of entitlement is something I feel has been bred into a lot of the younger generation we see today. People want things given to them and the fact that we keep having all of these government programs coming seem to play into the younger generation's sense of entitlement. It is not just with the privates, but with the officers and warrant officers. Everyone wants the military to conform around them and make them feel good about themselves.
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SPC(P) Nick Bondgien
IDK MSG, however; I do personally feel it actually began creeping into our armed forces when it started in of all place's.... Basic Training. Once upon a time ago it didn't matter what branch You were really, Your Drill Sgt was Your New God. They could be in your face slobbering while they were screamin... or he'd kick Your scrawny ass six ways to Sunday. And You cringed when he spun back around after walkin past Ya in formation.
We've gona all huggy touchy feely.... even with regards to the Enemy.
With all due Respect to the position of CiC, I have none for the incumbant.
I think We need to go back to the three forms of Counselling that somehow came blurting outta my mouth at my E5 Board....Wall to Wall, behind the motorpool, and in the Woodline Sgt Major! Whoooa RECON.
Scouts Out
We've gona all huggy touchy feely.... even with regards to the Enemy.
With all due Respect to the position of CiC, I have none for the incumbant.
I think We need to go back to the three forms of Counselling that somehow came blurting outta my mouth at my E5 Board....Wall to Wall, behind the motorpool, and in the Woodline Sgt Major! Whoooa RECON.
Scouts Out
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SSG (Join to see)
Yes. Especially jr. enlisted only joined for technical training, and to have as many medical "appointments" as possible....and curiously being 'unavailable' for military training due to these..and or going to appointments with spouses who are on baby number 3. Just sayin. Lots of servicemembers have verbalized its gone soft enough that enlisted military service has become a pseudo welfare system for the shammers, who capitalize on an empathetic system that may be scared to discipline due to fear of retribution and being accused of sexism, racism, etc.. Just sayin. And in the end, these servicemembers get out with the highly desired 30% disability (post benefits for life) and some kind of a security clearance which slingloads them right into government work, sometimes with a preference based on being hired due to a 'minority' status. Just sayin.
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I declined 1st class seating the couple times i was offered when flying in uniform (on orders). Mostly because since day 1 in the Army, I was told it is wrong to do that.
People (strangers) have paid for me before though.
All in all though, its pretty scummy to expect free things just because you are in uniform, and its really immature to argue about free things when you are in uniform.
People (strangers) have paid for me before though.
All in all though, its pretty scummy to expect free things just because you are in uniform, and its really immature to argue about free things when you are in uniform.
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COL Randall C.
I think I accepted a change to first class once in my career. This was when it was done by the airline when I was flying to my folks home after I returned from Desert Shield/Storm (still in my chocolate chips as I had just gotten off the redeployment flight about 6 hours earlier and all my stuff was in storage). When swaps are offered, I've thanked those offering for their gesture or (in two cases) asked if they would instead offer their seat to a junior enlisted soldier I knew that was traveling on the same flight.
After one of the enlisted swaps, I was sitting next to the gentleman that offered his seat up and asked him his background and his personal reasons for offering the swap. He mentioned that he retired from the military in the 70s and now traveled very frequently on airlines. To him, the good feeling he got from making a soldier's trip a little bit better was well worth the swap.
All in all though, I view this offer very much the same as the comments regarding people thanking military personnel for their service. Some look at them as empty words because there are no actions behind them, some openly appreciate the gesture, and some embarrassingly mumble a quick thanks and move on. Regardless of their reasons for offering, I give a thanks for the comment/action and recalling the gentleman's words, let them know that it is appreciated.
After one of the enlisted swaps, I was sitting next to the gentleman that offered his seat up and asked him his background and his personal reasons for offering the swap. He mentioned that he retired from the military in the 70s and now traveled very frequently on airlines. To him, the good feeling he got from making a soldier's trip a little bit better was well worth the swap.
All in all though, I view this offer very much the same as the comments regarding people thanking military personnel for their service. Some look at them as empty words because there are no actions behind them, some openly appreciate the gesture, and some embarrassingly mumble a quick thanks and move on. Regardless of their reasons for offering, I give a thanks for the comment/action and recalling the gentleman's words, let them know that it is appreciated.
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I appreciate the things the civilians do for us. That's up to them, I don't demand anything. That's just a BS move. I'd rather see the VA do more.
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SGT (Join to see)
CPO Joseph Grant, 2LT Michael Brodka, I was at the VA in my clinic, waiting for my appointment. A gentleman and his wife came in. He was in a wheelchair and she was pushing him. They looked like they were in their 80's. I went over to them and began talking with them. He had served in Korea and Vietnam and had two Purple Hearts. I told him he ought to get his PA to give him a referral to the wheel chair clinic and get a motorized wheelchair. He said he had done that, but they told him he didn't qualify. I was shocked. I felt so sorry for them. Her having to push him everywhere, and you tell she was straining to push him. I went in for my appointment, and when I came out they were still there. I hing around until they finished and I pushed him out to his car and helped him get in, and loaded his wheelchair. I feel sad right now writing about it. If he didn't deserve a motorized wheelchair, I don't know who would. It makes me sick.
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SGT (Join to see)
That is a heartbreaking story. It is sad so many of us have similar stories. I hope the VA overhaul that is supposed to coming will fix some of this before it is too late for some.
That is a heartbreaking story. It is sad so many of us have similar stories. I hope the VA overhaul that is supposed to coming will fix some of this before it is too late for some.
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SGT Scott Henderson
1LT Michael Brodka - I'm not trying to downplay his service or his current condition but there are other avenues for him. Wounded Warriors, Homes for Heroes, many VA programs, and my more civilian organizations are geared towards just a few types of veterans: Amputees, severe PTSD, horribly disfigured- that's it. Someone in my position with nerve damage doesn't qualify for anything. I haven't driven in almost 4 years because I can't feel the pedals. I've completed the VA driving rehab program and have a Rx for a vehicle mod from the program director in my area. I have applied for the VA vehicle modification program, been denied and appealed; I've been waiting for my appeal to be decided for 2 years. It is my opinion that they are looking at the qualifiers for the program- loss/loss of use of one or both feet and then looking at mu condition. Well, I can walk and use my feet for most everything EXCEPT DRIVING. When it comes to that I have most definitely loos the use of one or both feet.
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