Posted on Jul 9, 2015
How difficult is it to serve under the current climate and this administration?!
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As a combat veteran (retired 2006), I couldn't fathom serving in today's climate, let alone under this unpredictable administration. (Btw I'm being kind with words). Understanding the parameters and respecting military oath, please try to articulate some of your greatest challenges. I think about this often and can't even imagine. I also wonder if your time is consumed so much that you don't really have the time to focus or care what's going on outside the military world. Would love to hear respectful feedback.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Posted in these groups: 
Office of the President (POTUS)
Oath Keepers
Office of the President (POTUS) Oath Keepers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 32
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I am personally not affected by any of this. Whether it is administrations or Congress; these “noblemen” come and go. I belong to the Warrior Class and we are here to stay. What I am seeing happening within our ranks is disheartening (senior leaders included-Yeah I said it). I took the Oath of Enlistment to the Army in 2009, not because Obama made president like some have advocated as their reason for joining but so I can get some education. So what if the person you did not vote for is now your commander in chief? Should that affect your heart and alter your purpose?
When I joined, I was just a high school graduate; today, I have a BA in Intelligence Studies, working on my MA in Homeland Security, and I still have not touched my GI Bill which I plan to use for Law School. The lessons I have learned are worth volumes. As MAJ Bryan Zeski *inferred*, too many Soldiers are great at whining and complaining but not utilizing the resources available at their disposal. Don’t forget your reason (purpose) for joining; it ought to be stronger than any policy discussed.
I care less who is president. When I was affected one semester with the temporary Tuition Assistance freeze (thanks to the legislative branch playing ping-pong with executive branch), I did not complain, I took out a financial aid loan-just like my civilian friends do and moved on.
In today’s military, we ALL made a choice to serve; none of us were forced to join. My oath was a sacred act between God and me regarding this country and this uniform. When knights in service were given a job to execute, they accepted it with honor – regardless of who the “overloard” was. A lukewarm acceptance, in contrast is NEVER a good thing for that individual knight (Bushidō: Code of the Samurai, Part III-5 “Verbal Expression”).
When I joined, I was just a high school graduate; today, I have a BA in Intelligence Studies, working on my MA in Homeland Security, and I still have not touched my GI Bill which I plan to use for Law School. The lessons I have learned are worth volumes. As MAJ Bryan Zeski *inferred*, too many Soldiers are great at whining and complaining but not utilizing the resources available at their disposal. Don’t forget your reason (purpose) for joining; it ought to be stronger than any policy discussed.
I care less who is president. When I was affected one semester with the temporary Tuition Assistance freeze (thanks to the legislative branch playing ping-pong with executive branch), I did not complain, I took out a financial aid loan-just like my civilian friends do and moved on.
In today’s military, we ALL made a choice to serve; none of us were forced to join. My oath was a sacred act between God and me regarding this country and this uniform. When knights in service were given a job to execute, they accepted it with honor – regardless of who the “overloard” was. A lukewarm acceptance, in contrast is NEVER a good thing for that individual knight (Bushidō: Code of the Samurai, Part III-5 “Verbal Expression”).
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SGT Scott Bailey
SGT David Oliver
An outstanding response. Very articulately put! Exactly on the money. Thank you for expressing the opinions of many of us that lack your communication skills. Thank you, for being a real, true, loyal American.
An outstanding response. Very articulately put! Exactly on the money. Thank you for expressing the opinions of many of us that lack your communication skills. Thank you, for being a real, true, loyal American.
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT Scott Bailey, this was bottled up inside for quite some time. Its interesting how subjective some of the comments, replies, and correspondence on this thread. Some folks avoid you completely if you don't even remotely agree with their rhetoric. They would only engage if you agree 100% with them.
I waited for a while to see a response but you were the first to actually reply. All I was getting was a bunch of likes (which is refreshing but it got a little boring) LOL... Thank you though.
I waited for a while to see a response but you were the first to actually reply. All I was getting was a bunch of likes (which is refreshing but it got a little boring) LOL... Thank you though.
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I think you just have to remember that administrations come and go. At the line unit level as an NCO, there is little effect an administration really has on me. As long as I perform my duties and challenge every opportunity to excel and move forward and up through the ranks, then I feel my job remains secure compared to those that I watch "riding the bus collecting a paycheck". Outside of my military life and in my civilian employment I feel the affects of a particular administration far more than I do when I'm in uniform.
Apologies for spelling and grammar, I typed this on my phone.
Apologies for spelling and grammar, I typed this on my phone.
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SGT Matthew Ellis
As a general rule, I agree. But my comments refer to the problem children. Experience and observation have taught me that you can talk to those individuals however you want, but they do not respond or often care. Individuals like that only respond to action.
It only takes 1, let alone a handful, of these individuals to have serious, negative effects on a unit.
It only takes 1, let alone a handful, of these individuals to have serious, negative effects on a unit.
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SGT Matthew Ellis
I should also point out that you are less likely, as an officer, to actually know what is going on at that level. As a PL perhaps, but only if you NCOs weren't handling it, and given the time period you would have been in that position that scenario seems unlikely.
Officers tend to be left out of the loop on this stuff, most entirely, unless it becomes neccessary to use UCMJ. At least, that's how it goes in a line unit.
Officers tend to be left out of the loop on this stuff, most entirely, unless it becomes neccessary to use UCMJ. At least, that's how it goes in a line unit.
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SGT Matthew Ellis
Sorry, last thing, it's not like going to the woodline involes some TL just beating the piss out of you. Rank comes off, it's a fair fight. Just happens your boss typically wins. You have a bunch of caged up guys trained to be aggressive. That kind of situation is ideal for finding your place in the pecking order. It is NOT the place for feelings or any of that PC crap. like it or not, infantrymen are meant to be barbaric and violent. It is a requirement to perform our function, which is to kill. You can sugar coat it with whatever cause or rationale helps get sleep at night, but our purpose is to kill and a certain mentality is required to survive psychologically and be effective.
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You don't get to pick who you serve under SGT Saunders. Your Oath Keepers TAG says it all, your politics are showing.
I served under 6 presidents Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan , Bush Sr and Clinton. Some I liked, some I hated but I served them all as a soldier should. To the utmost of my ability. Administrations come and go but the Army and it's values and traditions endure. Soldiers soldier.
Stay on the tank.
I served under 6 presidents Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan , Bush Sr and Clinton. Some I liked, some I hated but I served them all as a soldier should. To the utmost of my ability. Administrations come and go but the Army and it's values and traditions endure. Soldiers soldier.
Stay on the tank.
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SGT Michelle Saunders
Correction, I do get it and I served proudly. In fact, had I not been medically retired for being wounded in combat, I'd probably still be in, hence my asking the question of challenges.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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LTC Bink Romanick
I perhaps didn't understand your question, I am sorry if I got it wrong. Hope that all is well with you.
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Suspended Profile
So are yours.
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