Are military/veterans the true World Class and the true Elites of the World?

2017-03-14T05:37:24-04:00

An old Army buddy told me this is how he feels. He tells me I'm World Class all the time. Perhaps read some of the comments. I for one know we are World Class Elites. As many of our allied nations military's also. I think some people are equating this to arrogance or conceit. Par for the course these days. This is really quite interesting how the answers are playing out. It seems some people think it means arrogance or conceited. That's not at all what it means. This requires further analysis. Very interesting.
Freedom of speech.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 14 at 2017 7:01 AM

2017-03-14T07:01:46-04:00

"Are military/veterans the true World Class and the true Elites of the World?."
No, and I can only hope that was a satire and or rhetorical question.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 7:19 AM

2017-03-14T07:19:54-04:00

I suspect vets are just like all groups. 10% everyone thinks are great 10% everyone thinks are bums and the rest fall somewhere in between.

Response by SGT David T. made Mar 14 at 2017 10:42 AM

2017-03-14T10:42:07-04:00

I'm a legend in my own mind. Does that count?

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Mar 14 at 2017 11:52 AM

2017-03-14T11:52:25-04:00

I think you need to define "World Class" and "true Elites of the World"? If one thinks soldiers and/or veterans bring a special skill or attitude, then the percentages, especially on the World stage, could play out? I think it is pretty clear the US military is the unquestionable best military in our current World? Definitions within such a question define the answer?

Response by GySgt Michael Chapman made Mar 14 at 2017 1:02 PM

2017-03-14T13:02:26-04:00

Your question is vague and filled with "suggestions". What is it that you are actually asking?

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Mar 14 at 2017 2:31 PM

2017-03-14T14:31:20-04:00

No. Also, sick Don Shipley hair, bro.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 2:40 PM

2017-03-14T14:40:33-04:00

The great strength of the American military hasn't been that we are a "warrior class" or any kind of world class or elite group. Rather, it has been that we are average Americans who answered the call to duty to do what was required to defend our values. Or as CPT America said when the Red Skull asked him what made him so special, he replied "I'm just another kid from Brooklyn".

Though on a personal level, I have noticed that the older I get, the better I was. ;)

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2017 12:41 AM

2017-03-15T00:41:09-04:00

PO3 James Bobiney Our military is ranked as the strongest in the world, and I agree with that. I am not sure what you mean by "Are military/veterans the true World Class and the true Elites of the World?"

http://www.businessinsider.com/these-are-the-worlds-20-strongest-militaries-ranked-2015-9/#18-germany-3

Response by Sgt Bob Leonard made Mar 15 at 2017 3:30 AM

2017-03-15T03:30:37-04:00

You ask, "Are military/veterans the true World Class and the true Elites of the World?"

I read through the answers to this question and your responses to the answers. I can't help but notice that, in your responses, you consistently say, "I don't mean arrogance or conceit." And you consistently capitalize "World Class" and "Elite".

It reminds me of Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali and his, "I am the greatest." shtik. It was easy to dislike him because of his arrogance, but the simple fact was that he WAS the greatest.

It's possible to be truly 'World Class' and truly 'Elite' without being arrogant and conceited. But once you stand up and begin broadcasting it and bragging about it you demonstrate the definition of arrogance and conceit. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck, it's probably a duck.

Personally, I also view them (the people of our military), as a whole, as a bell curve: some borderline worthless, some far and above the best and finest kind that the human race has to offer, and rest of us somewhere on the big bulge in the middle.

(Although, at this point of my life, the "big bulge in the middle" refers to something else entirely.)

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Mar 16 at 2017 8:26 AM

2017-03-16T08:26:44-04:00

For USAF and USN pilots, we are near the top, but no longer the elite we once were. A pilot can stay proficient and safe with 15 hour of training per month, but you can't keep a combat edge with that. USAF pilot's training hours have been cut significantly since 1990, and the edge is no longer as sharp. On an individual pilot basis, the Israelis are probably the best. They select based on skill (no BS required), have a high washout rate, train a LOT, and have a continuous motivation based on threat to their nation's survival. They win more often at Red Flag too.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 7:19 PM

2017-03-23T19:19:43-04:00

I have a low opinion of the title World Class anyway. I consider it to be the lowest common acceptable standard. I personally would not want to be included in that category.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Nov 18 at 2018 12:35 AM

2018-11-18T00:35:36-05:00

“We are all heroes in our own movies.”
I forgot where that quote comes from, but this question brings it to mind.
In my professional career, I’ve been called a Subject Matter Expert (SME), the “heavy lifter” of major projects, and various other accolades. My military service has both helped and hindered me at various times. I have expertise and knowledge I am able to use, but most of the time, I’m really just a cog in the machine. World class, elite? If I asked my wife if I was, she’d probably give me a weird look and then roll her eyes at me, and walk away or go back to whatever she’d been doing, having never uttered a word at me.