Does anyone else have difficulty connecting with other veterans or military service members?

2018-12-30T22:18:27-05:00

Response by MSgt Aaron Brite made Dec 30 at 2018 10:48 PM

2018-12-30T22:48:05-05:00

Yep, it can be difficult especially if there is a mismatch in experience. Combat vs support, pilot vs infantry. Takes time to work from the most common ground (veteran) to actual connection.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 30 at 2018 10:53 PM

2018-12-30T22:53:30-05:00

Sometimes. But that is a product of lots of different factors.
The average Service-Member is around 20-30 years old. I'm past that by a dozen years.
Most Service-Members/Veterans fall under the "One term" or "Retired" umbrella, with a few of us choosing to get out after a couple terms. It changes the way you look at the Service. As a first termer, you tend to only see the "extremes" or problems and benefits, but generally don't get why things are the way they are. As you get closer to the retirement bracket, you understand the system, but you are much more affected by systemic pressures. Being in the middle, you get the advantage of context but aren't quite institutionalized.
Then you start adding in education, family, location, etc and all these contextual things create nuanced viewpoints about subjects. Like it or not, Veterans and Military members sway towards regimented or rigid though processes. We're not known for our willingness to change our minds (generalization). This means that we can get into pissing contests about things we AGREE on. It's even worse if we have a fundamental disagreement about something.
RP is pretty good about not being an echo-chamber, but we (collectively) have our biases. However, it's not the 85% that we agree on that will make use fight like cats and dogs, but the 15% that we disagree on. All this creates barriers when connecting to new people.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 31 at 2018 7:35 AM

2018-12-31T07:35:26-05:00

Be willing to listen to someone else's story before sharing your own. That often goes a long way...

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2018 10:44 AM

2018-12-31T10:44:00-05:00

Connecting how? I find it easier to talk to a veteran than civilian with no military experience.

Response by SGT Mark Rhodes made Dec 31 at 2018 8:01 PM

2018-12-31T20:01:46-05:00

With today’s technology I have been able to reconnect with my Military family. I find easier to relate to another service member than a regular civilian.

Response by SGT Cody Skinner made Jan 2 at 2019 9:29 AM

2019-01-02T09:29:13-05:00

But it was my own fault for not getting out and trying to meet them. I now have gotten with a few different Veteran Groups in the Houston Area that I attend sometimes.