Does it make you angry when people bad mouth your or any branch?

SN Sean Willson — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:47:56 -0400

I get so angry when I hear some dim witted civilian who has no idea what it's like to be in the military start bad mouthing any branch. When I hear disparaging remarks about the military I literally have to bite my tongue to keep from putting in my two cents. Yes, military life is hard. Yes, it can destroy a marriage. Yes, 99% of us would do it again without a first thought to the sacrifices. I guess those who haven't lived it can't understand it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2014 1:03 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 01:03:37 -0400

Not so much disparaging remarks about the Army (my branch) but just disparaging remarks in general which is very uncalled for. I don't like ANY mean spirited people regardless of who they are.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2014 3:37 AM

Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 03:37:16 -0400

I honestly don't mind. But if they should bother me, there's a simple question to ask. "Where's your DD-214?"

If they don't have one:

"Strange, as much shit as you talk, I figured you would actually have something to back it up."

If they do:

"Oh? You were in X? Well you know what they say..."

Response by SPC David Wyckoff made Jun 25 at 2014 8:44 AM

SPC David Wyckoff — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 08:44:12 -0400

The last time a civilian started mouthing off about the military, I just started speaking names. I got to the third name on my list before they walked away. It was a long time ago, I just mostly ignore them now. They think what they think.

If its someone who has been in; well that's a different story. We go at it and exhange good natured inter family barbs until we are both telling war stories and fishing lies.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 25 at 2014 8:59 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 08:59:01 -0400

I used to get much more 'riled up' over such things, but as I have gotten older I have come to realize that there are those out there who have an almost unending desire to show their ignorance about any subject that may come up and there is little anyone can do about it since, in most cases, it is obvious that they wish to remain ignorant and will refuse to hear any logic presented to them. In most cases I just shake my head and walk away. In a way, I almost feel sorry for them.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 25 at 2014 10:48 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 10:48:30 -0400

Personally I don't like it and usually I will not speak out to it unless it is offensive pertaining to a person that should not be insulted for serving. Getting riled up never helped anything improve or change their attitude. Ignorance on their part of the good and not all the media hype of the negative is theirs to deal with. Their ability to reside in the USA and say such things is what we serve to protect and defend, so I allow them to just go ahead and say what they wish.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2014 11:47 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:47:38 -0400

I here a lot of this being in the National Guard. I spend a lot of time on active duty in the guard. I travel a bit. I often here some bad mouth the Guard. The last thing you will ever do is call my unit a bunch of Nasty Girls. Many times it is some young soldier who thinks he is the best thing to have ever happened to the army since powdered eggs. If in civilians I will let it slide. If i am in uniform I will address their lack of respect of other soldiers.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jun 25 at 2014 12:17 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:17:18 -0400

There are a LOT of things "dim witted civilians" say and do that raises my blood pressure:

Not taking their hat off during the National Anthem (or playing with their phone).

Blindly forwarding false and conspiracy theory eMails without checking the facts / even after they've been "Led to water".

Talking smack about the military when they haven't ever served.

Taking for granted the freedom and security they enjoy daily and *assuming* that it's like that everywhere in the world.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2014 12:21 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:21:14 -0400

With civilians...sometimes it bugs me but a tend to chalk it up to ignorance. Vets, current members....depends upon the context of the remark. If it's friendly banter I get over it quickly and usually shoot back. But if it is to disparage a potential military applicant I will have words. We are all proud of our services but I will never stoop so low as to bad mouth a branch to someone considering other branches...at the end of the day we are one team.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2014 3:18 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:18:47 -0400

As a Marine, I know that I am always vocal about... well being a Marine. I do think that the Marines are the best thing since sliced bread, service pride is an amazing thing to have. What I try really hard not to do, is disparage any other service. The problem with being a Marine is that by being so vocal about our service, it is automatically taken as insulting another service, even when that serviced may never be mentioned. Granted through allusion you may infer that there is insult intended but never overtly. I think that with Civilians it may be like that, where most military persons regardless of branch or rate or billet should/does take pride in that. I think it is that pride which is being attacked, and I believe it is being attacked because those individuals were unable/unwilling to serve and therefore cannot join in the revelry which all military members share.

Response by SN Sean Willson made Jun 26 at 2014 7:01 AM

SN Sean Willson — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 07:01:19 -0400

What I usually tell these people is, "Thats ok, I spent four good years of my life defending your right to be stupid."

Response by SN Sean Willson made Jun 26 at 2014 7:14 AM

SN Sean Willson — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 07:14:46 -0400

I would never bash another branch of the service. Yeah, I pick on em but it's all in fun. My best friend, who is like a brother, is a marine. I may have only served one hitch but I take great pride in that. It is the foundation on which I have built my life. When someone starts dragging down any branch, with malicious intent, it feels to me like an attack on my personal honor. Maybe I take it too seriously. I just want to make them see that if it wasn't for everyone who ever put on the uniform they wouldn't be able to stand there and talk trash.

Response by PO1 Allen Y. made Jun 26 at 2014 3:43 PM

PO1 Allen Y. — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 15:43:12 -0400

It depends on whether or not they have served which would equate to them knowing what they are talking about. If its a lie, I correct them and if not I man up and accept it. For those that haven't served...it is a matter of tone and intent. Malicious? Stand the math by. Pure? Forgiveness is deserved and will be granted. Setting the record straight and calling out ignorance where it is found should be paramount.