Is Identifying yourself as a veteran potentially dangerous?

2015-07-05T18:33:46-04:00

In an intelligence report dated April 7, 2009 Homeland Security, stated veterans who might be “disgruntled, disillusioned or suffering from the psychological effects of war” as being particularly susceptible to recruitment by radical movements. The report goes on to state, "Returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that are attractive to right-wing extremists,” it says. “DHS/I&A is concerned that right-wing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize veterans in order to boost their violent capacities." I find this to be disturbing. How can it be that the ones you send to defend the country are branded as potential threats? http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dhs-domestic-terror-warning-angers-gop/

DHS' Domestic Terror Warning Angers GOP

Republican Lawmakers, American Legion Call Reference To Susceptible Veterans Unacceptable, Unfair

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 5 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-07-05T18:39:28-04:00

I have no worries in identifying myself as a Veteran and have never had any issues. Just the opposite, I let folks know. I also let them know that I was the Commander of the very first VFW Post in the country for 5 years and break their stereotype image of what the VFW is all about.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jul 5 at 2015 6:44 PM

2015-07-05T18:44:54-04:00

Look, something else to be offended about. In all seriousness, I think the same could be said for any extreme group. It's the same reason that gangs and other groups send their people through boot camp.

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jul 5 at 2015 7:02 PM

2015-07-05T19:02:20-04:00

I proudly identify myself as a vet. The only people I worry about is idiots in government who classify us as potential terrorists because we believe in the Consitution.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 5 at 2015 7:06 PM

2015-07-05T19:06:03-04:00

I would hope not. For folks who have been out for a while there shouldn't be any issues. Even vets who are still in do these groups really think they can easily turn enough current SMs to their cause or make them targets of opportunity?

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jul 5 at 2015 7:32 PM

2015-07-05T19:32:02-04:00

When I heard about that report I was standing in the rear of a Tea Party gathering downtown, just to see what they had to say. I had run into an old friend of mine and ended up standing with 3 other veterans. One of the guys I had just met got a call from his wife who told him about the report....I think the people around us thought we had gone crazy the way we were laughing.....

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 5 at 2015 8:00 PM

2015-07-05T20:00:06-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, thank you for posting a provocative question. My first thought was that identifying myself as a veteran was significantly less threatening than identifying myself as a postal employee. Going postal still brings images of carnage to many. I don't know if it predates Son-of-Sam [postal employee] going on his rampage in NY City in the 1970's or not. Certainly veterans have killed and that many novels and movies have used deranged veterans going on vendettas as the sub-plot.
For various reasons I think the general public's view of veterans as sympathetic: news of the numbers of WWII veterans dying with positive honor-flight coverage; human interest coverage of surprise service-member visit for birthday, first prom dance, and other significant events; news that veterans are committing suicide [even when the numbers were inflated]; and the vast numbers of homeless veterans have all improved the image of veterans in most people's eyes.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 8:00 PM

2015-07-05T20:00:41-04:00

Only to an enemy of the U.S.A.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Jul 5 at 2015 8:28 PM

2015-07-05T20:28:26-04:00

Hello Captain, on the article you pointed to stated: " Glen M. Gardner Jr., national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, disputed claims that Homeland Security analysts were describing veterans as terror threats." In the state of New York my ID states on the top left corner 'Veteran", Kind of makes me wonder. Either way I responded with an unsure because I personally don't know what's in the mind of those making accusations nor what intentions they have. But if they drag me into there philosophy of thoughts, then I will be apart of a group called Veterans of which I'm proud of.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 5 at 2015 8:29 PM

2015-07-05T20:29:00-04:00

I'm proud of my label as a Veteran. I, along with everyone here, did something that less than 1% of the total population can say they did. I live with PTSD and a TBI everyday. But yet, I'm holding a full time job, raising two amazing kids and involved in my community. I think the moment we let people say it is bad to use this label we take something away from our brothers and sisters-in-arms who aren't here to take part in life.

Response by SFC Jeremy Stocker made Jul 5 at 2015 9:32 PM

2015-07-05T21:32:35-04:00

I would like to believe that the type people who volunteer to put them selves in harms for the protection and betterment of their nation would be trusted a bit more. However I have only been retired a little over a year now and I have been ask if am stable, or if I safe to be around which is a ridiculous thing to ask someone if you think about it. But I guess that is what I get for living in libral ass Vermont.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 5 at 2015 10:56 PM

2015-07-05T22:56:57-04:00

I voted no, because DHS is obviously politically biased. It's right there in the wording "right wing extremist." So everyone who is right-leaning is potentially an extremist/terrorist? I DON'T THINK SO JANET NAPOLITANO!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 5 at 2015 11:02 PM

2015-07-05T23:02:24-04:00

It is a sad time to be a veteran, this is redirection, pure and simple, in-line with the DHS/Administration talking points. I am glad to see the GOP protest and think this is an outrageous attempt to talk up a different threat than the most persistent and 'real' threat of radical Islam.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Jul 5 at 2015 11:13 PM

2015-07-05T23:13:29-04:00

Wow, that is a good one. On one hand, you want military to show pride for themselves, uniform, and the USA. On the other hand, I don't want military to be a bullseye. If intel had credible threats, issue a warning. Your local 2 shop and feds with your provost and local PD's can then formulate the best plan.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 5 at 2015 11:39 PM

2015-07-05T23:39:39-04:00

This is the view of liberals about the military in general and conservatives in particular. This report was written in the early days of the Obama administration when the Dems had all of the cards and were using their power to delegitimize conservatives.

Response by PO3 Bob Walsh made Jul 6 at 2015 12:22 AM

2015-07-06T00:22:07-04:00

Yes, a retired military chaplain who fills in for chaplains away from their assigned duty asked for a decal for his car, for easy access to the Base. He was told the decals are no longer issued due to threats to service men and veterans. Active Duty wee asked not to drive off base in uniform.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 6 at 2015 6:37 AM

2015-07-06T06:37:32-04:00

This is how veterans are undermined by those on the left that have never cared for, understood or respected the U.S. Military. Creating reports that focus on veteran as possible radicals is exactly how you undermine the publics perception of veterans. This is character assassination of a very patriot group of Americans by a government hell bent on dividing an vilifying some for their own political purposes.

Is identifying yourself as a veteran POTENTIALLY dangerous? Just about anything is potentially dangerous these days. It seems even more likely when you consider how your government, the one you served, views you.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 6 at 2015 9:07 AM

2015-07-06T09:07:02-04:00

It really depends on how one identifies oneself as a veteran.

For myself, I try to focus on what I did (job wise) and the leadership experience I received.