Is the Civilian/Military divide worse than you thought?

LTC Gregory Bishop — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 15:35:13 -0400

The civilian/military divide is worse than we thought. Really? You thought PTSD was an STD? Watch the video below.

In this segment, titled "Civilians Say What?!" Shawn hits the mean streets of Los Angeles to see what civilians think about PTSD. You'll be blown away by wha...

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 7:47 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 19:47:40 -0500

LTC Gregory Bishop, I felt like I was watching an episode of Water's World.

Our citizens have no idea what our military personnel are dealing with based on what they have been exposed to during at least the most recent wars. Vietnam was probably worse in some cases.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 10 at 2015 8:09 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 20:09:26 -0500

As a native of Baltimore, Maryland, I can't help but reach back to the writings of H.L. Mencken to respond to this one...

"No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public"

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 9:20 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 21:20:17 -0500

This reminds me of Mark Dice and his "man on the street" videos. Here's one on the topic of Memorial Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4dy7mmu2Ro

Foreigners know more than Americans when it comes to these things.

Zombie Americans Don't Know What Memorial Day is For!!!

Mark Dice talks with random people at the beach to ask them why we celebrate Memorial Day and insinuates absurd reasons for the holiday and most people agree...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2015 12:24 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 00:24:29 -0500

Yes the video is very interesting. I have found after getting out that civilians do not have any idea about the military. PTSD happens in different degrees, while in the service, working with other combat vets most service members may not know if they have it. There will be no sympathy from civilians either as they do not understand PTSD. Civilization is a challenge for combat vets since civilians are mostly ignorant of PTSD.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 24 at 2015 9:26 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sun, 24 May 2015 09:26:37 -0400

U.S. military and civilians are increasingly divided ...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-military-and-civilians-are-increasingly-divided/ar-BBkaN9f

U.S. military and civilians are increasingly divided

Jovano Graves' parents begged him not to join the Army right out of high school in 2003, when U.S. troops were fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. But their son refused his parents' pleas to try college. He followed them both into the Army instead.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 24 at 2015 2:26 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sun, 24 May 2015 14:26:30 -0400

I am not sure the video illustrates a widening gap between the military/veterans and the general civilian population. It does demonstrate the cluelessness of the average person as many of these types of street interviews do.

I think the appreciation the average person has for the military and veterans is far better now than it was 30, 35 or 40 years ago. I can tell you that when I served getting a thank you was out of the question. When people learned you were in the military they usually avoided you or just gave you a look like they felt sorry for you.

Response by CPT April Wertz made Dec 4 at 2018 2:12 AM

CPT April Wertz — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 02:12:51 -0500

I've had mixed responses. In general, I never received a negative response when I was in uniform or when discussing my military service. I have, unfortunately, experienced a civilian manager who kept making comments hinting at the "dangerous nature" of veterans due to their military service and training. She also made a point of demanding to know if I personally owned firearms. I transferred out of that clinic to the main hospital shortly before they turned on the only other veteran working there, a physician, with the same type of claims and accusations of being threatening to staff - firing and reporting her to the board. Other than that, the places I work haven't even acknowledged veteran status outside of the initial declaration so they can claim their tax credits for being a "veteran friendly employer."