"Serving in the Army is not a real job" - Douglas Gansler

2014-04-22T13:16:46-04:00

I'm sure this will generate much fire and ire. In Maryland two Democratic candidates are currently fighting for the nomination for Governor. The first of which is Maryland's Attorney General Douglas Gansler who has said the titular quote, and the other is Iraq war veteran and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it something that Gansler believes? Is it accurate that being a JAG in Iraq is "not a real job"? Or is this just a move to pull more notice and campaign points towards Gansler?

http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2014/04/22/Dem-Candidate-Says-Iraqi-War-Vet-Opponent-Not-Up-for-Real-Job

Md. gov candidate suggests Iraq War vet opponent not up for 'real job'

Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler drew ire from a veterans’ group after he made the comments about his opponent, Maryland Lt.

Candidate Says Iraq War Veteran Opponent Not Up for a 'Real Job’

Maryland's Attorney General Douglas Gansler <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/04/22/md-gov-candidate-draws-ire-for-suggesting-iraq-war-vet-opponent-not-up-for-real/">accused his opponent</...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2014 1:46 PM

2014-04-22T13:46:00-04:00

Not a "Real" job ? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Some people truly think the Army does nothing and we are all a bunch of uneducated idiots. Granted serving in Iraq or Afghanistan as JAG would be different from sitting in a nice air conditioned office in say Baltimore. But both are real by any definition of the word. Soldiers overseas need the same services as Joe Snuffy on the street and that means someone has to so it. Frankly I think it takes more character to do it in a hostile environment than in a cozy office complete with a putting green.

It doesn't matter if he actually thinks it or not. He's crazy for saying it. Maryland has a high population of veterans and active duty...I think that comment is going to backfire like there is no tomorrow!

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Apr 22 at 2014 1:46 PM

2014-04-22T13:46:38-04:00

I am quite aware that many of the skills I have acquired in the military are not valued in civilian life. Anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional.

I am not so insecure that my self worth is diminished if a non-veteran brings it up.

I am able to distinguish between questioning a political opponent's qualifications for an office and a deliberate insult to all veterans.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2014 1:51 PM

2014-04-22T13:51:44-04:00

I have seen many things about the Army being just a job, or that its not a job at all. Personally I think that it is a a job, and much more. The reality is that we all serve by choice, we receive a paycheck for the work we do. Sometimes our job requires much more of us than any other, and sometimes a little less. Yes we do get benifets that has some people up in arms about the military getting too much. I however, dont see anyone talking about giving us back the rights that we gave up when we joined. Like the right to search and seacure. I personally think that this is just another ploy by a government politican to get more attention than he can aquire on him own merrit and using the military to gain that attention.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2014 2:10 PM

2014-04-22T14:10:32-04:00

Guy sounds ignorant to me Sir. I was born and raised in
Baltimore and glad I left.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2014 2:27 PM

2014-04-22T14:27:11-04:00

The candidate stated, "I'm running against somebody who has never managed anybody, never run
anything, his ads are about how he’s a lawyer in Iraq, and that’s all
fine and good but this is a real job."
And, clarified in a follow-up interview, I have the utmost respect for his military service and for veterans,"
Gansler said. "The point I was trying to make is that Anthony Brown's
only attempt to lead as Lieutenant Governor was the unmitigated debacle
of the health exchange website that denied Marylanders access to health
care and cost taxpayers nearly $200 million."
In context, the remarks were not about military service as a job but the quality of work accomplished as a Lt Governor rolling out a healthcare exchange. What we have here is media latching onto a phrase and twisting it to create news.

As far as the military as a job. It's not a job. It's a duty. And, it's a duty that only a few of us can accomplish. No job requires you to begin your day at 0530 and leave your office at 1900 and continue to be prepared to resolve issues that arise at all times in-between. If you're in the military and you have a job, (i.e. 7-3, 9-5, 8-4) I would argue that a civilian hire can accomplish your job and you need to be re-assigned.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 22 at 2014 2:51 PM

2014-04-22T14:51:29-04:00

Easy to talk crap from the safety of a climate controlled auditorium when his ass was never in the line of fire

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2014 3:28 PM

2014-04-22T15:28:45-04:00

I read this article and I must agree with everyone else he
is ignorant. Not just is he ignorant, but he is also threaten because the fact
is he's a Iraqi War veteran. The truth is most government officials are going
to be more and more threaten in the next few years or so because as we shrink
as a force more veterans will start looking at polices to keep serving the
country.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 22 at 2014 5:22 PM

2014-04-22T17:22:17-04:00

I should have figured this guy was a politician, and I wonder, has this politician ever actually had to do a hard days labor in his lire. Serving in the Army is not a "real" job. Hey A$$h*le, I spent 12 years not doing a real job in the Army, which allows you the right to prove just how ignorant a political candidate can be. It is probably a good thing I didn't choose your state to reside in. My suggestion to you is apologize to every service member you meet and pray to God that they don't punch the crap out of you for your stupidity. Not to wish you any ill will, but I hope you lose the election and have to stand in an unemployment line surrounded by prior service military whose service you have just insulted.

What say you brothers and sisters in arms?

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Apr 22 at 2014 5:36 PM

2014-04-22T17:36:37-04:00

Let me at him, let me at him..... He should be shot, keel hauled, drawn and quartered, swung from the yard arm, dropped from a B-52 strapped to a bomb, deep sixed, and anything else I can come up with.... Figuratively, not literally....

But seriously, he do not know us very well do he?!

He does not realize that what the military does daily is a very hard job.... Someone should ask him this question: Who gave you the rights we so cherish?

If his answer is the Constitution, he is wrong. If he says that it was Declaration of Independence, he is wrong.

The correct answer is the Continental Army, Navy, and Marines. The current armed forces fore fathers(and mothers). Just as they gave our freedoms to us, we have continually defended them. So he does not deserve to be elected to be a governor or to any other political office.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Apr 22 at 2014 6:53 PM

2014-04-22T18:53:05-04:00

Well I guess his ignorant train of thought,where a "Real"Job from his perspective is sitting in th comfort of ther Continental US living and breathing the very freedom that is provided by Said, "Non-Real" job holding individuals as myself hold. I guess he is correct...... Note the sarcasm....

Response by SGT James Elphick made Apr 22 at 2014 7:20 PM

2014-04-22T19:20:53-04:00

John Glenn summed it up perfectly when challenged in the same manner during the primaries for the Ohio Senate race in 1974. If anyone ever tells you you haven't held a real job, quote some of this at them

http://www.grunt.com/corps/scuttlebutt/marine-corps-stories/impromptu-marine-corps-response-by-senator-john-glenn/

Impromptu Marine Corps Response by Senator John Glenn | Marine Corps Stories | Scuttlebutt | Sgt Grit

Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2014 1:20 AM

2014-04-23T01:20:19-04:00

Typical politician who never served in the military but easy to criticize us and vote themselves a pay raise and cut our benefits. I wouldn't vote for that BUM. :-(

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 1:04 AM

2014-04-24T01:04:20-04:00

Until the day she died, whenever I visited my Grandmother, she would always ask me when I was getting out of the military so I could get a "real job." This came from a woman who lost two brothers in WWII and who's husband served in WWII and Korea.

It's an attitudinal thing - the way some folks think, the military is a great choice for a young person to make to get training and see the world (and sow wild oats), then you get out after your four years and enter the civilian workforce.

But, I have to agree - this guy is an idot. That's someone too ignorant to even spell, "idiot," correctly. He doesn't even see how his comments COULD be interpreted.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 1:10 AM

2014-04-24T01:10:12-04:00

Even Ganzler's apology was fake. So in honor of his accomplishments I name him Captain Kapo.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2014 1:37 PM

2014-06-15T13:37:27-04:00

It isn't a job, it is a way of life. But, I don't agree with any politician's characterization that demeans military service. I guess that is why less than one percent of Americans serve......

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Jun 24 at 2014 10:17 PM

2014-06-24T22:17:29-04:00

Personally I think the senator needs to STFU, put his money where his mouth is and get his ass on the front line. Let's see him find some explosives buried in the sand!!!!!!

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Jun 24 at 2014 10:52 PM

2014-06-24T22:52:26-04:00

So serving in the Army must be a paid hobby with benefits then?