Were you respected when you left the military? Do you feel that you are respected as a Veteran/Retiree; now?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:32:18 -0400

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jul 21 at 2015 11:50 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:50:31 -0400

Yes to both.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 11:58 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:58:34 -0400

There are always a few people here and there who may be disrespectful, or may just be having a bad day, but overall I would have to say yes. It probably also helps that I am still very much surrounded by the military community, so that may change in a few years when we move to a more rural area with less military influence.

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Jul 21 at 2015 12:22 PM

MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:22:52 -0400

Hell no!

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 21 at 2015 12:39 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:39:02 -0400

I have had people come up to me and say thank you with that I would say yes I have been respected.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 1:17 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 13:17:50 -0400

There is little respect for retirees around here (Fayetteville, NC) on base you are at best a third class citizen who is "abusing" the system you spent twenty years in and at worst is someone taking a benefit or medical appointment from an Active Duty soldier or his family. In the civilian sector you're just another ex-military guy looking for handout or discount.

Sad to say, but that's what it's like.

Now there is a small faction that does make you feel appreciated, like the gate guards at Bragg....they always address you by rank and are respectful. But with few exceptions the rest of the base treats you like an unwanted stepchild .....

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 1:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 13:29:29 -0400

I don't really advertise my service or veteran status. So unless I am on this site or at a VA appointment. Although at the VA, I tend to get the question "are you here with your husband?"... by both other employees and other veterans. It's annoying. But as for respect, besides living in my husband shadow thing... for the most part yes respect is great... but as with everything respect is earned in given. And it is on a personal basis. Not just because you had once wore a uniform.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 21 at 2015 1:31 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 13:31:29 -0400

Yes, and yes.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 21 at 2015 2:19 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:19:31 -0400

Some days...to both. Maybe on some of those days I was deserving of the respect?

The one thing I always remember about respect and my retirement was when I was doing my final out processing, I was getting near the end of the paperwork and I asked the civilian shuffling the paper, "I thought I was supposed to get a flag?" Her reply was, "Where did you hear that?"

She had me there, while I had heard that we got a flag, I was not sure where I had heard it and I let the subject drop. Not long after this we had completed all the paper work...I guess...and she got up and left the office for a bit. She came back and tossed me a box...with my flag in it. She walked over to the printer, got me a copy of my DD214 and that was that. I was a bit underwhelmed and disappointed that they felt the need to hold out on the flag unless one asked?

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jul 21 at 2015 5:19 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:19:26 -0400

Yes.
And Yes.
(Probably more than I've earned...)

I've been blessed to have been part of the 80's revival, and spared the danger of the 90's and today.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 5:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:25:58 -0400

This is indeed an interesting question. So people cant look at your chest and respect the rank, now you have to gain respect by your actions - just as you did in the military. The rank is just that. The rank doesn't imply respect for the individual.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:01 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 01:01:50 -0400

It depends on the venue. Some places greeted me with open arms, a handshake and, in some incidents, a free drink. Others were not near as receptive.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 22 at 2015 8:03 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 08:03:05 -0400

Yes! Being a veteran opened many doors for me and anyone who knows me knows I served proudly.

Response by MSG Ronnie Snider made Jul 22 at 2015 8:52 AM

MSG Ronnie Snider — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 08:52:28 -0400

It wasn't as great as excepted. The medical care sucks. Good luck getting appointments. Tri-Care should be better. The respect I guess goes both ways I guess. It seems the general population is clueless on what we go through as soldiers. When on post/base it seems like the retiree ID card has a flag over it that makes me think no on cares who you were.

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made Jul 22 at 2015 9:11 AM

MSgt Jim Wolverton — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:11:09 -0400

I haven't really noticed yet ask I'm recently retired and don't live near a base, so when I get to Bragg, Lejeune, or Seymour-Johnson, I like ok forward to just being around a familiar setting. MSgt Stacy mentioned the gate guards at Bragg and I concur, very respectful.

Response by 1LT Kathleen Heisler made Jul 22 at 2015 9:20 AM

1LT Kathleen Heisler — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:20:18 -0400

I fell like I am invisible as a female veteran

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 22 at 2015 10:13 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:13:49 -0400

SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", I cannot find your comment anywhere; if you did in fact respond. So, therefore, I cannot respond to your response. I apologize.

Response by MSG Marcel Guaring made Jul 23 at 2015 4:03 AM

MSG Marcel Guaring — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 04:03:57 -0400

Yes to both and I reciprocate the same respect regardless of the persons rank or position. I am grateful for having been given the opportunity to serve.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jul 23 at 2015 8:59 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 20:59:43 -0400

I personally find it funny how little civilians know about service. I was asked if I was SF within a week of getting out. Hell I am am 5'8" and weigh 186 ponds these days. Do I look like I was SF? I don't expect any more respect than anyone else in the world. I did what I did because I wanted to do it. Just like anyone else I expect to earn the respect of other by way of my actions, not for what I have done in the past. If you feel inclined to thank me for my service when you see the DV plates on the Jeep, cool, but we should not expect to be showered in affection for the rest of our lives!