What is the biggest misconception civilians have about your service?

SSG Richard Reilly — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:11:15 -0400

First I work in the Judge Advocates General Corps. So one of the many questions is, "Is it like the TV Show?"
Answer: Absolutely! I can't tell you how many times I flew missions over the Gaza Strip in my stealth F28 Attack Romulan Cruiser. My wife...seen in the picture helped me put a guy in Jail that tried to sell a bomb to kids on a playground in east Philadelphia. Where he was born and raise. But we followed him all the way to Bel Air, California and captured and convicted him.

But really my most common questions is, "Why did they need a paralegal in Iraq and Afghanistan?" Then I say just a small amount of what I did there and they get this scared look on their face.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 11:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:19:41 -0400

Civilians? Most of the service members I've met have no idea what Civil Affairs is or what it is we do really - much less civilians...lol

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Aug 21 at 2015 11:20 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:20:19 -0400

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 21 at 2015 11:20 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:20:36 -0400

I used to hate with a passion the following question " how do I become a Pilot." As a ground technician in an artillery unit I usually gave them the following response, "get one of those beanie caps, with a propeller on top of it, now jump off the roof." A lot of people used to think all WO's fly, reality is we don't. I have also been asked what its like to fly Blackhawk, my response has been not much different then Wrecker, which often leaves them surprised.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 11:21 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:21:50 -0400

My biggest, and there is a plethora, is that civilians don't truly understand that there are really different jobs in the Army. They think that 'Soldier' is a job, and we rehearse to kill most of the paid days. I have even stopped to explain the 'ins and outs', and usually just tell them that we have all kinds of jobs in the Army. Cooks, Military Police, Lawyers, Medics, people that play the Cello, people that fix that air conditioners, Admin... but it never seem to truly sink in.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 21 at 2015 11:46 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:46:51 -0400

That we're all crazy, gun toting, booze drinking, womanizing, hard partying, above all, selfish, war mongering, war loving, special forces delta seal MARSOC Ranger sniper, killers. I might have forgotten a few, but feel free to add them.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 11:55 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:55:49 -0400

Military Intelligence, isn't that an oxymoron hehehe. Were you a spy? Civilians think soldiers in MI are all James Bond. They don"t have a clue. Civilians in the 50's, 60's and 70's seemed to be more in-tune with the Military.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 12:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 12:00:54 -0400

I was a recruiter in an affluent area and many people considered the military an option for people of lower class or lower middle class, or a last resort. I would say your son showed some interest in finding out more about the Army. They would say no Johnny is blessed we have his college paid for we don't need the military. It was very frustrating at times. A lot of people consider enlisting in the military an option for high school drop outs and people who can't or won't attend college. When truth be told we rarly will take someone with less than a diploma GEDs are rare exceptions now.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Aug 21 at 2015 12:01 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 12:01:25 -0400

TV makes it look like leaders are screamers or idiots, and they almost all get the uniforms wrong. The time warps in NCIS, JAG, etc, are also quite amusing...

But I think the biggest misconception civilians have is that it's our fault we go to war...

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Aug 21 at 2015 12:03 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 12:03:52 -0400

SSG Richard Reilly I was a SONAR operator STG not STS. The question I always got was what it was like on a submarine. My response was either A) I have no idea, ask a submariner. or B) There is not enough money in the world to get me to go on a boat designed to sink.

I think that is going to be a common theme on this thread. A little information forming a huge perception, and both the information and the perception are wrong. I imagine that there are some NCIS folk that have a HUGE problem with this in addition to you JAG types.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 21 at 2015 1:02 PM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:02:49 -0400

SSG Richard Reilly First off, don't mack on JAG, SSG! *Runs*

Ahem. Sorry.

Ok so my answer depends on who's asking. Left-wing generation x'r: "How many babies did you kill?"
Far right Republican: "Thanks for your service."
Most normal people: "What did you do?"

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 1:23 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:23:48 -0400

That all Marines are combat infantry and we all love to kill people and have PTSD.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 1:26 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:26:07 -0400

"So what do you fly?"... "M1114"
"How many people have you killed?"..."Today?"

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 2:27 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 14:27:33 -0400

I was a recruiter in a great patriotic area of the south and where I was from! The kids have a misconception as well as the parents do depending on which decade they are from and if they have family who served! Biggest one is they believe as soon as they sign up we single them out and ship them straight to combat! They don't realize there are more support jobs out there than combat!

Response by PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels made Aug 21 at 2015 3:17 PM

PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 15:17:17 -0400

People are surprised to hear that I went to the places I did in the CG. . It also surprises them how far south I went. They are shocked when I name the places and always ask, does the CG really go out that far?

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Aug 21 at 2015 3:52 PM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 15:52:58 -0400

If you are in the Army. They think this is you.

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Aug 21 at 2015 3:57 PM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 15:57:18 -0400

If your in the Marines they think this.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 21 at 2015 6:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 18:21:43 -0400

We are not corporate material.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 8:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 20:51:15 -0400

When people find out I am EOD they usually ask one of two questions. I will give you both of those and my typical answers.

"EOD? is that like the Hurt Locker?"
"not really, my life has plot and character development."

"you're a bomb tech? is that 'red wire, blue wire' stuff for real? cause if I made bombs that's the first rule I'd break"
"Yeah, but it's more intense than that, I have to keep track of mauve and salmon colored wires."

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 22 at 2015 5:12 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 05:12:38 -0400

People found out I was in the Navy and they immediately thought I was a beer swilling, foul mouthed, deck swabber. I told them "No, after I got promoted to Petty Officer I stopped swabbing the decks and supervised the Seamen while THEY swabbed the decks!"

Response by SGT Sakyarh Chatman made Aug 22 at 2015 6:44 AM

SGT Sakyarh Chatman — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 06:44:07 -0400

What is east Philadephia??

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Aug 22 at 2015 2:27 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 14:27:05 -0400

"How many Muslims did I kill?" Never ask if I did a tour in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Aug 22 at 2015 4:08 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:08:31 -0400

Response by PO3 Alexander Brown made Aug 22 at 2015 9:37 PM

PO3 Alexander Brown — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 21:37:18 -0400

That every day in the Navy is like "The Last Ship" or "Battleship", action packed and full of excitement. Many days are filled with mundane tasks; cleaning, maintenance, power points, paperwork, etc, etc. Only a few days are truly pumped.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 22 at 2015 10:22 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 22:22:38 -0400

That I actually fly (flew) the jets, and that my flight status being in helo's (Pave Hawks) and my time working as a 35M indicated that I was Bi-Service (assigned to the US Army as well)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2015 1:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 13:07:35 -0400

That every service member runs around being a rambo or ramboett.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 23 at 2015 1:16 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 13:16:36 -0400

That war is my fault

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2015 4:20 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 16:20:33 -0400

Not just civilians....other retiree and hell even active duty.....the think the AF only stay in 5 star hotels and medics never see any action.....wrong on both accounts.

Response by PO1 Cameron Rhyne made Aug 23 at 2015 6:45 PM

PO1 Cameron Rhyne — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 18:45:19 -0400

I was a Navy Recruiter for several years and I had to go to the local high schools several times a month to try to convince the Seniors to join the Navy(not to mention cold call people on the phone all the time). I got a lot of people who think that everyone in the military goes into combat or that all of us carry guns on a regular basis. In fact, the "Everyone in the military carries a weapon" is one I still see pop up all the time.

Another being is that the only job in a Branch is "Soldier", "Sailor", "Marine", "Airman", and not that there are many different Rates/MOS's. Yes, everyone is a Soldier/Sailor/Marine/Airman but Not every Soldier is Infantry, not every Sailor spends their day swabbing decks and tying knots, not every Marine spends their day performing amphibious landings and not every Airman flies a plane.

Specific to the Navy, I had to explain to a lot of people that the Navy has it's own Aircraft/Air Force and no, those planes on Aircraft Carriers do not belong to the USAF. Most people seem to believe that only the Air Force has planes. I blame the recruiting commercials and movies. I've seen video games fuck this up pretty badly as well.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2015 10:16 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 22:16:32 -0400

Wings on our chairs?

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 23 at 2015 11:54 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 23:54:24 -0400

Everyone is a fighter... Infantry... Tanker etc.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 2:15 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 02:15:53 -0400

My top ones that come to ind when I was a Captain on Active Duty wearing a flight suit are.

1. That's good you are serving in the Army. You should think about your future and get a college education. Don't hey pay for that? My response: umm yes they already did through an ROTC scholarship. I have bachelors in Electrical Engineering. I plan on getting the Air Force to buy my engineering masters degree. That got a wide eye and jaw open.

2. Are you like a mechanic or something? Sarcastically, I say yeah I have a job to break planes for the mechanics to fix.

3. Have you been in a dog fight? Yeah my KC-135 is the Air Forces most secret and oldest dog fighting weapon system. When we are not delivering cargo or refueling other planes we are dog fighting all the time.

4. What do you do? I am a pilot I used to fly tankers now I fly UAV's.. Response is a blank stare, what are those? My answer unmanned aircraft. They respond, oh you mean drones. yes I mean drones.

5. While being a UAV pilot I would get this from my uninformed friends. Hey man was that you In the news that killed that Taliban leader in Pakistan? "If it was me I couldn't tell you". But no I did not do that today.

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Aug 24 at 2015 3:01 AM

CPT Russell Pitre — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 03:01:26 -0400

I would say the Con-Air Ranger crap. I have heard that "if you are in the military you are a weapon" or that you have register yourself as a weapon with your local law enforcement. That is about the worst I have heard.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 8:12 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:12:13 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 8:35 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:35:22 -0400

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Aug 24 at 2015 8:35 AM

Sgt Adam Jennings — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:35:53 -0400

When people find out I'm a Marine (once a Marine, always a Marine) they always think I went around shooting up stuff and think I shot people. Yeah, because comm techs get to do that, lol.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 10:27 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 10:27:14 -0400

The largest misconceptions I find are that civilians can't quite grasp the wide range of our core competencies, and don't seem willing to accept "surprise" answers to pointed questions that ask about them. For example, I've had civilian peers with children entering certain military training ask pointed questions about what their child is doing...then patently reject my answers. One friend has a daughter who recently earned a commission. I his mind, as an O-1, she was going to be "everyone's boss now" and he was impressed with how "quickly" she had risen in rank above people years older than her. When she described her duties, he couldn't rectify the disparity, and wanted my input. After cordially explaining the officer vs. enlisted ranks and responsibilities over their careers to him, he was predictably dismissive. Other issues arise from civilians trying to apply their understanding of pay vs. ability. Most seem incapable of accepting that we place so much faith and confidence in the hands of relatively young persons. This is the core reason why I believe many of us find it difficult in transition when mating our experience to new opportunities.

Response by SGT William Howell made Aug 24 at 2015 10:58 AM

SGT William Howell — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 10:58:09 -0400

Shit! I needed a paralegal in Iraq. Divorce papers don't notarize themselves!

Response by SGT William Howell made Aug 24 at 2015 11:13 AM

SGT William Howell — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:13:49 -0400

Me and Jack Reacher were in the same MP company. We all got issued MP CAC Cards, because the guy looking at it at the chow hall gives a shit.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 11:17 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:17:47 -0400

It has been over 40 years since I left the Air Force. Still get the "Did you fly?" od What did you fly?"

Seems people think everyone in the Air Force actually flies.

Response by Sgt John Watts made Aug 24 at 2015 12:11 PM

Sgt John Watts — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:11:45 -0400

Combat Correspondent - "you think you're Mickey Splillane?" or "seen much combat?"

...no.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 12:35 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:35:45 -0400

You're in the Airforce? What do you fly?
A D35K

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Aug 24 at 2015 2:46 PM

TSgt Melissa Post — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 14:46:26 -0400

That everyone in the air force work on airplanes and are pilots. Yes I fly an AGM86-B. Would a civilian know that wasn't a plane?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 24 at 2015 4:21 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 16:21:21 -0400

Shows like this make me want to vomit. I prefer a more truthful depiction of our armed forces.....like ...Universal Soldier (lol)

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Aug 24 at 2015 8:43 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 20:43:02 -0400

The thing that I don't get about the general civilian population, is the fact that I can tell someone that I am in the "Army Reserve" and explain to them what I do. Then they would ask me about being in the " National Guard". I would look at them in amazement, didn't you hear a word I said

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Aug 24 at 2015 9:19 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 21:19:56 -0400

That as a senior field grade officer, I had insights into all of the workings of the DOD and military operations. They thought I knew everything that was taking place with the military.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 9:33 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 21:33:23 -0400

"Coast Guard? That ain't military!"

"Coast Guard?? They don't go overseas."

I hear it almost every time I tell someone I'm a Retired Coastie.

Response by SPC Greg Burnett made Aug 24 at 2015 11:56 PM

SPC Greg Burnett — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 23:56:03 -0400

Really, my biggest thing was how often people would ask me if I knew a friend of theirs.
What really surprised me was how often I did.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 10:57 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 10:57:20 -0400

When I was in ROTC, I worked at a restaurant on the weekends. The manager was surprised to learn I was in the military. He thought all military would stand at attention all the time and say sir at the end of every sentence in our regular lives.

Response by TSgt Ryan Lee made Aug 25 at 2015 2:32 PM

TSgt Ryan Lee — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:32:46 -0400

Well I can remember going home on leave, many people would always ask me what plane I flew, since I was in the Air Force. Sorry to break it to you, not all Air Force people fly planes. But I did give some of the real gullible ones a good story just because they had no idea what I was talking about. Not to embellish on what I really did (Supply/Logistics), but some people just deserve to be messed with. haha!
It is funny though how many people still do call the Air Force "Soldiers." One team, one fight I guess.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 5:17 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 17:17:22 -0400

Forget civilians, 75% of the three "MAIN" military departments and one branch haven't the faintest idea about the extent and nature of the eleven statutory missions of the United States Coast Guard...and that is a conservative estimate!!!

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 26 at 2015 8:53 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 08:53:57 -0400

One i got years ago
Question--Did you cross the borders into Laos or Cambodia?
Answer-Of course not,when i ran into the fence with the sign that said Laotian border,i turned back.

Response by MSgt Danny Hope made Aug 26 at 2015 9:17 AM

MSgt Danny Hope — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 09:17:49 -0400

One of my brothers thought I just played cards all day..."on-the-spot" correction ensued.

Response by MSgt Danny Hope made Aug 26 at 2015 9:30 AM

MSgt Danny Hope — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 09:30:30 -0400

I occasionally get asked about Area 51 and Roswell..

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 10:02 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 10:02:37 -0400

SSG Richard Reilly The most common I see are: 1) That every vet is a combat vet and if you are not then you are a disappointment. 2) That all vets/service members have PTSD. And anyone who actually does have PTSD has the most severe, violent kind; even if you don't. 3) None of the Navy shows accurately capture the day to day life (e.g. Top Gun, The Last Ship, NCIS, JAG, etc.) our lives are actually way more hilarious while filled with alternating periods of extreme boredom and exhaustion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 11:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 23:19:22 -0400

Every kid I speak with thinks that all we do in the Army is train to KILL people and that we've all killed people. Then they ask me do we have COOL GUNS like COD Black OPS II and do we really use invisible suits.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Aug 27 at 2015 8:39 AM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:39:19 -0400

I think the biggest misunderstanding either simply isn't understanding the lifestyle OR the extent of the operational/legal quagmire the wars have become. Commanders routinely consult their JAGs before making OPERATIONAL decisions, and junior officers have been put away FOR LIFE, simply for defending their men and themselves from a known or legitimate perceived threat. Now, reflecting on what I've written, I have to say that the general public is unaware of the threat to our own safety politics and political correctness have caused and how servicepeople give up their rights and freedoms to do their everyday jobs.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Aug 27 at 2015 1:16 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 13:16:33 -0400

Q.) What was it like? All those people yelling at you all the time?
A.) Oh, You get used to it after the first year.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 7:33 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 19:33:40 -0400

How many people have you killed?
(Always)

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Aug 27 at 2015 9:15 PM

Cpl Christopher Bishop — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 21:15:40 -0400

If my answer must be in the form of a problem, then I'm not sure I have a specific question/answer, but rather a "recurring situation." It's where people below you and on par with you seems to appreciate your higher than average set of morals/ethics, yet people above you find your general character and/or outspokenness about anything questionable going on above your level to be intrusive at minimum and offensive in some cases. Its almost like...in the civilian sector of unemployment, I just might fit the "mentally challenged" description because of morals/ethics. Even when you approach a boss or a business owner with "Hey look, if I can see these things, than so can others, and maybe we should fix it before your funding sources cancel you like a stamp", what they hear is YOU are their problem and a threat.

The frustration comes from this: When they hired you, they were looking for a good guy...later they can't handle a truly good guy.

It makes you wonder if these folks were worth any of the various sacrifices our uniformed folks ever make.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 11:00 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 23:00:39 -0400

Being thought of as a baby killer. Even though they don't know a damn thing about all the humanitarian shit we did!

Response by Capt Christian D. Orr made Aug 28 at 2015 5:54 AM

Capt Christian D. Orr — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 05:54:22 -0400

That every single member of the Air Force is a freakin' Pilot!
Whenever I'd tell people I was in the Air Force, they'd automatically ask, "Oh, do you fly planes? What plane do you fly?" Even after I taught myself to state right off the bat, "I'm a Air Force cop/Security Forces/Security Police," these dumbas$$es would still ask me, "Oh, do you fly planes? What plane do you fly?"
SMDH.....do these same morons ask every Army soldier they meet "Do you drive a tank?" Do they ask every Navy sailor "Are you a SEAL?" Do they ask every Marine "Are you a sniper?". Freakin' schmoes.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 28 at 2015 6:12 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 06:12:35 -0400

I'm sure that most Civilians have Glorified Notion of what I did as a Navy Spook but I can assure them that it is mostly the worst, most boring, paperwork trails ever imagined and Lord Help You if you Screw it Up. $10,000 and 10 years in Jail.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 3 at 2015 4:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 16:59:17 -0400

We just fight wars. They know nothing about our culture.