Posted on May 25, 2016
Sebastian Junger: Over-Valorizing Vets Does More Harm Than Good
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What do you think RP Members? Are the vets over valorized? My thoughts are anyone who is willing to give up their life to defend our nation and our constitution isn't valorized enough. Yes this writer is ex military, but he must not have had much respect for himself or other soldiers to write a book about soldiers not important enough to be considered valoras for simply joining the military. When I read something like this I get mad. I'm tired of everyone and their brother putting the military members under a microscope. This is my opinion and should not affect your opinion.
Sebastian Junger: Over-Valorizing Vets Does More Harm Than Good
Posted from taskandpurpose.comPosted in these groups: 
Military Industry
Valor
Military Industry Valor
Posted >1 y ago
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Valor is earned the hard way, not a right.
I appreciate all too well the sacrifices we must make to do the dirty work in far-flung places. That doesn't make me a hero.
Real heroes are humble about their experiences. They don't talk trash in bars. They don't look for free stuff or accolades or "look at me" parades.
Chances are, real heroes have to relive something every day that they would rather forget.
I appreciate all too well the sacrifices we must make to do the dirty work in far-flung places. That doesn't make me a hero.
Real heroes are humble about their experiences. They don't talk trash in bars. They don't look for free stuff or accolades or "look at me" parades.
Chances are, real heroes have to relive something every day that they would rather forget.
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SGT (Join to see)
Everything you mentioned is true 1SG (Join to see). That is true for someone doing a valorous act, but to me, for a male or female to put their life on hold and a chance they may go into combat, has some valor to do that. I think they are brave to do that. Considering what happened in the 60's and what is going in now with the all volunteer military, I think they are pretty brave and they don't get enough recognition for doing that.
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You cannot watch a lamestream media site where they don't refer to ANY military member short of Bergdhal as a "Hero". The guy in the port a potty is a "hero", the guy tying his shoe laces is a "hero". It's way overused. I remember when LTG Robert Foley was MG Foley in charge of MDW in the 90's, he was a MOH recipient, but you'd NEVER know it. He never talked about it or his time in Nam. We just knew him as the MDW Commander. Soon the word got out, and he was being asked about it when he would walk up to the gate and talk to us. He had us post his citation damn near everywhere. No one asked after that. He was MG Foley, not MG Foley MOH. Now it seems once you are given the MOH, you're a instant "hero", get on the news, run your gums, and you get all the hot women. That ribbon doesn't make you a hero. That SPC who is busting his or her ass to make tape to stay in, going to school maxing out their TA with the intent of making a better life for themselves and their families, are HERO's. The kid living in the ghettos, trailer parks, or other slum who makes the effort to get out by way of schooling or the military makes it, goes back and tells the others they can do it too? He is a hero That NCO who has that Soldier everyone wants to kick out, but he works his ass off to save is the Hero. That Solder you saved could be the next SMA. The heros I look up to don't have that ribbon, and never will. Some took their time to give me words of wisdom, others picked me up when I was at my worst and told me it's not that bad, others challenged me as a leader, and slammed me when I made mistakes, but were STILL there to pick me up again.
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CPT (Join to see)
I mean I generally wouldn't disagree with you, but if you get the MOH I'm pretty sure that is as close to a book definition of hero you can get. Not the only definition of hero, but way up on the list.
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SSG Warren Swan
CPT (Join to see) - Sit it would be, the same way going SOF was a really big deal when I first enlisted. They were mythical beasts that when you saw one, you'd give him your GF or wife as payment for being in his presence. It's not like that now. I see them as I see you. They're just men who have harder training to take on harder tasks. But in the end, they're just like you and me. MOH, Purple hearts, any of the high medals. Now it's just a thing. I like listening to folks who really had noting and became something even though they had adversity slapping them down every step of the way. Single parents who had no help but came out stomping and still are able to balance career with family. I'm leaning more towards them as my heros being it takes a TON of work to raise a kid, go to work, go to school and make it. A wife or husband who's spouse spent more time gone that home, and really held the fort down, while working themselves. These folks won't be on a Wheaties box, on Oprah, or Fox. No parades, no nothing bur the quiet satisfaction of a job well done.
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CPT (Join to see)
SSG Warren Swan - Like I said I don't disagree with you, I would include those people on my list of heroes as well. I also agree that many every day heroes are left unsung. However, don't blame the MOH recipients for the public's fascination with warriors. Where less than 1% of the public serves, warriors are in fact almost mythical to the general population. Most MOH recipients are not "operators" but regular joes. Overall I like your point, I just don't thing you have to denigrate MOH recipients to make it.
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SSG Warren Swan
CPT (Join to see) - Sir if it sounds like I am, I'm not. I admire them actually. I believe they are exceptional men who were placed in shitty situations and made some OUTSTANDING decisions that cost some their lives, and others were blessed enough to live to see it. I might have a "jaded" view of a hero, but my view is not at any point meant to disrespect anyone MOH recipient to a commanders coin.
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