One of the reasons I did not make the Army my career was because of attitudes like this. During my first week of basic training, my CO actually told us we'd be the "next greatest generation."
The arrogance of many of my colleagues was just too much.

The all volunteer force is producing a generation of entitled men and women who believe they are better than their civilian counterparts who they are supposed to serve.

Maybe this soldier just doesn't realize that there are families in the military are on food stamps and WIC or rely on Army Community Services for basic needs. Not many, but I did have one in my squad.

http://www.military.com/news/article/more-troops-are-relying-on-food-stamps.html

That soldier has laid his life on the line for our Constitutional right to speak and I salute him. Everyone can decide for themselves whether or not he and his unalienable right to pursue happiness through service to our country ranks a cut above others his age who choose not to become an positive, educated contributor to our national society.

Whenever I have approached a uniformed man or woman in airports, etc., to thank them for their service, I have never been received by arrogance, only humility and gratitude, and sometimes a little embarrassment for my acknowledgment.

I personally know a couple of higher ranking servicemen. They are definitely confident, take-charge personalities, but also kind, loving, helpful, and caring family men and friends.

I also have a couple younger extended family members who serve (fourth generation military) currently in lower ranks. They are not arrogant. I would describe them as "frustrated" at this point.

It's silly to paint over one million people with such a broad brush of arrogance and entitlement.

Thanks for your family's service, but there are plenty of vets who agree with me, especially once these vets encounter the realities of the private sector.

It is certainly not the entire AVF veteran community, but it is a trend that is becoming a big problem. A former captain who works as a hiring manager and many active military and veteran commenters on Tom Ricks' blog speak frequently about this problem. Placing the military on a pedestal has caused problems in past civilizations - it can happen to us.


http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/201...zy_whining_vets

> That soldier has laid his life on the line for our Constitutional right to speak and I salute him.

I would like to add that most veterans never see combat and neither of these two wars (Iraq, AfPak) were ever about defending the country or our Constitution. This meme is tired and implies that we should be thankful for OIF/OEF vets like myself for "giving" you the right of free speech or else the military might take it away.

From the OP:
> And this brave soldier is FIGHTING to protect your whiny crybaby asses right to protest. Fuck You, you fucks.

After four years of active duty, this is offensive to me on so many levels. I won't even go into it.

Sitchensis, thank you for your service and I appreciate your perspective.