How do you answer?

[JPHawk]

Rangers, Veterans, current Soldiers, and military Family,

I am posting this topic because I have recently become extremely disappointed and, at times, angry with a question I have been asked a lot lately. As I explained in my introduction my twin brother is currently at Ft. Benning going through BCT and will be attending OCS after the first of the year. I am not from a military family so this is all new to me. Lately, when I talk to some people (friends, acquaintances) and they learn of my brother's choice to enlist in the army the first question I frequently get is a puzzled, half-condescending "Why?" Since when did serving our country become a second-tier profession to people? I am very proud of my brother for enlisting and I can't wait for the day I can stand next to him not just as a brother, but a Brother In Arms. I ask this because I am curious if I am wrong for letting this bother me as much as it does. How does everyone deal with these kinds of questions? Thank you.

[RangerX]

Since when did serving our country become a second-tier profession to people?

In this country, since the Revolution. It has been asked for millennia in other places before that. Not everyone is willing to fight for their own liberty, never mind that of others.

When I was younger, my reply was "So you don't have to".

Now I just look at them in a way that makes them very uncomfortable.

[mortar_guy78]

The variation on RangerX's reply that I used to use was "Because you are a lazy pussy who won't."

I'm a little nicer now.

[Baseplate]

If they don't understand it is nothing you can explain. My best answer is to call them a giant festering pussy and be on your merry way

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Simply;

My brother is a Patriot who loves our country and he has decided to protect and defend it for all those who can't, won't or don't understand what our country , our freedoms and our way of life represents. He honors his responsibilities by serving.

If they then don't understand that, chances are they never will!

[Dan B 3/75]

Since when did serving our country become a second-tier profession to people?

It hasn't.

Ours is a HUGE nation, and unless you get around, your views will be skewered by your local culture. Come on down south, or out west, and you will find a vastly greater percentage of the population that respects service, and our armed forces.

In this time of war, I have had quite a few citizens walk up, say "Thanks", and or have had my bill paid by some unknown citizen at cafe's and diners.

I ask this because I am curious if I am wrong for letting this bother me as much as it does.

No.

Absolutely not.

You apparently have common sense and honor.

Those are good traits.

The security of our nation, the relative peace, and economic prosperity western civilization has enjoyed since the closing days of WW II, is directly attributable to the American soldier. Whether they were ever asked to fire a shot in anger or not, the fact remains that without the threat of direct American military intervention, the world would have been a much more unstable place.

For years, our troops have facilitated stability and economic growth and prosperity around the world, and it pisses me off that many don't acknowledge that fact.

How does everyone deal with these kinds of questions?

You answered your own question...

My twin brother and I have always believed deep down that we have a duty to serve our country.

I have always felt a duty and obligation to honor the sacrifices made by my forefathers. They did what others COULDN'T do, or WOULDN'T do in order to allow the rest of society to carry on with their daily lives in peace and prosperity.

There has always been, and always will be, a need for good men to stand up and fight, or be ready to fight, for their nation, and there will always be a need for good men to lead them.

This board is filled with such men.

[IEDmagnet]

I don't think anything else can be added to what was posted above.... that was a great answer to you question.

I tend to feel like some of the others though, If they have to ask they wouldn't understand.

[GoldCoast]

You and your twin will have so much to be proud of when you have served our nation honorably. In future years you will look on lesser men and their discomfort will be written on their faces. Concentrate on being the best Soldier you can; make it a competition with your brother to see who can be the best. You will both be the winners. Good luck.

[JPHawk]

Thank you, Rangers and Veterans for your time and your sincere responses. I will be sure to heed all the advice given.

[Slowpoke]

Thank you, Rangers and Veterans for your time and your sincere responses. I will be sure to heed all the advice given.

In the American South they have a way of answering questions like that in a way that eliminates any further questions. You take a deep breath and exhale with a sigh, and as you are slowly shaking your head side to side, gently grasp the questioners upper arm and with a gentle half-smile say, "Bless your heart."

[C-MAC]

How about this retort; "why not?" I would like to hear their answer, which is generally some fallacious, ill-grounded, left-wing tripe they learned in school or from their liberal parents who would not last five minutes in an intellectual debate on the subject.

Being "second-tier" is in the eye of the beholder. So for example, I never considered George Washington, Patton, Alvin York, LaFayette or any CMH winner as second tier. Anybody calling those men "second-tier" probably couldn't find his ass with both hands and probably lusts for the neighbors cat.

The most successful people I have met in the business world are ALL veterans- bar none. You know why? Because that's where they learned humility, leadership, self-respect, sacrifice and to give of themselves in a way people who did not have that experience are incapable of.

[merlyn]

Ranger Dan has made a comment that has repeated itself on this wesite.
There are those people who greet each day thankful for the men and
women that presevre and defend our constitution and way of life. There
will always be those few who view the military with a jaundice eye.
As others in this thread have said....best just to let them go their way.
What is the answer to the question? We few, we happy band of brothers.

[Jim]

The best answer I ever heard was when a friend of mine told his son: "The reason I went to Viet-Nam was so I'd have a good answer when you asked me, 'Daddy, what did you do in the war?'""