supporting the troops

[A+]

At a place called redneck heaven, I figured everyone there would be on their knees kissing their ass, especially if a toby Keith song came on. A few family members joined the military after high school and an older cousin joined about two years ago, I have to remind him all the time that he's still a bitch

[95ragtop]

Nicest things that have happened to me:
1)Drove from Fayetteville, NC to St Loius, MO to Dallas and while driving through Oklahoma I got pulled over by a state trooper, around 15mph over. I gave him all the required stuff plus my military ID and he came back 5 minutes later and told me his rookie needed radio practice and have a nice day.
2)While going through AIT in El Paso, 3 buddies and I went to a decent mexican joint and racked up quite a bill. When it came time to pay up, the waitress told me an old couple paid for it before they left.
3) Flew into Raleigh, was going to rent a car and drive to Fayetteville. Only problem was they were out of rental cars. No problem take a bus for $50 bucks, but after checking my bank account I had no money. Went to the USO and they asked people if they were heading to Fayetteville. Finally a couple and their son gave me the 1 hr 1/2 ride to base and gave me $20 and wished me luck. I kept his business card for about 4 years and last April I showed up one day but the husband wasn't there. I tried to give his wife the $20 but she wouldn't have it.

I've seen a bunch of Army dudes drinking up a storm in uniform.

Were they in their dress uniform? Could have just got done with a ball, that's how it is for us.

[exlude]

I've seen a bunch of Army dudes drinking up a storm in uniform.

I stand to be corrected, but I don't believe there is anything officially stating you can't drink in uniform. You risk a "conduct unbecoming..." if you get drunk in public in uniform, however.

[Unicorn Jeff]

It actually is pretty rare. I think I've been bought one beer in uniform and had to refuse it because I was ... in uniform. However I have had a couple of people on here offer which is absolutely humbling.

I've seen a bunch of Army dudes drinking up a storm in uniform.

[dee]

It's a bit interesting up here, we have a major training base for the AF and the airmen don't really get a lot of praise. I've personally been more prone to stop and talk to the older guys than any of the newbs in there dress blues. The NATO pilots in for training are neat to talk to as well (if they converse in english well) since several bring some nice exotic cars with them. Marine and Army soldiers aren't around much but all seem very humble compared to the young people just out of basic.

[Forever_frost]

It actually is pretty rare. I think I've been bought one beer in uniform and had to refuse it because I was ... in uniform. However I have had a couple of people on here offer which is absolutely humbling.

[Danny46]

It depends where you are at. When I got back to Texas a couple years ago it was almost culture shock when people would buy me drinks or whatever for being a Marine. When I was in California that sort of thing never happened. In fact it was quite the opposite, there were a few times we would go out and be treated rudely. It is always a surprise when people do that IMO and certainly a nice gesture. I'm always sure to thank them for their support and usually shoot the shit with them for a bit.

[exlude]

God damn, Ruffdaddy, does it ever tire being that guy?

I'll speak from personal experience, that it depends on where I am. Most cities/towns that have a major military post (i.e. a division stationed there), you get much less outward appreciation. Smaller military towns or non-military cities, I tend to get a lot more appreciation while in uniform.

I'm stationed at Bliss with well over a division, so while you still get some thanks here and there, it's not near as much as if I'm walking around in uniform in DFW. I did buy a WW2 vet a beer a couple weeks back (he had the hat, so hopefully I wasn't conned) but he was so surprised by it that he couldn't stop smiling at me. It actually kinda creeped me out...

[Unicorn Jeff]

The last soldier I saw I just gave my entire paycheck. He seemed shocked, but a nice kid, so I gave him my wife's paycheck as well. I'm better than all you fuckers.

Bullshit

[Couver]

It's a sine wave of support. In Texas and other pro military states it is always positive. Other places luke warm seems like the right phrase. I spend a lot of time in airports and watch how troops get treated. Like Mr the Hamster said, where there is more military they don't garner as much attention. Everyone wants to support the troops but in an overly saturated place I can see how that gets old or overwhelming to those trying to do everything. But bless them all for trying.

[whitetrash]

It is not that rare...you must not hang out with many service men. And secondly, they act surprised out of thanks...do you expect them to be like "oh cool this happens all the time...". I have several friends in the service, and have seen them get free drinks plenty of times.



Do you want all 30 people to stop and gawk at them while buying them enough drinks to binge themselves to death? Again they act surprised out of thanks.

Here's how I see it...you don't know how many ACTUAL good deeds the people around them have done. They may have really helped...not just fueled intoxication. But instead you judged 30 people as if they never helped a soldier while patting yourself on the back in a public thread about buying a beer.

Maybe I just misjudged you like you did to an entire bar...?

I didn't do anything worthy of praise. I just tried to show a little appreciation. I have a few friends that served. Most will tell you if they were out in uniform they were looked down on or gawked at.

[slow99]

The last soldier I saw I just gave my entire paycheck. He seemed shocked, but a nice kid, so I gave him my wife's paycheck as well. I'm better than all you fuckers.

[CJ]

Sigh.

[Ruffdaddy]

It is that they were surprised someone noticed they served the country and showed that they appreciate it. It is rare to find people who will show their appreciation, if they have any.

It is not that rare...you must not hang out with many service men. And secondly, they act surprised out of thanks...do you expect them to be like "oh cool this happens all the time...". I have several friends in the service, and have seen them get free drinks plenty of times.

I'm not bragging about anything. I'm questioning the 30 or so people around them all basically with their back to them and keeping distance. And why a soldier was surprised to have a nice gesture made to them.

So don't be a dick, dick.

Do you want all 30 people to stop and gawk at them while buying them enough drinks to binge themselves to death? Again they act surprised out of thanks.

Here's how I see it...you don't know how many ACTUAL good deeds the people around them have done. They may have really helped...not just fueled intoxication. But instead you judged 30 people as if they never helped a soldier while patting yourself on the back in a public thread about buying a beer.

Maybe I just misjudged you like you did to an entire bar...?

[KungFuHamster]

I saw a wounded soldier in babydolls one night. I sent his table a round of drinks, and a few stripper-whores for some pre-paid entertainment for him. I wanted to remain anonymous but the spli-tail pointed me out.