Right for "Citizenship"

[ZacXier]

First off I don't want this to sound like I endorse only being a citizen through military; however, I do think that our armed forces and veterans aren't being treated as they should be and therefore need to be recognized as a different class of individual. When people not only risk their lives to protect our way of life but also make extreme sacrifices that make prison life seem like easy street, come home to the people we're fighting for who then look at us like dogs ravaging their children, something is wrong. Also being unable to get a civilian job that we've been doing for years in the service of our country but now that we're out all of a sudden we are unqualified because we're not $40k+ in debt, no experience and a piece of paper with our name on it. How does someone come home to their family in a pine box with a flag draped over it, who died in the most honorable way, get picketers with signs saying something to the effect of "glad you died, america needs less of your kind" but yet a murderer gets signs saying "capitol punishment is cruel." America your ignorant ways are pissing me off.

[clarkness7112100]

Looking back through the history, unpopular wars that happen tend to be this way. I think they are many frustrated with our foreign policies and for some reason translates into "Because of my inability to assert my political two cents through viable channels, the guilt-laden aggression will be taken out upon those who that actually pull the trigger" I don't people realize that its the politicians who pull the trigger and we are the gun. I feel bad for many of those who have gone to Iraq and Afghanistan because there is only one choice. Its kill or be killed. I am sure many of innocent people have lost their lives in wars, but on the other hand, its hard to take one's chances with your life or your brethrens' lives. It will pass in due time. Some of it going around is guilt, some of it fear, some of it jealousy, overall just a lot of negative feelings of hurt, scared, ignorant people. Just keep on keeping on so to speak. Veteran or not, its the younger generations who really need to step up to the plate pretty soon to get this nation back on course.

[gunmann45]

First off I'm new to this sight, I do understand exactly how you feel. I have 3 deployments to Iraq as a blackhawk/chinook/ aircraft hydraulics mechanic with my A&P and couldn't get a clearance to go back as a civilian to do the exact same job. Then can't find work even close to what I used to make.

I agree with your statement about not supporting being a citizen only through military also, but I do believe in order to vote or participate in politics you should have a minimum 2 year ACTIVE DUTY tour. That tour may help you decide later on, when in a position to make the big decisions, you realize exactly what you're asking the military to really do. Military in peace time is demanding enough, in War, let's face it, it's not like most of us imagined or like in the movies. You would think with the experience a combat vet brings to the table, companies would be hiring to the point of a shortfall of qualified vets. Instead, I have found I get a nice pat on the back for my service and a look of indecision on most HR people's faces, while they try to decide if I'm emotionally stable enough to work as a general laborer much less in my chosen field.

Until a movement of vets organizes to be a strong political power and forces the issue, we will not be able to change anything except our addresses, from house to shelter to street, or work at low wages for those that want to help but will only pay so much do to the nature of the work.

[HAVOK]

Very well said gentlemen, I agree with you all.

[Rickety Rob]

I think American needs to have a Legion. Like the French legion. If you are aware and know the history behind the legion then you will understand why I write this...lol

[Pakman3000]

I think American needs to have a Legion. Like the French legion. If you are aware and know the history behind the legion then you will understand why I write this...lol

Can people who apply change their names and leave their past behind? ;)

[Rickety Rob]

Can people who apply change their names and leave their past behind? ;)

I actually meant America not American but how awesome would that be? lol

[ZacXier]

I don't think all people need to join the military but I think we should have a period after high school where people either go to college, military or peace corp where people are trained in different industrial or commercial workforce placement for at least 2 years. And if you ever want to change what your doing or extend you should be able to take an aptitude test, both knowledge and operations. This would allow people who know how to do a job to be "qualified." I also think that a military vet should be picked every time over someone who isn't/wasn't.

[toby2533]

the best way to help is to join the VFW, this then gives us a bigger voice and some political power. The biggest fact is we have been fighting wars now for so long and only .08 % of the country are in, know one cares. Now if at the start of these conflicts we started a gas tax or rationing of some goods or services the mass of people would have a better feeling. I wish they would do more say lower our tax rate by a % or 2, something.

[ZuluNiner]

Not all veterans can join the VFW, though.

[toby2533]

were working on that, the WWII are holding fast to the deployed to a combat zone, the Nam and young vets are trying to push for anyone that served over seas at anytime.

[ZuluNiner]

I joined the American Legion partially for that very reason. To join the Legion as a full member you jist have to have been on active duty during a conflict, not deployed.

I also ride, so I'm a member of the American Legion Riders, too.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

[iamthesgt]

I also think that a military vet should be picked every time over someone who isn't/wasn't.

I don't agree with this. Sometimes you have people more qualified from a civilian background, and it would be unconstitutional to make someone pick one group over another. Just like you can't make someone pick a white or a black person first, so you can't make them pick a military person first.

[ZacXier]

I don't agree with this. Sometimes you have people more qualified from a civilian background, and it would be unconstitutional to make someone pick one group over another. Just like you can't make someone pick a white or a black person first, so you can't make them pick a military person first.


I was more refering to people actually looking at the skills a vet has instead of a degree. It's agravating to be passed up at interviews because one does not have the required degree, which implies you have knowledge with or without understanding of application.

[iamthesgt]

I was more refering to people actually looking at the skills a vet has instead of a degree. It's agravating to be passed up at interviews because one does not have the required degree, which implies you have knowledge with or without understanding of application.

Ahhh, yes. The degree system is just a big racket. On average, I think it takes a new college graduate with a job in his career field something like 9 months to be job-ready. That means the company has to pay thousands of dollars, just to get them to do their job. Yes, in this case someone with experience should get the job. The problem is when they won't even listen to you if you haven't "checked that square".

[ZacXier]

Ahhh, yes. The degree system is just a big racket. On average, I think it takes a new college graduate with a job in his career field something like 9 months to be job-ready. That means the company has to pay thousands of dollars, just to get them to do their job. Yes, in this case someone with experience should get the job. The problem is when they won't even listen to you if you haven't "checked that square".

Exactly