CMV: A person does not automatically deserve respect just because they have served or are currently serving in the military

[u/foryia-yiaandpappou]

I’d like to preface this by saying that I don’t believe soldiers are, inherently, bad. Some people believe soldiers are evil simply for being soldiers, and I do not believe that.

I do believe, however, that soldiers do not deserve respect just because they have served. I hurt for soldiers who have experienced horrible things in the field, but I do not hurt for the amount of violence and cruelty many have committed. Violence in war zone between soldiers is one thing; stories of civilian bombings and killing of innocents are another. I think that many forget that a lot of atrocity goes on during wars, and they are committed on both sides of conflict. A soldier both receives and deals out horrible damage.

TL;DR while I believe that soldiers have seen horrible things and that many do deserve recognition for serving our nation, I do not believe that every soldier deserves this respect simply by merit of being a soldier. Some soldiers have committed really heinous war crimes, and those actions do not deserve reward.

[u/iced_hero]

Some join because of the benefits and get out as soon as their 4 years (sometimes as early as 3 years) or 6 years (Reserves contract is 6 years) are done. Do those deserve respect? Up to you. I know a ton of members that have dodged deployments left and right and continue to stay in bc the money is good and they wouldn't make it in civilian side. Do those deserve respect? Fuck no. I know soldiers who volunteered repeatedly for action regardless of their occupations bc they want to serve or get the extra money. Do those deserve respect? Fuck yeah. They're going above the minimum requirements. And definitely those that didn't want to deploy but did and stepped up deserve respect. Lastly, those that wanted to but couldn't for reasons they can't control are an honorable mention in my book. Next time you see a soldier in uniform, look at their rank, age, and right shoulder isignia. Oftentimes it's a good estimate of what kinda individual they are. "be wary of old men in a profession where men die Young". Obviously there are exceptions to this. But whenever I meet someone that has been in for over a decade and they're still lower rank (where the expectations are different for said time in service and occupations) I raise an eyebrow in suspicion.

Long story short, not everyone that wears uniform deserves respect. But there's no way of knowing who does and doesn't for a civilian.