4 TIPS FOR VETERANS WHEN PEOPLE START TO ASK ABOUT YOUR WAR EXPERIENCE


By VeteranLife
4 Tips For Veterans When People Start to Ask About Your War Experience

Introduction

In life some things are inevitable. Things like taxes, bills, more taxes, and driving down roads that those taxes are clearly not funding nor their upkeep. Another thing to look forward to is how none of that matters, because some a**hole is cruising the speed limit on that road in the left lane. Unfortunately, another item on that list is the inevitable question all of us who served must face. Civilians are always going to be curious as to what happens in war. Especially in this country, where it doesn’t matter how many wars we’ve been in and kicked a** like we do. Which does seem to be a lot more than normal when compared to other first-world countries. Except for that one ENTIRE continent that thinks it’s superior to the others. Again, I will refrain from calling out the guilty party. Besides, Europe seems to be having a tough time now, considering the centuries of acting like it’s a comedy written by the great Mel Brooks. “You know, with all that “r*pe, murder, arson, and r*pe.” - Blazing Saddles. God bless you, Mel Brooks.

4 Tips For Veterans When People Start to Ask About Your War Experience

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Tip #1: Ignore them.

Seriously. This fun method we learned while serving is still the best way to deal with any situation where eliminating someone’s geneline would be a greater service to humanity. Unfortunately, it’s still classified as murder. All you or any of us can do in these awkward moments is ignore them. If you have the capacity to, now or later on, you can be a cool dude/sista and tell them why you shouldn’t ask that question. Or you can be like me and try both. Which leads me to tip number two: Student: “What’s it like to bury your friend or kill somebody?” Me:

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Tip #2: Keep Calm

This. Don’t do this. Keep calm, speak neutrally, or walk away. The student body, and members of the faculty/staff surprisingly, are going to piss you off. Somehow, sometime, and someway, someone will ask you this kind of question. Or any kind of question really. They might not even talk to you directly, but eventually someone is going to ask a question or make a statement that sounds brilliant to everyone. Everyone except reality. Things they couldn’t possibly understand. Things involving war, politics, the military, foreign policy, and all the other topics upon which we all are suddenly experts and our opinions are valid/justifiable. It gets worse when the individual/s saying it are part of some greater movement or community. Yes, believe it or not, the worst things that were said to me or about me being a veteran of The War on Terror and deploying to Iraq came from those associated with popular groups considered “progressive and openly accepting of all people.” The other worst offenders were those of the “Thank you for your service” crowd. This might sound weird, but many of those individuals are about as useless as a wet paper sandwich bag, on a beach, that gets hit by a wave. It’s also raining. Sadly, it seems that what was a nightmare for those in Vietnam has become politically correct and, therefore, people say it without realising what it means. Students will thank someone who just got their uniform in ROTC as much as someone who deployed multiple times. Then they’ll 180 on that whenever something comes up that is “more politically correct” somehow.

Case in Point:

While attending classes, my college decided to show “American Sniper,” which was in theaters at the time, at the end of the week so students could see it and other popular movies at a discounted rate. Not even two days later it was pulled. Why? “We received multiple complaints it was racist,” “We are a safe-space for all students/faculty/staff of all races, sexual orientation, gender-identity, etc. and, therefore, we felt the need to pull the film as it would be upsetting to some,” Or, based upon an actual conversation… Me: “This is not hate speech. It’s about a very real event, about a very real guy, going on right now. All you’re doing is hiding the harsh reality of the world to the students, and alienating an entire group of us who have survived this event,” College: “We’re not creating a situation in which our students feel attacked or threatened in any way,” Me: “What about those four female students who were sexually assaulted two weeks ago, and you guys swept it under the rug?” College:

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Tip #3: Let’s Review Tip #2.

DON’T SAY/DO THAT.

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Tip #4: Call Them Out, but Diplomatically.

One thing that never fails is being able to call them out on their BS, but in a way that you’re helping them. All of a sudden, you’ve defeated all veteran stereotypes, called them something between an idiot and a d***head without anyone realizing, finished your epic quest, saved the kingdom, and got the girl. Or the guy, if that’s your thing. Or whatever. Actual results may vary, but you and all military affiliated win in the end.

Conclusion

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Seriously, I miss you crayon eaters and your desire to shoot everything. Honest.

Too easy, Warriors. Scouts out.


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