[MQUOTE="Downs, post: 390829, member: 41347"]
Prior service Marine here. Spent all my time in the Air Wing though, spinning wrenches on CH53s, C130s, and V22s.
Unless you retire or are medically discharged we don't really get anything "issued" that shows we are veterans. Most states have a system in place now where you can show your DD214 (discharge paperwork) to the local driver's license office and get "VETERAN" printed on your driver's license.
Many folks take it way overboard I've been around far too many "Vetflakes" that feel that every place and everyone owes them something, others leveraging their veteran status as a way to get people to rally behind them when they feel like they've been wronged. I've seen people close to me feel like they got wronged by someone or a company and throw out they're a disabled veteran like it somehow has a bearing on the situation at hand when it doesn't.
We did a job, some gave more than others, but in the end we volunteered to be in that position. I'm proud of my service in the Marine Corps but, no one owes me anything.
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Most of us volunteered. My dad however did not evn though he served 6 years as a 13E in the Us Army. He was in Nam facing charlie every day for six months calling for fire. he goes somewhere and almost demands vetran services. I served 15 years and did 25 months in the stan, 6 moths in Saudi, 3 moths in Egypt, and 18 months in Korea. I very rarely ask for "special" vet treatment even though im 80% service connected. I feel like you do Downs, I volonteered and I knew when I signed that blank check what that check was worth. so when all is said and done, I knew the risk and I live with the hell I went through.
When I got back from my last tour, there was a big parade, lots of ceremonies, and crowds gathered any time more than two of us were in uniform. The country didnt recieve my dad's generation home from war as well.... And I feel he has every right to demand his discounts and privileges to repay the 30 years he lost for the 6 years he served and the 6 months he spent in combat.
As for the Vet Sticker.... cool idea.... but like a few others, an actual badge with our member id on it would be better. and as mentioned for here in the us certifying that we served and got out honorably is very easy.
To those of you in other countries, do you have scocial media sights that you can get in toucch with ex-brother and sister in arms? We have a rescorce here called "together we served". To be a member of this community they verify your service records with name rank and serial number.
To all vets that got out of the us armed forces before 9-11, you might want to get in touch with your local VSRO. There are a lot of programs out there to help you get a vet status even if you didnt retire or get a med discharge. This also goes for post 9-11 vets, but we are in a different group.
With Vetrans Day coming a round the corner, Happy Vetran's Day brothers and sisters both american and over seas.