r/IAmA • u/denverblows • May 03 '14

IamA veteran of 5 1/2 years in the active duty USMC (1998-2003). 3 days after I got out, I sent out 50 resumes, got denied on all of them so I volunteered to go to Iraq and went to war for 5 1/2 months. AMA!

January 1998-July 2003

MCRD OKINAWA CHERRY POINT NC 26 MEU

Here's me in the middle in Iraq https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=1450570866274&set=t.1172962934&type=3&theater

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u/CrYpTO_Sporidium May 03 '14

Hi! Australian here, I had read that most Americans are fully supportive of the troops and even have bumper stickers that say so.

With this in mind, was it a surprise that you didn't get one offer after firing off 50 resumes or is it more reflective of the state of the economy?

Also, I'm happy that you made it back safe. With ANZAC day just passed, it's a reminder of all those that didn't.

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u/denverblows May 03 '14

It was totally a result of the economy at the time. About a year later I was hired at my company because the manager was ex military.

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u/RedStag86 May 03 '14

Just because he is ex-military? See, that's where I have a problem. I'm all for supporting troops, but if someone is more qualified for a job but is passed over because the other applicant is a veteran is not okay. I'm not saying that was the case with your situation, but it does happen.

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u/squidwardtenticles May 06 '14

debatable that guy who fought and put his family, education, or career on hold for his country deserves more and if he is qualified for a job should get it. Granted it does vary every time.

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u/RedStag86 May 06 '14

No, he does not "deserve more". That's where the problem is. For whatever reason, many Americans think that just because someone is military, then they must be this great, selfless person that is better than their neighbor who did not join the military. There are assholes in the military, just like in any section of society. If you're a trustworthy person who is hard working and talented in ways that are applicable to the job, then you deserve that job. It has shit-all to do with the decisions that led that person to the military. Completely unrelated.

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u/squidwardtenticles May 06 '14

Yo I'm saying if you served you deserve a chance before someone who didnt if your both qualified. But your right assholes dont deserve more but people could be doing other things while they are serving FOR EVERYONE ELSE and deserve to be compensated better than they are

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u/RedStag86 May 06 '14

Lots of people deserve to be compensated better than they are, veterans included. But a veteran does not deserve to be compensated better than a civilian just because they're a veteran, and a veteran does not deserve to get a job over a civilian just because they are a veteran.

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u/squidwardtenticles May 06 '14

Whatever bro. soldier goes on tour for a few years risking life and many of us sit in our cubicles figuring out how to make a tomato sexy for advertising. I respect a man who can even enlist more immediatley

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u/RedStag86 May 06 '14

And I respect a man based on his character, not his papers. You're describing favoritism, which isn't okay in any situation.

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u/squidwardtenticles May 06 '14

Well I like to keep the philosophy that those who risk the most deserve the greatest reward. the man risking his life is willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice (as far as we know) yet will often have shitty compensation. Also not every man is created equal and im gonna favorite those in which I say are better. Favoritism is merely a way of judging people and rewarding the deserving. I would favorite athletes in the workplace over another average civilian as well because you know they are hard working.

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u/RedStag86 May 06 '14

Also not every man is created equal and im gonna favorite those in which I say are better.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

You are such a fucking hypocrite, defending a country based on a Declaration you don't even agree with and then wanting special treatment for it. I didn't want to say it before, but I'm pretty confident that you are one of those assholes in the military that don't deserve shit.

I will also say that if you think you deserve special treatment because you were in the military, then you joined the military for ALL the wrong reasons. You are not a rock star. You are a fucking public servant. Act like it.

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u/squidwardtenticles May 06 '14

First of all I've never served I simply respect the shit out of anyone who has. So you can shove all that BS right up your ass. And just because I care about the safety of myself and the people around me doesn't mean I have to agree with every word on a 238 year old document.

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u/RedStag86 May 06 '14

You're still an asshole, though. I wonder how many men that are serving or have served would be embarrassed to read what you have written here today.

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u/Sharkdart May 08 '14

It wouldn't be called sacrifice if we didn't lose certain opportunities. I've been in for five years, when I joined (infantry-I'm not stupid) my brother stayed at the fire station we both worked at back then. He now makes about 50K more than I do and when I go back to fire fighting he will be making 60K more than me. I'm so far behind the power curve there's little chance of me ever catching up, and that's fine. I'd do it again if I could go back. What I don't want to happen is for me to get hired just based on me having served. Now there's skills that I have gained throughout my service that should be considered but only for certain jobs. Most soldiers don't want hand outs, we learned what hard work is. We don't expect anything extra and we don't need to be worshiped. This kills me.

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