Dunno. Maybe to people that didn’t grow up around the military. Not much love between me and youngsters in uniform. There are some OK ones, but a lot of head cases. Grew up in SA. AND a career in music and bar security probably makes me biased, or perhaps realistic? If it’s under E-5, I’d rather not deal with it.

The weird thing is, veterans ARE popular. That’s one reason there are so many posers, because they bask in instant sympathy and adulation. I’m not sure why we’re so highly respected while being simultaneously pitied.

I don’t know that Brits pitied their veterans after the wars, though. I’ve had the impression it was the exact opposite, at least after WW2.

Uni,

I really wish there was some incentive to being a veteran with no problems. Unfortunately, the opposite is true; the sicker you are (or pretend to be), the more attention and money you get. Three guesses as to which path a lot of vets make.

Ain’t that the truth. It was popular in media to portray Nam vets as crazed individuals ready to tripwire at the least provocation and engage in endless mayhem. I did a tour and never felt that way. Still don’t. If I recall correctly, Magnum PI was the first show to depict Nam vets as good guys, something that endears that show to me. Of course now it’s fashionable to have served there, hence the large number of fakers.