Fed chairman Ben Bernanke was right last year when he said, “The military takes our younger people and uses them for good purposes, but it’s not really adding much to the private sector through training or other experience.”
Being in the military has little to no effect on your success in the civilian world. Your success is solely based around you the individual. And, it has little to nothing to do with your military past… even if you’re a high-speed operator.
Your skills are yours, the individual. Your attitude is yours, the individual. Your success is yours, the individual.
Some veterans believe otherwise.
But think about it: while you were in the military, did you simply just go along for the ride or did you stand out and become the best in your organization? Did you simply just pull your time or did you truly take a leap of faith and advance forward into more prestigious organizations? Did you go to college while you were in or did you make a million excuses like many who serve claiming you were too busy doing your job?
All the aforementioned are individual-based initiatives. No one just hands you a degree. No one just hands you some accommodation medal. No one just gives you an NCO of the Quarter Award. You the individual go out and seek and conquer those accomplishments.
But in civilian life, some in our ranks fall into an entitlement mindset. Just because you served doesn’t mean the rest of the world owes you something in return. You made the individual conscious decision to serve your country. And let’s be very honest, some of you didn’t join the military because of your patriotism. Some of you joined for ulterior motives—just look at how many dirt ball gang bangers are a part of our uniformed services—I assure you their patriotism is marginal at best.
How about a quick little wakeup call: Some of our veterans are worthless, egotistical, shits.
Recently a couple of women graduated from Ranger School. Articles have been written about their success and the comments poured—a large portion being absolutely ridiculous and completely disrespectful. But comments were made and guess what? Some employer is watching.
How many employers want to hire some whiny punk veteran who thinks only THEY deserve praise for their time in uniform? How many employers want to hire you when they see you bashing others who make historical, monumental, strides in our nations warfighting advancements?
I am a new business owner and let me be perfectly blunt with you: My goal is to hire veterans however there is a large percentage of veterans who would never work within my organization solely based off their attitude.
Sure, spending some time in the military will come with a million lessons—if you are willing to truly learn. But those lessons CAN be taught in other environments as well. Don’t think you have to serve in uniform to spend time in a warzone and endure the life lessons and horrors of war—just ask the war correspondent or the NGO.
We are a unique breed but we are not anything extraordinary or special. We do not deserve free handouts nor do employers need to hire us just because we wore a uniform.
You once served with the greatest team known to mankind while wearing that uniform. You are part of what is supposed to be a brother/sister hood but actions speak louder than words. Today, especially today, while the majority of veterans are upstanding citizens still doing their part for the greater good, some of you are a disgrace to our community.
Think about it. Bernanke was right. Being in the military won’t actually help you in the real world. You know what will help you in the real world? YOU. Get out there and make it happen.
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