Attitudes against the military

Specialties Government

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I am a former corpsman that is now working as a RN. We have a few young single nurses on my floor that constantly talk about becoming travel nurses or just picking up and moving somewhere. Anyways I have mentioned to them they should look into the military. Not only does it provide safe travel but good pay as well and job security in a horrible market. They looked at me like i had three heads and huffed under their breath as if it were beneath them. I guess I am being sensitive by taking this as a smack in the face but it just bugs me the attitude people have towards those serving. Has anyone else run into this attitude? :devil:

My favorite: "Did you just get back?"

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

To be honest, I haven't encountered any negative attitudes ... but it's likely I'd ignore them if I did. Sorry you all are running into this. :(

Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I have to add that I've had nothing but positive Thanks from people - (though sometimes it is a bother, such as when you are dragging 3 bags through Baltimore Airport after traveling for 36+ hours already and people want to stop you and shake your hand! l0l) At first I didn't know what to say. Saying "thank you" when they are thanking me doesn't sound right. So I always respond as a thank you for supporting the military.

Don't worry about the haters, they must have some huge personal problems to throw negative at others. Walk away and be the true officer and gentleman/woman that you are.

Specializes in NICU.

I think it's just ignorance on their part. I worked as a contractor at the local Army hospital and am also a military spouse. When one of my co-workers suggested I join, I had a similar reaction..."What are you crazy?" I think it's just the prospect of possibly being deployed, that has everyone look at it so negatively. I also thought I was too old. But now, I'm actually trying to join and can't figure out why anyone wouldn't. There are so many benefits to being a nurse in the military. But hey, they less of them that apply, the more chance there is for me to get in. And in 20 years when I'm retired and and they're still working their butts off, who'll have the last laugh :)

Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.
(do they think we're fighting a war that doesn't concern them somehow?),

Maybe that's exactly what they think. Maybe they don't want to join the military because they don't support, or want to participate in, the current wars.

I've grown increasingly irritated with the Vermont National Guard's radio ads, which are all about "serving your community and your hometown." Before the recent floods, most of the local National Guard units were deployed to places like Afghanistan and Iraq, which aren't exactly local.

Before you call me unpatriotic, I have a sister in the Army.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

(do they think we're fighting a war that doesn't concern them somehow?)

Maybe that's exactly what they think. Maybe they don't want to join the military because they don't support, or want to participate in, the current wars.

*** Heck that is what _I_ think. I don 't see how the (current) war in Afghanistan concerns Americans and I never saw any reason at all for the invasion and long, bloody occupation of Iraq and was dead set aginst it. I spent 5 years as a medic in Airborne light infantry units, have 4 Purple Hearts, and several medals for bravery and gallantry. I am a veteran on the Gulf War, Somalia, Bosnia and a handful of other conflicts. I am 30% disabled from wounds I got in combat, including being shot once, stabbed once and blown up twice.

PFMB-RN and Not A Hat Person,

My post was never intended to indicate that you were supposed to agree with me, only that the wars we're in affect everyone in this country, like it or not. You're entitled to your opinions just as I am to mine. And respect for those differences in opinions--in both directions--goes a long ways.

Not A Hat Person--I fail to understand what bearing your sister's choices have on your patriotism.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
PFMB-RN and Not A Hat Person,

My post was never intended to indicate that you were supposed to agree with me, only that the wars we're in affect everyone in this country, like it or not. You're entitled to your opinions just as I am to mine. And respect for those differences in opinions--in both directions--goes a long ways.

Not A Hat Person--I fail to understand what bearing your sister's choices have on your patriotism.

*** Of course you are correct. All Americans are directly affected by Bush's war of choice in many ways. For example we are all now at a higher risk of terrorism. The families of 4000+ dead fine young Americans and several tens of thousands of maimed fine young Americans are certainly effected and each of those is like a stone dropped into a pond with ever expanding effects.

"Of course you are correct. All Americans are directly affected by Bush's war of choice in many ways. For example we are all now at a higher risk of terrorism. The families of 4000+ dead fine young Americans and several tens of thousands of maimed fine young Americans are certainly effected and each of those is like a stone dropped into a pond with ever expanding effects."

This is normally the coversation that I have to deflect and say "Hey man, I was just doing my job.. I dont make the rules, I just follow them.. They tell me who to shoot & I shoot" I dont care who the POTUS is, I wanna go out there and kick some butt.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

This is normally the coversation that I have to deflect and say "Hey man, I was just doing my job.. I dont make the rules, I just follow them.. They tell me who to shoot & I shoot" I dont care who the POTUS is, I wanna go out there and kick some butt.

*** My comments have nothing to do with those in the military who served in Iraq. My comments ONLY involve the cilivian leaders of our country in power at the time. Had I still been in the military at the time I would have deployed to Iraq without hesitation, exactly the way I did to all my other deployments.

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