“As a combat veteran in the infantry non mech I do not mind to a certain extent, however when I hear some people say it to a serving , or veteran who only issued pillow cases out , or bedding does grate me.”
I’m one of those. I did 16 out of 20 years as a recruiter, and the last 12 years in my hometown. Am I any less a vet than you? There are choices I made that would have prevented me from being engaged in ground combat such as joining the Navy instead of the Marines, but sometimes, especially in the military, you play the hand you’re dealt. I can tell you that unlike some I never, ever claim to have done anything that I haven’t. I also very seldom take advantage of veteran’s benefits and do not wear any apparel that advertises my service.
“As a combat veteran in the infantry non mech I do not mind to a certain extent, however when I hear some people say it to a serving , or veteran who only issued pillow cases out , or bedding does grate me“
As a non-vereran, I don’t look at it that way, I consider them all equally unless they are wounded. While I was having fun in my youth (well, not that much, come to think of it) dating, earning fairly good money, others were at the very least living under rough conditions away from friends and family, or even getting shot at, while earning crap.
If you do not go out, asking for your discounts, give war stories , and pretend you were shot at, and saw your pals die form IEDs then good enough. There are vets out there who only joined for the benefits, took the easy road, and now wants all the credit for their safe easy road 3 years