My two cents to the conversation. The military (which I am a proud U.S. Army veteran) is the very entity of the government that protects and defends the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. They are the very ones that put their lives on the line to protect and defend our rights and liberty. There are all kinds of men and women that comprise our military forces, and when called upon, they realize they may pay the ultimate price for our nation, and that takes a dedicated, motivated and strong willed individual. Also, especially the ones who haven't served and walked in their shoes, sort of speak, the nation as a whole, owes them a sincere bit of gratitude for the job they do and the sacrifice they give and have gave.

Lets not forget the oath our young men and women take when they make this commitment to serve our nation: I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

There are the 1% of bad apples in any profession and that is what gets publicized in the media, not the 99% of the good guys. Our military, just like law enforcement, generally are highly trained, well disciplined individuals that conduct themselves with the utmost honor and integrity. Even some of our most trusted individuals at our top agencies, with the highest level security clearance have sold high valued military secrets to foreign governments. That again is the 1%. JMHO

I agree with some of your points; honor is earned and it is not given (especially by their profession).
I do, along with the majority of the public hold certain professions in high regard; mlitary, police, firefighter, teacher to name a few. I get into this arguement with my liberal relatives all the time; am I better than them, absolutely not. Do I point out that the public recognizes our sacrifices and we have a different life, hell yes!
Like I tell my accountant cousin, when Lowes gives a 10% discount for being a CPA , give me a call.
Again, military members are not better, but soooo different.

Are the young 19 year old infantryman arrogant and pugnacious, again absolutely. Then again, how many 19 year olds aren't arrogant and pugnacious??? Do they stay that way, not really.
One of my Special Forces friends is probably one of the most intelligent, gentle, caring and well liked man I know and has a high kill count at the same time. Is he a douchebag??

Agree or not;  are combat arms guys arrogant assholes, yeah ok... Are we dirtbags or douchebags, hell no....  no more than you are !

I get what you're saying, but just like you had to point out a few things. Gotta love the debate, now its time to go play with Playdoh with my daughter

wasnt trying to say that at all.  i thought i had gone out of my way to not that the whole dirtbag association was wrong. 

and of course your friends in the military are cool guys.  you wouldnt make friends with the guys you thought were total dicks!

of course, i would also like to point out that the main reason people give out military discounts is because it makes them look good.

I'd also like to throw out an opinion that will likely be unpopular.  our current military actions have nothing to do with defending my rights or liberties, and everything to do with retaliatory punishment.  we arent being invaded, we arent being oppressed and our rights are not being threatened by terrorists.  we are there solely to show them that you dont fuck with us.  period.  they may one day defend my rights and freedoms, but i think if we're ever in a situation where that's such, im probably getting drafted anyways.

hate me all you want, but that's my thoughts.

wasnt trying to say that at all.  i thought i had gone out of my way to not that the whole dirtbag association was wrong. 

and of course your friends in the military are cool guys.  you wouldnt make friends with the guys you thought were total dicks!

of course, i would also like to point out that the main reason people give out military discounts is because it makes them look good.

I'd also like to throw out an opinion that will likely be unpopular.  our current military actions have nothing to do with defending my rights or liberties, and everything to do with retaliatory punishment.  we arent being invaded, we arent being oppressed and our rights are not being threatened by terrorists.  we are there solely to show them that you dont fuck with us.  period.  they may one day defend my rights and freedoms, but i think if we're ever in a situation where that's such, im probably getting drafted anyways.

hate me all you want, but that's my thoughts.

Everyone has an opinion but I think you are directing your frustration at the wrong target. Politicians set policy and the military follows orders, whether the public agrees or disagrees. Maybe that is your point and not directly towards our military. Many in Vietnam didn't want to be there and the public blamed them when they returned for politicians actions that put us there. Maybe you have the same view for current conflicts but it's not fair to put any fault on our dedicated men and women who serve proudly. I guess until one has bullets coming inbound at you, it's hard to appreciate the reality that you may not live another day, and then to have people sitting on their couches back home against you, is insult to injury.

Everyone has an opinion but I think you are directing your frustration at the wrong target. Politicians set policy and the military follows orders, whether the public agrees or disagrees. Maybe that is your point and not directly towards our military. Many in Vietnam didn't want to be there and the public blamed them when they returned for politicians actions that put us there. Maybe you have the same view for current conflicts but it's not fair to put any fault on our dedicated men and women who serve proudly. I guess until one has bullets coming inbound at you, it's hard to appreciate the reality that you may not live another day, and then to have people sitting on their couches back home against you, is insult to injury.

its not frustration at all.  its just my opinion that the whole "they defend our freedom" idea should be more correctly modified to "MAY defend our freedom".  i respect the fact that they MAY defend my rights at some point, but i think its incorrect to say that they currently DO defend my rights. 

im not saying that i have no care for people fighting in the middle east, or that they're a bunch of useless barbarians or anything.  im not talking about the people, or fault, or anything.  im not against them, or against their actions necessarily.  im specifically talking about the idea that they're defending my rights, especially when some military people, not necessarily here, want you to kiss their ass.  they may one day defend my rights.  right now, they currently arent, as there currently isnt a threat to my rights beyond what happens in congress.

its like owning a gun.  it MAY save my life.  right now, it currently isnt saving my life.

its not frustration at all.  its just my opinion that the whole "they defend our freedom" idea should be more correctly modified to "MAY defend our freedom".  i respect the fact that they MAY defend my rights at some point, but i think its incorrect to say that they currently DO defend my rights. 

im not saying that i have no care for people fighting in the middle east, or that they're a bunch of useless barbarians or anything.  im not talking about the people, or fault, or anything.  im not against them, or against their actions necessarily.  im specifically talking about the idea that they're defending my rights, especially when some military people, not necessarily here, want you to kiss their ass.  they may one day defend my rights.  right now, they currently arent, as there currently isnt a threat to my rights beyond what happens in congress.

its like owning a gun.  it MAY save my life.  right now, it currently isnt saving my life.

On December 7, 1941, I would bet you would want them to defend your rights, vice MAY defend. What if China attacked tomorrow, hypothetically, how about MAY defend vice WILL defend? Threats to your rights aren't necessarily something you have advance notice for.

On December 7, 1941, I would bet you would want them to defend your rights, vice MAY defend. What if China attacked tomorrow, hypothetically, how about MAY defend vice WILL defend? Threats to your rights aren't necessarily something you have advance notice for.

by "may", i dont mean, if it happens, they may or may not, i mean "may" as in, they might never do it because we might never be attacked in my life time.

As in, they may never have to.  not, they might decide not to if it comes down to it.