Ending Military Elitism

After reading this post, a reader asked if I felt anti-military for some reason, or if it was a genuine evaluation. Let me be clear:

THANK YOU!

To all vets who have served, and to all active and reserve service members. 

That out of the way, let's make sure we look at this from an unbiased point of view- for or against the military. Let's make sure this is not psychological projection. This author believes that there is not an anti-military sentiment in most of the US Society at this time. Perhaps a little by the most extreme of the rabid left, but largely the US is pro-military, or at least neutral. If anything, our society may lean a bit too much toward "military worship" in many circles. 

If we were to take a drink of water and swallow the red pill (the movie version - aka "reality"), we might just realize that the problem is the reverse. There is a real problem with an entitlement mentality in various military factions, and a class warfare against the class that did not actively participate in combat. Because the military has been placed on the proverbial pedestal, many of its current and former members exhibit a degree of military elitist mentality - and that needs to end and we as people need to reconnect. 

Furthermore, the author's observations from in and around the firearms community are worse than the above paragraph. Most "gun yahoos" are former military. Some of the worst firearms handling the author has seen has been by Vets. Some of the most anti-gun statements made have been made by military Vets: Tim Kennedy is anti-gun. Dakota Meyer (and many like him) doesn't think you should train. Dan Crenshaw has yet to meet a red flag law he doesn't like. 

If it were anecdotal, we could dismiss it out of hand. However, the problem is endemic. We esteem members of the military as the best and brightest, and there is simply no evidence that this is the case. Sure, there is an occasional exception to that - and, as always, the exception proves the rule. And the problem is this: Reversing these dangerous and self-reinforcing trends will require active efforts from the U.S. military, the nation’s political leadership, and the population as a whole. 

The problem, put into a meme (or Tweet):

But simply "calling out" a problem without offering a solution is the definition of bitching. 

So here is the solution: Treat every service member- past and present - with respect. And treat them as you would anyone else. Treat them well, but do not tolerate their BS. Reward the behavior you want, and punish the behavior you do not want. Help them when they are in need due to no fault of their own, and allow them to suffer from poor decisions like the rest of us. Do not shelter them, make excuses for them, or offer special treatment. Require that they behave civilized in our society. 

Let the hateful comments spring forth...