I Was Thinking
I was talking to an acquaintance, my sister's friend, who used to be in the Marines. He has a bit of a chip on his shoulder over the time because (in his words) he'd never been treated worse by anyone before. He said they treated him like 馃挬.
I've heard that same resentment from some other vets before. I don't blame them for being pissed off. Plus, they're getting screwed over once they're out. Things promised weren't delivered, especially if you have an injury or condition.
I think back on my time differently. I had never gotten more respect than when I was with my flight. That's what we were talking about; the differences. I was treated like garbage a lot in my life. It was different after I joined. A lot of them seemed to be rooting for me. We were a team after all. Perspectives.
I miss all that. Painfully. Until I got hired where I'm working now, I thought I'd just keep getting treated like garbage again. A lot of jobs make it clear daily how expendable and replaceable everyone is. I'm not saying military is different. It isn't overall. Of course I was expendable. Not to those I worked directly with though. They treated me like a person. Back then, they were the first to really help me find [i]some[/i] self worth. It had been a desperately needed change.
I'm not garbage. No one can convince me otherwise these days. That's why it's so annoying when random people try to treat me like that. I just want all those assholes out of my face. I'm not interested in their crap.
It gets tiring dealing with so many people who aren't so great when those who are simply awesome are so few and far between. It's been too long since I've had the pleasure of knowing someone I actually want to encounter. Daily even.
I've heard that same resentment from some other vets before. I don't blame them for being pissed off. Plus, they're getting screwed over once they're out. Things promised weren't delivered, especially if you have an injury or condition.
I think back on my time differently. I had never gotten more respect than when I was with my flight. That's what we were talking about; the differences. I was treated like garbage a lot in my life. It was different after I joined. A lot of them seemed to be rooting for me. We were a team after all. Perspectives.
I miss all that. Painfully. Until I got hired where I'm working now, I thought I'd just keep getting treated like garbage again. A lot of jobs make it clear daily how expendable and replaceable everyone is. I'm not saying military is different. It isn't overall. Of course I was expendable. Not to those I worked directly with though. They treated me like a person. Back then, they were the first to really help me find [i]some[/i] self worth. It had been a desperately needed change.
I'm not garbage. No one can convince me otherwise these days. That's why it's so annoying when random people try to treat me like that. I just want all those assholes out of my face. I'm not interested in their crap.
It gets tiring dealing with so many people who aren't so great when those who are simply awesome are so few and far between. It's been too long since I've had the pleasure of knowing someone I actually want to encounter. Daily even.
