Before you read the rest of this, let me just say, I in no way, shape or form, claim to speak for all veterans. The views below are my own opinions and should not and cannot be taken to represent veterans as a whole. As always, I attempt to interject a little perspective and nuance into an increasingly simplistic and vitriolic civil discourse.
I recently started using Twitter more than I have in the past. It's not that I have anything really against Twitter but I feared -- and have been vindicated in that fear several times -- there would be too much information and too little humanity. Alas, much of the political news stems from one Tweet or another, so there I am, trying to write 140 characters about one subject or another.
First let me say, 140 characters essentially only lends itself to sarcasm and cynicism; only allows for humor and the quick jab rather than an actual statement illustrating nuance, complexity, and intelligence. It's perfect to test campaign slogans, ten-word stump statements, and snappy comebacks to your uncle at Thanksgiving. But rarely does it lend itself to the complexity and respect of civil debate. What I'm trying to say is Twitter is best described as the petty, inarticulate fights you used to have with your siblings except your mom isn't there to break it up or threaten to turn the car around-- said car just continues towards a cliff.
Moving on.
Twitter can be a useful tool if used correctly to articulate a simple message used for movements such as the #metoo movement, women's movements, posturing from both political parties, and, of course, our current President. Some Tweets can provide much needed context or help change someone's perspective or offer a different perspective from your own.
Some of these perspectives, however, are given more credibility than others. In fact some are regarded as irrefutable. There are certain Twitter accounts that, if attacked, can muster an army of keyboard warriors the world has never seen.
A lot of these accounts are veterans.
In the aftermath of the phone call heard round Congress and Cable News (the Gold Star Family), Chief of Staff John Kelly addressed the press and spoke about the noble 1%. The 1% to which Kelly referred is the current size of the military services, around 1.3 Million-- actually .4% but 1% is just easier to say.
What's troubling about Kelly's press conference is not his praise of those in the military and those who have served. Instead it was the way he elevated them above those who haven't served, those who didn't wear the uniform. He seems to believe service members are endowed with some sort of super natural power, as if joining the military takes some super human sense of duty and patriotism; that every person who has ever served in the military is a morally superior person for simply having served.
These ideas are indicative of a troubling trend in American society, the creation of a infallible military class; the untouchables.
The military and veterans are aggrandized and given near-mythological status in society; veterans are thanked for their service by random strangers (which I personally hate); the statements of a former four-star general shouldn't be questioned; kneeling during the national anthem is now a scandal because it offends veterans; disagreeing with a veteran automatically makes you a snowflake, socialist, libtard who hates America.
It's gotten to the point that several of the Veterans Service Organizations in DC-- essentially veteran lobbying groups-- have become the biggest bullies on the Hill. They know they can ask Congress for more money or more support with little or no objection, what representative is going to vote against supporting veterans.
Even in terms of the law, veterans are often less accountable, they get a pass for wrongdoings among society. The veteran who shot up the Naval Yard several years ago is not seen as a madman, he's a troubled veteran with PTSD. Of course, legally he wouldn't have been acquitted --I would hope-- but in the general opinion of society, it would have been understandable. It's not his fault, he's the product of two wars and a lack of support from the VA and the government that sent him. What is an 80%-treatable disorder has become an excuse for the actions.
I have served with some of the greatest men and women this country has to offer. Men and women anyone would be honored to know and befriend.
I have also served with some of the worst.
At the end of the day, veterans are just people. We have the same flaws and imperfections as everyone else, have the same basic needs and desires, and are just as diverse as the population of the country we served.
Service alone doesn't speak to the character of the person. How they served, how they continue to live their lives, how they treat people in and out of uniform, the accountability they keep of themselves; that speaks to their character.
Keep your feet moving