Good morning, everyone. I like to get straight to the point. You'll be able to form your own opinions about me the more I post.
I often hear many different comments from people when they find out I'm in the military. Most say, "Thank you," and begin to inquire about what I do or some other small talk. Some other questions I get are: "Why'd you join," "Where do you live," and "Have you been deployed?" I have no problem answering questions of this sort, and have learned to flow easily with the conversation. (I do need to work on my "escape" or conversation ender, though.)
What I do have a problem with is when small talk turns into debate. Less than half the people, when they find out my job, give me this line: "I respect what you're doing, but I'm against the war." They say this as if I already agree with them, and then give proceed to give their reasons why while I just nod my head. As if I wanted to hear their shallow views while I pick up my dry cleaning. (I say shallow because that's exactly what I mean, and this has nothing to do with sides.)
Think about it for one second. How can someone say, "I respect you, but I don't respect you," and honestly expect it to make sense and make me feel good? Someone cannot respect what I'm doing when they don't respect what I chose to do. What theyare really saying is, "I respect that you protect my freedom, but I'm against you having to do it." There's no way I can agree with that last part. When I signed my contract, one paragraph ensures I can't be a conscientious objector. (Unless, of course, you're drafted. If that's the case and you object, I constantly have to watch your deserting bum so I don't get killed myself.) This paradoxal statement leads me to believe that person has no idea of what civil service is or has any drive to better his/her country.
My point is this: Feel free to agree or disagree, but don't start a debate when you're in between my cheeseburger and me, 'cause you're going to lose. (And if you do, at least make your points logical so you're not wasting my time.)
Shawn Snyder is currently enlisted in the finest fighting force alive: the United States Marine Corps. He has served two combat tours in Iraq and will be doing another one shortly.
I often hear many different comments from people when they find out I'm in the military. Most say, "Thank you," and begin to inquire about what I do or some other small talk. Some other questions I get are: "Why'd you join," "Where do you live," and "Have you been deployed?" I have no problem answering questions of this sort, and have learned to flow easily with the conversation. (I do need to work on my "escape" or conversation ender, though.)
What I do have a problem with is when small talk turns into debate. Less than half the people, when they find out my job, give me this line: "I respect what you're doing, but I'm against the war." They say this as if I already agree with them, and then give proceed to give their reasons why while I just nod my head. As if I wanted to hear their shallow views while I pick up my dry cleaning. (I say shallow because that's exactly what I mean, and this has nothing to do with sides.)
Think about it for one second. How can someone say, "I respect you, but I don't respect you," and honestly expect it to make sense and make me feel good? Someone cannot respect what I'm doing when they don't respect what I chose to do. What theyare really saying is, "I respect that you protect my freedom, but I'm against you having to do it." There's no way I can agree with that last part. When I signed my contract, one paragraph ensures I can't be a conscientious objector. (Unless, of course, you're drafted. If that's the case and you object, I constantly have to watch your deserting bum so I don't get killed myself.) This paradoxal statement leads me to believe that person has no idea of what civil service is or has any drive to better his/her country.
My point is this: Feel free to agree or disagree, but don't start a debate when you're in between my cheeseburger and me, 'cause you're going to lose. (And if you do, at least make your points logical so you're not wasting my time.)
Shawn Snyder is currently enlisted in the finest fighting force alive: the United States Marine Corps. He has served two combat tours in Iraq and will be doing another one shortly.
