If you are having any ideas, forget it..........she is still too young for you.
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Public Perceptions of NA (Your Own Experiences)
- Thread starter jride200
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If you are having any ideas, forget it..........she is still too young for you.
TuxFlier
Registered User
At some point too I'm sure you'll get feedback like, "So you're going to learn how to fly and then kill people"
When you try to explain that they are bad guys that you are training to kill you get a deer in the headlights look ... and then, "so you're still just going to kill people and fly"
Then you get someone ranting about how wrong the war in Iraq is. Just nod and don't bother getting into it.
As far as branch rivalry - in the end we're all lucky enough to wear a set of wings and fly for a living.
When you try to explain that they are bad guys that you are training to kill you get a deer in the headlights look ... and then, "so you're still just going to kill people and fly"
Then you get someone ranting about how wrong the war in Iraq is. Just nod and don't bother getting into it.
As far as branch rivalry - in the end we're all lucky enough to wear a set of wings and fly for a living.
Well then you should definitely tell them that their brother's, wife's, nephew's, cousin is an idiot doesn't know what he is talking about. I am sure they will appreciate that. In my experience if someone wants to talk about the Navy or aviation with me it is because they respect what I am doing, or are at least curious about it. Who cares if their information or their opinion is all jacked up? Like mentioned above, be a good representative, talk to them, and just relax. You might just end up fixing that jacked up information or opinion by the end of the conversation, in a polite, respectful way no doubt. We serve for them anyway so just be nice. Now if the guy is really being a jerk, that's a different deal.
The beer makes it easier to forget.........
Uh...nope, pretty sure i'll never forget tha!
Uh...nope, pretty sure i'll never forget tha!
Then you didn't drink nearly enough, maybe you should have hit the Tequila instead........
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
I've had many experiences throughout my career, both good and bad. Sometimes hookers and blow fall in your lap because you're wearing the golden leg spreaders, sometimes you run into people who think you're an idiot/asshole. The simplest way to do both is remember this: You are an officer and a gentleman. Be polite, nod, pay attention, listen to them (that's really all they want). If you're brave, you can even politely engage in debate. Then go home and vent. If you are truely a gentleman whenever presented the situation, you may change their perception of the military, you may not. But they won't walk away saying "Jesus, that guy's a prick."
At least the guy got something right! Helo guys do have big nads.
I find it refreshing to talk to people about this profession. It reminds me how well it is regarded and how lucky I was to have done it. Once you get in a squadron, and you've been there a while, it becomes a job. You can easily get wrapped up in the day to day stuff and forget how hard you worked to get there. I'm sure pro baseball players do the same. When you are around folks doing the same job as you you forget that the rest of the world is envious. Maybe signing some kids baseball grounds them. Who knows.
I couldn't have said it better myself. One team, one fight.
And I am extremely proud of you as well. As far as humility and pride, there is only one individual you must answer to, and that is that fellow looking at you in the mirror every morning.
But back to the trucker, that is all a part of life. Some individuals seem to be born with a negative attitude, you will see that in the Navy as well. When you can, take action to correct the nattering nabobs of negativism, if you are in no position to change it, simply consider the source. Stand your ground but do not try to correct all the ill's of this world.
Current political times are indeed trying. That Maryland, is a hotbed of Democrat activits was recently confirmed when I enrolled in local Community College Photography course. All in the class were 50+ yo. To one of the classes I wore son's squadron t-shirt. Civility went down hill from there, one woman actually said "I support our troops, I just hate our military", everyone else clapped. The class turned raucous at times. In protest I dropped the class, wrote to the Department Head with my list of complaints, the instructor took no action. I am awaiting a reply. Ha!
With all that said, if, by some slim chance, a Marine sez something negative about the Navy, please hit him with a barstool, twice.
SETX07
Member
You think your encounter was bad...
I currently live in southeast Texas which happens to be one of the only Democratic areas of the state. I just gradudated from a university that I would explain as being the exact polar opposit of Texas A&M's conservatism, its extreamly liberal. As I was waiting with the rest of my Political Science classmates before graduation we were talking about whose doing what. When I was asked I simply told the 6 or 7 students I was with my plans for the next 6-8 years of my life. That is when one student replied "so your gonna be a baby killer". I quickly responded "no I am going to be a Marine Officer, those spots are reserved for people like Timothy McVea (sp?), Osama Bin Laden, and others like Sadaam". Then I changed the conversation. It took alot to not punch that kid in the teeth.
I like to focus more on these situations.
I was at a Houston Astros game with my girlfriend last summer after I had graduated seniors. I was wearing a USMC OCS tshirt and a man came up and insisted after talking to him briefly that I trade my tickets for his. I had tickets along the 1st baseline right past the base. His were about 10 rows up behind home plate.
Or the 4 WWII Marine veterans at my commissioning a few weeks back who reached tears while telling me their stories and welcoming me to the "gun club".
I currently live in southeast Texas which happens to be one of the only Democratic areas of the state. I just gradudated from a university that I would explain as being the exact polar opposit of Texas A&M's conservatism, its extreamly liberal. As I was waiting with the rest of my Political Science classmates before graduation we were talking about whose doing what. When I was asked I simply told the 6 or 7 students I was with my plans for the next 6-8 years of my life. That is when one student replied "so your gonna be a baby killer". I quickly responded "no I am going to be a Marine Officer, those spots are reserved for people like Timothy McVea (sp?), Osama Bin Laden, and others like Sadaam". Then I changed the conversation. It took alot to not punch that kid in the teeth.
I like to focus more on these situations.
I was at a Houston Astros game with my girlfriend last summer after I had graduated seniors. I was wearing a USMC OCS tshirt and a man came up and insisted after talking to him briefly that I trade my tickets for his. I had tickets along the 1st baseline right past the base. His were about 10 rows up behind home plate.
Or the 4 WWII Marine veterans at my commissioning a few weeks back who reached tears while telling me their stories and welcoming me to the "gun club".
I have to say that pretty much all my interactions with civilians have been positive. Most people, primarily civilians, sit mesmorized as I try to explain what I do after they ask.
Interestingly, I have a friend that attends Harvard Law School, and when I went to visit her, her fellow male classmates were in awe at what we NA's do. They couldnt stop asking questions and getting that starry eyed look in their faces -- especially about what its like landing on a carrier -- and this from one of the most liberal institutions on the face of the planet. I guess sometimes $150k salaries at 27 really cant compete with doing the crazy things the Navy lets us do in modern aeroplanes.
Keep your head up, and just do your best. There are lots of admirers out there, for better or worse...
Interestingly, I have a friend that attends Harvard Law School, and when I went to visit her, her fellow male classmates were in awe at what we NA's do. They couldnt stop asking questions and getting that starry eyed look in their faces -- especially about what its like landing on a carrier -- and this from one of the most liberal institutions on the face of the planet. I guess sometimes $150k salaries at 27 really cant compete with doing the crazy things the Navy lets us do in modern aeroplanes.
Keep your head up, and just do your best. There are lots of admirers out there, for better or worse...