Uniformed Soldier v. Military Contractor = both Vets?

I guess when I was in there was no call of duty and the men I served with had conviction.

So I guess I can't argue what you are seeing now but that's a pretty bold statement against the military in general.

Lucky you. Wish I served with real men with morals. Can't argue with first hand experience. Not too bold when you spent a couple years experiencing it. Could have been an isolated event. Mind you my unit was under investigation when I got out, but I know a lot of soldiers from various places who were about the same.

Younger generation perhaps? We had ex gang bangers who came in with gun shot wounds, arsonist running from a court case from burning down schools. Hey, maybe I just got the shit end of the stick where in was stationed. I hope so. Just ironic my unit was the 2/506th band of brothers and everyone wanted to kill each other haha...

I have heard of stories like you mentioned and know there are bad apples in every bunch.  And if there are more now than when I was in that sucks. But there are still patriotic Americans who join for the right reasons and those are the folks I would stand by at a HOW event or any time we honor veterans. 

IMHO opinion the guys is Vet from his prior service, a merc for what he did over there.  A lot of contractors do not make what everyone belives.  I got to work with Mechanics who services tons of vehicles, they were not bullet launchers, their pay was in the 70k range. They worked on average 10-12 hour days with one day off every two to three weeks.  Cooks had it worse, contracted cooks came from Srilanka and India.  The indain got paid on average $500 US, When KBR found they could pay the Sri Lankans less the Indians were let go.  Sri Lankans got $400 a month.  Laundry crews were from Eastern Europe, I heard they made around $1200 but I can't confirm that.  Non Americans did not in general get paid well compared to their American COunterparts.

 KBR treated people like expendable crap.  Triple Canopy was one of the Merc units, who shot first and asked questions later, mostly goofballs.  Aegis was far more professional, they had contracts with the stae department for guarding diplomats (mostly Brits, Aussies, and South Africans, with a smidge of US in their midst).They got paid well, they were by far the most proffesional of all the ones I saw over there.

But were anyof them combat vets, not in my book.  Merc by any other name is still a Merc.

To me it's simple:  Took an oath to protect USA --vet & benefits.    Did not take an oath to protect USA-not a vet no benefits. 
Last week at the Manteca Veterans Memoral, I was surprised at how many non veterans  came up to our HOW booth and were really interested in our program.  They asked if it was open to non vets.   I just looked at them, popped another delicious sweet cherry in my mouht, and told them sorry,  just for vets and their families.    To my mind, there is a big difference between a contractor- non military person and the sworn soldier.  Yes there are a lot of sandbaggers in the military, but if a soldier disobeys an order--he/she can go to the brig.  If a contractor disobeys an order,  he/she goes home.     

To me it's simple:  Took an oath to protect USA --vet & benefits.    Did not take an oath to protect USA-not a vet no benefits. 
Last week at the Manteca Veterans Memoral, I was surprised at how many non veterans  came up to our HOW booth and were really interested in our program.  They asked if it was open to non vets.   I just looked at them, popped another delicious sweet cherry in my mouht, and told them sorry,  just for vets and their families.    To my mind, there is a big difference between a contractor- non military person and the sworn soldier.  Yes there are a lot of sandbaggers in the military, but if a soldier disobeys an order--he/she can go to the brig.  If a contractor disobeys an order,  he/she goes home.     

+1
Drafted and took the oath to serve and protect which I did. A Mercenary is not a U.S. Veteran and never was. Cooks are cooks and mechanics are exactly that and not  there to fight. Veterans are people who served in the Armed Services. Took the oath and were of that generation. I know a lot of vets who get benefits without being in harms way but were of that generation of conflict. They are still part of the sworn armed services.

I got to work with a bunch of Ass holes "Other government agencies"(OGA), They were Mercs. the only guys(and 1 girl) that had beer(Corona) on the FOB. Each one was being paid $200K or more a year and they did what ever they wanted to. they also walked around like we owed them something or that they were special. So this guy IMO in a vet but not a Combat vet.
I am proud of my service to this great country. I have been in the service (Marine Corp and National Guard(active and reserve)) for 22 years now. 6 more until I retire 

Wilderness Medic, I am sorry you had a bad experance with your time in service. as long as I've have been in I have seen/lived the changes. I was in Afgan in 09. we did alot of work with Easy Company 506th(the Band of Brothers) and it was kinda of bad however they left and the 4 IBCT, 25th ID replaced them and it was awesome.

No kidding that's exactly when I was there. It doesn't surprise me things got better when our replacements showed up ha ha. You weren't around FOB Tillman, mergaw or anywhere in that AO were you?  Because it sounds like we are in damn near the same place if you worked with us

It's my understanding they dissolved our unit.  Which is probably a good thing. I begged for 25th ID with no success.

Wilderness Medic, PM sent.

Most already seem to be veterans who want to get back to the action. My brother is a 24 yr, retired Navy Chief working in Kabul for the last 3 years. Gets paid good money with a big chunk tax free. Iraq and Afghanistan have used contractors to help minimize the need for more US military which has kept the draft at bay. This has put a terrible burden on the military families with multiple deployments etc.  With no military draft in effect as happened when I was in during the Navy during VN the pain of war is not felt by the general populace When we finally do pull out the military, who do you think will still be there? The contractors, and they will stay only as long as the govt. pays them.
My perspective only,  I cringe every time I hear of a bombing or shooting in Kabul. I want my brother home safe and sound, fish a little, drink a few beers, not asking for much.

What a small world there's a really good chance me and Sarge saw each other at one point in Afghanistan.

I've been trying to not comment on this. Because I don't really understand WHY someone would even bring up such a ridiculous question. But just like a fish, I can only handle seeing the bait so many times until I bite.

I'm a veteran. It doesn't matter if you were the tip of the spear or someone in a support position. All are needed to support the American war machine. Active duty personnel are there to follow the orders given to them by those appointed over them. Mercenaries, and private contractors are there to support their own agenda (money or whatever) as well to support the agenda of the company they work for. These contractor organizations are not non-profits, get it? It's just business.

Eelkram, Frankfishing, and a few others said it well. Now I'm going to say it. You're not a veteran if you have never been sworn military.

There are shitbags and weirdos in every branch and in every unit. But you deal with it and work hard and roll with the punches despite what you think of the other guys. That's what being a team player is.

Are the security guards at the mall cops?

Are the security guards at the mall cops?

You mean there not.  I saw the movie mall cop.  Cop is in the name.  I see a new topic coming.

Seriously though. I know sometimes people bring up stuff other than fishing and I also get sucked in.  Not here to change anyone's mind on anything or offend, but sometimes it's interesting to hear others views. 

NCKA is an interesting bunch. 

Wilderness Medic we will have to meet in person sometime. you are right it is a very small world. there was this female Soldier from Virginia National Guard. long story short she moved to Cali well I went to Fairfield my Brigade   Headquarter and there she was...
Sorry did not mean to side track this thread.

Wilderness Medic we will have to meet in person sometime. you are right it is a very small world. there was this female Soldier from Virginia National Guard. long story short she moved to Cali well I went to Fairfield my Brigade   Headquarter and there she was...
Sorry did not mean to side track this thread.

Well Sarge if you are going to tell stories, why not tell them the two of us are in the same Battalion, not in combat but in the guard.  I also have a funny one, in Iraq my Texas unit was assigned to a NY unit division, they had a signal company, the signal company had a Maintenance Warrant who was back filling for California. When I move to CA, and go down to Camp Roberts for the first time, i run into him and another Chief I knew over there.  Small world indeed!

I was at a gas station in sac when I heard "my last name?" Followed by a crash. A dude I served with was behind me. He saw me, said my name, backed into a car at a pump, then locked himself out of his car. Hahaha. Very small.

Yeah an oath that half the people don't care about or understand that take it....

Say's who???

Says me, a guy who served with many who joined because "like, call of duty was a cool video game" or " I just wanted to be able to kill people"...

I predated "Call of Duty" but I agree 100%. First of all, the definition of a mercenary, per dictionary.com is "working or acting merely for money or other reward." We all work for money, because we have to. I have been on both sides of the fence, so I can say that........kinda like having only one eye, I can tell one-eye jokes.

I am not saying all people enlist because of this, but at 18, you do not enlist to "serve your country" for the most part. You might tell your dad's friend that, but this is my experience.

Most of the people I knew, encountered, etc joined for a few reasons. 1) School is out, and had no idea what to do. 2) Could not afford college, so the GI bill was a way to pay for it 3) Kill someone 4) Everyone in the family did it 5) Chicks dig it.

It wasn't until AFTER, that the whole "serve your country" took hold for them. I do whole heartedly believe, every able-bodied American should serve their country in the armed forces, but I know it is not for everyone. To all service members past and present, thank you for your service!

Contractors, well, that is a broad term. The companies I worked for did several things, some were combat oriented, some were civil infrastructure construction with internal defense/security. I don't think they are vets, lots of reasons posted above, so I wont get into that. They are private employees.

Vet benefits, and again, this is MY OPINION, are benefits for serving our country, whatever your original intent to enlist was. Now, as Americans, I think we should be self-supportive in that we make our own wages, and our own benefits.....if we can. Save the benefits for those that need them, and cannot provide them on their own. I have great insurance, no need. My mortgage is at a lower interest rate conventional loan-no need. But not everyone is as fortunate, a young soldier just starting out with his/her family, they might NEED that VA loan or that VA medical coverage. But as far as I am concerned, serving your country is giving, and not taking. That is all I am going to say about that.
Are combat contractors- "mercenaries" vets? No. Do they deserve benefits? About like McDonald employees deserve $15/hr.