Alright, let’s get real for a minute. There’s been a lot of chatter lately about the military service of certain political candidates. People have been quick to throw shade at their time in uniform, questioning the value of their service, or implying that it wasn’t quite “good enough.” But here’s the thing—most of the folks making these comments have never put on a uniform themselves. And that, my friends, is a problem.
Let’s break it down. Serving in the military isn’t like clocking in for a 9-to-5 job. It’s a commitment to something bigger than yourself, a pledge to defend your country, knowing full well that it might mean putting yourself in harm’s way. Whether you’re in the Marine Corps, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, or the National Guard, you’re part of a team that’s ready to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Now, it’s easy for people on the sidelines—those who’ve never served a day in their lives—to sit back and criticize. But until you’ve walked a mile in those boots, until you’ve experienced the discipline, the sacrifice, and the camaraderie that comes with military service, maybe it’s best to keep those opinions to yourself.
Here’s something that gets lost in these discussions: not all military service looks the same. Some serve in combat zones, others support from the home front. Some see action on the front lines, while others ensure that the logistics, communications, and medical support are all in place. But guess what? Every role is essential. The military isn’t a one-man show; it’s a massive, coordinated effort where every single person plays a part in the bigger mission.
So, when someone dismisses a candidate’s military service because they didn’t deploy or because they served in a particular branch, they’re not just insulting that individual—they’re disrespecting the entire concept of military service. And that’s not okay.
Military service is one of those things that commands respect, regardless of the specifics. Whether someone served two years or twenty, whether they were in combat or not, they’ve done something that only a small percentage of the population has done—they’ve volunteered to serve their country.
Now, this doesn’t mean that veterans are above criticism. Like anyone else, their actions, decisions, and policies are fair game for debate. But when that criticism crosses into questioning the value of their military service, especially by those who’ve never served, it’s crossing a line.
It’s kind of like sports, right? You wouldn’t question a pro athlete’s dedication or skill if you’ve never played the game at their level. Sure, you might have opinions about their performance, but you’d also recognize that they’ve put in the work, the training, and the sweat to get where they are. The same principle applies here. Unless you’ve served in the military, unless you know firsthand what that experience is like, maybe—just maybe—you should think twice before you criticize someone who has.
We live in a country where freedom of speech is a foundational and fundamental right, and that’s a beautiful thing. But with that freedom comes responsibility. So, the next time you hear someone talking down about a veteran’s service, ask yourself—do they really understand what they’re talking about? Have they been there, done that? Or are they just tossing around opinions without fully appreciating the gravity of what military service entails?
Respect goes both ways. It’s fine to disagree with a candidate’s policies or question their qualifications for office—that’s what a healthy democracy is all about. But when it comes to their military service, let’s remember that they’ve done something most of our country haven’t. And that, in itself, deserves a baseline of respect.
So, to all the armchair critics out there—unless you’ve worn the uniform, unless you’ve made the sacrifices and put in the time, maybe it’s best to STFU when it comes to commenting on someone’s military service. After all, it’s easy to criticize from the sidelines, but it takes real guts to step onto the field. And that’s something worth remembering.
And yes, we veterans are VERY vocal about other veterans and will call them out. Just ask any POG. :-) See, we can because we’ve earned that privilege.
Semper Fi and have a happy high desert day.
