Forall the Military People - Military Friends vs Civillian Friends

[IanBat]

A friend (ex Colonel) shared this on facebook yesterday, which I did also. Then he sent me it on an email this morning, I thought some of you may appreciatte it.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Disown you for running around their house naked in front of a bunch of people none of you have ever met before.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Take photos and then join in with you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Think it's disgusting that you got so drunk you pissed yourself in somebody else's bed.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Help you turn the mattress over....

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you are too busy to ...talk to them for a week.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after many, many years and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having last time you met.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr and Mrs.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Call your parents Mum and Dad.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Bail you out of jail and then tell you what you did was wrong.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Would be sitting next to you saying, 'Mate, we ****** up...but what a giggle ?

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Cry with you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Could write a book with a shed full of direct quotes from you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Walk right in and say 'I'm home, got any beer !

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Share a few experiences.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Share a lifetime of experiences no civilian could ever dream of.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had enough.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say "You had better drink the rest of that...don't waste it." Then, they will carry you home and put you safely to bed and watch over you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will talk crap to the person who talks crap about you.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Will knock the crap out of people who use your name in vain.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will call you 'mate' as a term of endearment.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Will call you a w**ker or a tosser as a term of endearment.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Are for life.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Will forward this to their military mates

 

[OldSkool]

Ianbat, there are those civilians who do understand though they are few between. I happen to be one of them as my dad was ex-navy. Few understand how guys can stand back to back watching each others six then go to the tavern and knock heck out of each other that same evening, only to return to the wall the next day to guard over each other again.

My dad and my uncle married sister. Dad and uncle Ted met on board ship and they served together until both retired out at the same time. Both would transfer to the same ship and do the same tours. My aunt and my mom were in the same hospital room when my cousin and I were born. He one day before me.

Uncle Ted and dad were always together even after the service. A couple years ago they both became ill and were thought to die but both pulled through together. My dad lost his battle last on Sept 25 2012. At the funeral home I delivered the eulogy and addressed both Uncle Ted and my dad's patriotism and love for God, country and family.

Little did I know that uncle Ted would take that message to heaven 2 weeks later when he passed away. My aunt said he missed my dad.
What bonds 2 souls together like this? Few marriages share this deep of a commitment to each other.

Like I have said before, my dad was a patriot and I am his son. He lived in servitude to his fellow man so I can live free. How great then is my responsibility to preserve this freedom?

Yes Ianbat we are out there who understand, but our numbers are growing smaller with each passing generation.
Than you for posting.

 

[Ike]

Civilians who haven't served, or who don't have family who have served, just don't get it.

USCG retired.

 

[BritLady]

We're another lot for ya Captain worked alongside the military for years, Navy, RAF, etc., son's in the military too and we get it, but not that many civvy's do and Old School's correct they are getting less and less. Big thanks to all the military for their service

 

[Gofirstclass]

Many years ago I saw a small, hand lettered sign whose message really struck a chord with me......

You have never lived
'till you have almost died.

For those who fight for it,
life has a flavor the protected shall never know.

Truer words were never spoken.

Ian, thanks for sharing that. I can relate to those lines.

GFC, former USAF GFC

 

[OldSkool]

Thanks to all of you who keep us free!!

 

[rcknecht]

Nice to see that down under has similar experiances as I have had in military... The stories... some I don't tell anyone, expect those who share those experiances.... I have been married almost 30 years, and I keep some stories from her because to protect the innocent... I must say I don't call my military friends tossers, but its not to late to start...

 

[Hampton]

25 years, retired (from one job). Most of my current friends are civilians, though on the beach, people would proably think they were military. Most of my friends are civilian because I went to the Guard at an active duty base so most people keep coming and going while we have stayed here over 16 years.