Where do these Veterans with the attitude, “that Vet thing doesn’t cut it with me” get off!  That’s right Veterans who don’t give a damn about their fellow Veterans.  Yes, we have them and I am sure you have run into this strange breed.  I had my experience with a few and unfortunately some that I helped because they were Vets. The aforementioned quote rolled off the lips of a retired senior SNCO, a Sgt Major in fact, and was directed towards another Marine SNCO Veteran. I have also seen it in retired officers who have ignored fellow Marines and Veterans in need.  They understand the brotherhood only when it is convenient to them; they certainly give new meaning to the phrase Semper Fi, Mac!

I’ve talked about Veteran’s Preference before in a few articles and alluded to the fact that we have too many folks that don’t know what Veteran’s Preference is or enforce it. So, I decided to pass on “Veterans Preference: The joy of being a Vet”, forwarded to me by my Representative, so everyone could familiarize themselves with this law. 

I got this from my Representative after sending him a complaint about the lack of enforcement and interest in Vet Preference by local, state and federal government agencies.  This is what he sent me; he is not a Veteran.  I have discovered most local government agencies DO NOT know what Veterans Preference is despite the fact they include the statements on Veterans Preference and equal opportunity information along with their job listings.  State agencies do the same with there listings, but in both cases, local and state, you usually never get a response back as to whether you were qualified or not as a Vet; it is hard to determine if Vet Preference was considered... 

Study:  Vets not getting enough help, Associated Press Health Briefs Article buried on page 5 of local newspaper in military community.

When is the BS going to stop!  When are the silent majority going to say they finally had enough and shut down the extreme elements of both parties that are exploiting the system, fighting over issues that are more self serving than public serving…When are we really going to start taking care of those that are willing to serve and sacrifice for this country….ENOUGH of the BS! 

Are these values just another PR marketing tool being used for recruiting or are they values we honestly believe in and abide by… for life?   

I remember when there was a big push in the early 90’s to get these Core Values out to all Marines and ensure they all understand them.  Instructors were assigned at all commands to present the Core Values and explain what they meant to us as Marines.  We were very successful in doing this and subsequently have made them a major part of everything seen and “done” by Marines from basic training to career level assignments.  But do we actually practice what we preach; do all measure up to this standard…is the change really for life?