Thread: You're not in the forces now..... A chat about impacts of when and why some have ....

Hi,
As a kid born just after the war, I grew up in an area where every man I knew in my neighbourhood and family were ex-servicemen. I sensed an unspoken camaraderie and shared experiences amongst them, even though they were not all in the army, and not all served overseas.
Cheers

Originally Posted by Saitch

Is the term "Veteran" a newish thing? I can't recall it being used by my father, his mates or my rellies.

They used the terms, "Returned Serviceman", "Ex-serviceman" or "Ex-digger".

Also, sadly, I knew of a couple of blokes who were in Viet Nam and who would get a bit stroppy if you were to say to them, "Thank you for your service!"

Dunno really. Yes, Returned Serviceman was it for me too. But I guess that's not inclusive enough. It wouldn't include, for example, me. But, it's the Department of Veteran's Affairs. Not sure how long ago it became that. As foe "Ex-Digger", I think Digger is like the Brownlow Medal or the US Presidency, there is no "Ex". Brownlow is forever, as is the POTUS thing, unless you're orange, of course. "Former" is probably OK. But, that's just how I have come to see it.

"Thank you for your service" is a term I believe originated in the US ( same caveat ). I have only heard it fairly recently here. I have had it said to me at the Dawn Service. I deem it inappropriate in my case, but I'm reluctant to say so. I'm sure they mean well. Like all the survivors of that bloody railway, my FIL is no longer here to ask what he thinks of it. Perhaps I'll ask my son following 25/04/2025.

Originally Posted by Saitch

Also, sadly, I knew of a couple of blokes who were in Viet Nam and who would get a bit stroppy if you were to say to them, "Thank you for your service!"

There's a few things here. Firstly, nashos didn't choose to serve - before my time, but I can imagine being thanked for being randomly drafted by your birthdate to fight in a political conflict might not feel as warm and fuzzy as the thanker intended. Something like 70% of American veterans dislike it, never mind diggers.

Secondly, it's very much an Americanism, and resisting American cultural imperialism is a thing worth doing in its own right.

Finally, and for me most importantly (having served 7 years in the ARA) is that "thank you for your service" is ultimately a cynical part of the American recruiting machine, same as stealth bomber flyovers at NFL games. It's a way to tempt kids into joining, because veterans get "respect" that they don't get working at McDonalds. The people saying it mean well, but they are ultimately participating in that manipulation unconsciously.

Originally Posted by ninchi

There's a few things here. Firstly, nashos didn't choose to serve - before my time, but I can imagine being thanked for being randomly drafted by your birthdate to fight in a political conflict might not feel as warm and fuzzy as the thanker intended. Something like 70% of American veterans dislike it, never mind diggers.

Secondly, it's very much an Americanism, and resisting American cultural imperialism is a thing worth doing in its own right.

Finally, and for me most importantly (having served 7 years in the ARA) is that "thank you for your service" is ultimately a cynical part of the American recruiting machine, same as stealth bomber flyovers at NFL games. It's a way to tempt kids into joining, because veterans get "respect" that they don't get working at McDonalds. The people saying it mean well, but they are ultimately participating in that manipulation unconsciously.

Thank you. I was trying to think of a "polite" way of putting it. You have that covered.

However, not all who served in the Vietnam War were Nashos, of course. I have come to believe that none of them should have been though. Combat soldiers should always be those who volunteer. I don't believe in conscription, but if they must do it then let those they press-gang remain here to do non combat duties.

Anyway, it was all a long time ago. I wonder if we have learnt anything from it.

Originally Posted by ninchi

There's a few things here. Firstly, nashos didn't choose to serve - before my time, but I can imagine being thanked for being randomly drafted by your birthdate to fight in a political conflict might not feel as warm and fuzzy as the thanker intended. Something like 70% of American veterans dislike it, never mind diggers.

Secondly, it's very much an Americanism, and resisting American cultural imperialism is a thing worth doing in its own right.

Finally, and for me most importantly (having served 7 years in the ARA) is that "thank you for your service" is ultimately a cynical part of the American recruiting machine, same as stealth bomber flyovers at NFL games. It's a way to tempt kids into joining, because veterans get "respect" that they don't get working at McDonalds. The people saying it mean well, but they are ultimately participating in that manipulation unconsciously.

Thank you for this. As Tins said, this is very well put and conveys the sentiment of my post to a 'T'.

There is becoming a bit of decide between those that have deployed to those that haven’t/didnt.

Doesn’t bother me what people choose to refer to me as as I don’t refer myself as any off them. I had no intention of deploying during my 9 year commitment…..I was counting the days until I could leave. I was just a number doing my job….which I did do damn good, just didn’t get the soldier first part.

I have had one person jump up and shake my hand and say ‘thankyou for your service’, I had only just met him for the first time at work. It made me feel awkward but went along with it as he seemed very happy to be able to say to so somebody that had served.

Originally Posted by Saitch

Is the term "Veteran" a newish thing? I can't recall it being used by my father, his mates or my rellies.

They used the terms, "Returned Serviceman", "Ex-serviceman" or "Ex-digger".

Also, sadly, I knew of a couple of blokes who were in Viet Nam and who would get a bit stroppy if you were to say to them, "Thank you for your service!"

"Thankyou for your service", and "Veteran" are just further examples of the Americanisation of our terms - I would like to see the traditional terms remain.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

"Thankyou for your service", and "Veteran" are just further examples of the Americanisation of our terms - I would like to see the traditional terms remain.

Hello 101RRS,

Good luck with that - especially since the ABC, our National Broadcaster is spelling 'gaol' - the correct English spelling, as jail - the American spelling. While I am writing this the American spellchecker is showing an error in spelling for gaol.

Days of the month used to be the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th.... The Americans use May 1 ... now all the broadcasters are using the Americanism. Damn, this isn't the cranky old buggers' thread is it! Grumble ... grumble.

Kind regards