Being A Military Veteran
Michalis "BIG Mike" Kotzakolios
Kotzakoliou, SSA

It seems that in American society the term ‘military veteran’ is greatly misunderstood. For many people, the term seems to apply only to people missing an arm or a leg (or at very least, a finger or two), having served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or even Operation Desert Storm. The reality of the matter, however, is somewhat different.

Certainly, the previous description defines well our more extreme concept of what a vet is. However, as a military veteran myself, having served in our first conflict with ol’ Saddam Hussein, I can tell you that this is a limiting viewpoint.

The truth is that this term, military veteran, at a minimum, denotes a man or woman who has served in the United States military, whether or not that person has ever served in a war. Hopefully, that person has been fortunate enough to escape such misfortune.

Does this surprise you? That a military veteran should not be absolutely gung-ho for war? Generally, if you ask most vets, the truth is that they, like me, are extremely proud to have served in the military. They’re proud to have had the opportunity to serve the nation and her people, should our nation ever be attacked. However, war, as a great commanding soldier once said, is hell. Save for in the movies, it should never be romanticized.

I say this for those reading this who would one day like to be called a “military veteran.” It’s a truly exhilarating feeling, though the time you served your actual military experience may have be less than the proverbial picnic. Yet even as you serve in the Army, the Marines, the Navy, or the Air Force, when you’re not making fun of the other branches of the service, you’re feeling –and exuding, pride. As well, just like the old army television advertisement, your friends will be amazed to learn that you are a military veteran. (This is all the more fun if you’re a man whose hair has grown down to your shoulders at this point, as it increases the surprise factor.)

The military is a great time, though difficult. What adventure is not? You will, hopefully, get to see the world. This is especially true if you enter the Navy or the Marines. However, even the Army and Air Force send their people overseas quite often. We still have bases all about the world, and getting to experience a foreign culture is one of the great joys of life.

Getting out of the service is even better. Reminiscing on a regular basis becomes your hard-earned right. As well, if you decide to verbally oppose the politicians from sending the military to war, or, on the other side of the coin, to support a military action, these two options are more your right than that of the “hawks” or “doves” who’ve not served, or simply skipped out of war due to rich family members (I’ll mention no names) because you have served, and you know what you’re talking about.

Yeah, I don’t support war, unless it’s one where we’re defending our nation. That’s what the military exists for, after-all, not for oil profits or power. Either way, though –all politics aside, I’m proud to be a military veteran, and I always shall be.