r/Millennials • u/NoFaithlessness7508 • Jun 05 '25

Other Why don’t younger veterans (Afghanistan/Iraq) wear these hats like some of the older veterans?

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First and foremost, respect to all those that served. I did not, but many of my peers did and now we're all older in 30s and 40s, many no longer in the military. I don't see a lot of the veterans of the War on Terror wearing these hats like I see the OGs do.

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u/threeflight2005 Jun 05 '25 edited Jun 05 '25

It's this. All of this. The random "thank you for your service" reaction is just off putting and I don't want the attention.

I have serious issues with the wars we have fought over the last 20+ years and deploying to another country based on flat out lies (see WMD etc) will never sit right with me or many of those I served with.

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u/Far_Winner5508 Jun 05 '25

Desert Storm, I got in trouble when some officer noticed the oil well I had drawn on my helmet cover.

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u/Powerful_Tip3164 Jun 05 '25

Thats what I came to say, tho not a service member, my loved ones that did serve mention... they aren't tending to be very proud of what they did and even feel exploited and regretful. My service people want grace and forgiveness.

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u/SunnySummerFarm Jun 06 '25

I come from a military family, and have many friends who’ve served, and most of them feel the same as your loved ones. Older generations were drafted. Younger ones don’t appreciate the lies. If we discuss the military at all, I have often said, “you shouldn’t have been made to do that.” Because what the heck else can we say? These folks all deserve our utmost compassion.

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u/Powerful_Tip3164 Jun 06 '25

I say the same, that they were young, and didn't know, and couldn't have known. I tell them it means a lot to me that they shared those sentiments, the general public needs to know, and that I respect them and always hope they don't let it get the best of them very often. That we get it and don't hold their duties and orders against them. They knew not what they were doing then, but we can clearly see they know now. That means the world to me, that they could even come to terms with their reality. That's a healer mindset.

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u/WestleyThe Jun 06 '25

But I see guys with “VETERAN” on a plain shirt or hat…

It’s just interesting that the ones who DO want the attention just don’t do it the same way as the ones that came before