--- title: "5 Opinions On Military Life That Change When You Become A Veteran" date: "2016-01-20" modified: "2016-01-20" authors: - name: "James Clark" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/james-clark/" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/military-life/5-opinions-on-military-life-that-change-when-you-become-a-veteran/" categories: - "Culture" --- # 5 Opinions On Military Life That Change When You Become A Veteran ![]() When big life changes occur, it can alter the way one sees the world. This is also true for active-duty service members when they transition into veteran status. The way they view their service or certain details of military culture can change. A recent Reddit thread entitled “[For civilians who like to tell the world what soldiers/veterans think”]() included relatable experience that changes when one transitions from active duty to being a veteran. Some of these are so universal that we had to share them, so we went through and picked out the best, with light edits for clarity and profanity. **1. On benefits from the VA:** Active duty: “At least when I’m done I’ll have my VA benefits!” Veterans: “What benefits?” **2. On military tradition:** Active duty: “Another horse and pony show formation? What the heck are we out here for this week?” Veterans: “I hope those kids in formation remember to unlock their...Nope! There went another one! LOL.” Related: Here are the funniest punishments ever handed down in the military, according to the internet. **3. On civilian contractors:** Active duty: “I can’t believe I have to train this dumb civilian employee to do my job while he’s making eight times as much as I am right now and gets to go home in another 2 hours.” Veterans: “Seriously, why can’t I get a civilian employee job?” **4. On all those “S” shops:** Active duty: “Crap! Is it S1, S2, S3, or S4 I’m supposed to be reporting to?” Veterans: “I still don’t know what all those S’s were for!” **5. On work responsibilities:** Active duty: “Work? Catch me if you can!” Veteran: “Work? Please! I’ll do anything! Just give me a job because my family and I really need the money.” **Like this? Follow Task & Purpose’s new podcast** and**[subscribe on iTunes]().** ## Author James Clark is the editor-in-chief of Task & Purpose. He is a former Marine and a veteran of the War in Afghanistan. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [LinkedIn]()