I waited for a while to respond to this post because I wasn't sure if I was reading it right.
I disagree with the statement that it is "no one's business" that you are in the military. As a servicemember you are in effect a public official; you act on the public's behalf and the public serves and is served by you. It's all of our business who carries weapons and doles out violence on our behalf. With certain exceptions, I think it is a legitimate public right to know. That said, if you want to keep your service to yourself... ok, fine.
But I can't believe that you would actually say that you are in the military for "selfish reasons." I have never in 16+ years heard a professional Soldier say something like that. If the post I quoted above is truly representative of who you are as a Soldier, then I'm glad you're not interacting with the public. In fact, you should consider hanging up the uniform permanently. I also take issue with you characterizing servicemembers who wear uniforms on domestic flights as somehow trolling for an ego stroke. Most of the people I've spoken to in uniform at airports fall into one of two categories: 1) trainees and service academy cadets and 2) servicemembers travelling back and forth to combat zones. "More than they deserve?" I don't think we can praise our servicemembers in those two categories enough...
I'm really hoping that your comments were either misinterpreted or that you would like to clarify them somewhat.
I'll be happy to clarify my comments.
All of my authorities end once I enter this country, so I am in no way a public official. You want to praise the public official, thank a police officer. They do more on a daily basis than the vast majority of support slugs out there. Again, I'm missing where it matters if people know what I do occasionally unless I was looking for some sort of praise. My ego doesn't need it.
How would me being in the military for selfish reasons have any effect to say that I should consider hanging up my uniform? I didn't join the military after September 11th to fight for my country, there was nothing going on except my trips to the Balkans before then. People have always said that they had joined for the wrong reasons, but stayed in for the right ones. If people joined and stayed in for selfless reasons there would be no need to bribe them with cash bonuses and educational benefits. The second people become useless in the military should be the determining factor if they should stay in or not, not their idealistic selfless service. I'm only in till it's not fun any more. Maybe I just missed the koolaid somewhere down the line.
Service members wearing uniform on domestic flights trolling for an ego stroke? Happens all the time, but I'll accept that it's an exception from the common reasons that you've said. I was meaning to say that I'm happy to give any praise that I would get to someone else, regardless if it is due or not. There are plenty of soldiers like SSG Ronghi out there too...
I'll just stay the quiet professional and wait in line at the airports with the rest of my colleagues, and the sheep.