Not allowed in park for free.

[Big Wallaby]

First of all, I thank Hoffman for his service, and for the sacrifice he made and must live with every day. I can't even imagine making that same sacrifice. In some ways, those who die in the line of service get off lucky compared to him. When all is said and done, that bullet will kill him well before his natural time, and for that, there is no thanks that is enough. For any member of the armed services, there is no thank you that is enough. Crash, I know only a very miniscule part of your story, certainly not what happened that brought you home. But I know enough to know that you, Cpl. Hoffman, and everyone else who helps in keeping our battles offshore day after day, week after week, year after year... you are the skin of our country, and without every single one of you -- past, present and future -- we as a nation would not be where we are today.

With that said... I love the specials we have a Disney World, and so many of the other theme parks around the country do. I am sure that had Cpl. Hoffman's family contacted the park ahead of time, they could have done something for him... while I would not agree with free admission unless that was something they were doing or did as a company, I am okay with a reduced rate, but no one should get in free.

What is Cpl. Hoffman entitled to? The nursing care that is provided every day, and any medical care he ever needs. The respect and gratitude of every American. That disability check (and when the number on that check goes up with inflation and other needs, I am perfectly okay with that). All these things he's earned. Anything he needs is, in my mind, on the American people, either through the disability check, VA or any other means provided.

Oh, and one more thing that's hard-earned. We should see Cpl. before his name any time he is mentioned. The fact that the f***ing newspaper that carried this story didn't respect him enough to give him that credit shows a lot about them. It may not seem like much, but I, like so many, don't have a military title, which in my mind places him above me in that regard. I don't care if you're PFC or GEN, I don't care if you've been overseas or not; I am still indebted to you. The newspaper should print his rank.

Those who have served... am I wrong on this last point? If so, PLEASE correct me.

In God we trust, all others must pay cash.
so, if you are God, it's free, if you work for him, you pay.

Oh, and if you're a duck, you can get in for free. For now.

[crash]

Oh, and one more thing that's hard-earned. We should see Cpl. before his name any time he is mentioned. The fact that the f***ing newspaper that carried this story didn't respect him enough to give him that credit shows a lot about them. It may not seem like much, but I, like so many, don't have a military title, which in my mind places him above me in that regard. I don't care if you're PFC or GEN, I don't care if you've been overseas or not; I am still indebted to you. The newspaper should print his rank.

Those who have served... am I wrong on this last point? If so, PLEASE correct me.

I have to say that there are times when I use my rank such as on official items and in casual everyday use I use the word retired which is allowed by law for those of us who were injured. In regards to the use of rank legally you are allowed to do so in certain situations and in others you are not. I guess the paper was just being carefully but in my opinion they should have printed his rank and delt with the consequences if they were wrong. BTW my rank was and still is SSGT.

[hobie16]

I was a SFC. I never use it unless my service comes up in conversation.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

If I remember right, the protocol is that you can use the rank and title with your name if you retired (regular or medical) and you can wear the uniform on occasions of public celebration (not political) and other functions, as long as it will not discredit the uniform, nor appear that the military endorses any viewpoint or private company. (I'm paraphrasing)

A lot of people don't know that is is actually a violation of law to wear a military uniform (or partial uniform) with rank insigna if you are not a current member of that branch. (again paraphrasing)

since I didn't retire, but transferred to another non-military branch, even though I had 15 years active duty, I cannot use my military title.

MEH, pirate!

[DisneyMom]

If I remember right, the protocol is that you can use the rank and title with your name if you retired (regular or medical) and you can wear the uniform on occasions of public celebration (not political) and other functions, as long as it will not discredit the uniform, nor appear that the military endorses any viewpoint or private company. (I'm paraphrasing)

A lot of people don't know that is is actually a violation of law to wear a military uniform (or partial uniform) with rank insigna if you are not a current member of that branch. (again paraphrasing)

since I didn't retire, but transferred to another non-military branch, even though I had 15 years active duty, I cannot use my military title.

MEH, pirate!

Have you not been using the title of "Captain" all these years?
I was, until I was viciously mutinied upon.....
So you were a Poor Captain, but a Captain nonetheless....


So says I, Davy Jones.........

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Have you not been using the title of "Captain" all these years?
I was, until I was viciously mutinied upon.....
So you were a Poor Captain, but a Captain nonetheless....


So says I, Davy Jones.........

HEHEHEHE

No, thats more of a title bestowed upon the master of a vessel, even if its a rowboat!

hehehehe

[Cheshire Figment]

HEHEHEHE

No, thats more of a title bestowed upon the master of a vessel, even if its a rowboat!

hehehehe

Which is why, if you are an Army, Air Force, or Marine Captain and you are on a Navy (or Coast Guard) vessel you will be addressed as "Major". Likewise a Navy or Coast Guard Captain, who is not the one in command of that vessel, will normally be addressed as "Commodore". Because there is only one Captain in the vessel and that is the Commanding Officer.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Which is why, if you are an Army, Air Force, or Marine Captain and you are on a Navy (or Coast Guard) vessel you will be addressed as "Major". Likewise a Navy or Coast Guard Captain, who is not the one in command of that vessel, will normally be addressed as "Commodore". Because there is only one Captain in the vessel and that is the Commanding Officer.

close.

An Army, Air Force or Marine Corps captain is equivilant to A navy Lieutenant (silver railroad tracks) and they are addressed by their correct title. The only time the Commodore title is used is if the Navy RANK of captain is embarked on a ship, and is not the C.O. of the ship. In commands a Navy Captain acting in an Admirals slot is also addressed as Commodore, but that is his job title and not his rank.

Now add in the fact that a single silve bar in the navy is called a lieutenant, junior grade, but in the other services is called a first lieutenant. On a navy ship, the first lieutenant is a job title!

add some more confustion, a navy gold oak leaf is called a Lieutenant Commander instead of major like the other services, and A silver Oak leaf is a Commander, but the other services call it a Lieutenant Cononel!

add a bit more, A navy Silver eagle is called a captain but it is a rank and not a job title! the other services call it colonel!

now...try and learn all that, plus the enlisted ranks and titles, doing push ups with a rifle!!

heheheheee!

RUM?

[Whazzup]

close.

An Army, Air Force or Marine Corps captain is equivilant to A navy Lieutenant (silver railroad tracks) and they are addressed by their correct title. The only time the Commodore title is used is if the Navy RANK of captain is embarked on a ship, and is not the C.O. of the ship. In commands a Navy Captain acting in an Admirals slot is also addressed as Commodore, but that is his job title and not his rank.

Now add in the fact that a single silve bar in the navy is called a lieutenant, junior grade, but in the other services is called a first lieutenant. On a navy ship, the first lieutenant is a job title!

add some more confustion, a navy gold oak leaf is called a Lieutenant Commander instead of major like the other services, and A silver Oak leaf is a Commander, but the other services call it a Lieutenant Cononel!

add a bit more, A navy Silver eagle is called a captain but it is a rank and not a job title! the other services call it colonel!

now...try and learn all that, plus the enlisted ranks and titles, doing push ups with a rifle!!

heheheheee!

RUM?

No wonder you were driven to drinking rum, Pirate! ;)

I managed to learn all the officer and junior enlisted rank insignias while working for the guv'ment, but I never did get the Navy senior enlisted thingies figured out.

[Alyssa3467]

I learned all of the Naval officer ranks watching Star Trek. :D: