They have a tough job, not great pay, long periods away from home, and they're defending the country's interests (at least as defined by the gov't), and in many jobs often put their lives on the line. It's just a nice thing to do if done sincerely.

I was a marine for 5 years... And to be honest, although i really did appreciate hearing thanks... after a while I got tired of it, because really I was just doing my job. Nobody who was thanking me really understood was I was doing anyway so how did they know if I deserved it? I guess this idea made it start to feel insincere to me.

maybe. so do nurses , doctors, paramedics, personal support workers, servers, cashiers, custodians, and any other profession that takes hard work.

If they are in the position for the right reasons, they'll do the job for its intrinsic value, not for social approval.

I do not think it ever hurts anyone in any profession to show that you appreciate their efforts. Our serviceman may well be volunteers but surely that is a reason to say thank you when they go above and beyond the call of duty.

i think any soldier whether freely joined or drafted deserves plenty of thanks, they put their lives on the line for those of us who dont join.... they serve the country that you live in freely and they're not selfish meaning they dont know if they live or die but they still remain in the service doing what they do!

Yes I do! I also believe them and there family's deserve special treatment! They put there life on the line for a Country full of retards that are too sissy to protect it! I have done many small things to show my appreciation! I will continue to do so till I die! I will also raise my children to show respect to the men and women that keep us free and safe! Questions like this make me sick! Do you know what they go through for us? Of course they need additional thanks for doing there job!

I think their spouses and children deserve more thanks - they didn't sign up for that, but have all the worry of separation. My brother's children had yet another christmas with their father away. But their father is doing his job - in his words, he is doing his job.

No. That 'volunteer' gets paid to do their job so you should get either or 'thanks' or 'a salary.' I know that my boss never thanks me for doing my job, it's expected of me and I get paid for it. End of story!

Yes, because it is not an easy job! They do know they risk their lives, and volunteer to do so. I know I couldn't volunteer to risk my life. For the few that join the Military for the wrong reasons, they learn a lesson about life. ALL our Military men and women should be thanked, each and every time we see them. And thanks to them, our sons, brothers and husbands are not drafted.

Yes! They are willing to put their life on the line for us! Remember even if you disagree with current battles, the soldiers are NOT the ones choosing to be there, or calling the shots. They are just doing their duty, and serving their country. For this, I always thank them when I see them.

Remember, none of the volunteers had to volunteer. They did it for a multitude of reason and each volunteer had their own reasons. I can assure with 100% surity that none volunteered to die or be killed. Just for the simple fact that they volunteered to do what most Americans won't do, they should be thanked as often as possible. The fact they volunteered to protect and defend our country is the very reason you are able to ask this question.

This is a pretty good question. Others have made analogies and I'd like to throw one in here too. Christmas time: You voluntarily give someone a gift. Does the person need to say thanks? After all, you were the one who chose to give it. Perhaps you say, "The person is thanking me because they received the gift." The soldier, too, is giving you something, namely doing a job that you don't want to do.* If there were no volunteers, we'd be back to forcing the people to fight. Now is that to say that other unwanted jobs should go thankless? Absolutely not. I would have no problem thanking garbage men, morticians, or janitors, but you certainly can't just spot one of them off the street and shake his hand. And perhaps it would be a little condescending to do so. Hell, perhaps it's condescending for a non-veteran to thank a veteran at all. I dunno. After a few more drinks I'll get back to ya on that one. *However, unlike others, I'm not going to say that the soldier is giving you freedom. The goals of the current wars are not to defend our freedom, and we now have less freedoms than we did before these wars. But that is another story for another day...

No. Don't thank us, you ungrateful whelp! Someone lays their life on the line for you, it matters not one WHIT whether you agree with the overall objectives, they still are getting shot at and blown up. Have at least a LITTLE bit of respect!

As a Marine who served in Iraq right after it kicked off in 2003, I answer unquestionably NO! Feel free to ask questions unless I prefer not to talk about it. But thanks? Unnecessary, since I signed on more for myself than anyone else. I did it for the experience and the paycheck. BUT if you really really want to thank me in spite of what I just wrote, buy my book when I get it printed up this Summer. Not saying thank you is not an offense. Neither is saying thank you. Ladies, if you really want to say thank you, date an ugly, socially awkward soldier or Marine. You'll be doing your part. ;D R!

Yes, they are still risking their lives, some have kids and a family they know they are possibly going to leave behind. Just ask yourself if you would do it.