List Rules Current and former military members only: vote up the things that make you feel supported; vote down the ones that do not.
The phrase "support our troops" is one that comes up across a wide variety of contexts in modern American life. From debates about NFL players kneeling as a form of protest, to legislation involving transgender service members, to the replacement of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin with Rear Adm. Ronny L. Jackson, what it means to support service men and women has been a major part of the political dialogue of the United States in 2018.
With so many figures offering their opinions on what it means to support – or not support – our troops, one has to wonder: what do service men and women themselves identify as the ways they like to be supported?
If you've served or are currently serving in the US military, what things can people do to make you feel truly supported? What, for you, does "supporting our troops" mean? Vote up the actions and stances people can take that make you feel supported.
list ordered by
1
62 0
They can support a strong, well-funded Department of Veterans Affairs.
2
27 1
They can advocate for mental institutions to provide free mental health care for veterans.
3
33 2
They can patronize companies and businesses that provide job services especially for veterans.
4
32 2
They can donate time to charities for veterans.
5
31 2
They can visit VA nursing homes and spend time with elderly veterans.
6
36 3
They can support initiatives that offer scholarships for veterans.
7
35 4
They can thoughtfully observe Veterans Day.
8
48 8
They can support giving veterans the option of using their benefits to seek private healthcare.
9
28 3
They can send care packages to those on active duty.
10
37 8
They can teach their children about significant moments in military history.
11
43 13
They can approach me and thank me for my service.
12
36 11
They can patronize stores and other businesses that provide discounts for military members.
13
31 9
They can donate money to charities for veterans.
14
36 14
They can support an increase in defense spending.
15
37 16
They can stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.
16
30 12
They can publicly display their support with bumper stickers, flags, and ribbons.
17
22 8
They can enlist in the military themselves.
18
27 14
They can support media outlets that run positive stories about the military.
19
19 8
They can sit and talk with me about my experiences in the military.
20
19 8
They can support a decrease in US military involvement abroad.
21
26 16
They can vote for veterans who are running for public office.
22
29 20
They can vote for Republican candidates.
23
28 20
They can vote for Democratic candidates.
24
17 10
They can watch films that realistically depict military life and combat.
25
14 18
They can support the draft.
26
10 17
They can support the use of private military contractors.
27
9 16
They can oppose the use of private military contractors.
28
8 18
They can support an increase in US military involvement abroad.
29
10 25
They can support a decrease in defense spending.
30
8 23
They can bar their children from playing war-based video games.
