First, I do believe that LE and MIL are equal in importance.</div></div>
I believe they are two totally different jobs
<span style="color: #FF0000">I never said that they were the same. Importance of a job and type of job are two different things. Think of a car engine and a car transmission....they are not the same but both are incredibly important and can have a big impact on how the car drives.</span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bowman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To recap: I'm not saying one job is more dangerous than the other. They can both be dangerous and both be extremely safe. My point is, they both have their risks/benefits, and the public is better for having them both.</div></div>
I can agree with that. However your not sacrificing anything. You compensated very well with a retirement package and good salary. No one makes you do police work.
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You are correct that nobody makes me do police work. Nobody made me join the USMC either. I have decided to make my living dealing with people that most don't want to deal with. I do sacrifice my safety, albeit willingly. I don't have an option to cower when I get a call to a man with a gun. I don't have the option not to fight a parolee who is hellbent on not going back to prison. I'm not looking for a medal here but there are many things that I sacrifice in order to be LE.
You need to understand that a sacrifice is still a sacrifice regardless of compensation or motive. Somebody may choose to join the military and go fight, but by your definition, they are not making any sacrifice because they want to go fight. Your understanding of sacrifice is juvenile at best.</span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bowman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe that MIL/LE should be moved ahead of the line over somebody that is obtaining parts to further their hobby. Enough said there.</div></div>
I completely disagree and find it revolting that you as a police officer feel you are entitled to special treatment when it comes to your hobby supplies. I pay your salary and you've got a cushy job with little chance of layoff in these trying times. A job where 50 guys are waiting in line to take your place. That you think I have lesser importance as a hobby customer is a spit in my face; as an equal man in the eyes of our founders, born free and better than no man.
<span style="color: #FF0000">At no time did I say that I should get special treatment when it comes to my hobby supplies. I said that when a profession makes a measurable impact on public safety, that particular profession should have their tools of their trade before all others. For example, I don't need a bipod for my job. So I should be in line behind everybody else, however, if military personnel who utilize bipods need them, then they should have first dibs.
By the way, climb down from your high horse. Your hobbies do fall behind public/national safety. You apparently are the type of sensitive guy that gets upset when somebody tells you that you can't have something first. BTW, our "Founders" put weapons in the hands of our soldiers that were going to war. Back then they didn't have selfish public stamping their feet demanding that they get weapons first. The war effort was to equip and arm those who were going to fight.
Police are in danger of being laid off if it makes you feel any better. Also, my job isn't as "cushy" as you think. I'd elaborate but it would only fall on deaf, apathetic, ignorant ears. Stop trying to play the roll of the victim because nobody is buying it. Nobody spit in your face but your own twisted, irrational perception.</span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bowman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As far as the discount: I believe that MIL and EMS should receive a higher discount than LE or FIRE because of the obvious pay differences.</div></div>
Why would an EMS deserve any discount and your comment on wages smack of wealth redistribution. Since when do EMS and Fire need bipods anyway.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Again, I'm speaking of tools of a particular trade. Items like boots, gear bags, trauma kits, etc. I'm not talking about bipods for EMS.</span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bowman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sure the gear we use is for the tactical advantage over the enemy</div></div>
This kills me, I shouldn't have to be telling you this. This is also why LE and Mil are completely different. <span style="font-weight: bold">Bro as a police officer you do not have enemies.</span> That is for a court to decide and as far as your concerned citizens are innocent until proven guilty. You do not have enemies.
<span style="color: #FF0000">A brilliant display of ignorance.... I use the word enemy for people who will do harm against mil personnel, police or citizens. I don't need a court room to tell me that a person unloading an AK in my direction is the enemy. If it will hurt your feelings less, I will substitute "enemy" for "bad guy" in the future.</span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bowman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BTW, I don't get an allowance for anything. When my uniform gets ripped in a fight, I buy the replacement. When my gear breaks or wears out, I buy the replacement.</div></div>
Welcome to the real world. I'm a general contractor. When I have equipment break down I buy new equipment. Facts of life. Bowman what I take from your post is what I believe to be an entitlement mentality. In America every man is equal. You are not special.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Ray Ray, you have misinterpreted my entire post. There is an obvious communication problem. Maybe I was being unclear. I would even be happy if Home Depot made items available to contractors before anybody else....even at a cheaper price. I really don't care. You wouldn't see me jumping up and down crying that somebody spit in my face and citing the fact that all are equal in America.
You sir, have misjudged me. I don't think that I am special and I am not entitled, as you seem to perceive. I stand by what I said in my previous post. I believe that profession specific items should be sold first, to the people who use those tools to protect the safety of others. The discount is always appreciated but not expected.
Oh, and just for clarity, man may be equal, but the jobs they choose are far from.</span>