I was at a networking tech event completely unrelated to military and, having got out 6 months ago, when people ask “what do you do” I tend to mention I am a vet living off the Gi Bill, and I tend to meet some vets and stuff like that.

I met some a hole at the conference who kept on at every corner lowkey calling me a fraud every chance He got, and, while I didn’t try to hang out with him, the he eventually at the end a little after started talking to me. It went through 20 people that me being a veteran,what I have been doing with the past few years, is not a big deal if not a conversation starter.

Anyway, the person who kept on saying I’m not who I say I was kept saying I’m not a veteran and all.

And to be honest, I grew my (wavy/curly) hair out, wear glasses, and am at a tech conference, so in a good way, yes I don’t look like a 50 year old man. I’m a (blueside)sailor vet for crying out loud! Why would I look like am in a combat zone if I’m out.

Anyway, it has occurred to me, even if these convos were wayy late at night, I am oversharing to these people. While yes “some bad apples” will always be there, I have to ask myself “Do I really need to tell people I am a veteran the first chance I get.”

Truth is, being young, calling yourself a veteran gives (in my opinion) more trouble than its worth.

But I thought I still had a right to my experiences….

So, I wonder, for the vet community, do you cover up your experience?

How would I lie about the years I’ve been in? If it sounds like I’m rich person, that’s not even close of my story of surviving homelessness to join the Navy. If my story talks about Mom and Dad, I’ll be considered stupid and naïve.

Should I say I’ve been working essentially the same job but in the civilian world?

I don’t know, is there people here who have a cover story?

Edit: Spelling