AITA for reminding a guy I got absolutely nothing as a retirement gift when being asked to contribute to another? I retired from the Army reserve after 22 years in the summer of 2024. I got nothing as a parting gift from any level (unit, BN, BDE, etc.). *I didn’t really care.* I was just happy to be retired and have put that phase of my life behind me. This past week I was asked over text by the same guys who couldn’t be bothered to give me so much as a certificate of appreciation on a piece of A4 if I wanted to contribute to a gift for another guy who is retiring soon. They plan to get him a 1911.
I told them I would but kind of jokingly reminded him I didn’t even get a used Starbucks gift card when I left. I didn’t get a reply.
Waited a couple days and let him know that I really wasn’t trying to be an ass if it had seemed like it but that I was caught a little off guard being asked to contribute to such a gift after having received nothing and that it was a bit of a gut punch.
I’ve still heard nothing back. It’s not like these guys are just casual acquaintances.
I’ve deployed to the Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, etc. with these guys and a couple even stood at my wedding. Known a few of them for nearly 20 years. I still have heard nothing at all. Just crickets.
So AITA for reminding the same people asking me to contribute to a pretty significant retirement gift that they got me nothing? I did chip in and throw $100 in the Venmo. And still nothing.
I’ve spent a decent bit of my life in some pretty shitty places with the guy they’re organizing this for. One of the **best** guys out there.
Sure he’s one of the guys that could have done something when I left but me leaving empty handed doesn’t mean he should. I’m happy to contribute. I simply pointed out a fact when asked to do so.
