I can honestly say that I've met some folks in the armed forces who have the kind of "Im risking my life serving my country, what the heck are YOU doing"-better than you attitude...that is VERY irritating. Yes I respect them for that but I do not necessarily think it makes them a BETTER person than anyone else...My current roommate, however is in the Army, and he is an Iraq veteran, his girlfriend is currently serving the Army in Baghdad and she was also a very friendly girl...of course they were also both raised in Kansas...cultures tend to vary from region to region in the USA, and here in the midwest, folks tend to be very relaxed, laid back, take things at a slower easier pace...and so, a lot of folks are friendly.
I am really sorry to hear though that you had to deal with such rude guys...thats a bummer.