So back in November I shipped out to basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri after joining the US Army in late September. First I just want to say that Missouri is cold as fuck. Anyways, it's been an... interesting experience, to say the least. My job is a 35P, a cryptologic linguist. My training isn't even close to over so I can't really call myself that yet. I am currently at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, preparing to start Mandarin classes.
This has been the longest and most eventful four months of my life, no doubt about it. I had never even fired a gun before I joined the Army. I've now fired an m16, m4 (with nightvision + an IR laser and a red dot scope), m249 SAW, m240b, m203 (grenade launcher mounted under the weapon) and thrown several m67 frag grenades. I've also crawled under live m240b rounds being shot over my head, been subject to cs gas (that's fun, lemme tell you) and been inadvertently hit by a flashbang. We've done many other things, but I'd have to say these are some of the highlights in my mind.
There's way too many stories and experiences, both good and bad, to list here or even to remember at the moment. So I was hoping some of you had some questions about my experience you could ask and I'll try to answer them as best as I can.
NIce. How did you do on the avsfab to get that position? I took it and they basically said you can do whatever the hell you want. (medical problems keep me from serving, but it was interestinG)
How much are you being paid, and what benefits do you get from being in the Service? (ie school scholarships)
Do you anticipate your participation in the Army as a life long career, or something to get you started? If the latter, what is your plan for after the Army?
On March 04 2011 14:26 Entropic wrote: m240b (the C6 variant of the FN Mag up here)... oh how I have fond memories of lugging that thing around
yup, it's not fun. i carried the saw for a little while on the last ruck march. at first it's not much but it gets heavy after a while haha.
On March 04 2011 14:26 Froadac wrote: NIce. How did you do on the avsfab to get that position? I took it and they basically said you can do whatever the hell you want. (medical problems keep me from serving, but it was interestinG)
well pretty much if you get over like 60-70 percentile you qualify for every job haha. i got a 97.
On March 04 2011 14:33 m4gdelen4 wrote: what's it like being hit by a flashbang....? just wondering.
so on our third (and last) field training exercise we were supposed to go into this little town and try to get information out of the natives. the mission had 2 squads i believe, so about 20 people. we were attacked from a window of a two story building so we sent a squad into the building. i was pulling security outside and i walked by a window of a different building and i pied the corner (a technique for looking around corners when you aren't sure what's there) and ended up seeing a drill sergeant standing in the middle of the room. he looked at me and said "don't look at this, private" then he dropped a flashbang in the middle of the room and ran out. i managed to get down in time so i didnt actually get hit by the flash. but i couldnt hear anything besides ringing for a good 10-15 seconds, it wasn't so cool.
On March 04 2011 14:44 Zerokaiser wrote: Sounds like they're making a wonderful human being out of you.
im already a wonderful human being, obv.
On March 04 2011 14:45 Hikko wrote: How much are you being paid, and what benefits do you get from being in the Service? (ie school scholarships)
Do you anticipate your participation in the Army as a life long career, or something to get you started? If the latter, what is your plan for after the Army?
i really don't get paid shit since my paygrade is e-2, you can probably look that up but i think it's about $1600 a month. but i get all my healthcare shit taken care of. the only things i spend my money on now is food (outside of the chow hall, where we eat for free) and my cell phone bill.
as for money for school, the army gives you so much. you can also get the montgomery gi bill which will pay for a shitload of school, look it up if you want to know more (i dont know many details even though i have it lol). but right now i have to take like two classes (which i can just test out of) and ill be ready to get an associates degree in mandarin from the department of defense once i graduate.
im not sure if ill stay in. i think i probably will but i'll have to see how the rest of my contract plays out and what type of reenlistment options ill have.
On March 04 2011 14:33 m4gdelen4 wrote: what's it like being hit by a flashbang....? just wondering.
when i was hit, i managed to close my eyes in time, but its still like, when you look up at the sun with your eyes, so you see this red and it feels kinda funny. then you have this REALLY loud bang with a ringing in your eyes. and in my case, it completely threw off my balance (otoliths gone off balance from sound waves?) and i felt a little queasy. my cousin was laughing the entire time >_>
On March 04 2011 14:33 m4gdelen4 wrote: what's it like being hit by a flashbang....? just wondering.
when i was hit, i managed to close my eyes in time, but its still like, when you look up at the sun with your eyes, so you see this red and it feels kinda funny. then you have this REALLY loud bang with a ringing in your eyes. and in my case, it completely threw off my balance (otoliths gone off balance from sound waves?) and i felt a little queasy. my cousin was laughing the entire time >_>
haha yeah, it basically just disturbs all the fluid in your ears (so yeah, your otoliths) so everything ear related pretty much stops working.
Damn why didn't you want to be an Air Force linguist? I guess you just like the Army?
I'm in the Air Force. I had 2 AF buddies one of them flunked out of Mandarin towards the end of his 2 year schooling and other had discipline problems in Monterray.
Grats though. I bombed the DLAB test with a 64 >.<
On March 04 2011 15:39 Silentness wrote: Damn why didn't you want to be an Air Force linguist? I guess you just like the Army?
I'm in the Air Force. I had 2 AF buddies one of them flunked out of Mandarin towards the end of his 2 year schooling and other had discipline problems in Monterray.
Grats though. I bombed the DLAB test with a 64 >.<
All I ever shot was the M-16 in Basic Training.
im jealous of the air force sometimes. they do pt like twice a week and have accountability formation like once a week at 0700. the army has pt every day at 0515 and accountability every day.
however, they have to wear a pt belt with whatever they are wearing (even civilian clothes) and it makes them look retarded, haha.
On March 04 2011 14:22 Nitrogen wrote: So back in November I shipped out to basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri after joining the US Army in late September. First I just want to say that Missouri is cold as fuck. Anyways, it's been an... interesting experience, to say the least. My job is a 35P, a cryptologic linguist. My training isn't even close to over so I can't really call myself that yet. I am currently at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, preparing to start Mandarin classes.
This has been the longest and most eventful four months of my life, no doubt about it. I had never even fired a gun before I joined the Army. I've now fired an m16, m4 (with nightvision + an IR laser and a red dot scope), m249 SAW, m240b, m203 (grenade launcher mounted under the weapon) and thrown several m67 frag grenades. I've also crawled under live m240b rounds being shot over my head, been subject to cs gas (that's fun, lemme tell you) and been inadvertently hit by a flashbang. We've done many other things, but I'd have to say these are some of the highlights in my mind.
There's way too many stories and experiences, both good and bad, to list here or even to remember at the moment. So I was hoping some of you had some questions about my experience you could ask and I'll try to answer them as best as I can.
Also, here are a few pictures I managed to snag with my cellphone (in the limited time we had them). + Show Spoiler +
My m16a2
m240b
m249 SAW
My beret flash pin since I've gotten to the DLI
229th Military Intelligence Battalion unit patch
i have a question
why are there so many wordsssssss
oh my god so many words
i think you are making more money than i was during my short time with the government
On March 04 2011 15:39 Silentness wrote: Damn why didn't you want to be an Air Force linguist? I guess you just like the Army?
I'm in the Air Force. I had 2 AF buddies one of them flunked out of Mandarin towards the end of his 2 year schooling and other had discipline problems in Monterray.
Grats though. I bombed the DLAB test with a 64 >.<
All I ever shot was the M-16 in Basic Training.
im jealous of the air force sometimes. they do pt like twice a week and have accountability formation like once a week at 0700. the army has pt every day at 0515 and accountability every day.
however, they have to wear a pt belt with whatever they are wearing (even civilian clothes) and it makes them look retarded, haha.
hey when u get good at mandarin lets talk in mandarin to chinese dota pubs kk miss u so much bby dota soon ya ? ^^
In the OP, titled "My Army Experience... So Far," the bulk of the message seems to concern weapons used and subjected to. IT reminds me of all the action movies which glorify fancy technology, weapons, and big explosions, with no thought to what it means to be a soldier, or the consequences that stem from the large scale use of violence. This is a criticism, but not intended to be a mean-spirited one towards the author; perhaps you'd expand (well, even just comment) on the intellectual and spiritual impact your experiences have had on you, and your general outlook, beyond what weapons you've had the pleasure (presumably) of using.
My personal feeling is that the US is the biggest terrorist state in the history of all humanity, and it could not be so without its armed forces. I boycott all of this by purposely living under the taxable income, which is roughly 9500 USD for a single adult.
Stop playing games (since you're on a Starcraft board, I can only assume you play) and study. Now. DLI is a much different experience from boot camp, from getting your ass kicked physically to getting your ass kicked mentally. It is extremely difficult to keep up with studies going as fast as they do, in addition to juggling your regular military duties like formations and PT.
Not that I have doubts in your ability to study, but with something like an Asian language, it's one of those things that you either get it, or you don't. Studying will obviously supplement that, but having distractions doesn't help the grasping of tones or memorization of stroke orders.
Oooh reading this makes me want to write a blog about being in the Korean army and listening to my CO talk about upgrading zealot speed so we'd move faster.
On March 04 2011 14:33 m4gdelen4 wrote: what's it like being hit by a flashbang....? just wondering.
when i was hit, i managed to close my eyes in time, but its still like, when you look up at the sun with your eyes, so you see this red and it feels kinda funny. then you have this REALLY loud bang with a ringing in your eyes. and in my case, it completely threw off my balance (otoliths gone off balance from sound waves?) and i felt a little queasy. my cousin was laughing the entire time >_>
I really want to join the Canadian forces, just for training purposes. I want to be disciplined, but I don't want to get stuck in the army lol. My uncle has been with the navy for almost 20 years now. Christ, I really don't want that ha.. But he is so disciplined and well spoken and always on the ball. Even when he is baked and drunk!
On March 04 2011 17:08 silentreality wrote: Oooh reading this makes me want to write a blog about being in the Korean army and listening to my CO talk about upgrading zealot speed so we'd move faster.
Maybe this is why... no never mind I will not say it. :p
On March 04 2011 17:08 silentreality wrote: Oooh reading this makes me want to write a blog about being in the Korean army and listening to my CO talk about upgrading zealot speed so we'd move faster.
On March 04 2011 15:39 Silentness wrote: Damn why didn't you want to be an Air Force linguist? I guess you just like the Army?
I'm in the Air Force. I had 2 AF buddies one of them flunked out of Mandarin towards the end of his 2 year schooling and other had discipline problems in Monterray.
Grats though. I bombed the DLAB test with a 64 >.<
All I ever shot was the M-16 in Basic Training.
im jealous of the air force sometimes. they do pt like twice a week and have accountability formation like once a week at 0700. the army has pt every day at 0515 and accountability every day.
however, they have to wear a pt belt with whatever they are wearing (even civilian clothes) and it makes them look retarded, haha.
actually you know what I don't EVER have formation. Only time I had formations was in Technical School (AIT for Army). Both my mom and dad were in the Army... my dad retired after 24 years and he told me to not join the Army and join the Air Force instead. Oh yeah and you're right we only have PT 2 times a week hahahaha. The best part is I don't even have to do PT with my unit because I score high on my annual PT tests. I've actually missed some PT sessions because of my recklessness, but I get lucky and nobody noticed I wasn't there. ROFL
Uhh we don't have to wear reflective belts with civilian clothes... is that Army? Only time Air Force has to wear reflective belts is on their backpack and uniform. YOU NEED a reflective belt in Korea... omg those taxi drivers on post/base are crazy drivers, especially at hours of darkness.
"I've also crawled under live m240b rounds being shot over my head"
Did this come directly after crawling as THOUGH there were live rounds over your head with drill sergeants everywhere yelling at you? If so, were you relieved when there were live rounds over your head because they kept the drill sergeants away?
Thanks for the update by the way... I enjoyed hearing a little about what you have been up to.
On March 04 2011 16:04 nA.Inky wrote: In the OP, titled "My Army Experience... So Far," the bulk of the message seems to concern weapons used and subjected to. IT reminds me of all the action movies which glorify fancy technology, weapons, and big explosions, with no thought to what it means to be a soldier, or the consequences that stem from the large scale use of violence. This is a criticism, but not intended to be a mean-spirited one towards the author; perhaps you'd expand (well, even just comment) on the intellectual and spiritual impact your experiences have had on you, and your general outlook, beyond what weapons you've had the pleasure (presumably) of using.
My personal feeling is that the US is the biggest terrorist state in the history of all humanity, and it could not be so without its armed forces. I boycott all of this by purposely living under the taxable income, which is roughly 9500 USD for a single adult.
Sooooo, how's that working out for, with you "sticking it to the man" and such.
I'll guarantee you that you aren't making more than $9500 because you CAN'T. Or if more, then very little more.
But to each his own, I don't give a crap what you do with your life really, but it doesn't mean I can't think you're more than a little delusional and out of touch with reality.
What's the difference between the m249 SAW and the m240b machine gun? I noticed that the m240b had a larger barrel, so is accuracy one of the differences?
I'm not the op but getting gassed wasn't all that bad for me.. at least not as bad as people made it out to be.. maybe I just think that because it was over 5 years ago now >.<.
On March 04 2011 15:56 Disregard wrote: Do you have any background in the Chinese language? Or you were assigned that?
Nope, its just what they assigned to me lol.
On March 04 2011 16:04 nA.Inky wrote: In the OP, titled "My Army Experience... So Far," the bulk of the message seems to concern weapons used and subjected to. IT reminds me of all the action movies which glorify fancy technology, weapons, and big explosions, with no thought to what it means to be a soldier, or the consequences that stem from the large scale use of violence. This is a criticism, but not intended to be a mean-spirited one towards the author; perhaps you'd expand (well, even just comment) on the intellectual and spiritual impact your experiences have had on you, and your general outlook, beyond what weapons you've had the pleasure (presumably) of using.
My personal feeling is that the US is the biggest terrorist state in the history of all humanity, and it could not be so without its armed forces. I boycott all of this by purposely living under the taxable income, which is roughly 9500 USD for a single adult.
... aight bro.
On March 04 2011 18:29 Bobo_XIII wrote: Are you on a RASP contract? You have easily the most interesting set of skills and capabilities in our unit if you were to get in.
On March 04 2011 15:39 Silentness wrote: Damn why didn't you want to be an Air Force linguist? I guess you just like the Army?
I'm in the Air Force. I had 2 AF buddies one of them flunked out of Mandarin towards the end of his 2 year schooling and other had discipline problems in Monterray.
Grats though. I bombed the DLAB test with a 64 >.<
All I ever shot was the M-16 in Basic Training.
im jealous of the air force sometimes. they do pt like twice a week and have accountability formation like once a week at 0700. the army has pt every day at 0515 and accountability every day.
however, they have to wear a pt belt with whatever they are wearing (even civilian clothes) and it makes them look retarded, haha.
actually you know what I don't EVER have formation. Only time I had formations was in Technical School (AIT for Army). Both my mom and dad were in the Army... my dad retired after 24 years and he told me to not join the Army and join the Air Force instead. Oh yeah and you're right we only have PT 2 times a week hahahaha. The best part is I don't even have to do PT with my unit because I score high on my annual PT tests. I've actually missed some PT sessions because of my recklessness, but I get lucky and nobody noticed I wasn't there. ROFL
Uhh we don't have to wear reflective belts with civilian clothes... is that Army? Only time Air Force has to wear reflective belts is on their backpack and uniform. YOU NEED a reflective belt in Korea... omg those taxi drivers on post/base are crazy drivers, especially at hours of darkness.
It's just a dli sop thing for af wearing pt belts at all times, its funny.
On March 04 2011 19:41 micronesia wrote: "I've also crawled under live m240b rounds being shot over my head"
Did this come directly after crawling as THOUGH there were live rounds over your head with drill sergeants everywhere yelling at you? If so, were you relieved when there were live rounds over your head because they kept the drill sergeants away?
Thanks for the update by the way... I enjoyed hearing a little about what you have been up to.
Well this training really sucked. U basically low crawl a few hundred meters under barbed wire in wet sand. The drill sergeants come with you though, haha.
On March 04 2011 23:52 Headlines wrote: What's the difference between the m249 SAW and the m240b machine gun? I noticed that the m240b had a larger barrel, so is accuracy one of the differences?
The saw shoots a 5.56 mm round whereas the 240b shoots a 7.62. The 240b is a little bit more accurate, but not by much. It's max range at a fire team size target is only 100 meters more than.the saw.
On March 04 2011 23:56 Hawk wrote: did you get a video of you getting gassed??? i saw my cousin's. That shit looks like it SUCKS. I'd imagine the flashes must blow too...
so how'd you end up in that program? are you chinese, request it or something?
I have a video of us getting gassed, but not with me. I can get it in like a week thou so ill prolly upload it. They ask you to lift up your mask, put it down and clear it before u take ur mask off completely. Some dude cleared it wrong and threw up inside his mask. Also, some girl literally shit herself.
I got this job by scoring well enough on the dlab (defense language aptitude battery) before I joined.
On March 04 2011 23:52 Headlines wrote: What's the difference between the m249 SAW and the m240b machine gun? I noticed that the m240b had a larger barrel, so is accuracy one of the differences?
The biggest difference is portability. The 249 is designed more as a personally carried weapon to be operated by one person, as a result of it being more lightweight.
The 240 is designed more to be stationary and mounted. Sometimes it might require someone to help you aim it due to higher recoil and heavier weight.
I also haven't heard about m240b. They should've added this on FPS games or something... I thought they only use m249 variants. Interestingly m240 uses the bigger bullet.
On March 05 2011 05:26 polgas wrote: I also haven't heard about m240b. They should've added this on FPS games or something... I thought they only use m249 variants. Interestingly m240 uses the bigger bullet.
For some reason FPS games I've seen (I don't play any really), they like putting the m60 in the game but never the m240 (and its variants... FN Mag, c6, m240b, etc).
Also I never understood why people always bring up being gassed as a highlight of basic. I didn't think it was too bad
Also, OP, how's your rifle marksmanship? I realized I just suck my first time on the range. I also realized that having to clean the section weapons (the light and medium machine guns) are a pain in the ass.
[B] My personal feeling is that the US is the biggest terrorist state in the history of all humanity, and it could not be so without its armed forces. I boycott all of this by purposely living under the taxable income, which is roughly 9500 USD for a single adult.
lol you are poor!!
OP, thanks for your service and good luck on your endeavors, stay safe, and know people you don't know pray for your safety everyday. There will always be those that disagree with your choices but there are those that appreciate the sacrifice you make.
On March 04 2011 23:52 Headlines wrote: What's the difference between the m249 SAW and the m240b machine gun? I noticed that the m240b had a larger barrel, so is accuracy one of the differences?
The biggest difference is portability. The 249 is designed more as a personally carried weapon to be operated by one person, as a result of it being more lightweight.
The 240 is designed more to be stationary and mounted. Sometimes it might require someone to help you aim it due to higher recoil and heavier weight.
well the saw is definitely more of a personally carried weapon (hence the name squad automatic weapon), it's still a crew served weapon, so you'd have a gunner and an assistant gunner.
ur definitely right about the 240 being a mounted weapon thou, it's what humvees usually have. (i think its actually a 240c on humvees? not sure)
On March 05 2011 05:26 polgas wrote: I also haven't heard about m240b. They should've added this on FPS games or something... I thought they only use m249 variants. Interestingly m240 uses the bigger bullet.
For some reason FPS games I've seen (I don't play any really), they like putting the m60 in the game but never the m240 (and its variants... FN Mag, c6, m240b, etc).
Also I never understood why people always bring up being gassed as a highlight of basic. I didn't think it was too bad
Also, OP, how's your rifle marksmanship? I realized I just suck my first time on the range. I also realized that having to clean the section weapons (the light and medium machine guns) are a pain in the ass.
being gassed is the worst thing for some people cuz they freak the fuck out. honestly, i was freaking out at first but i managed to calm myself about halfway through and it wasnt as bad after that. i actually good open my eyes in the chamber and it didn't burn my eyes at all (no idea), but the rest wasn't so fun. for anyone curious what it feels like, it just feels like you can't breath and everything on your face burns.
my marksmanship is okay, i shot sharpshooter during our brm qual with a 32. i was wayyy better at arm than brm though, i like reflexive fire way better (plus nods, ir laser and red dot scope help )
Get a RASP contract. Getting in isn't even hard; most people psych themselves the fuck out before anything ever happens. It's a shame that we're short on people with your MOS, because the skillsets, schools, and environments that you work in are beyond awesome. The nature of your job in our unit is one of the best kept secrets in the army.
I can personally PM you some general information on the process of getting in if you show even a degree of interest. Just ask me questions.
You don't want to working in a mediocre environment for the rest of you army career, however long it may be.
damn that thing hurts like mad! basically what i do is to get in chamber,do some basic exercises(jumping jack,pumping) , change my mask filter.
the highlight is the last part where i have to take off my mask,exposing myself to the tear gas and say out loud my Rank Name & IC with my eyes open. that gas reallly burns like mad haha. in so much pain,i managed to read out everything,but i did get one breath of teargas and damn. it hurts,my eyes were watering...compared to some friends who actually had snot dripping out of their nose i think i handled it pretty well.
On March 06 2011 11:51 Kukaracha wrote: I have a question: in the army, do you have many kids who enjoy war, or do most of the people prefer being in the army without actually fighting?
i dunno really. a lot of people i talked to in basic were talking about killing someone and many of them said they didn't think they'd be able to handle it. i'm not sure why they joined the army though, lol.
On March 06 2011 11:51 Kukaracha wrote: I have a question: in the army, do you have many kids who enjoy war, or do most of the people prefer being in the army without actually fighting?
i dunno really. a lot of people i talked to in basic were talking about killing someone and many of them said they didn't think they'd be able to handle it. i'm not sure why they joined the army though, lol.
I fear that first person shooter games more and more are motivating people to join the military for the wrong reasons.
On March 06 2011 11:51 Kukaracha wrote: I have a question: in the army, do you have many kids who enjoy war, or do most of the people prefer being in the army without actually fighting?
i dunno really. a lot of people i talked to in basic were talking about killing someone and many of them said they didn't think they'd be able to handle it. i'm not sure why they joined the army though, lol.
Shooting "objects" is much easier. Plus some of the perks aren't too bad.
I have a question. I've thought about joining the army, maybe as a civil engineer when I graduate and thought it might be an interesting choice. The thing is, I'm small and kind of weak. Not my heart or health, but muscle-wise. Would I get completely demolished by the training? Or is it in general bearable for the below-average guy like me?
On March 06 2011 11:51 Kukaracha wrote: I have a question: in the army, do you have many kids who enjoy war, or do most of the people prefer being in the army without actually fighting?
i dunno really. a lot of people i talked to in basic were talking about killing someone and many of them said they didn't think they'd be able to handle it. i'm not sure why they joined the army though, lol.
The same people that are bragging about going out and killing people are probably some of the people that will "freeze" up when bullets actually start firing. ______
haha Gas chamber was fun though. I took my mask off and ran straight out the chamber as soon as I took it off... haha good times. I was coughing and wheezing after it.
On March 07 2011 01:12 PetitCrabe wrote: I have a question. I've thought about joining the army, maybe as a civil engineer when I graduate and thought it might be an interesting choice. The thing is, I'm small and kind of weak. Not my heart or health, but muscle-wise. Would I get completely demolished by the training? Or is it in general bearable for the below-average guy like me?
don't be too worried, i saw lots of fat people at basic. do you have good endurance? the only thing that really matters for basic is running, pushups and situps. just work on those and look up the army pt standards for your age group to see where you have to be to score well.
if you have a degree you could always join and go to officer candidate school, which means after basic and ocs (i think ocs is like 16 weeks long and basic is supposed to be 10) you get commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant.
Holy hell this is a crazy coincidence. I leave for BCT at Ft. Jackson next week, my MOS is 35P (well, 35W for now) and head out to DLI around June. I'm hoping to get Korean, but it's a toss-up I hear. Either way, I'm very excited.
On March 08 2011 14:54 Whiladan wrote:...I leave for BCT at Ft. Jackson next week, my MOS is 35P (well, 35W for now) and head out to DLI around June...
On March 06 2011 11:51 Kukaracha wrote: I have a question: in the army, do you have many kids who enjoy war, or do most of the people prefer being in the army without actually fighting?
i dunno really. a lot of people i talked to in basic were talking about killing someone and many of them said they didn't think they'd be able to handle it. i'm not sure why they joined the army though, lol.
I fear that first person shooter games more and more are motivating people to join the military for the wrong reasons.
You really think a 17 or 18 year old kid is so dumb that he doesn't realize what he's getting into?? Maybe the gravity of entire situation... but I'm quite sure that volunteers are aware there's a potential to get your head blown off
On March 06 2011 11:51 Kukaracha wrote: I have a question: in the army, do you have many kids who enjoy war, or do most of the people prefer being in the army without actually fighting?
i dunno really. a lot of people i talked to in basic were talking about killing someone and many of them said they didn't think they'd be able to handle it. i'm not sure why they joined the army though, lol.
I fear that first person shooter games more and more are motivating people to join the military for the wrong reasons.
You really think a 17 or 18 year old kid is so dumb that he doesn't realize what he's getting into?? Maybe the gravity of entire situation... but I'm quite sure that volunteers are aware there's a potential to get your head blown off
Yes. Psychology of teenagers is..... interesting. They often don't put thought into the aspects of a decision that you would expect them to.
On March 06 2011 11:51 Kukaracha wrote: I have a question: in the army, do you have many kids who enjoy war, or do most of the people prefer being in the army without actually fighting?
i dunno really. a lot of people i talked to in basic were talking about killing someone and many of them said they didn't think they'd be able to handle it. i'm not sure why they joined the army though, lol.
I fear that first person shooter games more and more are motivating people to join the military for the wrong reasons.
You really think a 17 or 18 year old kid is so dumb that he doesn't realize what he's getting into?? Maybe the gravity of entire situation... but I'm quite sure that volunteers are aware there's a potential to get your head blown off
Yes. Psychology of teenagers is..... interesting. They often don't put thought into the aspects of a decision that you would expect them to.
is there any research specifically about this?? it would be interesting.
like what, people have a romanticized view of war in a sense going in??
I can't tell if you're trolling or not, Hawk ;x Everybody who comes in has at least a degree of romanticism about war or even philosophy on 'how life should be lived,' otherwise they wouldn't join unless they had a death wish. Because nobody (at least that I've met, and I've been around for four years) actually believes in the legitimacy of the Iraq/Afghanistan campaigns
Honestly, I figured it was more circumstances that draw a majority of people to the military. You're not seeing very many rich kids join up. It's mostly people who have no other options or are looking to get the help for college and keep their heads low while enlisted.
I know a lot of military people my age. I honestly can't think of very many that did it because war is badass, or they have a family tradition, or are 1940s era, pick up the gun and fight patriots.
On March 09 2011 03:40 Hawk wrote: Honestly, I figured it was more circumstances that draw a majority of people to the military. You're not seeing very many rich kids join up. It's mostly people who have no other options or are looking to get the help for college and keep their heads low while enlisted.
I know a lot of military people my age. I honestly can't think of very many that did it because war is badass, or they have a family tradition, or are 1940s era, pick up the gun and fight patriots.
Proud 4th generation Army enlistee here, nice to meet you. =) Joining through tradition is definitely less common these days, but it's a very good feeling to know you have an honorable legacy to uphold. Not to mention my father's challenge that I can't top his highest award adds to the spice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legion_of_merit).
However, I agree things like Call of Duty and war movies have misguided many young men to join. Several recruits in my Delayed Entry Program have talked to me about how excited they are for war. Most of them however are the type who think they are "Army Ranger high-speed HOOAH" material and then run a 19:45 on their 2-mile, so they will learn soon enough.
At the same time, the amount of people joining to start a career or get money for college far outweigh the people who think they're going to be air-dropping into Osama's lair with an M60 in each hand.
Yeah, I'd imagine you're pretty rare haha. That's a pretty badass legacy to uphold though. I'm not made for the military and I certainly don't agree with all the dumb shit we send our soldiers into, but I've always found the military fascinating.
It's pretty crazy how the view of war through the eyes of the enlisted man has changed over the years. WWII guys sound like old has been athletes talking about the glory days. Korea still have that but not as much. Vietnam guys are almost universally angry and hate being reminded of their time there. Most younger vets seem to distance themselves from it too
Vet halls reflect it too. You almost never see any younger guys and only a few vietnam vets
On March 08 2011 14:54 Whiladan wrote: Holy hell this is a crazy coincidence. I leave for BCT at Ft. Jackson next week, my MOS is 35P (well, 35W for now) and head out to DLI around June. I'm hoping to get Korean, but it's a toss-up I hear. Either way, I'm very excited.
Will be sure to look you up when I get there!
haha good luck relaxin in jackson (not really, but be glad you don't have to go to the hell that is fort leonard wood in winter). you should get an email about halfway through basic telling you which language you got, if you actually manage to get a computer and check your email at basic (which i doubt). if you have any questions about dli/basic (dunno how accurate my answers about basic will be) just ask and ill be more than happy to help.
On March 08 2011 15:29 FuDDx wrote: Have you done any training at Ft. Fort Huachuca (Arizona)? My parents live near there.
nope, but i hope to at some point. that's where the 35m (human intelligence collector) school is, which i want to attend some day. it's also the headquarters of military intelligence.
On March 08 2011 14:54 Whiladan wrote: Holy hell this is a crazy coincidence. I leave for BCT at Ft. Jackson next week, my MOS is 35P (well, 35W for now) and head out to DLI around June. I'm hoping to get Korean, but it's a toss-up I hear. Either way, I'm very excited.
Will be sure to look you up when I get there!
haha good luck relaxin in jackson (not really, but be glad you don't have to go to the hell that is fort leonard wood in winter). you should get an email about halfway through basic telling you which language you got, if you actually manage to get a computer and check your email at basic (which i doubt). if you have any questions about dli/basic (dunno how accurate my answers about basic will be) just ask and ill be more than happy to help.
On March 08 2011 15:29 FuDDx wrote: Have you done any training at Ft. Fort Huachuca (Arizona)? My parents live near there.
nope, but i hope to at some point. that's where the 35m (human intelligence collector) school is, which i want to attend some day. it's also the headquarters of military intelligence.
Yeah, I got lucky with the ship date. One month earlier, freezing cold. One month later, blistering heat =). I have a couple questions I can think of immediately for DLI, BCT my recruiters have talked my ear off about what to expect.
I read that soldiers are able to "trade" languages with another if they don't end up with one they want. Can you tell me more about the process and if it is a viable way for getting the language you want?
How soon after Basic did you report to DLI? I have heard that it is immediately after, i.e. you get on a plane the same day you graduate Basic. I graduate on a Thursday and my family is considering making a weekend trip of it if I am to report the following Monday.
Kind of an odd question here, but is enclosed storage/parking available for your POV? I'm considering a 73 Mustang (cliche Private move, I know) and would not be able to leave it outside.
Thanks for your time (if what I hear is true, free time is quite valuable there), I'll post again if I think of anything else!
trading is possible, but it's not likely that it will happen. you have to do all this crazy shit and get it approved, but it's definitely possible. just talk to your platoon sergeant when you get here and they'll try to hook you up.
i reported the same day i shipped off from basic. some people got emails on their ako that told them their report date wasn't until later, but ignore that if you do get one. your drill sergeants will give you your official orders the day after you graduate and they will have the report date as the same day.
all the parking here is outside, sorry.
also a few other things to expect when you get here. when you get here it will probably be at like 0100 and you'll get put in b co where you'll undergo phase 4 (phase 1-3 are red white and blue in bct, though they all pretty much are the same for the first three). basically phase 4 exists so you don't go insane from having 0 freedom in basic to having tons of freedom here. it's infinitely better than basic though, so don't be nervous when you are coming here. one last thing, for your pt test you better be able to pass AIT standards (60%) because you'll need it to phase up or else you'll get stuck in phase 4 for a while.
EPT
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