Author Topic: Why I don't miss the US Army (Read 461 times)

Hangtime · « **on:** July 23, 2005, 12:10:26 AM »

The food sucked. The pay sucked. The hours sucked. The clothes sucked. The officers sucked. The rides sucked. The equipment sucked. The view sucked. The women sucked. The locals sucked. The bugs reallysucked. The reception home sucked. The VA sucked.

In short, I don't miss it a bit. But then, I served in pretty suckky times.

I hear the foods better now.

joowenn · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:14:16 AM »

Russian · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:14:22 AM »

I always enjoy seeing expression on army’s/marines face when they visit for the first time AF chow hall.

Russian · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:16:50 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by joowenn

That's it!....that is the expression!

VOR · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:19:51 AM »

LOL yes, perfect.

Hangtime · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:20:14 AM »

That guy's an actor playing a marine.

not to worry, he fits right in.

he suckked too.

VOR · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:23:59 AM »

Private Joe Snuffy, reporting for duty!

Gunslinger · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:24:37 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by joowenn

Gomer Pyle played a MARINE....ass

Hang,

I have to say this. As somone who got out because the grass was greener on the other side........it has gotten better.

When I first joined the pay REALLY sucked. Now I'm an E-5 with 10 years in and I make just about the same as my civilian equivilant.

The other thing I have is job security. I worked for a temp agency in Carrolton, TX and they fired a guy because "he just didn't fit in". I don't have that worry now. My family has a really nice house.....I make enough money to support a wife and two kids.....These are all things I would have worried about 5 years ago.

Now I actually worry if we are getting too many benifits. Yes these bennies help me but I'm also a tax payer. If the DOD can't afford all these bennies that congress is proposing it shouldnt be forced to pay for them.

On the flip side:

THe deployments still suck.....and even suck worse now that Iraq is in play. Dont forget about Korea, Army and USAF members still do 1 year unaccompanied tours to S.Korea to maintain the peace of a war we faught 50 years ago.

It's govt. work so that means red tape till you go blind. You wont allways give up but the red tape still does exist.

Today I had to argue the finer points of heat exaustion. My counterpart felt that heat warnings didn't apply if said mechanics were working in a hanger. My contention was that a hanger that didn't have A/C and had it's doors open was no different than the 115 degree environment it was supposed to sheild from. Symantics you know.

I know in my heart that in 10 years I will not be able to live off of the retirement that my military service will give me BUT. I will be highly trained/skilled and will be able to aquire a job that will. The bonus is I will have a paycheck the rest of my life that will pay a pretty good mortgage.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:25:09 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hangtime
That guy's an actor playing a marine.

not to worry, he fits right in.

he suckked too.

He had a rather nice singing voice IIRC

joowenn · « **Reply #9 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:30:04 AM »

sarge - Anyone who runs is V.C. Anyone who stands still is well-disciplined V.C.

pyle - geewiz sarge..

oh wait that was from full metal jacke!

Hangtime · « **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:35:48 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gunslinger
Gomer Pyle played a MARINE....ass

Hang,

I have to say this. As somone who got out because the grass was greener on the other side........it has gotten better.

When I first joined the pay REALLY sucked. Now I'm an E-5 with 10 years in and I make just about the same as my civilian equivilant.

The other thing I have is job security. I worked for a temp agency in Carrolton, TX and they fired a guy because "he just didn't fit in". I don't have that worry now. My family has a really nice house.....I make enough money to support a wife and two kids.....These are all things I would have worried about 5 years ago.

Now I actually worry if we are getting too many benifits. Yes these bennies help me but I'm also a tax payer. If the DOD can't afford all these bennies that congress is proposing it shouldnt be forced to pay for them.

On the flip side:

THe deployments still suck.....and even suck worse now that Iraq is in play. Dont forget about Korea, Army and USAF members still do 1 year unaccompanied tours to S.Korea to maintain the peace of a war we faught 50 years ago.

It's govt. work so that means red tape till you go blind. You wont allways give up but the red tape still does exist.

Today I had to argue the finer points of heat exaustion. My counterpart felt that heat warnings didn't apply if said mechanics were working in a hanger. My contention was that a hanger that didn't have A/C and had it's doors open was no different than the 115 degree environment it was supposed to sheild from. Symantics you know.

I know in my heart that in 10 years I will not be able to live off of the retirement that my military service will give me BUT. I will be highly trained/skilled and will be able to aquire a job that will. The bonus is I will have a paycheck the rest of my life that will pay a pretty good mortgage.

Good fer you, yah miserable lifer.

(I envy you.. a job well done, and done well!)

Staying in wasn't a possibility I could wrap my head around. Don't regeret my service, or the choice to leave. Gettin short was a ritual right of passage.. an 'earned' early retirement leading to the one thing that didn't suck... the freedom bird.

montag · « **Reply #11 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:40:11 AM »

no no gomer pyle was int he cavalry.

Hangtime · « **Reply #12 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:44:18 AM »

did i mention the rides sucked?

Suave · « **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:57:37 AM »

I don't really care for seafood much, but some units in the army had very good mess halls. Hard to complain when the day room has a wet bar and the dining facility serves lobster. And the beer truck pulls up and starts unloading at the COB formation after returning from the field. Of course the beer deliveries at the victory meals were paid for by the officers not the army.

Still that doesn't compare to being put up in nice tourist hotels tdy in a country full of non-fat women and being able to have a beer on duty. Getting paid enough to be young and dumb and still have enough left to put in the bank. Only having to worry about affording car payments and disco bunnies.

Getting paid a salary to be a full time student at a civilian college with 100% tuition and books and any other expenses paid for.

Yeah, there's a lot I miss about the Army.

Boroda · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2005, 01:05:50 AM »

Hang, I only to you and your generation.

Sincerely. Thank You. It's all I can say. A soldier with an automat in his hands always will get my respect.

Noone probably enjoys a service in strange places. My best friend went through Afghaniatan, coming home with a "Combat Merit" medal. People like you and him, who didn;t become "moral freaks" are a base of our cultures.