Author Topic: The difference between US and UK officers when in front of a camera (Read 1158 times)

Swoop · « **on:** March 20, 2003, 10:17:12 AM »

Commander of the US 5th fleet stood in front of a gathering of his sailors and said:

"When the President says go, look out, it's Hammer time."

Lt Col Tim Collins of the British Army had this to say to his men:

"The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his Nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction - there are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam."

P.S. It's Hammer time? When did this man last watch MTV?

ra · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:18:34 AM »

Too many words! My brain hurts!

Hangtime · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:19:31 AM »

LOL.

It's Hammer Time.

damn straight. and i hope like hell he watches less tv than us.

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:20:37 AM »

I thought the "hammer time" speach was poor as well. The sailors were probably laughing in the background.

Good pep-talk by the Brit.

Swoop · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:23:35 AM »

Funny, I was watching the "Hammer time" speech (prolly not live though) and it sure sounded like he'd run outta things to say and said the 1st thing he thought of.

I mean sure, ok it worked....or would have done 10 years ago....but if that Admiral whatshisname watches the tape back I bet he'll be cringing.

Lesson 1: if ya cant make it up yourself employ a PR guy. Bush does.....there is no shame in being a crap public speaker.

davidpt40 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:25:51 AM »

Which is better, a speech that is somber and dark, like the Brits?

Or a speech that is optimistic and cocky?

Curval · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:29:53 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by davidpt40
Which is better, a speech that is somber and dark, like the Brits?

Or a speech that is optimistic and cocky?

The first one.

Somber and dark is a realistic approach to war.

The second sounds like cowboy.

Hangtime · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:34:22 AM »

actions speak louder than words.

i liked the brit speach.. i like the navy's berevity.

substance is the same.

'kick ass. don't stop to take names.'

Quote

The second sounds like cowboy.

we ARE 'cowboys'. we ain't brits. he was talking to his squids. not brits.

Mini D · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:44:45 AM »

Wow... evaluating generals based on their performance in front of a camera.

MiniD

AKIron · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:49:25 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Curval
The second sounds like cowboy.

You make it sound like that's a bad thing.

Dowding · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:49:57 AM »

Quote

Wow... evaluating generals based on their performance in front of a camera.

No. Evaluating generals performance in front of a camera, based on their performance in front of a camera.

Do try to keep up.

Pongo · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2003, 10:56:17 AM »

I just know that either is better then a canadian. Dont get me started...
In Panama in 85 The comander of the US airborne unit I was attatched to for the Jungle Warfare course actually said.
"When you finish this coarse you will be a high speed, low drag jungle night fighter..nothing more, nothing less. Take a deep breath.. think about it...Let it out.
The whole battalion screams AIR BORNE!
and then the comander almost wispers..air borne..
My platoon almost couldnt stop ourselves from laughing..
But they were not faking it. It seemed cheesy to us but they were into it. Our version of Esprit de Corps was quite a bit different but it worked for them.

The year before I had been attatched to a Brit battalion for a month of live fire training. That comander was this aristocratic kind of guy..and when he talked all his own troops were rolling thier eyes. He was no where near in touch with his own troops.

I have had canadian generals and battalion comanders say such absolutly stupid things infront of 1000s of troops that I will not shame my country by repeating them without many beers to pry it loose. Honestly. Guys where trying to figure out what had been said for years afterwords..

Id say both those guys did well for thier target audiences. Either speech would have worked well for Canadian troops.

Kanth · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2003, 11:00:48 AM »

I'll tell you what, no matter what he says, if his men are with him and believe in him that is all that matters..

I used to hate marching, hate it with a passion...then in AIT we had this drill sargeant (that I totally didn't know) that could call cadence like no one ever saw, I swear we could have marched till all we had left were bloody nubs for legs enthusiasticly singing the whole way as long as he was beside us.

it just makes all the difference.

Swoop · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2003, 11:04:13 AM »

Dowd, DjV,

you're both wrong. It's an Admiral and a Lt Colonel.

Mini D · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2003, 11:09:23 AM »

Maybe next you could start a thread on who's uniform had the sharpest creases?

MiniD