Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: skorpx1 on January 04, 2015, 11:36:15 PM
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So I finally decided to do something with my life and I signed up for the army. I'm going in as an 11B - infantry for the non-informed, and I will be shipping out to Ft. Benning later this year. Anyone past or current army that could give me some advice for basic?
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Pre-basic: work on PT score. Know what you have to meet and make the numbers. Push for 90%+ BEFORE basic.
During basic: Keep your mouth shut, don't volunteer, don't stand out. Be the gray guy.
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Watch the movie "Stripes" with Bill Murray, followed by "In the Army Now" with Pauly Shore. Stock up on some jokes that you can launch at your Drill Sgt's expense. This will earn you the respect and admiration of your bunk mates. Even better if you can disguise your voice to make it sound like the guy next to you was the one making the joke.
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Out of curiosity, why army? :)
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And why 11 bravo?
So many choices out there for good jobs in the military, not that grunt isn't good ,, or necessary , but why limit your options so quickly?
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Watch the movie "Stripes" with Bill Murray, followed by "In the Army Now" with Pauly Shore. Stock up on some jokes that you can launch at your Drill Sgt's expense. This will earn you the respect and admiration of your bunk mates. Even better if you can disguise your voice to make it sound like the guy next to you was the one making the joke.
LOL
"Is there a special place they could send us?"
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If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, pick it up. If you can't pick it up, paint it.
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Try to get rid of the habit of using "at" at the end of a question. You already asked were they were; no need to add at.
Somewhere, somebody down the road will hear ^ and be critical, possibly a brass wearing type with discretion over you.
:salute
Good luck!
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Pre-basic: work on PT score. Know what you have to meet and make the numbers. Push for 90%+ BEFORE basic.
During basic: Keep your mouth shut, don't volunteer, don't stand out. Be the gray guy.
As an old ex Drill Sergeant, the whole "don't volunteer for anything" line usually meant you're guaranteed of being voluntold. My advice is keep your mouth shut if you don't have anything constructive to say and be observant. They will ensure you hear how not to do things, but absolutely ask questions if you are unsure of anything, they want you to succeed. Volunteer for everything, even crappy duties can turn out to be learning experiences or even surprisingly fun or rewarding. It is almost all mental, even the physical parts. They will get you into shape one way or another, but being in decent shape before you get there cuts down on the sore muscles and getting used to using them if you're not a very active person now.
You will have a graduation day, even if you get recycled you will have a graduation day, so it will end; try to remember that on those really rough days and nights when you are feeling down, tired, cold, P'ed Off, or just wanting to go home. Be a man of your word to your fellow recruits. Take initiative, don't sit around waiting to be told to do something if you see work that needs to be done or someone who needs help, it will be noticed. Don't let your buddies down, and most of them won't let you down.
Good luck and thanks for deciding to serve. :salute
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Halo just said it all.
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As an old ex Drill Sergeant, the whole "don't volunteer for anything" line usually meant you're guaranteed of being voluntold. My advice is keep your mouth shut if you don't have anything constructive to say and be observant. They will ensure you hear how not to do things, but absolutely ask questions if you are unsure of anything, they want you to succeed. Volunteer for everything, even crappy duties can turn out to be learning experiences or even surprisingly fun or rewarding. It is almost all mental, even the physical parts. They will get you into shape one way or another, but being in decent shape before you get there cuts down on the sore muscles and getting used to using them if you're not a very active person now.
You will have a graduation day, even if you get recycled you will have a graduation day, so it will end; try to remember that on those really rough days and nights when you are feeling down, tired, cold, P'ed Off, or just wanting to go home. Be a man of your word to your fellow recruits. Take initiative, don't sit around waiting to be told to do something if you see work that needs to be done or someone who needs help, it will be noticed. Don't let your buddies down, and most of them won't let you down.
Good luck and thanks for deciding to serve. :salute
I volunteered for a few things, got volunteered for a few more,, it wasn't a problem,, pulled KP and peeled a lot of potatoes but also got to be CQ runner a few times during basic, that made it all worth it! otherwise keeping your mouth shut and your ears open is the best advice, look sharp and be sharp, once you've shaved, shave three more times, in other directions,, then maybe you'll be good to go, the time may seem long at first, but it will pass, don't worry about anything on the outside, just try to learn, succeed, and when capable, excel!
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Got volunteered a lot also. The best one was after a long day on the move and maneuver range, don't exactly remember the name of it now. They had 4 M2's set up in fixed mounts with board Sgt's pulling the triggers every now and then. The guns were set to shoot over our heads, the snap as the bullets past over was terrifying, definitely drove home the find solid cover concept! At the end of the day they pulled 4 or 5 of us and said follow me. Turned out we got to pull maintenance on the M2's which was very cool as we had never even seen one yet, and best of all we avoided the long march back to the barracks as they trucked us back.
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Nothing wrong with 11 Bravos, Pick up a 2nd MOS after AIT (if it's still called that) if you can. Benning has a great History of Airborne, Airmobile and Ranger training. Plus the home of one of the greatest outfits around, the 199th Light Infantry that in the 60's proudly carried the name Redcatchers. I'm not biased ..... Much ! Good luck and congrats picking a groundpounder route.
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Had a cousin who was 2nd in command of that base many years ago
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11 bang bang baby! :rock I qualified for all sorts of jobs, but knew what I wanted to do.
Who can answer "Why is the sky blue?"
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(http://s12.postimg.org/hqddbtdfx/10599132_923791307648628_1320861926124086532_n.jpg) (http://postimage.org/)
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:rofl
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:rofl
I must have missed the funny part.
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I must have missed the funny part.
If that isn't obvious to you, an explanation would take a lot of time ;)
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11 bang bang baby! :rock I qualified for all sorts of jobs, but knew what I wanted to do.
Who can answer "Why is the sky blue?"
OO..OO...OOO...OOO I know i know.... and I'm not even American
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11 bang bang baby! :rock I qualified for all sorts of jobs, but knew what I wanted to do.
Who can answer "Why is the sky blue?"
Because God loves the infantry.
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Because God loves the infantry.
:aok
(http://s11.postimg.org/rdcdizo2b/320537_365499526892919_801993961_n.jpg) (http://postimage.org/)
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Got volunteered a lot also. The best one was after a long day on the move and maneuver range, don't exactly remember the name of it now. They had 4 M2's set up in fixed mounts with board Sgt's pulling the triggers every now and then. The guns were set to shoot over our heads, the snap as the bullets past over was terrifying, definitely drove home the find solid cover concept! At the end of the day they pulled 4 or 5 of us and said follow me. Turned out we got to pull maintenance on the M2's which was very cool as we had never even seen one yet, and best of all we avoided the long march back to the barracks as they trucked us back.
My brother went thru basic at ft Dix, and during that live ammo drill one of the guns fell off its mount and the NCO didn't let go, trying to keep it up. His efforts to maintain control of the weapon as it fell resulted in a long burst ripping down a line of recruits. Oops.
Another one died from heat exhaustion/heatstroke. I think 2 got hit by lightning in the class before his. 2 recruits in his class got a little confused on the gun range and "accidentally" shot their drill instructor on the rifle range. Simultaneously.
In my basic class at USAFA, a girl dropped from the rope climb obstacle and landed half in the padded pit and half on the edge. Broke her back (not paralyzed but medically disqualified after extensive corrective surgery), got a medical retirement at age 17 with 50% of an E-1's salary and some medical benefits for life.
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Half the casualties in Iraq were motor vehicle or other accidents. Even training for war is hazardous. Keep your head down and your powder dry recruit. :salute
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I'm at the point in my military career where I'm thinking about retirement, and what to do next. My biggest regret is I didn't go into a career field that is in high demand on the outside. I would ditch the infantry and do something like cyber security. It's not that glamorous but there will be a good job waiting for you when you decide to get out.
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Do what you are told, as quickly and correctly as possible. Cut up a wire hanger into a six inch strip, hammer one end flat and then cut the flat end creating something like a flat head screw driver. This girl s a great home made tool to get some of the carbon that builds up in the bolt carrier of your M4.
Listen to the Drills, volunteering is on you. As an infantry Soldier, your PT will be one of the ways you are measured as a Soldier. Any excuse you can think of, they have heard 1000 times. The maximum range of an excuse is 0 meters. Do not say "Sorry Drill Sergeant" use apologize instead.
When you get to your first duty station, snap to parade rest whenever addressing a Senior NCO (SFC and above). Remember, even after 22 years in the Army, I still stand sharply at attention for Officers and at Parade Rest for the First Sergeant and Sergeant Major.
Hope this helps.
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If you ain't Infantry, you ain't Shi....
Hooah!
:cheers: Oz
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Welcome to Jawga! Just Remeber you are now within 1 hour and 45 minutes of me! :salute :salute
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Some people forget, it's not "basic training".
Infantry is OSUT, it's like summer camp but instead of playing sports you learn how to premeditate murder against the enemies of the USA.
A lot of the non Infantry types here will probably flame me here, but Infantry is a different animal then the rest of the Army...SF and Rangers fall in the Infantry bracket, seeing that most all of them went to OSUT with us :aok
Be the first man on your feet to volunteer, that's the guy I'm going to want by my side when the Platoon Leader tells me to take that machine gun nest. Be the guy who is loud in training acting like it's the real thing(SOUND OFF!!!)...trust me, your team leader is going to appreciate it in a fire fight some day. Give everything you do 110%, it makes it muscle memory for when you and your brothers are in the suck and something has to get done. Mistakes happen, just make sure you don't make the same mistake twice.
My first of many questions in this thread to you skorpx1, Are you sure your going 11B? My understanding is everyone goes 11X and then they decide whether or not you will be 11B or 11C(Infantrymen, Mortar men) Your going to end up in an Infantry unit either way.
Do you want to operate in Strykers? I hope not because they don't count as true Infantry, POGASS Infantry is what they are :old:
What do you find interesting about the Infantry? What's your reason for join? If you don't mind of course. I come from a military family so it was kind of going to just happen. I could have gone any job in the Army with my GT score but decided at the time I want to experience the true brotherhood of combat. Since my days playing sports growing I was had the mentality of Play(Fight) hard, party hard....that's what it was in the Infantry when I joined. I'm an NCO now so I'm a bit more reserved but when there's an occasion, you need to do some drinking ;)
Do you have any College complete? Can you finish a degree and go Officer? There is something that has to be said for these CSMs and 1SGs who have done the long years to get where they are at, but if I had to do it again? I would have gone for the other side of the house, they get payed more and if they let their NCOs do their job it's pretty easy in garrison life....down range, that's when the Officers really get tested more compared to the rest of us(All do get tested something serious for sure)
You going Career?
When you get to your first duty station, snap to parade rest whenever addressing a Senior NCO (SFC and above). Remember, even after 22 years in the Army, I still stand sharply at attention for Officers and at Parade Rest for the First Sergeant and Sergeant Major.
He better snap to parade rest for his TL or else he's going to have a long couple of months when he gets there :rofl :rofl :rofl
ADVICE- Take something from every leader you come across, good or bad. Use it to mold yourself into the Army Leader you want to be some day.
When you get asked, what's the hardest job in the Army? Most will say a Team Leader. The truth is it's harder to be a leader amongst your peers, being able to admit when your jacked up and being able to tell your buddy he's jacked up.
Queen of Battle bro, we go all over this chess board and whoop up on everyone.
Follow Me
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Being infantry is a "calling". If that's what you want to do then do it.
My ASVAB scores where high enough that I could have done anything, but I chose infantry(as did many guys with high scores).
My recruiter looked at me like I was crazy and a couple of fresh graduates from boot camp told me that Infantry was for the "dumb ones".
But I knew what I wanted and I'm glad I did it.
However, I have no idea what infantry life is like outside of the training/deployment routine I was in.
It is probably a completely different animal now that we are out of Iraq/Afghanistan.
Edit: I'm Speaking as USMC infantry but I'm sure Army infantry is about the same just with uglier camo. :neener:
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uglier camo. :neener:
Your right :)
It is completely different from when I joined. The Army is trying to build more of the Professional Soldier...which isn't a bad thing at all.
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It is probably a completely different animal now that we are out of Iraq/Afghanistan.
We are? You sure?
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We are? You sure?
I meant the day to day life of an infantryman when not actively deploying/training for deployment.
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There are still around 10,000 troops in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future, plus thousands of contractors. There remains an "offensive" capability in Afghanistan. Iraq/Syria is still heating up and we're up to a few thousand troops already (plus contractors as has become typical). Africa is a global hot spot and may be the location of our next big troop buildups. Korea is still a hot location, and we're standing up readiness enablers in Europe again to counter Putin's Russia.
The point being that an Army infantry troop is still very likely to see real-world combat deployments. They may not be back-to-back like the last 10 years (22 years of continuous combat rotations to the middle east for USAF troops) but there will likely be multiple trips to nasty places for the purpose of killing and dying for the average Army troop in the next 20 years.
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And why 11 bravo?
So many choices out there for good jobs in the military, not that grunt isn't good ,, or necessary , but why limit your options so quickly?
Don't listen to the advice above, Infantry is the best choice that you can start with. You're either Infantry... or you work for the Infantry (that's not just an arrogant saying, it's the truth). If you want another job, stay a civilian, it pays better. Some people don't get the big picture; some day you're going to get old and eventually die. How do you want to remember your life; sitting in a cubicle.... or kicking in doors and making a difference?
You can change career fields later, but your best start is always in the Infantry, don't let anyone tell you different.
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One of the best books I've read on modern U.S. infantry is http://www.amazon.com/Death-Ground-Todays-American-Infantry/dp/089141830X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420770299&sr=8-1&keywords=Death+ground (http://www.amazon.com/Death-Ground-Todays-American-Infantry/dp/089141830X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420770299&sr=8-1&keywords=Death+ground) "Death Ground". Written by a professor at the War College, it lays it out pretty straight forward. The pure infantry, the cutting edge of America's sword, is only about 100,000 strong. We use force multipliers to assist the infantry, mainly for the reason that the U.S. public can't (and shouldn't have to) stomach lots of infantry deaths. Anyhow, I suggest reading this little gem if you are deciding to go into the army infantry.
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Don't listen to the advice above, Infantry is the best choice that you can start with. You're either Infantry... or you work for the Infantry (that's not just an arrogant saying, it's the truth). If you want another job, stay a civilian, it pays better. Some people don't get the big picture; some day you're going to get old and eventually die. How do you want to remember your life; sitting in a cubicle.... or kicking in doors and making a difference?
You can change career fields later, but your best start is always in the Infantry, don't let anyone tell you different.
I didn't tell him he shouldn't go infantry, I asked why he thought he was going to?
Me and a friend signed up for ranger training in 1982, when it came time to leave, I was sick and couldn't go, they let my friend go and told me I would make the next class and we'd still end up together, I'd just be a little behind.
Well before I could go, he was already home, washed out.
I waited a while before going back, (tonsils). When I did make it back to MEPS, I had to re test,, I scored in The top 10%, I could do anything I wanted , but all I really wanted was to get in and going,, I could fly that day, and got $6000. Bonus for 36c,, sounded good,
I was in, I could change jobs later I was prepared and I had a good chance of making it, and I did ,,
I worked with infantry, I worked with the Air Force , I spent time with armor, I went to an air force school for 118 days, I traveled all over Europe, I did everything there except my job,
while stateside I trained officers, I trained and evaluated the Porto Rico national gaurd, I evaluated infantry platoon qualification and their ability to defend against air targets.
my next school of choice would have been warrant officers school, had I stayed in,
at any re up time I could have went infantry,, or I could have went, EOD,, EOD paid $10,000 bonus upon completion of school,, But I went home, had heart trouble and the rest is history.
I got an associate degree in electronics and telecommunications systems, had more hours of training than any company in the US required for employment at the time of my EOS, I saw the world, I met people from Greece, east and west Germany, Korea, England, Porto Rico , Russia, France, , a watched the Berlin Wall come down, I watched the greatest air shows in the world, I watched as the M-1 cut its teeth, as well as the Hummer, I shot rifles with the best In all of Europe , and beat most of them!
Yea, infantry would have been a much better deal!
Don't fence yourself in! It's an adventure, or at least that's what I believed when I joined ,
yes,, the commercial sold me, I could have stayed home and farmed, I didn't need the military, I wanted it, Ranger would have been awesome, but what I got was also, AWESOME! Not everyone can be a grunt, and the grunt won't survive without everyone else, we all work for the same goal.
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If that isn't obvious to you, an explanation would take a lot of time ;)
We (and you) have the time. Please explain it to this dumb grunt. Btw, I turned down being trained as a nuclear engineer in the Navy to follow my life's calling.
I wear my scars more proudly than any General wears their stars.
Hooah?
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never volunteer the first 1/2 half of boot camp. the first 1/2 is reserved for playing in the sand and learning. after that then if you feel like it go for it. just remember that is all negative reinforcement. meaning they will scream at you to quit to "inspire" you to get up and really show your stuff.
semp
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We (and you) have the time. Please explain it to this dumb grunt.
Look, I'm not trying to stir the pot - you're one of the good guys. But I'm sure the point he's trying to make is that the Red Army of 44-45, the Wehrmacht of 41-42, and possibly even Napoleon's Grande Armee all have a greater claim than the US Army to being "The greatest fighting force since the legions of Rome," but none of them sell T-shirts.
Again, I'm really not trying to stir the pot, hump ankles, anything like that.
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Red Army of 44-45
:rolleyes:
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11 bang bang baby! :rock I qualified for all sorts of jobs, but knew what I wanted to do.
Who can answer "Why is the sky blue?"
I spent two weeks at Benning coordinating testing of shot counters in the grips of M16s and M4s. I saw lots of recruits being trained, but didn't interact with any other than a few drill instructors while we were on the range when they were coming and going.
As to your question: I'm former Navy, but if I was asked that, I'd reply, "because the Army wants it that way!"
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:salute :cheers: Good on yas. My step-grandfather served under Patton from Africa to Germany (later he served in Korea).
However ..... I'm 3rd gen Navy on the other side.
(http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/arloguh03/ANGAME2014_zps78843aeb.png~original)
13 straight, baby. :D
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Look, I'm not trying to stir the pot - you're one of the good guys. But I'm sure the point he's trying to make is that the Red Army of 44-45, the Wehrmacht of 41-42, and possibly even Napoleon's Grande Armee all have a greater claim than the US Army to being "The greatest fighting force since the legions of Rome," but none of them sell T-shirts.
Again, I'm really not trying to stir the pot, hump ankles, anything like that.
It's all matter of opinion. But to laugh at the US Army because someone said it's the best land forces since Rome, which it arguably is, is just flat out ignorant.
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:salute :cheers: Good on yas. My step-grandfather served under Patton from Africa to Germany (later he served in Korea).
However ..... I'm 3rd gen Navy on the other side.
(http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/arloguh03/ANGAME2014_zps78843aeb.png~original)
13 straight, baby. :D
Yall win football games...we win wars
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I didn't tell him he shouldn't go infantry, I asked why he thought he was going to?
Me and a friend signed up for ranger training in 1982, when it came time to leave, I was sick and couldn't go, they let my friend go and told me I would make the next class and we'd still end up together, I'd just be a little behind.
Well before I could go, he was already home, washed out.
I waited a while before going back, (tonsils). When I did make it back to MEPS, I had to re test,, I scored in The top 10%, I could do anything I wanted , but all I really wanted was to get in and going,, I could fly that day, and got $6000. Bonus for 36c,, sounded good,
I was in, I could change jobs later I was prepared and I had a good chance of making it, and I did ,,
I worked with infantry, I worked with the Air Force , I spent time with armor, I went to an air force school for 118 days, I traveled all over Europe, I did everything there except my job,
while stateside I trained officers, I trained and evaluated the Porto Rico national gaurd, I evaluated infantry platoon qualification and their ability to defend against air targets.
my next school of choice would have been warrant officers school, had I stayed in,
at any re up time I could have went infantry,, or I could have went, EOD,, EOD paid $10,000 bonus upon completion of school,, But I went home, had heart trouble and the rest is history.
I got an associate degree in electronics and telecommunications systems, had more hours of training than any company in the US required for employment at the time of my EOS, I saw the world, I met people from Greece, east and west Germany, Korea, England, Porto Rico , Russia, France, , a watched the Berlin Wall come down, I watched the greatest air shows in the world, I watched as the M-1 cut its teeth, as well as the Hummer, I shot rifles with the best In all of Europe , and beat most of them!
Yea, infantry would have been a much better deal!
Don't fence yourself in! It's an adventure, or at least that's what I believed when I joined ,
yes,, the commercial sold me, I could have stayed home and farmed, I didn't need the military, I wanted it, Ranger would have been awesome, but what I got was also, AWESOME! Not everyone can be a grunt, and the grunt won't survive without everyone else, we all work for the same goal.
Whiskey, I have respect for anybody that serves so thank you for serving. I just interpreted your original post as trying to talk him out of the Infantry. The Infantry was the best choice I ever made, until later in my career when I changed. If I had listened to the guys trying to talk me out of that career path early on, I'd have regretted it to this day.
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It's all matter of opinion. But to laugh at the US Army because someone said it's the best land forces since Rome, which it arguably is, is just flat out ignorant.
you are right junky people are ignorant, everybody knows the marines are the best :).
semp
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The US Army is awesome, as it was in '44-'45. It ended WW2 as the best military force in Europe.
Now? I'd hate to be on the receiving end of them or the USMC. Assuming these pukes let them pull their triggers without having to worry about murder charges every time they did.
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I think I have gotten all I need, thanks for the responses.
To those who asked why I chose army and why I took infantry - I did it because I can. All that matters to me is that I can give back to the country that gave me all I have.