YIPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
My grandson is coming home he's on his way. I only hope they won't deploy him anymore.
I'll get a call when he gets home, I live in CA and he's based in Norht Carolina

Congrats to your Grand-Son. Also except this Salute from all of us to your family.

It showed a side of the army that was personal, not just someone shooting and being shot at. Job well done. May God look out for their safe return.

quote:

Originally posted by threerings:
Funny thing..three NG soldiers walked past me at walmart today.. all E6's. Two of them looked to be mid 40's.

Not a combat patch among them.

I'm 39, I can wear three different combat patches; I am in the National Guard; I don't wear any patches or Badges/wings on my ACU's that I am not REQUIRED to wear.

I am authorized a 2nd Award CIB, Airborne and Air Assault Badges, even an EIB, but I wear none of them.

I feel like a lot of people put too much emphasis on their 'ONE' combat deployment as if that means they know everything. I didnt want to look as though I was hiding behind a badge or a patch. I don't need that patch to make me who I am.

I guess my point is that just because that sleeve is slick, doesnt mean you arent dealing with the real McCoy. I like keeping a low profile.

quote:

Originally posted by A45Shooter:
I feel like a lot of people put too much emphasis on their 'ONE' combat deployment as if that means they know everything.

Dude...try switching over to the Air Force, and being surrounded by guys who consider that "all knowing, all seeing" ONE combat deployment, to be their 4 month sit at Al Udeid in Qatar...never knowing what the Berm was...much less ever setting foot across it.

Not to knock the guys busting their butts out on that flight line...not at all...but if I talk to one more young Airman who tries to tell ME about how things are in the "war" over in "the desert", while he was sucking down his beers in the club every night, and going into town on the weekends...I'm gonna snap his little neck.

The guys in our unit (Army time) who were the first to put the combat patch on ALL the uniforms were some of the turds who were always REMFS (always were, and always will be)...so I definitely catch your drift on that, A45.

Good post.

It's not just REMF's; it's everyone that craves recognition or respect... I know a few grunts that act as though their CIB makes them bullet proof.

Respect yourself by not acting like someone or something you are not.

Why does everyone gotta be a "warrior" or a special this or a special that?

Less than one percent of Americans are Soldiers, I'd say that's plenty special enough.

quote:

Originally posted by A45Shooter:
Less than one percent of Americans are Soldiers, I'd say that's plenty special enough.

Hooah.

Bump+2 Oh f'n Rah!

that is so frikin dumb

quote:

that is so frikin dumb

Whatever Dude, fact is, The Troops need to stay together( no infighting) and they are a very small fraction of the US population, active or non active/Out of service.

I didn't think it warranted a response.

Notice the post count of "1".

quote:

I didn't think it warranted a response.

Notice the post count of "1".

I guess, but post counts are recycled on mil.com or new user name. Fact is, Go Army!

quote:

Originally posted by lstgnfghtr:

quote:

Originally posted by A45Shooter:
I feel like a lot of people put too much emphasis on their 'ONE' combat deployment as if that means they know everything.

Dude...try switching over to the Air Force, and being surrounded by guys who consider that "all knowing, all seeing" ONE combat deployment, to be their 4 month sit at Al Udeid in Qatar...never knowing what the Berm was...much less ever setting foot across it.

Not to knock the guys busting their butts out on that flight line...not at all...but if I talk to one more young Airman who tries to tell ME about how things are in the "war" over in "the desert", while he was sucking down his beers in the club every night, and going into town on the weekends...I'm gonna snap his little neck.

The guys in our unit (Army time) who were the first to put the combat patch on ALL the uniforms were some of the turds who were always REMFS (always were, and always will be)...so I definitely catch your drift on that, A45.

Not to point out anything, but...In the documentary at the start of this thread, "Bad Voodoo's War", the truck that gets hit in the second half has two Air Force Airmen in it. I know this, because I commanded the unit. The story is told by the gun truck point of view, but many of the convoys in Iraq are driven by Airmen, many on their fourth deployment. Many (over 60 in my unit) earned their CABs and we got combat patches. We cannot wear the patches or badges in the Air Force, but are proud to have received them from our Army brethren.



I am not choosing a side here between Army and Air Force, only pointing out that not everything is as it might seem. We worked for the Army, and most of the Airmen volunteered for at least one of their tours. We were proud to roll with the Army on Joint missions, and most will again. I rolled with the unit above too, and my battalion was also National Guard. Please check with the Airman to see what he has done before you snap his little neck. You might just be surprised.

Had a few real good TACP dudes from the AF roll out with us. Good guys. Pleanty of combat experience. I totally get it that most AF guys don't share their experience though.

This is way off topic. But I need a little insight. What is an I.E.D Nine Line Report?
I have to teach the class next month (reserves).

SERE Officer;

I know full well what the Air Force guys do over there, and I have worked alongside them as well. My buddy from high school that was lost on the road had an Airman in the rig in front of him, and obviously the Airman barely missed triggering the "boom", or we'd be talking about him, and not my buddy.

There does come a point where the service tape on the uniform gets 1/2 covered up in your mind, so all you can read is the "US" part.

I am in the Air Guard now, and on about 1.5 years of active duty for tech school, and as such, I am around young buck new Airmen all the time...from the flight line Mx world, mostly, or SF kids...several of which have been deployed once...for an AEF bucket...not very long, and not very north (I ask these things)

Rest assured, before I size up my opinion of the
"super troop" who is flapping his gums...(usually at the bar, or around some young female he's trying to impress downtown)...I inquire as to his experience. More than once, it's been about his harrowing days at "The Deid".

I sometimes point out (and other times I just keep my mouth shut and shake my head) that "The Deid", and As Saliyah, is were where people up north got to go to "get away from it all" for the 4 day R&R in mid-tour (not mid "4 month" tour, either)...to eat at Chili's...to drink beer, and wear civvies, and go shopping, etc. Not quite the harrowing time they make it out to be. It's not exactly San Diego's "Pacific Beach"...but it's also not Taji, MacKenzie (what a hole), or Speicher either.

Suck long hours on a suck flight line in the suck heat doing absolutely mission critical work? You bet your boots. Appreciated by me? Yup. But worthy of the "excess recognition" they seem to seek out, for whatever reason...not quite.

IMHO, just be happy you got your chance to actually do your job, and do it in a way that helped out the Joes up north who are counting on what YOU do...that should be good enough...the B.S. flag doesn't need to be flown to make you sound like a "real troop"...every job has it's place. I feel like many of these guys (after some analysis of the subject), who have peers or high school classmates with much combat time, feel the need to "equalize" their experiences in order to "fit in" to the category. (i.e., the big mouths are an underlying sense of personal inadequacy in the face of others).

Which is why A45Shooter's simple comment was time on target.

Again...I,and many Army/Marine troops, are full well aware of the suck details the ILO troops end up getting stuck with. Of course, not too many ILO troops are sitting on those taskings for 15-18 months, but they still take fire, so I won't bag on them. The length of tour is decided above their paygrade, and while they are there, they are taking the same risk as the guy in the rig behind and in front of them.

Just want to make that clear.

Some people say nothing some do.I myself talk to people as any normal person would.I myself drove allong with a convoy of trucks 24/7 500lbs 1000lbs. Yes stress we had every time.Cant seem to talk with anyone that has done the same.Allthough I know there are thousands out there that do that.It was fun I did my time..You all come home safe and may God be With You All!And if youre mate talks too much take him away from that bar. Then you are a real mate we all have to leav together.Out together back together!!

quote:

Originally posted by 15512522:
This is way off topic. But I need a little insight. What is an I.E.D Nine Line Report?
I have to teach the class next month (reserves).

Start your own thread.

well there are slick sleeves and then there are people who pose in the DEFAC parking lot holding a M9...... I always wear one of my patches.. normally the one who brought me to the dance, 2nd ID, but sometimes I wear the electric strawberry, 25th ID, since they pinned my CAB.

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This is way off topic. But I need a little insight. What is an I.E.D Nine Line Report?
I have to teach the class next month (reserves).
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Talk to your training NCO, please dont post it on a blog... I am sure its out there already but no need to add to it.. Remember OPSEC