Posted on Mar 11, 2016
What is something that you wish that more people understood about the military?
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RP Members, Connections, and Friends here is one of those questions that are still prevalent today that got lost in the black hole here on RallyPoint. I revived it for more RP Members to comment on.
Based on your Service Branch and your experience in the military what are some of the things you wished people understood about you as a person and what you experienced while being in the military?
Mine would be the Camaraderie you build as a Team or individually with those you have served with! Also, those you've lost along the path once traveled!
Don't Hold Back-Tell your Story RP Nation!
Based on your Service Branch and your experience in the military what are some of the things you wished people understood about you as a person and what you experienced while being in the military?
Mine would be the Camaraderie you build as a Team or individually with those you have served with! Also, those you've lost along the path once traveled!
Don't Hold Back-Tell your Story RP Nation!
Camaraderie
Military Life
Brotherhood
Friends
Knowledge
Edited 6 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 179
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I wish civilians would understand that we're an all-volunteer force.
I also wish that they understood that inter-service rivalry is generally good natured, and harmless, but most importantly, if you've never served, you don't get a vote.
I also wish that they understood that inter-service rivalry is generally good natured, and harmless, but most importantly, if you've never served, you don't get a vote.
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LTC Gene Moser
Sgt Chadwick Griffith - Starship Toopers - Robert A. Heinlein - Navy Academy grad. Good idea except - what do we do with all the recruits?
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SSG Jeffrey Monk
LTC Gene Moser - Sir like they did in the book. Whatever job they qualify for. Remember Federal Service consisted of more than just the Military. Personally I feel we could use a rebirth of FDR's WPA and CCC depression era programs.
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LTC Gene Moser
SSG Monk, I totally understand that - not sure how many times I've read Starship Troopers. Here's the deal - if you carefully read the book, most people don't volunteer. And lots get cut. Remember the guy who was going to be in government - until he hit SGT Zim? Note Johnny's father - he had to be in his late 40s or so when he volunteered - and that was only because of the death of this wife by the Bugs. Would that be the case with us? After all, last election some what - 30-40 % of the registered voters didn't. Another problem - The CCC built national parks with picks, shovels, and wheel barrows used by hundreds of men. Think we can replicate that? Let me cite you an example - not CCC - I'm a railroad buff. When I was a kid, most of the locomotives were steam. A freight train crew was at least five men - conductor, engineer, fireman and two brakemen. Now, no fireman. A section gang - the guys who maintained the track took up a small train and had some fifty men and maybe a few women in the kitchen - and that doesn't include those five men in charge of the train. Now? One sitting on a machine that looks like it is out of Star Wars. How about us? A WWII M4 Sherman had a crew of five - an M1 Abrams - three- right? I'd love it to be - but I'd bet that maybe half of my neighborhood will vote in 2020.
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SPC (Join to see)
SSG Jeffrey Monk - Hi Jeffrey. Your idea concerning resurrecting the WPA and other New Deal projects would cost money, and they'd be considered "social programs" or "socialism." So, they'd never "fly."
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I strongly dislike the response about how:
"I could never have joined the military- I am too independent and I would have spit in the face of a sergeant yelling in my face"
All I can think of these types is that they are extremely immature, frightened people full of false bravado. Frankly, I would not have WANTED to have served with such people. They are the kinds who would have haunted the smoke pit and were never to be found when the REAL rubber hit the road.
"I could never have joined the military- I am too independent and I would have spit in the face of a sergeant yelling in my face"
All I can think of these types is that they are extremely immature, frightened people full of false bravado. Frankly, I would not have WANTED to have served with such people. They are the kinds who would have haunted the smoke pit and were never to be found when the REAL rubber hit the road.
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GySgt Gregory Robeson
CW3 (Join to see) - That does and doesn't apply to the Marine Corps Sir. Those who earn the title are Marines first...then they do or have a specific job. So, it is important that they are a good fit for the Corps first. I know many good Marines who didn't really do well in the job they were assigned....but very FEW who were good at a job but were not also good Marines. Those who could do a job, but not handle or "fit" the Marine mold either got out on their own after their first tour, or were otherwise pushed out through poor performance reports. So, I'd have to say - it's not just a matter of completing the initial training. In the Corps, you have to BE a Marine to be successful.
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CW3 (Join to see)
GySgt Gregory Robeson - Sounds like a great way to hemorrhage talent, but when there aren't that many seats to fill, I guess that's not so much of a problem.
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GySgt Gregory Robeson
CW3 (Join to see) - I'm not sure I agree. Or put more succinctly, it's better to lose a person who might be the best at 1 thing....but terrible at all the rest. I'd rather have the jack of all trades who learns to nearly master a few things.
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MSgt Bobby Gene
Well, in the "good old days" they would have spit only once...with good teeth...and then, after a nice stint in Leavenworth for assault, with the bad conduct discharge, maybe they would be of a differing opinion, and afterwards, they could then continue their independent ways...
Just how it would have been in my day...or at least, I sure HOPE that would have been the way it would be.
Just how it would have been in my day...or at least, I sure HOPE that would have been the way it would be.
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That the military is not anything like the stories or jokes that are told about it.
Sadly, much of the mythology is propagated by service members themselves, telling stories to mystify and aggrandize themselves. One of my favorite examples of this are the stories told by sailors in earlier times, of battling ferocious monsters and meeting mythical creatures. My teachers used this "history" to demonstrate what ignorant and superstitious people they were whereas common sense told me they were only spinning yarns to impress the ladies and get laid.
Sadly, much of the mythology is propagated by service members themselves, telling stories to mystify and aggrandize themselves. One of my favorite examples of this are the stories told by sailors in earlier times, of battling ferocious monsters and meeting mythical creatures. My teachers used this "history" to demonstrate what ignorant and superstitious people they were whereas common sense told me they were only spinning yarns to impress the ladies and get laid.
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PO2 Jeff Klein
Oh yeah? Well there was this one sea serpent during a Class 25 Typhoon and...oh, point taken.
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