Posted on Mar 28, 2014
What is your favorite military "Urban Legend"?
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As current and former Service Members, we've all heard those "Urban Legends" about the military. <br><br>My favorite was being told prior to Army Basic Training that there were snipers posted in towers at the rifle ranges during Basic Rifle Marksmanship , in case someone "got stupid". <br><br>What is your favorite military "Urban Legend"?<br>
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 30
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There's saltpeter in the food at basic training DFACs.<div><br></div><div>If you drink milk before the NBC chamber, you'll get violently ill.</div><div><br></div><div>If you're an only child, you can't be deployed because of the Sole Surviving Child law.</div>
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CMDCM Gene Treants
Yes, the Saltpeter rumor was alive and well in Navy Boot Camp in 1966 and had been around since my Company Commander went through in the early 1950s.
Gas Chamber - the only adverse thing I will tell you about that is - DO NOT SHAVE the morning of going into the chamber. Or at least 6 hours prior. Yes, it will irritate your skin, but it will NOT kill you or cause you to barf. I am talking about the face ladies, not sure about anywhere else like arm pits.
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PO1 (Join to see)
Also, DO NOT SHAVE immediately after the chamber. Our RDCs thought it would be funny to have us shave just after returning to the ship... Warm water apparently reactivates whatever residue is left on your skin.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
Green Eggs haven't seen since the 90's. It was the eggs reacting with the metal mermite cans. turned them green!
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"Stress cards", the contents of the truck of the flag pole, and "if you get a sunburn, that's destruction of government property"... It kills me that people still fall for these...
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SFC Michael Hasbun
It certainly wont be for destruction of government property though. Likely a subarticle of 134, depending on the circumstances. It'll be tied to the abscence, or irresponsible behavior, or perhaps even disobeying an order, if he was warned ahead of time, but not destruction of property.
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Sgt Jennifer Mohler
We actually wrote up an article 15 for a Marine with a sunburn. The key to why him, and not others is:
1. He was burned so bad he had to go see medical and couldn't work.
2. He got burned at a unit fun day on a beach in SoCal and everyone witnessed him refusing sunscreen. He is white as snow.
1. He was burned so bad he had to go see medical and couldn't work.
2. He got burned at a unit fun day on a beach in SoCal and everyone witnessed him refusing sunscreen. He is white as snow.
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SSgt Michael D.
I don't remember if it was phrased as "Destruction of Gov't Property" when the Article 15 was typed and vetted by the JAG, it has been more than a few years (1977) and I was processing /handling all the Article 15 actions for a 700 person Student Squadron. Article 134 seems most likely the article cited for the offense.
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SPC Eric Graves
As a PV2, I got a severe sinus and upper respiratory infection, and was given some hefty antibiotics, and a NO SUN profile. I got bullied into going out to prep a range for squad evals because the weather called for cold and very cloudy (and light snow on the ground). The weather had changed though, and the snow started melting, and the sunlight reflected back up onto my face, causing a very bad sunburn even with sunscreen. My PSG called me in, told me I was going to get an Article 15 for it, and but I had my profile slip in hand. Got called a dumb private, squad leader got his ass chewed, but nobody got into any "official" trouble over it. That was the day I realized that chevrons and a rocker on your collar doesn't mean you're right. This was very early 1995.
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Being Airborne at Ft. Bragg I had heard there was a female rigger, some stories say she was an LT, that had jump wings and "Jumpers hit it" tattooed as a tramp stamp.
Also, there was a ghost in 2nd Plt A/2-58's bay in basic at Ft. Benning from a PVT that committed suicide there.
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT Elphick,
Was that tattoo something like this? LOL!
Comic courtesy of Power Point Ranger
Was that tattoo something like this? LOL!
Comic courtesy of Power Point Ranger
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SGT (Join to see)
We were told about female body parts being ripped off because leg straps were twisted?!!?!
I just always wondered why they went female on that one seems a leg strap is more likely to damage a male. IDK every few years that story pops up during a jump.
I just always wondered why they went female on that one seems a leg strap is more likely to damage a male. IDK every few years that story pops up during a jump.
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SSG (Join to see)
That is actually a true story, I was stationed in Ft. Bragg with Eco 782nd MSB as a 92R Parachute Rigger from 2001 to 2004 and that female was in my company. Cheers
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