Service
Service
Posted on Jun 28, 2017
As an infantryman I have heard people talk about other soldiers as not being "real" soldiers. What does it mean to be a "real" soldier?
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I used to hear similar remarks in the Marines........"he's not a "real" Marine......usually made in reference to someone who had never served in combat (of which I was one who didn't). As was explained to me in stark terms by one of my drill instructors (it's detailed in my book God Bless Chesty).......once you become a Marine, the Marine Corps owns your ass and will send you where they need you......your job is to follow orders and accomplish whatever mission you are given. Some were given combat missions, some were needed elsewhere......it wasn't our own choice. So I always felt that everyone who earned the right to the title........was a "real" one, regardless of what assignment they received. You wear the uniform, you are real.
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PVT Michael Davis
LtCol George Carlson Yessir! Someone In logistics [REAL SOLDIERS!], had to let the Mission Commander what was really feasible and what was drama!
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SPC Vonnie Jones
So glad you said it...my son just told someone how frustrated I get when people ask did you see action? Thank God during my time it was a little shake but for the most part peace. I came in right after Vietnam and got out right before Panama....but you are right I went where I was needed
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CPO Kurt Baschab
I Proudly tell them YES,
I have Seen Action in Both the Gulf of Mexico & the Gulf of Alaska , I have assisted in over 9,000 SAR CASES ,(Search and Rescue) in the Gulf Of Mexico, Gulf of Alaska, The Bering Strait. the Atlantic,& Pacific Oceans , Artic Circle, the Caribbean & Barren Sea . most likely did the same number, maybe more AS A LEPO. (Law Enforcement Petty Officer)
on the old Coast Guard 41ft UTB ( Utility Boat )
(CG 44-foot motor lifeboat), the New (CG 47-foot MLB ) THAT REPLACED the old 44
and I was part of the CG Team that help oversea the Design and Construction of the new (CG 45- RB-M. ) Response Boat Medium Search and rescue VSL, That Replaced the CG 41FT UTB.
I have traveled up into the Artic circle on the old Wind class Ice Breakers ,
I was station on the CGC Northwind, a 282 Ice Breaker.
for Environmental Research, Ice Patrols, and Search and Rescue, ETC, along with resupplying Research Teams , and was part of the team that dropped off over 36 plus musk oxen in Greenland in the mid 1980 ,
While station on the CGC Nunivak, a 110 patrol boat, I did SAR search and rescue, & Law enforcement and environmental clean up of oil spills, from Alaska to the South of Mexico in the pacific oceans off the coast of Puerto Rico & IN The Mona Passage, IT IS A (Spanish:to south of mexico Canal de la Mona) is a strait that separates the islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico.
The Mona Passage connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea and is an important shipping route between the Atlantic and the Panama Canal.. I also assisted in the training of multi FOREIGN CG and navy personal. though the Caribbean Sea.
Motor Life Boat, seen action in the Gulf of Mexico , where I did search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, patrols, and Environmental , I was also part of the team and many different CG vsl, that responded to the Haitian Migration of the 1990. to l responding to Hurricane Katrina along with may other Hurricanes.
my point is this.
we all VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE, the United States Military, in order to protect this nation citizens.
WE DID NOT HIDE.
THE UNITED STATES GOV SENT US WHERE THEY NEEDED US TO SERVE. AND WE WENT AND DID THE JOB WE WERE ASSIIGNED & COMPLETED THE JOB we were Assigned .
many citizens who never served do not understand the Military has many Different jobs ,
& we simply cannot leave these position empty,
or that it takes up to five or more men to supply one man on the front line, in order to keep the Service Member alive & Healthy someone has to ensure the service member has the proper weapons & Ammo , has the proper medical supplies, Clothing, Food & water Fuel, life saving Equipment ET. in order to keep THE Service Member alive and in fighting condition.
I have Seen Action in Both the Gulf of Mexico & the Gulf of Alaska , I have assisted in over 9,000 SAR CASES ,(Search and Rescue) in the Gulf Of Mexico, Gulf of Alaska, The Bering Strait. the Atlantic,& Pacific Oceans , Artic Circle, the Caribbean & Barren Sea . most likely did the same number, maybe more AS A LEPO. (Law Enforcement Petty Officer)
on the old Coast Guard 41ft UTB ( Utility Boat )
(CG 44-foot motor lifeboat), the New (CG 47-foot MLB ) THAT REPLACED the old 44
and I was part of the CG Team that help oversea the Design and Construction of the new (CG 45- RB-M. ) Response Boat Medium Search and rescue VSL, That Replaced the CG 41FT UTB.
I have traveled up into the Artic circle on the old Wind class Ice Breakers ,
I was station on the CGC Northwind, a 282 Ice Breaker.
for Environmental Research, Ice Patrols, and Search and Rescue, ETC, along with resupplying Research Teams , and was part of the team that dropped off over 36 plus musk oxen in Greenland in the mid 1980 ,
While station on the CGC Nunivak, a 110 patrol boat, I did SAR search and rescue, & Law enforcement and environmental clean up of oil spills, from Alaska to the South of Mexico in the pacific oceans off the coast of Puerto Rico & IN The Mona Passage, IT IS A (Spanish:to south of mexico Canal de la Mona) is a strait that separates the islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico.
The Mona Passage connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea and is an important shipping route between the Atlantic and the Panama Canal.. I also assisted in the training of multi FOREIGN CG and navy personal. though the Caribbean Sea.
Motor Life Boat, seen action in the Gulf of Mexico , where I did search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, patrols, and Environmental , I was also part of the team and many different CG vsl, that responded to the Haitian Migration of the 1990. to l responding to Hurricane Katrina along with may other Hurricanes.
my point is this.
we all VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE, the United States Military, in order to protect this nation citizens.
WE DID NOT HIDE.
THE UNITED STATES GOV SENT US WHERE THEY NEEDED US TO SERVE. AND WE WENT AND DID THE JOB WE WERE ASSIIGNED & COMPLETED THE JOB we were Assigned .
many citizens who never served do not understand the Military has many Different jobs ,
& we simply cannot leave these position empty,
or that it takes up to five or more men to supply one man on the front line, in order to keep the Service Member alive & Healthy someone has to ensure the service member has the proper weapons & Ammo , has the proper medical supplies, Clothing, Food & water Fuel, life saving Equipment ET. in order to keep THE Service Member alive and in fighting condition.
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695
695
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As an infantryman myself I'd like to ask those people how far they think they would get without all those other soldiers doing their jobs. They'd run out of ammo/fuel/water/food/etc. pretty quickly. Not to mention they wouldn't get their CIB/medals/pay/insurance/etc. It's just stupid really.
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SFC Joseph Behmke
It takes at least 7-8 "Non-Combat Support Troops" to get you where your going(fuel), feed you, provide your mail, medical support, ammo, batteries, Arty Spt or anything else you might need. Be thankful those real soldiers do their job well also.
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GI Joe's are toy soldiers, thus fake. But I'm guessing you mean talking about real human beings. The only fake soldiers or airmen or marines or what-have-you are the guys/gals that everyone catches on those stupid stolen valor youtube videos. You're a commo guy? Awesome. You're a mechanic? Sweet bro. You're an infantryman? Sorry about your GT score, homeboy (I'm Cav, gotta screw with those guys). It takes everyone to get the job done and the whole thing fails if one of us fails. There is no real soldiers, just soldiers.
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Sgt Osla McKercher
PFC Pamala (Hall ) Foster Oh my, Pamala -- bless your heart! I'm so sorry that happened to you. But I'm very happy to hear you have persevered and are becoming a paralegal to help other vets. It sounds like you will be a great fit for that--not just on the legal side, but you have a lot of wisdom (born of experience) to share with those vets. Good for you. BTW, If you haven't already done so, consider becoming a VA claims agent.
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Sgt Osla McKercher
LOL. This is the perfect comeback for the next time some ***hat Marine makes a reference to "POGs": "Sorry about your GT score..."
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