samnavy

iTrader: (7)

Vash, it sounds like you have a bone to pick... either against me or against the military in general. You didn't get to fight so "**** everybody else" who did. It doesn't sound like you've come to terms with anything. You're bitter and resentful of the military who "turned on you", and it shows through loud and clear with your comments and obvious spite.

And as for my knowledge of who joins the military... I think I can say without any fear of doubt that I'm an expert. My job allows me access to full files, ASVAB scores, background checks, etc... I've been on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan and I've served on 3 different Aircraft Carriers. I spent 3 months in Yuma doing a full Marine ground excersize and have attended an Air Force weapons school.

It is absolutely true that there are some that don't belong, but again, none of them who can't cut it make it to combat. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING NEW ABOUT GANGS IN THE MILITARY. That's been going on since the Roman days, so you can't use that arguement. At work every single day, I am surrounded my "good strong americans", and I can ensure you there is no loss of supply. Recruiting numbers are strong even in the face of the long war.

Vash, you're bitter. And you're letting your personal feelings about your unique situation run your mouth and you're wrong.

JayL

iTrader: (12)

Before some of you guys judge us, you should get off your asses and join us.

oconnor

No one knows but those that have been.
Samnavy, keep up the fight brother.

Vashthestampede

iTrader: (17)

Maybe a little, but I'd like to think I'm not. I am bitter that I couldn't proceed with my goals, but I don't "hate" on others that got to. Like I said way before, I am VERY for the military and respect it as a whole. I just am amazed that someone like myself with a very high ASVAB score (tank mechanic) and that schooled the physical tests above and beyond, is turned down because of an old injury. Yet the kid next to me saying he's going to slit his wrists so he can go home gets a smack across the face from the drill sergeant and gets to stay.

I can see all the other sides of it. That they are just goofing off trying to have fun, maybe I would do the same in their shoes. I just know I took it all very seriously and wanted to follow up with force recon. Now I don't think much about it, but when the subject comes up I can remember all my old feelings about what happened. I do apologize....I don't mean to come off bitter about it.

Vash-

drewbroo

iTrader: (2)

If makes you feel any better, anyone in the air force who "baker acts" them self, we boot them right out. (After proper counseling.)

Also we are force shaping, so anyone who isn't trying 100%, gets a pink slip.

I have seen some people slip through the cracks, but its our jobs as an NCO, and as Airmen to make sure that the right people are doing the right jobs. (And if someone slips through, to make sure they either leave, or meet the standard.) If they fail to meet the standard, they know where the door is.

kotomile

iTrader: (24)

Almost everyone takes it seriously in basic, especially at PI. Once you've put boots to ground in Iraq or Afghanistan, your outlook changes. You'll find ways to help yourself forget the danger, the family back home, the heat, the stress, the hours, etc. I'm glad you apologized, it speaks to your character.

As for you, Saml01, lighten up. You can be an armchair quarterback until the cows come home. The situation was obviously under control in the video, spotters everywhere. If you think they're doing such a bad job, how about you enlist and give them a hand? You could sit in your tent all day, all the better to conceal yourself from the snipers.

I think JayMX5 summed up my entire thoughts on this in one sentence..

One more question, Saml01; If the moon was spare ribs, would you eat it? I know I would. I'd ask for seconds, and then chase it down with a cold Budweiser.

ray_sir_6

iTrader: (1)

I needed to be in your unit. The people I got out of basic were **** tards who didn't know what discipline meant. They would question even the simplest order, and would cause you a heartache whenever you needed them to do something. No, I wasn't in a combat arms MOS either, I was in Commo, where you are supposed to be mildly intelligent. I did get the "privilege" of working in Combat Arms units though. Cav, Armored, and Infantry...infantrymen were by far the smartest of the bunch, eager to learn, and kept their mouths shut unless they were asked something.
Cav = 19D...19 DUMBASS
Armor = DAT (Dumb *** Tanker)

It's called "Being Human". You have to do something to help keep your sanity. Anyone who has been there knows this.

When I was in Iraq, I got ZERO days off. I was there for 8months. Did an 8hr shift in the Company TOC (radio) 2200-0600hrs. Then I took a COLD SHOWER, took a short nap, and drove the 1SG or XO from 0800 or 0900 till we got back, which was normally around 1600. We mostly went down "Electric Ave" to get generators, food, etc, then to BIAP for a hour or two, and then swing by the Green Zone on the way back. I normally got a short nap at BIAP, about 1 or 2 hrs at most, but when it is 120degrees and you don't have AC or shade, it's hard to sleep. If we got back early, I normally got picked up by a PLT LDR to drive for him in the evening patrol (1500-2000). If I had 4hrs of sleep, it was a GOOD day. Our HQ platoon got **** on the whole time I was there. Noone ever had a day off, and we got the "**** Burning Detail", so every 4th day I got to go and burn **** for a few hours after my radio watch and before I had to drive around Baghdad. All because our shitbrain PLT SGT was a line unit guy who had a stroke during the train up and got moved into HQ. He had the "HQ don't do ****" mentallity and he made sure we did every detail we could. I had to have another HQ NCO pull me away before I kicked his ***, cause I was sick of his ****. Guess who got wrote up by the 1SG and the CO for it...the PLT SGT. The 1SG/CO didn't do anything before cause they figured we were coping, until I snapped and about broke his neck. After that he wasn't in charge of anything, and we got a new PLT SGT.

If there was a sniper, or a VBIED (Vehicle Born IED), there isn't much you can do to prevent it. You can still follow proper procedures for a roadblock and not be a ******* uptight douche.

You don't have anything to base your opinion on. You haven't served in Iraq, or at all, yet you want to judge the actions of a few who wanted to make a funny when they risk their lives everyday.

ray_sir_6

iTrader: (1)

MARINE - Muscles Are Required Intelligence Not Expected

Saml01

iTrader: (9)

OMG IM SORRRRRRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How could I have not considered the fact that these imbeciles let everyone around them know that "hey guys, we are gonna shoot a video of us acting stupid to put on youtube. Keep a look out for snipers OK".

Please forgive me man. I had no idea.

------------

But seriously, as I mentioned already, I wanted to enlist and I wasn't even born in this country and I want to fight for it.

I was actually hoping for a draft so I could go and fight, but nooooooooooooo damn public was against it.

ray_sir_6

iTrader: (1)

What score did you get? I got a 123.

ray_sir_6

iTrader: (1)

I am sure everyone else there was all for the humor at the checkpoint, or it wouldn't have happened. It only takes one person to say, "I don't know if this is a good idea." to get the senior guy to kill the funny.

It's good to hear that people want to go and fight for our country.

kotomile

iTrader: (24)

123? Which service? The Army scale tops out at 99.

ray_sir_6

iTrader: (1)

When did that happen? It maxed out at 130 when I took it. It used to be 140 back in the Vietnam days. Had a guy in one unit who was in Vietnam (OLD ************) and his score was 138.

kotomile

iTrader: (24)

The line scores are all triple digits, but the overall ends at 99. I got a 91. (and I'm proud to say my highest line score was in mechanical - 152)

ray_sir_6

iTrader: (1)

Whatever makes you happy...it goes to 130.

kotomile

iTrader: (24)

USmilitary.com: "The person's AFQT score is a percentile score, based on the population of test-takers in the above study. The percentiles are based upon a 99 point scale with 99 being the highest."

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joini...svababcs_2.htm

ray_sir_6

iTrader: (1)

We all go by the GT score. Max is 130. I don't recall my info to log into PERSCOM, so I'll just go dig thru my records at home and find this other score thingy.

budget racer

iTrader: (1)

you tards need to chill out.....he was doing a ******* SNL impersonation for chrissake. we've seen some far shittier videos come out of war. If something silly like that can keep them sane until they return home it's all cool with me. I'd rather you just thank them for their service then start giving them pointers on how you would do the job differently.

for the servicemen/women reading: "Thanks"

StankCheeze

iTrader: (1)

There are two kinds of people in the military today.

#1: Got reeled in by a recruiter with the promise of free college, money, whatever their recruiter promised. Got called up to go to Iraq and pissed and bitched and tried to get out of it. Bitched the entire time they were deployed and did the bare minimum to avoid a court martial, then came home and expected a "hero's welcome".

#2: Found a recruiter instead of a recruiter finding them. Got called up to go to Iraq and knew it was bullshit, but realized that the recruitment benefits paid to them were due to the risk incurred. Went overseas, did their job, came back. When asked about the war, they confirm it was terrible and don't try to sensationalize it.

One of my best friends is #2. He served with a lot of guys who were #1. He's currently in Kuwait on a civilian contracting job and goes to Iraq every so often to run cable. He said there are a lot more #1s there now than there were when he did his tour, so the forces must really be scraping the bottom of the barrel now.

Miatamaniac92

You're right there is alot of differences between Civilian Jobs and the Military. The biggest is it is easier to fire someone in the Civilian world. I read you other post about your situation, and this is one of the exceptions to this rule though. A fuckup will last alot longer in the military than in the real world civilian job. My experience comes from the Army, so I'm sure it's on the more lenient side. Though, the AF is apparently significantly easier to get the boot from and on the other side of the spectrum.

I agree the standards should be high, and should be enforced to a high standard. But, regarding this video you have no idea of the entire situation.....

+1

You can't tell squat from the video. It is possible they could get killed from a sniper. It's also possible you'll get struck by lightning. You don't know the situation or anything close to what's going on over there. Until you've had boots on the ground, everything you know is second hand. Everyone has a different experience and the media doesn't always show the most balanced stories(big surprise!).

I know what they represent.

Well there is the root of your posts. You're really grasping if you are some how linking this video to International Foreign Policy.

If your experience doesn't extend past Basic you really have no experience to speak (other than how Basic is), anything else is conjecture on your part. You don't know till it happens to you.

Gang members (and other extremists like skinheads) have been entering the military for as long as there has been gangs, it's nothing new. Each branch does it's best to weed them out. It's done at all levels. And believe it or not, some of them find a new life in the service.

I see no retaliation from samnavy, you're turning it personal.

Those kind of issues are addressed on a individual assessment. Not only did you have a previous injury that might have required a waiver (or might not have), but you also lied on your medical history. Some people get away with it, you didn't. The standards might have changed by now and you might even be able to enter another branch of service if you're still interested.

The Army takes non-citizens, as long as you speak a bit they will teach you. If you can type it I'm sure you can speak it reasonably well. So that's no reason, you don't want to is fine and I'm not judging.

Most professional soldiers do not want a draft. It's better to have one hard working soldier than 9 out of 10 fuckups that don't want to be there, especially in combat.


It's not that simplistic.

Chris