the military

Byrnzie

scot88 wrote:

i'm not joining to take a desk job. i'm hoping to qualify high enough on the range to get into scout/sniper school.

you really know your stuff. are you or anyone you know a marine?

I was just reading an article in a newspaper yesterday about Iraqi snipers operating in Iraq and how one has apparently killed over 70 Americans singlehandedly. It also mentioned the Russian World war 2 sniper vassili zaitsev, who notched up over 400 kills and took out over 115 germans at Stalingrad. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasily_Grigoryevich_Zaitsev The film 'Enemy at the gates' is based on him. I also got to reading about the greatest sniper of all time - Simo Häyhä (aka The White Death). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_Häyhä He was Finnish and fought against the Russians in the 1939-40 winter war and notched up 542 kills.

Weird coincidence. Anyway, good luck!

sapperskunk

scot88 wrote:

i'm enlisting in the marine corps next year, so i'd like to know who else on here has served.

also, i can't believe the negative connotations that joining an armed service has these days. sure, the war in iraq is largely unpopular, but is that any reason to treat those who want to and are serving with disrespect? forgein policy is not up to them. be mad at the politicians, not the marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

i'm joining to be a part of something bigger than myself. i'm joining for the brotherhood, the experience, the discipline, and the life long honor. do i agree with all aspects of the war? no. am i going to let that stop me from joining something that has a long history of bravery, honor, loyalty and service? absoluetly fucking not. the qualities i aspire to and admire most are also the principles of the marine corps.

i can't help but think this is turning into another vietnam, where you can't wear your uniform in public for fear of being rediculed, spit on, and cursed at. if you have so much empathy (for the iraqies, etc.), why aren't you more understanding of americans who feel an obligation or need to serve their country?

Congragulations, you wanted to hear from vets, so hear goes. Joining the military was the best thing I've ever done. This is a huge decision that you really have to think hard about. Some advice would be to bring a wise Marine with you to the recruiter to get everything you want in your contract. It's like buying a car, do your homework and don't budge on what you want, college money, bonuses, duty station etc.

Don't rule out the Army either, You have a much better chance of being a sniper, green beret, Delta, ranger in the Army just due to it's sheer size alone. The Army has more units that fall under SOCOM than anyone.

sapperskunk

Byrnzie wrote:

I was just reading an article in a newspaper yesterday about Iraqi snipers operating in Iraq and how one has apparently killed over 70 Americans singlehandedly. It also mentioned the Russian World war 2 sniper vassili zaitsev, who notched up over 400 kills and took out over 115 germans at Stalingrad. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasily_Grigoryevich_Zaitsev The film 'Enemy at the gates' is based on him. I also got to reading about the greatest sniper of all time - Simo Häyhä (aka The White Death). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_Häyhä He was Finnish and fought against the Russians in the 1939-40 winter war and notched up 542 kills.

Weird coincidence. Anyway, good luck!

What about Carlos Hatcock? That guy was the man. Not to play down vassili Zaitsev, but Hathcock had a 50,000 dollar bounty on his head for christ sakes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Hathcock

Byrnzie

sapperskunk wrote:

What about Carlos Hatcock? That guy was the man. Not to play down vassili Zaitsev, but Hathcock had a 50,000 dollar bounty on his head for christ sakes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Hathcock

Seems like he was a dude:

'Said Hathcock, in his book, of his career as a sniper: "I like shooting, and I love hunting. But I never did enjoy killing anybody. It's my job. If I don't get those Bastards, then they're gonna kill a lot of these kids we got dressed up like Marines. Thats just the way I see it."

sapperskunk

Byrnzie wrote:

Seems like he was a dude:

'Said Hathcock, in his book, of his career as a sniper: "I like shooting, and I love hunting. But I never did enjoy killing anybody. It's my job. If I don't get those Bastards, then they're gonna kill a lot of these kids we got dressed up like Marines. Thats just the way I see it."

There's some remarkable people in this world.

(There is a nod to Hathcock in the movie, Saving Private Ryan. Steven Spielberg stated, "the idea of a sniper putting a bullet through another sniper's scope came from the true story of Carlos Hathcock, who killed a Vietcong sniper who was stalking him by putting a bullet through the sniper's scope.")

bgivens33

catefrances wrote:

any military. in any country. don't make facetious comments ridiculing people. it shows a lack of intelligence to respond constructively. don't assume all anti military comments are directed at the USA.

in all honesty if the united states was not united who would really care?

and quite what natural disasters have to do with anything is beyond me.

I apologize, sometimes I make inaccurate estimations of peoples intelligence, and construct my reply so that it's understood. Not that I think this applies here, but I guess I shouldn't jump to conclusions so fast.

Are you really saying, that no one would care, if the south decided to withdraw from the union?!?? That's a bit entertaining. And who's country's military attacked us on 9/11? The thing is, I'm sure you are very intelligent(well, at least you have good taste in music) but I just find these Utopian ideas to be, well, ridiculous. They sound pretty, but they aren't even remotely feasible. As for the natural disasters, if you would like a list of disaster relief missions the U.S. military has been involved in, google can help you out.

old and in the way

To scot88, my hats off to you for wanting to do the right thing and thinking for yourself. The noble history and traditions of the Corps are amazing. On behalf of my family and myself thanks for wanting to serve and contribute. I served in the U.S.Army 1980-1984 and it helped to define me and my future. So much opportuninty and exposure to some of the most capable and dedicated people in the country. Take full advantage of your enlistment and its benefits, it is your reward for serving. Glory to The Infantry!

you are

my best friend is a Marine, and all i can say is it's the hardest branch of the military. i highly respect ALL military. i say go for it.

from what she told me, i can tell you this:

eat fast, shove it all in your mouth and chew,
learn how to shower in one minute,
NOTHING is private anymore,
be ready for lots of mind games,
everything you say is wrong,
and boot camp is not the hardest. i forget what comes after that, but the next phase will be the hardest.

sponger

I don't think it's saying much when Iraqi snipers rack up such and such number of kills. Our guys in Iraq are just standing around in broad daylight like sitting ducks. They're not operating like it's a true war zone. I wouldn't doubt that most of those kills are cheap shots taken against guys who are manning road blocks or handing out candy bars to children. I bet the columbine shooters could do a better job.

Truthmonger

Everytime i hear about another American soldier dying in iraq I get angry at the people who concocted this bullshit war. Its one thing to fight for a noble cause, and have your dedication serve some greater good. Its quite another to take a bullet for a pack of lies, and to sacrifce your life for a testosterone-laden tangent.

Lets see.... I, the potential applicant, am to fight for a gov't that thinks nothing of putting me in harm's way, and for a cause that is marginally related, at best, to the defence of my country. More likely, i am the grunt who is fulfilling the wishes of a small band of ideologues in Washington who couldn't give a fuck about myself, my family, or our nations greater good. I am nothing more than an agent for their skewed selfish agendas, and a proxy for their crimes around the world.

What's so noble, patriotic or intelligent about that ?

sponger

sapperskunk wrote:

Don't rule out the Army either, You have a much better chance of being a sniper, green beret, Delta, ranger in the Army just due to it's sheer size alone. The Army has more units that fall under SOCOM than anyone.

Doesn't he have to be an NCO to get into the green berets or delta?

sapperskunk

sponger wrote:

Doesn't he have to be an NCO to get into the green berets or delta?

There taking guys right out of high school and sending them to selection. The logic is that you can make a civilian with no military experience a green beret much easier than that of a soldier that's been corrupted by the "regular" army. the whole thing has a lot of guys in the regular army who try out really pissed off. I think the programs only a few years old. One good thing Rumsfeld did was expand the green berets by 15000 troops, just by that it kind of makes it a little easier to get your foot in the door.

One caveat though, if you fail selection or get medically disqualified, then hello infantry!

Androgynous Mind

scot88 wrote:

i'm enlisting in the marine corps next year, so i'd like to know who else on here has served.

also, i can't believe the negative connotations that joining an armed service has these days. sure, the war in iraq is largely unpopular, but is that any reason to treat those who want to and are serving with disrespect? forgein policy is not up to them. be mad at the politicians, not the marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

i'm joining to be a part of something bigger than myself. i'm joining for the brotherhood, the experience, the discipline, and the life long honor. do i agree with all aspects of the war? no. am i going to let that stop me from joining something that has a long history of bravery, honor, loyalty and service? absoluetly fucking not. the qualities i aspire to and admire most are also the principles of the marine corps.

i can't help but think this is turning into another vietnam, where you can't wear your uniform in public for fear of being rediculed, spit on, and cursed at. if you have so much empathy (for the iraqies, etc.), why aren't you more understanding of americans who feel an obligation or need to serve their country?

You got my respect and support.

gue_barium

scot88 wrote:

i'm enlisting in the marine corps next year, so i'd like to know who else on here has served.

also, i can't believe the negative connotations that joining an armed service has these days. sure, the war in iraq is largely unpopular, but is that any reason to treat those who want to and are serving with disrespect? forgein policy is not up to them. be mad at the politicians, not the marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

i'm joining to be a part of something bigger than myself. i'm joining for the brotherhood, the experience, the discipline, and the life long honor. do i agree with all aspects of the war? no. am i going to let that stop me from joining something that has a long history of bravery, honor, loyalty and service? absoluetly fucking not. the qualities i aspire to and admire most are also the principles of the marine corps.

i can't help but think this is turning into another vietnam, where you can't wear your uniform in public for fear of being rediculed, spit on, and cursed at. if you have so much empathy (for the iraqies, etc.), why aren't you more understanding of americans who feel an obligation or need to serve their country?

I worked for a mid-sized American corporation who's owner believed all Americans should follow the model of some scandinavian countries and implement compulsory military service to our 17-21 year olds. I thought he was a kook, yet on the other hand if you think about it, there's nothing like serving one's country in such a manner that brings one immediately into the policies of one's own country. America needs to snap out of it's apathy that way. I take my hat off to you and your decision to partake. Semper Fidelis, and the best of fortune.

PaperPlates

Truthmonger wrote:

Everytime i hear about another American soldier dying in iraq I get angry at the people who concocted this bullshit war. Its one thing to fight for a noble cause, and have your dedication serve some greater good. Its quite another to take a bullet for a pack of lies, and to sacrifce your life for a testosterone-laden tangent.

Lets see.... I, the potential applicant, am to fight for a gov't that thinks nothing of putting me in harm's way, and for a cause that is marginally related, at best, to the defence of my country. More likely, i am the grunt who is fulfilling the wishes of a small band of ideologues in Washington who couldn't give a fuck about myself, my family, or our nations greater good. I am nothing more than an agent for their skewed selfish agendas, and a proxy for their crimes around the world.

What's so noble, patriotic or intelligent about that ?

Thanks for stopping by Hatemonger. Way to go. You truly never cease to amaze me with your ability to go off on your little tirade's. Why did you even bother posting in this thread, if you think he's neither noble, patriotic, nor intelligent? Way to piss on his back and then tell him its rain. You must be a ball at parties.


To the OP, good luck, god's speed, and thank you. Stay safe. Semper Fi.

kenny olav

scot88 wrote:

i'm enlisting in the marine corps next year, so i'd like to know who else on here has served.

also, i can't believe the negative connotations that joining an armed service has these days. sure, the war in iraq is largely unpopular, but is that any reason to treat those who want to and are serving with disrespect? forgein policy is not up to them. be mad at the politicians, not the marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

i'm joining to be a part of something bigger than myself. i'm joining for the brotherhood, the experience, the discipline, and the life long honor. do i agree with all aspects of the war? no. am i going to let that stop me from joining something that has a long history of bravery, honor, loyalty and service? absoluetly fucking not. the qualities i aspire to and admire most are also the principles of the marine corps.

i can't help but think this is turning into another vietnam, where you can't wear your uniform in public for fear of being rediculed, spit on, and cursed at. if you have so much empathy (for the iraqies, etc.), why aren't you more understanding of americans who feel an obligation or need to serve their country?

I don't know where you get this idea that men and women in uniform are being ridiculed for their service. I'm sure you could pick out a few people, but it is a tiny fringe minority of assholes who doing that. It's nothing like the Vietnam days and from what I hear, the stories of troops being "spit on" were exaggerated. In any event, I have not heard ANY of such stories during this war. All the anger is directed towards the Bush administration, where it belongs.

I think it's the most noble thing ever to risk your life to protect others, however I also think it's a MASSIVE mistake to join the U.S. armed forces at this moment in time, given the current corruption of our government. To sign your life away to these assholes is to make yourself a pawn in a war for profit. The only "winners" in this war are the companies who get billions of dollars from no-bid government contracts. The Iraq War serves no purpose to the American people. If you want to save lives, join the police force or be a fireman.

Furthermore, if you get your arm blown off or go psycho because of what you see over there, don't expect to get the treatment you deserve.

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/21191/

gue_barium

Kenny Olav wrote:

I don't know where you get this idea that men and women in uniform are being ridiculed for their service. I'm sure you could pick out a few people, but it is a tiny fringe minority of assholes who doing that. It's nothing like the Vietnam days and from what I hear, the stories of troops being "spit on" were exaggerated. In any event, I have not heard ANY of such stories during this war. All the anger is directed towards the Bush administration, where it belongs.

I think it's the most noble thing ever to risk your life to protect others, however I also think it's a MASSIVE mistake to join the U.S. armed forces at this moment in time, given the current corruption of our government. To sign your life away to these assholes is to make yourself a pawn in a war for profit. The only "winners" in this war are the companies who get billions of dollars from no-bid government contracts. The Iraq War serves no purpose to the American people. If you want to save lives, join the police force or be a fireman.

Furthermore, if you get your arm blown off or go psycho because of what you see over there, don't expect to get the treatment you deserve.

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/21191/

The support for our military has never been stronger!
The only ones that seem to undermine that support are those who are saying the truth is bad for our military.

In voluntary enlistment the enlistee has a choice of MOS (Military Occupational
Specialty). So, you need to choose a contract which is Open or Guaranteed. They want you to take an Open enlistment (with the idea you can change it later) so they can choose what and when and where they want you to be. Choose a Guaranteed contract and they will still pressure you (often successfully) on your choices, but at least you may find a practical vocation to bring back to your civilian life.

gue_barium

Truthmonger wrote:

Everytime i hear about another American soldier dying in iraq I get angry at the people who concocted this bullshit war. Its one thing to fight for a noble cause, and have your dedication serve some greater good. Its quite another to take a bullet for a pack of lies, and to sacrifce your life for a testosterone-laden tangent.

Lets see.... I, the potential applicant, am to fight for a gov't that thinks nothing of putting me in harm's way, and for a cause that is marginally related, at best, to the defence of my country. More likely, i am the grunt who is fulfilling the wishes of a small band of ideologues in Washington who couldn't give a fuck about myself, my family, or our nations greater good. I am nothing more than an agent for their skewed selfish agendas, and a proxy for their crimes around the world.

What's so noble, patriotic or intelligent about that ?

It is difficult, believe me I know, to take a philosophical look at this current Iraq situation, yet, as an intelligent thinker, you must.

There is a changing of the guard taking place in our nation's capital, and as pithy and pathetic as that may seem, I believe it is for the better. There is no effort implementable in this country that will dissuade those who will fight for joining in the defense of this country. And so it is.

sapperskunk

Kenny Olav wrote:

I don't know where you get this idea that men and women in uniform are being ridiculed for their service. I'm sure you could pick out a few people, but it is a tiny fringe minority of assholes who doing that. It's nothing like the Vietnam days and from what I hear, the stories of troops being "spit on" were exaggerated. In any event, I have not heard ANY of such stories during this war. All the anger is directed towards the Bush administration, where it belongs.

I think it's the most noble thing ever to risk your life to protect others, however I also think it's a MASSIVE mistake to join the U.S. armed forces at this moment in time, given the current corruption of our government. To sign your life away to these assholes is to make yourself a pawn in a war for profit. The only "winners" in this war are the companies who get billions of dollars from no-bid government contracts. The Iraq War serves no purpose to the American people. If you want to save lives, join the police force or be a fireman.

Furthermore, if you get your arm blown off or go psycho because of what you see over there, don't expect to get the treatment you deserve.

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/21191/

So only join in peacetime? Or pick and choose what conflicts you want to partake in? It doesn't work like that. And you can definately argue that this war doesn't serve the American people. But what about other people that need our help? I didn't join the Army to be a humanitarian, yet through various humanitarian and reconstruction missions I participated in, I can say I made a difference and I feel really good about it. The kid wanted advice from Vets right?

Byrnzie

gue_barium wrote:

there's nothing like serving one's country in such a manner that brings one immediately into the policies of one's own country.

The policies of ones own country? What the fuck are you on about? A country doesn't make policies, Governments make policies. And your present Government are a bunch of corrupt money-Nazis who care only about lining their own pockets and those of their rich buddies. Semper fi my arse!