Ask a soldier thread....

[Rik Meleet]

Please explain this in depth:

(..) Soldiers can still have a good attitude and think for themselves, have good life-priorities, and are not brainwashed - believe it or not. If you really want me to explain to you in depth on how that is possible, let me know. (..)

 

[MobBoss]

Please explain this in depth:

1. Soldiers can have a good attitude.

Of course they can, and in fact, good attitude is what fosters comaraderie and teamwork. A tight knit team, working together is much more likely to survive and accomplish their mission.

2. Soldiers think for themselves.

Of course they do. Yes, there are requirements for them to meet, and yes, they get told often what needs to be done. But most good leaders do not micro-manage their troops - they leave it up for the troops themselves to find the solution to the problem at hand and to suceed in the mission. If their chosen course of action isnt successful, then lessons are learned from it in order to be more effective in the future.

3. Have good life priorities.

Again, of course they do. The vast majority of soldiers currently serving are doing so in order to improve their lives. They are looking to get college loans repaid, or to make enough bonus money to finish their education. Many are also looking to learn a techinical skill and get training that will help them get a good job in the civilian sector when they get out of the service.

4. Are not brainwashed.

Of course they are not. Yes, there is a lot of hooah, hooah, type stuff in order to motivate people, but the bottom line is the army needs young men and women that know how to think under pressure....we dont need unthinking zombies. People of all walks of life serve in the military for various reasons. Liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans, etc. They all dont outprocess thinking the same exact thing and believing the exact same things in life. They are not brainwashed, as a brainwashed soldier would probably be hugely ineffective and unable to adapt in the way we need soldiers to be able to.

 

[Stevenpfo]

Most soldiers/Marines that have killed, aren't totally sure if they've killed or not (usually happens at a distance, bullets flying everywhere, usually you can't immediately go over and check the guy's pulse, etc.), so you just have to live in wonder, whether you've killed or not.

And if that bothers you, you have no business holding a rifle. I knew some Marines that were in Somalia, the Balkans, etc. that had been in situations where they'd fired rounds at the enemy, but kills were never confirmed for whatever reason, and it kinda bothered/stressed them psychologically, years afterwards. Whatever. I say they need a good @ss-kicking. Maybe a 'cowardice' discharge as well.

If you don't have at least a small "GET SOME!! " -bone in your body, just don't join up in the first place for crying out loud.

I wasn't going to reply when I read this a few days ago because I don't know if this fits in the thread or not but it made me angry. So here I am.

You are correct in saying that it's difficult to know if you've actually killed someone. It is hard to verify after the fact.

Did that bother me? No, not really. Maybe for a few minutes to wonder if the people had a family or maybe he had some kid with him helping him carry RPGs or something.

Did it bother other people. Yeah, yeah it does. Did they think they were hard as f*** before they pulled the trigger. Yeah, yeah they did. No one knows how they're going to react mentally to these challenges until they've lived through them.

You say those men possibly deserve a cowardice discharge and yet they've been over seas and were on a two way range? That's almost laughable except it's not funny.

there are some really good books out there by (US Army Ret.) Col. Grossman. I believe they are called "On Combat" and "On Killing." They deal with these issues in detail. I had the luxury of hearing him speak before I went over to Afghanistan myself. You can not control how your mind will react before, during and afterwards to stressful situations. Albeit combat, car crashes or your best friend pulling a sweet prank on you. It's part of how the human mind learns and sometimes it's too much.

Also. Sometimes someone may say this thing or that thing is what bothers them but really it is not that. The problem may lay somewhere else. I know I had issues for a little while with my friends who were killed over seas. I was lucky enough not to be permanently damaged by these problems. I can't imagine what it would be like for people who've had their minds scarred in a way that will last their whole life.

Ok. I'm done. Mobboss has done a really good job at answering questions. so has Lotus (minus this one issue that obviously bothered me a bit).

If anyone has any questions about the Canadian military then please feel free to ask. I'll do my best to answer.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

About the American Army and Fashion:

Do sergeants or any other bloke with an ounce of authority really think that wearing big sunglasses makes them look like Patton, and thus cool? It looks rediculous without the cigar in my opinion.

 

[LightFang]

What do you guys think of Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy? This includes its effects.

 

[pau17]

Is there hearing damage among those who have spent a lot of time firing weapons, or are earplugs commonly used? Firing a weapon is something like 140 decibels, so even just one firefight would seem enough to really mess up your hearing.

 

[CaptainF]

How many religious minorities (muslim, jewish, hindu, etc.) and atheists/non-religious comprise the US military today?

Maybe a percentile figure would be good.

 

[scy12]

Is there any situation in a what if scenario that you would turn against the American military's will ?

 

[LuckyAC]

Which country would you most want to fight? Which country would you least want to fight?

 

[zxcvbnm]

If a goverment started transforming America to a military state against your principles, would you take up your arms and use your military training to oppose it, even with force?

 

[Chazumi]

What do you guys think of Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy? This includes its effects.

I have never met anyone I have thought to be gay...so either it's working or it hasn't really applied to me yet.

Is there hearing damage among those who have spent a lot of time firing weapons, or are earplugs commonly used? Firing a weapon is something like 140 decibels, so even just one firefight would seem enough to really mess up your hearing.

A fair amount. You are supposed to wear earplugs at all times but sometimes it doesn't happen. I have 2 friends that are being discharged after our tour for hearing loss. I'm sure there are many others. It's the IED's that blow your eardrums though

How many religious minorities (muslim, jewish, hindu, etc.) and atheists/non-religious comprise the US military today?

Maybe a percentile figure would be good.

Well, hard to answer, one person has such a limited view of the military as a whole even after a few years. If I were to guess based on my experience, 35% christian, 10% LDS, 25% religious in one way or another just not practicing, 25% no-rel-pref, 5% jewish.

Is there any situation in a what if scenario that you would turn against the American military's will ?

Are you talking about deserting or like...turning on your friends and shooting them in the field? If you mean deserting, perhaps but I highly highly doubt it. I've seen many people go AWOL, most retarted thing you can do because next time you get a speeding ticket, back you go, dishonorable discharge, go!

And as far as shooting comrades nah, you need them as much as you, even if you are in a really S*tty situation it's better to get out of it before you take a drastic measure like this

Which country would you most want to fight? Which country would you least want to fight?

Somewhere in the bahamas, cayman islands, something like that

Least want to fight? A few...if they had nukes I probably wouldn't want to fight them.

If a goverment started transforming America to a military state against your principles, would you take up your arms and use your military training to oppose it, even with force?

There are a few safegaurds to this taking place, and I guess everyones answer would be situation-dependent. I guess the only way I would say "yes" to this question is if the whole rest of the military was doing it but, one man isn't a huge difference against the rest of the army...

 

[zxcvbnm]

There are a few safegaurds to this taking place, and I guess everyones answer would be situation-dependent. I guess the only way I would say "yes" to this question is if the whole rest of the military was doing it but, one man isn't a huge difference against the rest of the army...

You wouldn't know about the rest of the military, except that some do join the resistance and some don't. The majority of the people would support the resistance in their minds and about 2% would actively resist the government. Having military trained personnel there would improve the resistance as a whole.

 

[Narz]

Haven't read the whole thread so forgive me if this has been asked before (these goes for anyone who wants to answer them) :

1. Have you ever questioned a commanding officers order?
2. Have you fought in a war?
3. If so, how do you deal with the fact that you have to kill? Do you try mentally to dehumanize the enemy?
4. Does it bother you that so many veterans are homeless and/or mentally ill? What do you think is the solution to this problem (if any)?
5. Do you keep in touch with your military brothers (and sisters?) who you trained/served with? (I guess this doesn't really apply for those who are still training/serving)
6. What are your top two military experiences/memories?

 

[Patroklos]

How often do you get promoted (captain -> major, etc.)?

Once

10 char

 

[RedRalph]

If a man wasin a foxhole ahead of you, could you bring yourself to sneak up behind him, and do him right there in the hole?

 

[holy king]

how's the food in the us army?

 

[Longus]

If a man wasin a foxhole ahead of you, could you bring yourself to sneak up behind him, and do him right there in the hole?

Don't ask, don't tell.

 

[scy12]

Are you talking about deserting or like...turning on your friends and shooting them in the field? If you mean deserting, perhaps but I highly highly doubt it. I've seen many people go AWOL, most retarted thing you can do because next time you get a speeding ticket, back you go, dishonorable discharge, go!

And as far as shooting comrades nah, you need them as much as you, even if you are in a really S*tty situation it's better to get out of it before you take a drastic measure like this

Well any situation you would do something that was against the American military's interests or Commands including orders from superiors. For example , Superior A orders you to be a part of a bombing/shooting/destruction that would result only on innocent deaths because superior A is an idiot.

Example B . Superior B orders you into a mission that would have high innocent cassualities but would also result into achieving some kind of objective, Which sacrifice is enough for which objective ? Because i met people that would not mind with any cost of innocent life as long as there was a small objective or they thought there was.

Would you desert ?

As for shooting comrades . Let's say one of your comrades happens to be a psychotic murderer that kills people in cold blood that do not pose direct threat to the rest. How would you deal with him ?

 

[scy12]

how's the food in the us army?

I am also in a not-war army (not Usa) and it sucks . Although , everyone is getting delivery food past our officer's eye !

 

[classical_hero]

How do you keep fit, since you generally just sit behind a desk?

Also can we have a picture of you in your uniform?