Ask a soldier thread....

[MobBoss]

!

That takes me back! When I was in Scouts, we would take MREs along with us camping (mostly because all my leaders were in the Canadian military and could get a certain amount for free) and god were they awful! I remember getting a 'cheese omelette' that looked like a preserved lung. Thank god for the peach cobbler....!

The old school worst MRE's were the pork patty (kind of a hockey puck with breading) and the weiners (which had enough grease that you could lube a truck with).

One more question: is the armed forces the kind of place where you check your politics at the door, or do you ever discuss what you're doing and its effectiveness?

No, we discuss politics all the time. In my office, its split about 50/50 liberal/conservative and we take great enjoyment out of goading each other over the various days political drama. But thats us. In other situations, I suppose it may be less - in general if it upsets people enough to effect the team it would be looked down on. In other words, if I had a team leader who was politically sensitive, I most likely wouldnt discuss such things in front of him...but there is no rule of thumb that says its off limits, no.

 

[GenMarshall]

What can a recruit do with a Batchellors in Psychology or a Masters in Industrial Psych in the Army?

Are there any Catholic Chaplins in the Army? If so, how offten are they around? (I heard that they are rare to come across by)

 

[MobBoss]

What can a recruit do with a Batchellors in Psychology or a Masters in Industrial Psych in the Army?

Actually, having a college degree may or may not qualify you for a commission as an officer. Depends upon the degree. I have known people with college degrees to join the military for different reasons. Some because they just couldnt get a job with their degree and some because it enabled them to get experience in their field. It just depends. If you are a psycholgist you could very well qualify to work in a military hospital depending upon your qualifications. But once again, I would never sign a contract, unless you were absolutely sure that it gives you exactly the opportunity you want.

Are there any Catholic Chaplins in the Army? If so, how offten are they around? (I heard that they are rare to come across by)

Of course there are. There are chaplins from many religions and denominations. There is usually one (with his NCO) per Bde/Bn command with a larger office in larger commands. Usually one chaplain is responsible for overseeing several hundred people in a particular command.

 

[malclave]

The old school worst MRE's were the pork patty (kind of a hockey puck with breading) and the weiners (which had enough grease that you could lube a truck with).

Ugh... dehydrated pork patties... "stays crunchy, even in water" (though on one field exercise I met an NCO who actually liked them).

Anyway, I got out before the introduction of the ACU, so I'm not sure how relevant this question is... but did the marines ever learn how to roll their sleeves correctly, so the inside wasn't showing?

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

How much do you work?
Is your job fun?
How easy is it o get promoted?

 

[GenMarshall]

If you are a psycholgist you could very well qualify to work in a military hospital depending upon your qualifications.

I am actualy more interested in applying what I learned in Psychology to the world such as eather Industrial Psychology or PsychOps. If there are no openings within my field in the civilian world.

I also heard that much of the armed forces teaches some form of Martial Arts. What would they do with me if I am or any recruit is already a Karate Student and have gotten a Black Belt already?

 

[MobBoss]

Ugh... dehydrated pork patties... "stays crunchy, even in water" (though on one field exercise I met an NCO who actually liked them).

Anyway, I got out before the introduction of the ACU, so I'm not sure how relevant this question is... but did the marines ever learn how to roll their sleeves correctly, so the inside wasn't showing?

Hmmm, havent seen too many marines here lately, but my recollection is that they still roll their sleeves "out" instead of the inside fold the way the army does it.

 

[MobBoss]

How much do you work?

I usually work a regular 40 hour week, although its not uncommon that I can end up working a month or so without a day off sometimes. I get 30 days of paid vacation a year.

Is your job fun?

It has its fun moments. Since I am a Legal NCO I field a lot of unpleasant phone calls from people....mainly upset people. I also get phone calls from a lot of whackos. I once had a guy phone me sayng he wanted us to court martial his mom and dad for implating electronic chips into his brain - which of course allowed him to visibly see microwaves!!!! yeah..that was a good one.

How easy is it o get promoted?

Depends largely on your job. Jobs with higher risk and higher turnover get promotions faster. Its also competitive as you compete against your peers for rank. Sometimes you can literally fly up the ranks...sometimes you get pidgeonholed. My experience was that I made my rank really quick up to SSG (E6), then I hit a wall where I literally had to wait for people to retire before I could get my next promotion. It took a long time (several years) to make E7 compared to getting to E6.

 

[MobBoss]

I also heard that much of the armed forces teaches some form of Martial Arts. What would they do with me if I am or any recruit is already a Karate Student and have gotten a Black Belt already?

You get rudimentary hand-to-hand combat training in basic. I got bayonet training as well, but I am not sure they still offer that as it gets taken out since its dangerous.

The more advance hand-to-hand stuff is for the combat arms people. If you were already a black belt, chances are they would recognize that and use you as a resource - most likely as a instructor to teach other soldiers karate skills and techniques. I know I would if I were a platoon sgt. Also, if you have extra skills like that and volunteer to teach other soldiers that in turn is a good sign of leadership qualities and thus generally ganers you more recognition/awards/chances at promotion.

 

[Padma]

FWIW: the Marines around here still roll their sleeves "wrong".

 

[GenMarshall]

FWIW: the Marines around here still roll their sleeves "wrong".

What way are they suppost to roll them?

 

[MobBoss]

What way are they suppost to roll them?

Well, heh, it may be hard to explain. Basically you fold your sleeve on the inside instead of outside so that it appears like it has a large "cuff" where it is folded above the elbow. The fold is just on the inside of the sleeve instead of on the outside of it.

 

[Tenochtitlan]

Did you fight in any wars? If so which?

 

[GenMarshall]

Well, heh, it may be hard to explain. Basically you fold your sleeve on the inside instead of outside so that it appears like it has a large "cuff" where it is folded above the elbow. The fold is just on the inside of the sleeve instead of on the outside of it.

A picture would suffice .

So in otherwords (for better visual referance), how Major Kusanagi rolls her leather jacket is considered the "wrong way"?

 

[MobBoss]

Did you fight in any wars? If so which?

I have been in since Dec 86, but I havent fought in any wars. I came a hairs breath being deployed to the first gulf war as I was in an Attack Helicopter Bn at that time as a admin weenie, but the whole thing ended and they took us off alert. I remember all the other little engagements as well too, but never got close to being in the type of units they sent to that stuff.

I might still get picked up to go, but in my current position and doing what I do its not likely, unless the wheels truly fall off and they need old broken guys like me. But if I have to go, I will go.

 

[FriendlyFire]

I might still get picked up to go, but in my current position and doing what I do its not likely, unless the wheels truly fall off and they need old broken guys like me. But if I have to go, I will go.

I hear that the marines dont have any recuitment poblems like the army ?

 

[malclave]

What way are they suppost to roll them?

It's just a minor joke about interservice rivalry. I served a term in the Army, and I have a couple friends who were in the Marines.

When rolling up sleeves on BDUs (the old camouflage uniforms), the Army folds the cuff over the rolled-up part, so they still show the camouflage pattern. Marines don't, so the "inside" of the fabric of the uniform is shown.

What is "right" for the Army is "wrong" for the Marines, and vice versa. But it's a pretty harmless way to joke about which service is "better"... as in "geez, you guys don't even know how to roll up your sleeves the right way!" I mean, who (at least, in the Army and Marines) could hear that and possibly think it was something other than a joke, no matter how drunk?

Anyway, the goal of my question was to inject some light humor, but to get things back on track I guess I should ask a serious question (which means I can't ask MobBoss if he's been tempted to do anything on Skippy's list, darn it!). So here goes:

How often do units change their "home" garrison locations? In the late 80s, I was stationed in Wuerzburg, down the street from 3rd ID (Rock of the Marne) HQ. Then, a couple of years ago, I read that 1st ID (Big Red One) was in Wuerzburg.

Not sure if that's something you'd know, but I figured that you've been in long enough to give it a shot.

 

[Blazer6]

What requirements must be met before joining?

 

[ybbor]

do you have anything to say about the reserve?

 

[Dreadnought]

I want to join the army in a few years (via West Point). So:

What is the most rewarding branch in the army (do you think)?

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