Ask a Soldier

[dosed150]

M1A2 vs whatever the latest British tank is? I think it is the Challenger something? Throw the latest Leopard in there.

challenger 2

theres probably not a lot in it in terms of surviveability and weaponry but its more fuel efficient and you can make tea so obviously better

 

[stuge]

I served in PorPR, which also uses RK 95. I'm in mortar communications and I'd probably be sent to the Helsinki region in wartime.

Duh. I even served with some guys from Pori for a while in Parola. I blame serving mostly in KarPr. "Other readiness brigades, what's that?"

I'm armored recon, with the CV90. Although my view of the world had more in common with the tracks than the turret.

 

[Flying Pig]

How do you cope with the fear of dying in combat and prior to combat?

In combat I've never actually thought about it; it's hard to explain but you sort of assume you're immortal and therefore while you duck for cover when there are rounds going down around you if you see one of your mates in trouble you almost forget about all that and just go and do what you have to do; it's only later that you find the peice of metal in your body-armour pouch and think 'that was close!' I think the best coping mechanism is the endless training - we had a saying 'yea, though I walk through the valley in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for I am the hardest bar steward in the god-damn valley!'.

Were the prisoners aware that the new guards were people not to be trifled with?

I think the uniforms may have given it away - but we never had to seriously crack down on them, we just treated them like last-term recruits to be honest.

Actually, I will offer my opinion here based on what I have heard of both. So that means the nod goes to the British guys, as the Marines can get a tad over-zealous with their 'GET SOME' attitude. But I would probably give the edge to the US Marines if you absolutely had to have something blown up immediately. Those guys absolutely love pulling triggers and not letting up until the ammo runs out or the barrel warps.

That's probably true of us paratroopers as well, at least that's our reputation. I've got a lot of respect for the USMC; we had one of them over as an exchange officer swapped for our platoon commander and frankly we thought we were giving up on a pretty good deal when we let him go back - like something out of Band of Brothers, a real gent and not a bad officer either.

So, basically the Brits are more professional but the Marines are more gung ho?

Stereotypically, yes. Two dits from Korea - the USMC, when they made landfall surrounded by Chinese and Koreans, reportedly said words to the effect of 'there ain't an army in the world that can stop a marine regiment from going where it wants to go!', while the British Gloucestershire Regiment's sitrep from the top of Gloster Hill (under attack from the bulk of the People's Liberation Army) was 'things are a bit sticky' - which the American brigade commander duly interpreted as 'we're pretty much alright' and didn't send any help. Old-fashioned British reserve is far from dead.

I've done some reading about the middle ages that suggests a soldier could remain in intense combat for around ten minutes before reaching mental and physical fatigue. What would you say is the time it takes for mental and physical fatigue to set in for a soldier in an intense firefight situation?

Well obviously we have an easier time in that we're not wearing tin cans or giving it some with a sharp stick so often, but even then a long battle is tiring both for the sprinting around the place and having to be alert to everything at once. It really does depend - in Afghanistan they've had firefights lasting all day, because the Taliban have hidden at huge ranges and put potshots off where they can, so they can't hit us and we can't see them to shoot them back, but in a really intense, fast-moving attack half an hour would be extremely testing, if we were constantly attacking the enemy and having to move around.

Which do you prefer: L1A1 or SA80?



Here's the rifle I served with in FDF.

SLR all the way. Beautiful old thing.

M1A2 vs whatever the latest British tank is? I think it is the Challenger something? Throw the latest Leopard in there.

My understanding of it is that the Challenger 2 is a better tank individually, but the Abrams is better value for money and not much worse off in terms of actual capability; thereby being perfect for the American goal of destroying hundreds and hundreds of Soviet (or Iraqi) T-72s. That said there's very little to choose between those three; add in the French LeClerc and the latest Russian thing and you've got the top 5 MBTs in the world.

theres probably not a lot in it in terms of surviveability and weaponry but its more fuel efficient and you can make tea so obviously better

I think you can do that in most modern tanks; the hot plate's there so that you can eat and drink in an NBC black environment, so if it weren't there then it would be quite easy for a well-equipped enemy to obstruct our armour.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Well obviously we have an easier time in that we're not wearing tin cans or giving it some with a sharp stick so often, but even then a long battle is tiring both for the sprinting around the place and having to be alert to everything at once. It really does depend - in Afghanistan they've had firefights lasting all day, because the Taliban have hidden at huge ranges and put potshots off where they can, so they can't hit us and we can't see them to shoot them back, but in a really intense, fast-moving attack half an hour would be extremely testing, if we were constantly attacking the enemy and having to move around.

But surely better battlefield science and techniques would also extend the endurance of modern soldiers? Refrigeration and chemical preservatives make for better rations, to take one example.

 

[MobBoss]

But surely better battlefield science and techniques would also extend the endurance of modern soldiers? Refrigeration and chemical preservatives make for better rations, to take one example.

Well, it took a really, really long time for the current MRE for the US military to 'get better'. When they were first being fielded, they were awful, and concensus opinion was that the old c-rats were way better.

But now days, they are pretty amazing. I usually save mine up for camping trips to be honest, and keep a few in the car in case of emergencies. They're great for that.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Well, it took a really, really long time for the current MRE for the US military to 'get better'. When they were first being fielded, they were awful, and concensus opinion was that the old c-rats were way better.

I think they'll agree though that it's way better than rations in the Middle Ages.

But now days, they are pretty amazing. I usually save mine up for camping trips to be honest, and keep a few in the car in case of emergencies. They're great for that.

No regulations against that? Or just a job perk?

 

[SuperJay]

I posted this question in the "Support the troops" thread, but it's probably better asked here, especially for the purposes of getting opinions from soldiers outside the U.S. as well as Americans.

Just out of curiosity (this is a sincere question, take off your partisan hat for a second) - what do you feel is an appropriate and positive recognition of your service? A smile and a quick "thanks for your service?" I typically don't want to intrude or dwell on it to an embarassing (for the serviceperson) extent, but I'd like that individual to know that I value their service to our country.

 

[Flying Pig]

But surely better battlefield science and techniques would also extend the endurance of modern soldiers? Refrigeration and chemical preservatives make for better rations, to take one example.

Refrigeration in the field? Hands up any volunteers to carry the generator and fridge? No, literally what they do is seal them in an aluminium bag after treatment, which means no germs can get in. But you're right; we're far fitter nowadays than anyone before about 1950 because we're professionals, well-fed, and well looked-after; that's better than Caesar's or Wellington's men could have said.

Well, it took a really, really long time for the current MRE for the US military to 'get better'. When they were first being fielded, they were awful, and concensus opinion was that the old c-rats were way better.

Was that during what you called Desert Storm? Us at Head Shed were working down the road from your guys and we always used to ask for extra ration packs and swap them for your cot beds. Although interestingly in the newest issue of our own they've eput in the little plastic spoon which we always used to save as a racing spoon.

But now days, they are pretty amazing. I usually save mine up for camping trips to be honest, and keep a few in the car in case of emergencies. They're great for that.

I did a double-take going shopping for camping kit and, upon looking at the 'camping meals' in aluminium bags, seeing it to be 'corned beef hash, mexican tuna pasta, steak and vegetables, and chocolate sponge pudding' - 'I remember that!'

I think they'll agree though that it's way better than rations in the Middle Ages.

'Liberated' French wine? Not likely

No regulations against that? Or just a job perk?

If you've got it it's yours - they only issue them in full boxes - although normally you won't be given enough to have spares; it's a fool who doesn't eat his whole box in the field and I'm normally the one fishing around for seconds. During GRANBY we were lucky in that the RAF guys back at Brize had hundreds and were more than happy to ship out extras in exchange for a few cans of beer that we absolutely didn't have.

I posted this question in the "Support the troops" thread, but it's probably better asked here, especially for the purposes of getting opinions from soldiers outside the U.S. as well as Americans.

It makes me cringe a bit to be honest to see American reaction to their servicemen, and to a lesser extent the same over here recently - call me cynical but I served through the Cold War when we were 'bloody squaddies' and the charts were full of anti-war songs: now suddenly we're flavour of the month again but how long is that going to last once we stop coming back from Afghanistan in body bags? What I'd say is that if you see someone in uniform remember that he's probably either coming back from something very tiring - either deployment, or a course, or whatever - or going out on one, and either way he's not going to want to be messed around - just showing a bit of common humanity and not being a pain is all you need to do for most of us, or maybe ask if we're OK if we look lost because we're in the sixth railway station after a week in the field and we've no idea where we're going... (trust me, I've never been at my best coming back off exercise).

That said, if they're a young guy who's clearly joined up recently, if you just say something like 'thank you for your service, [sir]', it'll make their day - I really encourage you to do that the next time you see someone wandering around in uniform without any rank on.

 

[MobBoss]

No regulations against that? Or just a job perk?

Well, once they hand them over to you, no one is making sure you eat them, so 'job perk' I guess.

Was that during what you called Desert Storm? Us at Head Shed were working down the road from your guys and we always used to ask for extra ration packs and swap them for your cot beds. Although interestingly in the newest issue of our own they've eput in the little plastic spoon which we always used to save as a racing spoon.

Was prior to that in the late 80's. What exactly is a 'racing spoon'? I remember we used to have soldiers that would save their MRE brown plastic spoon and put it in their left breast pocket where your pen holder used to go. But I am unfamiliar with the 'racing spoon' term.

I did a double-take going shopping for camping kit and, upon looking at the 'camping meals' in aluminium bags, seeing it to be 'corned beef hash, mexican tuna pasta, steak and vegetables, and chocolate sponge pudding' - 'I remember that!'

Yup, they often sell MREs in clear platic bags at the commisary just for that kind of purpose. Corned beef hash is a great one, as is the tuna. Just pop your little tobasco sauce container into that bag of tuna cassarole, crunch up a MRE cracker into that, add just a dash of canteen water.....mmmmm. Not a bad field ration at all.

 

[Flying Pig]

Was prior to that in the late 80's. What exactly is a 'racing spoon'? I remember we used to have soldiers that would save their MRE brown plastic spoon and put it in their left breast pocket where your pen holder used to go. But I am unfamiliar with the 'racing spoon' term.

Not sure you would have done it - basically whenever anyone opens a tin of anything, it's a kind of tradition that he takes a spoonful then everyone around digs their spoon in straight and pulls down on the handle, and if the spoon comes out he can eat what's on it. Obviously the balance is between having a spoon that's big enough to get a good scoop while still being small enough to get out of the tin - I knew one guy who'd cut the end off a wooden spoon, and was pemenantly disappointed but you could see the glee in his face when someone got out a huge thing of Nutella.

Yup, they often sell MREs in clear platic bags at the commisary just for that kind of purpose. Corned beef hash is a great one, as is the tuna. Just pop your little tobasco sauce container into that bag of tuna cassarole, crunch up a MRE cracker into that, add just a dash of canteen water.....mmmmm. Not a bad field ration at all.

I 'borrow' rations from my cadet units and take the tabasco sauce on aircraft! Cracking stuff - although they've taken out our answer to crackers (known as 'biscuits brown, or 'biscuits blocking', to generations of squaddies) from the new ones in favour of imitation jammy dodgers - cue outrage, although they've had to really re-design them for recent operations (the old Yorkie bars for example had to go, for obvious reasons)

I suppose pillage is a lost luxury. But I'm sure taking stuff given by the locals is still something to enjoy. And stories of the latter would be interesting to hear.

Short of hat swaps, it's a bit contentious lately because the enemy will try represent it as plunder - some COs don't like it.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

'Liberated' French wine? Not likely

I suppose pillage is a lost luxury. But I'm sure taking stuff given by the locals is still something to enjoy. And stories of the latter would be interesting to hear.

 

[Cutlass]

Are there any units using soft caps rather than helmets in combat these days, and what do you think of that?

 

[Uncle Anton]

Anyone choosing to wear a soft-hat (e.g. beret) over a Kevlar helmet in combat hasn't seen what shrapnel, blast or bullet does to another human being.

 

[Uncle Anton]

MobBoss - I remember we used to have soldiers that would save their MRE brown plastic spoon and put it in their left breast pocket where your pen holder used to go.

We only just started getting those recently... for a very long time, all we had was the FRED ( ####ing Ridiculous Eating Device) - it's this 2-3 inch tin can opener and spoon thing... And I can assure you it's appropriately named

 

[Smellincoffee]

@Flying_Pig Thanks for that music you posted earlier! I'd actually never heard of "The British Grenadiers".

 

[Princeps]

Duh. I even served with some guys from Pori for a while in Parola. I blame serving mostly in KarPr. "Other readiness brigades, what's that?"

I'm armored recon, with the CV90. Although my view of the world had more in common with the tracks than the turret.

My role wasn't really glorious either. But I did get to stay in the warm tent when everyone else had to assume defense positions!

Ah, btw, I found the propaganda video they showed us in Säkylä:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFjfiKePhwA&feature=related

(its 15 year old video so it might feature outdated equipment like the old shovel)

 

[stuge]

Taistelukenttä (the Battlefield) is hardcore. Although I wonder who decided to put the bit with swans, hockey and PATRIOTISM at the start.

My favorite PR piece is Military Police in Action.

MPs H*LL YEAH

The most liked comment is part of what makes it amazing.

 

[Flying Pig]

Are there any units using soft caps rather than helmets in combat these days, and what do you think of that?

They're used on UN missions (where we're not supposed to actually be fighting most of the time) and where we're interacting with the people; some areas of Helmand they come out and in NI we usually wore our berets including in the early days while they were still in uniform the SAS.

Anyone choosing to wear a soft-hat (e.g. beret) over a Kevlar helmet in combat hasn't seen what shrapnel, blast or bullet does to another human being.

Tell that to Lord Lovat - one of the greatest if most eccentric of Britain's mid-ranking officers of the Second World War. He lead a brigade of commandos to Pegasus Bridge after D-Day piped into battle nad wearing berets, and the resulting morale boost - while meaning they had ot put helmets on while actually attacking the bridge, since the Germans had machine-guns everywhere - gave them a momentum that was unmatched in any other British unit. We wore them a few times in the Falklands when fighting more close-up, since our CO (cut from the same sort of stuff as his Lordship, I think) reasoned that if we were shot in the helmet we were dead anyway and it would do far better for the Argentines to see our maroon berets as they'd started to learn to fear us after what we'd done earlier in the campaign. Plus the helmets issued back then were guaranteed to give you a brain tumour from the constant knocking about; useless things.

We only just started getting those recently... for a very long time, all we had was the FRED ( ####ing Ridiculous Eating Device) - it's this 2-3 inch tin can opener and spoon thing... And I can assure you it's appropriately named

FRED's a collector's item over here! We love the things!

@Flying_Pig Thanks for that music you posted earlier! I'd actually never heard of "The British Grenadiers".

Glad to have educated you!

With regard to propaganda, the British have this much-maligned series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jayOm7TAB1g

 

[stuge]

I can only speak from a training perspective, but Finnish recon and sissi units don't use helmets much, because they move long distances on foot and aren't likely to face heavy weapons or artillery/mortar fire due to either avoiding combat, or fighting with hit-and-run tactics.

I'd figure that it could be the case with most foot mobile long range patrol units.

 

[Communisto]

Do/can asthmatics make good soldiers?