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Comments

1. #101
   On May 14th, 2009 at 10:40 am, sonofdy said:

   Can I safely pretend to be a tanker now, sonofdy, or is there anything eles I might need to know?

   Just ensure you have enough cans of squelch for your radio. Oh and stock up on grid squarees. You can never have enough for you maps. If you don’t have enough, ask your platoon sergeant, His unoffical title is prickE7. Tell him b-cat sent you!!!

2. #102
   On May 14th, 2009 at 10:40 am, b-cat said:

   You’re right, too, Chap.

3. #103
   On May 14th, 2009 at 10:43 am, chapoutier said:

   Just ensure you have enough cans of squelch for your radio. Oh and stock up on grid squarees. You can never have enough for you maps. If you don’t have enough, ask your platoon sergeant, His unoffical title is prickE7. Tell him b-cat sent you!!!

   Ahhhh….that’s a lot to remember. I’ll just claim to be ex special ops, but I can’t talk about it because its still classified and then stare into my beer like a man that has seen too much…

4. #104
   On May 14th, 2009 at 10:43 am, sonofdy said:

   I once had a new private checking the bradley for soft spots will a ballpen hammer for hours…

   Good times…

5. #105
   On May 14th, 2009 at 10:45 am, cpodug said:

   Of course, you could always send him down to the SKs for fifteen fathoms of waterline, or a box of zero-beats for the R-390s, but the best was sending him up to the bridge to paint the navigator’s balls.

6. #106
   On May 14th, 2009 at 10:46 am, sergeantmajorbill said:

   Sonofdy – I had one of my old soldiers call me Sunday morning to wish me “Happy Mother’s Day”. I am sure you understand. I had a few choice words to say to him and than we both had a good laugh. Yes, those were “good times”.

7. #107
   On May 14th, 2009 at 10:47 am, sonofdy said:

   Jumping up and down on the bradley to check the shocks was another good one.

8. #108
   On May 14th, 2009 at 10:48 am, b-cat said:

   You’re going to need antenna grease, too!

9. #109
   On May 14th, 2009 at 10:50 am, sonofdy said:

   The worse parts to get are those prickE9′s.

   Yes CSM I am already in the front leaning rest….

   

10. #110
    On May 14th, 2009 at 10:57 am, norm1111 said:

    This is old ploy by the lunatic left…same thing happened in my day. The Winter Soldier Campaign in Detroit; by the way funded by J Fonda and a couple others….dozens of “soldiers” testified of the terrible things they saw and did in Vietnam. And our very own John F**in Kerry used their same words to testifiy before a congressional committee…I saw it shortly after I came home (I am a real veteran). I immediatly knew much of what Kerry was saying was an outright lie or at the very least, embellished. Now history has shown that many of the “vets” who testified in Detriot were, either never in the service; were in the service, but not in combat MOSs…or were nutbags like this character Michelle has written about.

    Over the years, I have run across several of these guys…usually you can tell them by their ages now. Virtually impossible for anyone under the age of 57 (and that is the very bottom) to have served in Vietnam. Another really good sign is the stories of “secret missions”….not that there weren’t those missions, but they were very rare and most of us were just grunts busting the bush…not a friggin’ thing secret about it.

11. #111
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:02 am, FirstSkirt said:

    Both myself and hubby are retired Air Force (him a Vietname incountry vet). We always get a big laugh out of fakes who claim military “action” at social gatherings. They are almost always liberals spouting their anti-war crap. Still, it’s funny to watch them make fools of themselves because the lingo doesn’t work.

12. #112
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:04 am, Flyoverman said:

    On May 14th, 2009 at 10:50 am, sonofdy said:

    The worse parts to get are those prickE9’s.

    WOW…. you could spend the rest of your career policing up parachutes in the impact area.

13. #113
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:04 am, cpodug said:

    If I was ever on a “secret mission” you can bet I would never talk about it. I take my oath seriously.

14. #114
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:06 am, rocketman said:

    ***
    It’s hard to find someone lower than a liar who claims to have served in the U.S. Military and hasn’t. Or has “embellished” (aka LIED) about his service if he was “in”.
    ***
    I have known and worked with many vets of WW2, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, the current Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, President Jimmuh Carter’s aborted rescue raid into Iran, etc.
    ***
    Almost all of these people are completely normal. They served our country well at considerable personal risk and economic loss to themselves. They tell you their real stories modestly–and they put together good lives after their duty was completed.
    ***
    I served in the U.S. Army as a draftee in a non combat role. I was always impressed by the good professional military people I met. I always tell the truth about my service. THANK YOU VETS FOR YOUR SERVICE DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY!
    ***
    John Bibb
    ***

15. #115
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:06 am, Flyoverman said:

    I immediatly knew much of what Kerry was saying was an outright lie or at the very least, embellished.

    When Kerry testified he was still officially an officer in the Naval Reserve. It disgusted me that he was never brought up on charges for lying to Congress.

16. #116
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:12 am, chapoutier said:

    Still, it’s funny to watch them make fools of themselves because the lingo doesn’t work.

    That’s why threads like this are so useful to us.

    But you weren’t THERE man…you don’t understand…the things I saw when I was 1st Cav Div, based out of An Khe right around the end of 1966…Of course, that was after my stint as 05B2P with Airborne.

17. #117
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:15 am, sergeantmajorbill said:

    Rocketman – I too was a US originally. It did not take me long to figure out if I ever got out of the Army I would have to go back to work for a living so I became an RA. Than we went to SSN and lost all designation in front of it. Since I have been retired for 18 years I don’t know what they are using now. Thank you for your service.

18. #118
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:17 am, b-cat said:

    that was after my stint as 05B2P with Airborne.

    A paratrooper would say the Airborne. You need a unit, though. And a working knowledge of jump school.

19. #119
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:18 am, chapoutier said:

    A paratrooper would say the Airborne. You need a unit, though. And a working knowledge of jump school.

    Sorry. Can’t talk about that stuff. Still classified.

20. #120
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:18 am, sergeantmajorbill said:

    Chapoutier – still would have got you named as a fake because in 1966 there was not an MOS 05B2P.

21. #121
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:19 am, chapoutier said:

    Chapoutier – still would have got you named as a fake because in 1966 there was not an MOS 05B2P.

    There were, but we were classified.

22. #122
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:20 am, zeroangel said:

    Just ensure you have enough cans of squelch for your radio.

    I got fooled by some bogus form once long ago. I can’t remember exactly which it was.

    Later in my career my Ops NCO and I had a junior soldier basically walk all over post looking for a box of grid squares.

    Good times.

23. #123
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:25 am, Truesoldier said:

    On May 14th, 2009 at 10:43 am, sonofdy said:
    I once had a new private checking the bradley for soft spots will a ballpen hammer for hours…

    Who can forget sending Privates to shake a tree so you can see where you are on the map.

24. #124
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:25 am, b-cat said:

    Chap- my advice is go back to the blonde at the bar and get the h**l away from the Sergeant Major.

25. #125
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:28 am, sonofdy said:

    b-cat, these days the blonde at the bar MIGHT be the CSM.

    ooopppsss..

26. #126
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:29 am, sergeantmajorbill said:

    Zeroangel – you just thought I was out looking for grid squares. Actually I spent the afternoon at the snack bar.

27. #127
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:32 am, chapoutier said:

    Well, I certainly am learning a lot.

    So…after I enlist and get told by my E4 (is that right?) to go find some firing line, exactly how long do I have to go back to my bunk to sleep before I should run back “exasperated” and “apologetic” that I couldn’t find any?

28. #128
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:33 am, FirstSkirt said:

    Oh, Mr. Chapotier, you are soooo funny. And, you sound just like the folks I was talking about….just enough info and language to sound legit!

29. #129
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:33 am, Chief RZ said:

    The MSM medial loves liars, especially those who attempt to smear the military. Anything to diminish people with integrity. That is the only way they imagine themselves on the same level with their betters.

30. #130
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:33 am, cpodug said:

    Wrong service, Chap. You have to go Navy all the way – we never went anywhere without our bunks

31. #131
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:33 am, RobM1981 said:

    Anyone laying odds as to when Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, John Murtha, etc., etc., etc., will be revealed as lying mental patients, instead of members of the US House and Senate?

32. #132
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:34 am, cpodug said:

    RobM – I vote for Murtha!

33. #133
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:35 am, John Deaux said:

    My Nobel prize has the SSN right after the name.

    I can vouch for chappy. I served with him at the Chosin Reservoir. That was before our time at NASA.

34. #134
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:36 am, Truesoldier said:

    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:33 am, RobM1981 said:
    Anyone laying odds as to when Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, John Murtha, etc., etc., etc., will be revealed as lying mental patients, instead of members of the US House and Senate?

    Didn’t you know, Congress is the mental hospitals version of work release program.

35. #135
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:38 am, Cosmo said:

    Nice to see the Denver Post, Vote for Vets.org and all the other suckers on this leverage the same vetting (no pun intended) process that the AP and Reuters use on stories and that Mr. Obama uses on his administration’s personnel matters.

36. #136
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:41 am, norm1111 said:

    There were, but we were classified.

    Soooo….why would an airborne spec 4 radio operator be classified? That makes very little sense especially after 4 decades……

37. #137
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:42 am, cpodug said:

    norm1111 said: Soooo….why would an airborne spec 4 radio operator be classified? That makes very little sense especially after 4 decades……

    Hey – ask any Winter Soldier – some things remain classified forever!

38. #138
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:43 am, chapoutier said:

    Soooo….why would an airborne spec 4 radio operator be classified? That makes very little sense especially after 4 decades……

    I wish I could go into it…YOU WEREN”T THERE MAN! YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE!!!

39. #139
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:50 am, spaceycakes said:

    I can vouch for chappy.

    I was undercover as a blonde in the back of a bar, and I can also vouch for chapoutier–

    It’s like it was yesterday…deep in the dark reaches of Dim Sum, coming off a hard stint in Ah Choo.

40. #140
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:52 am, zeroangel said:

    sergeantmajorbill:

    Zeroangel – you just thought I was out looking for grid squares. Actually I spent the afternoon at the snack bar.

    LOL. Give us some credit please! We had him check up with various folks around post that were in on it. They called us from thier offices, “Smith is here and he is looking for those grid squares, I gave them to SGT Snuffy at the aid station, let me put Smith on.”

    It was awesome.

41. #141
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:53 am, norm1111 said:

    I wish I could go into it…YOU WEREN”T THERE MAN! YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE!!!

    On the contrary, I was there and I do know what it was like. Only my MOS was 11B..also known as infantry…aka grunt….and I was with the 1st Cav Division..I was on a lot of missions, one or two were secret at the time; none are secret any longer and with the Freedom of Information Act…something 40 years old being still secret just doesn’t wash……..

42. #142
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:54 am, sonofdy said:

    I was undercover as a blonde in the back of a bar, and I can also vouch for chapoutier–

    Actualy this reminds me of a story I heard at BNCOC about an undercover female CID agent. Not sure if its true but if it is she went WAAAAYYY beyond the call of duty.

43. #143
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:54 am, zeroangel said:

    Chap:

    Actually I think the best advice is just to pretend you are fooled even if you aren’t. No one likes a killjoy anyway.

    It’s kind of a rite of passage thing.

44. #144
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:55 am, Dexter Alarius said:

    Hey, Chap. While you’re out would you pick me up a bucket of prop wash?
    Thanks.

45. #145
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:55 am, chapoutier said:

    BTW,

    I thank all the vets here for their service and I hope nothing I have typed here is taken the wrong way. I certainly mean only to mock the poseurs out there, not any actual military folks.

    I am sure, though, I can and will offend you all on some other thread some other time.

46. #146
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:57 am, cpodug said:

    Chap, you should never have said that. Now, how are we ever going to know if you are serious, or just mocking the libtards?

47. #147
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:58 am, sonofdy said:

    Oh and chap, a hint, the 2P identifier means you would have been an E5, airborne qualified, at least today, but do continue.

    SGT Chap. How many VC did you take down with you bare teeth again??

48. #148
    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:58 am, b-cat said:

    On May 14th, 2009 at 11:55 am, chapoutier said:

    We know, and we know you have a sense of humor. So do we.

    I am sure we will disagree many times in the future. No offense.

49. #149
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:00 pm, b-cat said:

    SGT Chap. How many VC did you take down with you bare teeth again??

    They were NVA, and it was with an entrenching too.

50. #150
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:00 pm, matthew26 said:

    But was he lying for the CORRECT (right is too harsh) reasons? That is the question we must all ask.

    Oh well – another lefty-liar, nothing to see here, move along.

    Actually, none of this matters now that the one dear leader is in charge of the wars. The MSM will pay little attention to anti-war protesters because then they would be stadning up against the one dear leader.

51. #151
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:02 pm, sonofdy said:

    b-cat, but teeth are so much more dramatic. An E-tool?? ppfffhhheefftt

    At least include some blood splatter to make it more dramatic.

52. #152
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:06 pm, b-cat said:

    sonody, I don’t know. I think Chap paints a very dramatic picture, with NVA bodies lying about in bushels, with the Red Horde advancing relentlessly, while an e-tool cuts vicious circles in the air.

    Yes, that is how it was. It is seared, seared into my brain.

53. #153
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:10 pm, sonofdy said:

    Yes, that is how it was. It is seared, seared into my brain.

    Yeah thats it, now if we can just work in chap saving a battalion of blonde nurses all with DD size bras and greatfull attitudes….

54. #154
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:10 pm, cpodug said:

    He forgot to mention his Spetznaz training – that’s where he learned to use the e-tool, obviously.

55. #155
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:13 pm, b-cat said:

    Yeah thats it, now if we can just work in chap saving a battalion of blonde nurses all with DD size bras and greatfull attitudes….

    YES. That is what he was defending. He, a lone sentry, defending with all his might American virtue and womanhood. And never was there fairer womanhood and virtue than was there that day, I can tell you.

56. #156
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:13 pm, zeroangel said:

    Seriously though folks, I can’t be the only one that can’t stand war stories can I?

    There was not a single thing I enjoyed about Iraq, except perhaps mail call and my playstation in my room.

    That aside, not only was there a constant fear of the possibility of dying; many of my subordinates and superiors drove me crazy. Of the precious few peers I had, I only got along well with a handful. Finally, I missed my family horribly.

    It sucked, plain and simple. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to reminisce about anything having to do with war except to say, “thank goodness I am not there anymore.” Those folks that tell war stories I can’t help but wonder what kind of fragile ego they have.

    That said, I am automatically suspect of any clown like this that gets up and starts talking about this stuff. Who’s with me?

57. #157
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:14 pm, luckydogg said:

    Well, I was in National guard “78-84″ as a truck driver 64c & I killed a lot of 5 tons on the tank trails in ft drum ny….. At the time that was “classified”……….

58. #158
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:19 pm, cpodug said:

    Zero, I agree – I have no problem talking one-on-one with a fellow veteran about my real experiences, but i don’t have much stomach for a phony.

    Having said that, I really enjoy a good sea-story. They’re not the same.

59. #159
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:23 pm, sonofdy said:

    I have good stories and bad from both my deployments, niether to the middle east BTW (god knows how I haven’t been sent but thats other story)

    Mostly its boring as hell, with a few nightmare inducing moments. One funny one was the guy who kept his sheep on his garage roof so they wouldn’t wonder into the mine fields.

60. #160
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:30 pm, James Felix said:

    Seriously though folks, I can’t be the only one that can’t stand war stories can I?

    There was not a single thing I enjoyed about Iraq, except perhaps mail call and my playstation in my room.

    As time passes that may change. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you’re ever going to look back at Iraq the way you would at, say, Spring Break in Ft. Lauderdale. But I got out of the Navy 20 years ago, and with each passing year I find I remember the good things more and the bad things less. Also the passage of time can make some things seem funny, no matter how badly it sucked at the time.

61. #161
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:32 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    Hey Zero – I think a lot of the vets on this thread understand what you’re saying. I appreciate your being there for us anyway. The way GIs talk to each other and the way they talk to others is very different.

    Hey Chap, sometimes I have offended and other times, someone has offended me. Nothing personal. You are an asset to this site and many of us appreciate your astute comments. Just don’t get too full of yourself – HA! HA! Same goes for sonofdy/AZ/b-cat, etc.

62. #162
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:35 pm, luckydogg said:

    James Felix is right, Everyone I have talked to about being “In country” says the beer was warm & leave it at that………..

63. #163
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:38 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    Okay–war story: I was stationed at NORAD Cheyenne Mountain (complex built to withstand a nuclear detonation). First Sgt tells me during my initial alert exercise that the reason I was assigned there was so that we (the womenfolk) could perpetuate the species. I believed every word of it, until I realized the joke was on me.

64. #164
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:38 pm, cpodug said:

    James Felix said: the passage of time can make some things seem funny, no matter how badly it sucked at the time.

    Agreed – we have all had our “come to Jesus” moments and have nightmares for years afterward. Eventually, you will, as I have, be able to laugh and even tell stories about yourself in those moments.

65. #165
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:48 pm, zeroangel said:

    ALCON:

    Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I am sure you are right, after awhile I guess some of the stuff won’t bother me so much anymore (I am not saying I slugged it out in countless firefights, I didn’t, but still).

    One of these days I’ll be able to watch movies about Iraq without getting infuriated and changing the channel. I think.

66. #166
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:50 pm, cpodug said:

    Zero – you’ll make it. We’ve got your back.

67. #167
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:50 pm, sonofdy said:

    All joking aside, my advise would be to focus on the fun times. How ever few thier were. Every deployment is different for everyone. I literaly had a fellow soldier desert from a un peacekeeping mission so different people have different experiences. Stay possitive and stay focused is the best advise I could give. Yes there are times it will suck. That is part of being a soldier. If you choose to share that, it is a personal choice. Zero, your time in Iraq is something you have to be proud of no matter what happened there. People will ask you stupid questions that will make you cringe. Been there. You are never alone.

68. #168
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:51 pm, Ty85719 said:

    There is nothing new about this story – 40% of IVAW members are frauds, or never finished basic training.

69. #169
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:54 pm, sonofdy said:

    zero, i had a platoon seargent I would still like to shoot in Bosnia. That is no joke either. I had a bullet picked out just for him. So I know how a bad chain of command can affect a deployment.

70. #170
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:57 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:13 pm, zeroangel said: Those folks that tell war stories I can’t help but wonder what kind of fragile ego they have.

    That said, I am automatically suspect of any clown like this that gets up and starts talking about this stuff. Who’s with me?

    Whether I am suspect of the motive or the validity of the statements, I concur.

    It just isn’t something you go around bragging about. I’ve also noticed that the people who brag the most are usually, upon further investigation, most likely to have been the furthest from any real action.

71. #171
    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:59 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    suspect=suspicious

72. #172
    On May 14th, 2009 at 1:19 pm, Jeff said:

    Hey Chap…As long as you know the difference between a fairy-tale and, a sea-story…You’ll be able to fool most liberals you meet.
    

73. #173
    On May 14th, 2009 at 1:48 pm, Elm Creek Smith said:

    If Chap’s bothering you, send him back to the motor pool in the M151A2 to get a box of reticles for the M105D Ballistic Telescope and for God’s sake not to drop them!

    M60A1
    M60A1/AOS
    M60A1 RISE/PASSIVE
    M48A5
    M60A3
    M60A3/TTS
    M1
    M1A1
    M1A2

    Hope is not a plan; not all change is good. RESIST!!!!

    ECS

74. #174
    On May 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pm, GladzKravtz said:

    It was only after Sept. 11th that I was able to drag my father’s WW2 experiences from him.
    Similar to friends who were in the service during Vietnam. One was on a submarine and I’d love to get him to open up….he’s nonchalant…shrugs it all off. Another however drove a jeep(?) around and had to put our fallen into body bags.
    So to all you military, I have deep regard for what a soldier is called to do and admire your strength, patriotism and thank you always for your service.

75. #175
    On May 14th, 2009 at 1:58 pm, John Deaux said:

    On May 14th, 2009 at 12:00 pm, b-cat said:

    SGT Chap. How many VC did you take down with you bare teeth again??

    They were NVA, and it was with an entrenching tool.

    During Tet, he took out three NVA with a spork from KFC. Before breakfast.

76. #176
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:06 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

    During Tet, he took out three NVA with a spork from KFC. Before breakfast.

    I hope he filled out a cannon report.

77. #177
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:10 pm, cpodug said:

    During Tet, he took out three NVA with a spork from KFC. Before breakfast.

    After the spork broke, he whipped out his trusty John Wayne and hacked and slashed another dozen into bloody piles.

78. #178
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:16 pm, emjem24 said:

    The very possibility that people like this sad excuse for a human being exist is depressing. While there are very brave and selfless human beings putting their lives on the line overseas, this moron is running around stealing their accomplishments.

    I don’t understand why what this guy did was tolerated for so long and the media just let him go. It’s almost as if vets who “speak out” against war are the only ones that the media will listen to these days. It’s sickening that there was absolutely no oversight until this guy’s story stopped adding up and red flags appeared.

    As a military spouse, this is another example of the ever-increasing divide between the military and easily duped American public. Many Americans (even those in military towns) are very ignorant about the military or look down on military service. Idiots like this guy just confirm for many Americans why they don’t like the military and think military service is for desperate, poor people (according to John Kerry anyway).

    This man was allowed to lie for so long that the myth his life was became truth. It’s really hard to feel like I, and other spouses and military members, are supported when so many people just eat what this guy dishes out without question.

    Just another signal of the dumbing down of America. It really is sad….

79. #179
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:22 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    Many Americans (even those in military towns) are very ignorant about the military or look down on military service.

    Do you live in Hampton Roads?

80. #180
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:38 pm, emjem24 said:

    PBoilermaker said:

    Do you live in Hampton Roads?

    Yes, I do (for the next 3 months). My husband and I are PCS’ing back to Colorado Springs. For all the hoopla and claims of what a military friendly place Hampton Roads is (perhaps Virginia Beach is moreso but I don’t live there), I found quite the opposite.

    I’ve found in many military towns I’ve lived in that the reverse is true: people aren’t as receptive to military folks as I’ve seen in non-military communities. Military members and their families are valued more for their economic activity.

    I remember when I was living in Colorado Springs a couple of years ago and a couple thousand members of the Army at Fort Carson were being redeployed to another base and there were so many people/businesses who protested and bemoaned it. Even though the Army needs to do what’s best for its members and what’s in its best interest, the local community took it as a black mark against them.

    My husband and I listened to this on the news and I asked him:

    Gee, I wonder why it is they’re so upset?

    My husband: Why do you think?

81. #181
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm, Just A Grunt said:

    TrueSoldier said Who can forget sending Privates to shake a tree so you can see where you are on the map.

    Silly that was a job for Lieutenants.

82. #182
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:40 pm, zeroangel said:

    Silly that was a job for Lieutenants.

    *eyebrow raise*…*smile*

83. #183
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:43 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm, Just A Grunt said:

    “The most dangerous thing on the earth is an Army Second Lieutenant with a map.”

84. #184
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:43 pm, cpodug said:

    Just A Grunt said: Silly that was a job for Lieutenants.

    Reminds me of my all-time favorite Sgt. Mike cartoon caption: “Nothing’s more dangerous than a second lieutenant with a map.”

85. #185
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:43 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Yeah, the only thing I ever did as special ops in ‘Nam was swim alongside Kerry’s boat and rescue CIA officers falling off…

    Nah, not a Vet but thanks to all of you who served in whatever capacity!

    Though as a kid I was on a Marine Base once, and watching the DI yell at a recruit in the Mess Hall was interesting. At least for me, him – not so much.

86. #186
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:46 pm, zeroangel said:

    My favorite military joke:

    What are the 5 most dangerous things in the army?

    1. A Private saying, “I learned this in Basic!”
    2. A Sergeant saying, “Don’t worry sir, I got it, *wink*.”
    3. A Chief saying, “Watch this sh|t, sir.”
    4. A Lieutenant saying, “In my experience…”
    5. A Captain saying, “Well… what the F do we do now?”

    Heh.

87. #187
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:46 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    This man was allowed to lie for so long that the myth his life was became truth. It’s really hard to feel like I, and other spouses and military members, are supported when so many people just eat what this guy dishes out without question.

    Just another signal of the dumbing down of America. It really is sad

    Wouldn’t this fit Obama too?

88. #188
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:47 pm, Bruce said:

    All the levity aside – as enjoyable it is to read – we should all take note that This coming Saturday, May 16, is Armed Forces Day.

    So to all who serve or have served – I extend my profound thanks.

    And by the way, I see the faker has removed all three of the videos Michelle posted. Isn’t that a surprise?

89. #189
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:47 pm, chapoutier said:

    Nah, not a Vet but thanks to all of you who served in whatever capacity!

    Then kindly leave this thread immediately. No offense, but this one is just for those of us that know what a forward leaning rest position is without having to google it and/or have defended our country with a spork.

90. #190
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:49 pm, Just A Grunt said:

    zeroangel
    If you think Iraq sucked you ought to be in Korea when it thaws out. Lovely aroma. A lot of the same things you put up with in Iraq soldiers have to put up with in other places the big exception being on most days nobody is actively shooting at you.
    The best way to deal with it is to stay busy and the time passes. You got to remember the good times, let the bad ones fade and remember to only talk smack with those who know.
    I have just about gave up on trying to explain things to civilians and I have been out for almost 10 years now. I spend more time explaining things then it worth, and they don’t quite get the sense of humor you develop after going through such rough times.
    Anyway welcome home and thanks for your service.

91. #191
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:49 pm, emjem24 said:

    AlohaGuy said:

    Wouldn’t this fit Obama too?

    True ‘dat!

92. #192
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:53 pm, norm1111 said:

    It sucked, plain and simple. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to reminisce about anything having to do with war except to say, “thank goodness I am not there anymore.” Those folks that tell war stories I can’t help but wonder what kind of fragile ego they have

    Exactly my sentiments in 1973…..but zero, as the years pass by, you may find that the sucky times, although still there, are mixed with the other feelings. How really alive you felt when your very life was on the line…the friends that were at the time, closer than your own family…I could go on, but I don’t need to. You will find this out yourself in the coming decades.

    And you will want to remember; you do not want to find yourself in my (and many others)position 20 years after coming home, after not talking and trying forget for 20 years and now you realize how important that little piece of your life was and you have buried it to the point that you have lost some of the things that meant so much to you back when you were over there……..

    Please, don’t let yourself fall into the trap so many of us…Vietnam vet…fell into…..

93. #193
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:54 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:38 pm, emjem24 said:
    Yes, I do (for the next 3 months). My husband and I are PCS’ing back to Colorado Springs. For all the hoopla and claims of what a military friendly place Hampton Roads is (perhaps Virginia Beach is moreso but I don’t live there), I found quite the opposite.

    Heh, I knew it!

    VA Beach is slightly more receptive to the military, but I hated being stationed in that area as far as the locals were concerned.

    For all of the bitching and moaning they do about the military down there, that area would collapse without it. I was amazed at the level of contempt local businesses and the city governments had for military personnel.

94. #194
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:57 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

    emjem, you’ll enjoy coming back to the Springs. We’ve been here about a year now and love it. Very military friendly. Lots of discounts offered, etc. The Harley dealer here just had a special evening a couple weeks ago where the store was open only to ID card holders, with discounts on everything in the store, free hot wings and drinks, etc.

95. #195
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:57 pm, cpodug said:

    This is a little off-topic, but still within the spirit of the blog:

    When I was working up my qualifications as ESWS(Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist), I was on a Gator Freighter. I remember there was one climate-controlled compartment on the ship that was designated as storage for MREs(two lies for the price of one). I am from the days of alphabet rats, so I didn’t realize that MREs required such delicate care. Nobody then could give me an answer, so maybe somebody here can. Why was/is it necessary to store rations in climate-controlled conditions, then issue them to the troops in the field in all kinds of weather – hot, cold, wet, dry, etc.?
    Anybody got an answer?

96. #196
    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:57 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    On May 14th, 2009 at 2:38 pm, emjem24 said:
    Yes, I do (for the next 3 months). My husband and I are PCS’ing back to Colorado Springs. For all the hoopla and claims of what a military friendly place Hampton Roads is (perhaps Virginia Beach is moreso but I don’t live there), I found quite the opposite.

    Heh, I knew it!

    VA Beach is slightly more receptive to the military, but I hated being stationed in that area as far as the locals were concerned.

    For all of the moaning they do about the military down there, that area would collapse without it. I was amazed at the level of contempt local businesses and the city governments had for military personnel.

97. #197
    On May 14th, 2009 at 3:00 pm, zeroangel said:

    Just a Grunt:

    I was stationed in Korea for years. My wife is Korean. You get used to things. Korea is more or less a modern nation these days rather similiar to Japan (just don’t say that to a Korean).

    The best way to deal with it is to stay busy and the time passes.

    No, I know this. I have been out for a few years now too. I appreciate the concern though. My roommate from Iraq and I still keep in touch and get together on occasion.

    I have just about gave up on trying to explain things to civilians.

    Yah, no doubt; it’s always awkward. They always seem to expect some cool stories and the stuff you think cool is never really what they think is cool and vice-versa. I’ve met a few (generally very smart and thoughtful people) that can appreciate what I say though never having been in, but those folks are the exception rather than the rule. I have a feeling some of our fellow posters here at MM would fit that category though.

    Thanks for you concern though. I am fine, really, I just can’t stand a$$hats like the guy in this article and I can’t tolerate stupid movies about the war. That’s all.

98. #198
    On May 14th, 2009 at 3:02 pm, zeroangel said:

    norm1111 et al.:

    Thank you for your kind words.

99. #199
    On May 14th, 2009 at 3:02 pm, chapoutier said:

    emjem, you’ll enjoy coming back to the Springs. We’ve been here about a year now and love it. Very military friendly. Lots of discounts offered, etc. The Harley dealer here just had a special evening a couple weeks ago where the store was open only to ID card holders, with discounts on everything in the store, free hot wings and drinks, etc.

    That is where my sister and nieces (BIL in Iraq) are right now and they absolutely love it. Way more than Fort Jackson.

100. #200
     On May 14th, 2009 at 3:09 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

     Zero, I thank you for your service, too. Sorry your experience wasn’t more positive. I did a little over 22 years in before it stopped being fun. But, that was because I wasn’t in ops anymore and was a staff weenie my last couple years.