What have you always wante to ask someone in the Army?

[Oilerfan92]

Do you like going to foreign countries killing foreigns cause your country says so.

Cause the people were fighting have absolutely zero interest in killing all of us. The terrorists are a peaceful people.

Lets not make the common mistake here that every enemy killed is a terrorist, this war has been responsible for plenty of innocent deaths. The Afghans obviously aren't happy with an occupying force, would you be?

The word Terrorist is a funny one too Afghans Americans are terrorists and vice versa its a term that has been thrown around too much. One mans terrorist is another's freedom fighter, and you can't be a freedom fighter if your fighting in a foreign land.

I know what terroist means, i know that all military forces use a degree of terror, thats basic military strategy.

I just dont see the "freedom fighters" who blow themselves up in marketplaces, or who spread through the world spreading their hate, regardless of race, country, creed or other aspects. Its just that i feel that at the present time, Muslim Extreamists are the biggest threat. There are Extreamists in all aspects and groups, but the Extreamists are the biggest threat.

I see where you are coming from but do you think the only reason people think Muslim Extremists are seen as a big threat is cause that's how the media portrays them. There are Christian extremists in Africa that burn and torture homosexuals, telly Evangelists are a form of extremists.

I agee, and all extreamists should be punished. But in regards to specific groups, Muslim Extreamists are one of the biggest and most recurring threats ( numbers wise ) which is unfortunate, becaus i know many good muslim people.

Once again i blame the media on this it is really unfortunate that when some people hear Muslim they think terrorist.

I agree, i have my issues with Islam in itself, but i know that not every follower is a violent person. That beign said, we cant ignore an issue because we dont want to involve innocent people. We need to learn how to focus and deal with the bad people and not the good people. But we cant play it to safe.

 

[Shoqiyqa]

this is slightly unrelated to what others are asking but i figured you might be able to help me: my bf is considering going into the Air Force after grad school. now i know it's different and such, but, for any sections of the military is it easy for couples to communicate and stay together?

How hard it is:

Royal Marines

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Army

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Royal Navy

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Royal Air Force

The RM basic training is madness. It's a high-tech 300 and Gladiator and Heartbreak Ridge with a hint or two of The Shawshank Redemption, from what I've heard.

The Army basic training is miserable and occasionally nuts, including fun things like failing a block inspection because you didn't Brasso the water pipes behind the toilets. They had to find something wrong somewhere. Army basic training PT involves three-mile runs and hill-sprints in full kit, 200 sit-ups and crunches a day for a month, getting up at 5am every morning, having your washkit laid out the exact same way as everyone else in the Troop for inspection every morning, digging a six-foot-wide, eight-foot-long, fifteen-to-thirty-inch-deep "shell scrape" in the evening, sleeping in it, being woken up with CS gas, bugging out and then coming back to fill it in, going from 3am Monday to 1am Thursday on two hours of sleep and so on. You also have to be able to shoot pretty well at 100m, 200m and 300m with and without respirator in variable weather conditions. If you have to wear glasses you're going to have big problems with that respirator. By the way, you're not allowed to tape the straps because tape absorbs chemical weapons but if you don't tape them they'll pop out of their buckles and the mask will unseal from your face.

RAF basic training ... well, they have to have their lockers padlocked, rather than open for inspection, their food's a hundred times better, their PT was football or basketball, they slept in heated hangars on exercise and I reckon I could have passed their annual rifle shooting test with a pistol. The RAF also get adventure training (aka active holidays) as a right, whereas the Army get it if they're very lucky and there are no manning shortfalls.

Staying in touch: hard during basic training, when you'll be stuck with letters and telephone calls during precious spare minutes at first and maybe a weekend afternoon later, but it'll get easier with time as progress brings privileges. Being married gets you a house on-base, but something like 95% of forces marriages end in divorce because husbands working 12-hour night shifts for two months aren't there and young wives are horny and lonely ...

If you marry a soldier, you marry the army.

I wanted to ask, as I'm going into the Air Force in a few months, how bad is boot camp really? I'm a kinda pudgy guy (172), but I can run a mile and a half in 12:30, at the worst, and near 11 flat at best. (The AF standard). I'm a little worried about it, and I've heard both sides of the story, from horror stories of 20 mile full speed runs, to stories of eight mile slow jogs. Where in that spectrum was the Army? Cus I'm pretty sure the AF will be below that.

As above, fitness standards for the people expected to get the fire extinguisher and/or refuelling truck to the plane are rather lower than for the people who are supposed to run and dive and get up and run and dive across an entire country. However, you want to be well below their maximum time. The fitter you are, the easier a time you will have of everything, not just the PT but their attitude to you, sleeping, concentrating in lessons and so on.

Another tip: learn first aid, life-saving and orienteering before you go. It's a lot easier to already know it than to try to learn it on NO SLEEP after a six-mile tab.

How often do you actually get to shower? (Just out of curiosity, I value hygiene a lot)

I hate to sound sadistic but due to my own ignorance perpetuated by there being at least one in every war movie/game; how often do you see a soldier essentially break?
crack, has seen to much action and has to be removed from it?

How often, if ever do you work directly with another countires military? and what are the general feelings from one country to the other?

Three times a day but be fast and don't be shy ... on base, and not at all for two weeks on exercise.

Never seen it.

Depends where you are. Some branches do it all the time in joint ops and some never do.

What gear(if any) do you get to keep to yourself indefinitely? Also, do you choose what kind of weapon you use, and do you get to keep that weapon(or have it reserved)?

Well, they told me I'd get to keep the fancy dress uniform and it'd be taken out of my pay, then they took it back when I quit, along with everything else except one uniform (in case I get called up) that's since been donated. The weapon? One was assigned to me at every base I briefly called "the shithole to which I've been posted" and stayed there when I left.

I turned 18 recently, I can join the armed forces. Would you suggest someone my age signing up? What is the experience like for the younger recruits?

Easier than for the 25-ish-yr-old ones, because you're faster and not as wise, aka cynical, and the NCOs won't think you think you know more than them. They'll think you need kicking into shape, but they won't feel the need to fuck you over specifically as well as kicking you.

Some people just made me want to slam my face against a wall to find a way to get through to them.

Ah. I see your problem. You're slamming the wrong face against the wall.

 

[Roofstone]

Have you ever encountered mines? If so, how is it to know that they are just lying around?

Was playing a old ps1 game a few minutes ago and the question struck me. Gotta be scary.

Second question if I may; What is the most fun moment you had during your Army service((or whatever I am suposed to call it?))?

 

[Timotheus]

What's the army's attitude towards pacifists? Does the normal soldier examine conflicts, their reasons and his/her actions' consequences or is it just about obeying orders?

To not examine conflict is to be blind in this job. Most of us strive to be damn good at our jobs, and those that don't tend to find themselves getting very fat and not doing anything. Pacifists don't bother me at all, I'm all for peace. However, peace is not a garuntee, and it's best that someone like me who wants to be there to keep the average man out of harm's way goes out to do that very thing... because your philosophies on war won't stop a draft. Only volunteers do.

But I can't speak for the Army as a whole. I'll admit, a lot of us are the gun-toting loud mouths, but they tend to make the best soldiers on the whole. I over-think, you see.

Pacifists: they're weird but whatever.
Reasons and consequences: you're trained not to, and then there isn't time. There's a big culture of heirarchy, and the bigger decisions get taken higher up. A Corporal leads a section, and gives orders along the lines of "you two take up position in that depression." The Captain or Lieutenant commands the platoon or troop and the Sergeant runs it, and they give orders like "harbour area here" or "3 section will conduct reconnaissance to the east of the village." The Major commands the Company or Squadron and the CSM or SSM runs it, and they get to give orders like "support this aid convoy" or "secure that bridge." The Lieutenant-Colonel commands the Battalion and the RSM runs it and it is generally accepted that the RSM is God. This is about where the Navy Captain is, commanding a ship. Above Lt-Col, officers cease to be "of the Royal Corps of Signals" or "of the Corps of Royal Engineers" and start being politicians. As a private, gunner, driver, sapper, signaller, lancer, rifleman or any other equivalent rank, you really don't get to hear about what goes on up there. You get a job to do. Time for thinking about "WTF we're doing here" can be a precious resource better used for writing to your sweetheart.

If you're a Middle East specialist in intel, you do get to think about it a lot and wonder how many layers of lies there are between the real decisions and what you're hearing and how many of them your Captain has noticed and how many she was supposed to notice ...

Thanks for the answers. I know, seeking peace is always a good thing, but you can't prevent others from not doing so.
About the other question: According to both of you there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of orders to follow, but Shoqiyqa, do soldiers inform themselves before going into these conflict zones? At least about the basic ambitions of their side? I'm not asking about politics, more about things like: "Will our measures be succesful? What are we actually trying to accomplish? How long will it take?" Even if you are always in a hurry, shouldn't you have a at least an image in your mind of what you are doing?

 

[theycallmemang]

As a Canadian, I'd like to know, have you met any of the Canadian forces over there? Whwat do you guy think of them?

I've had very limited experience, but I thought they were extremely agreeable folk. All smiles, much like in Canada itself. You guys definitely set a standard for being generally cool people.

My dad went out to Afghan with the army two years ago, he got injured, but he apparently liked it out there. As wierd as this sounds; did you find it good fun? Or is my dad just messed up? Also: What was the most terrifying part of going out there?

I wouldn't call it fun, but I would call it a life-changing experience. I'm going back again soon, so this time I'm sure the song and dance will be different, but I'm not sure if it'll be any more enjoyable. As to your second question, I'd have to say not knowing who the enemy is at any point. They never wear identifying marks. It can be anyone at any time. Does a lot for one's sense of paranoia.

Do you like going to foreign countries killing foreigns cause your country says so.

Cause the people were fighting have absolutely zero interest in killing all of us. The terrorists are a peaceful people.

Lets not make the common mistake here that every enemy killed is a terrorist, this war has been responsible for plenty of innocent deaths. The Afghans obviously aren't happy with an occupying force, would you be?

The word Terrorist is a funny one too Afghans Americans are terrorists and vice versa its a term that has been thrown around too much. One mans terrorist is another's freedom fighter, and you can't be a freedom fighter if your fighting in a foreign land.

Now, I'll admit that I am biased. But sir, you can throw quotes around all day, but it will not change the fact that I have seen what these people have done. I have seen terrible things. I have seen the dead bodies of children being used to transport ambush explosives. What kind of person can do that? Kill a child (a freaking CHILD) and use him as a bomb mule?

A monster. No romantic freedom fighter. No cheesed off civilian that doesn't like the fact that I gave his pals some meds and food when they needed it. A God damned monster. Chew on that thought for a while, and then be so judgmental.

 

[theycallmemang]

Probably something that you've already been asked, but I don't feel like filtering through all those posts..
So my question, have you directly killed someone? And have you almost been killed?

Many times. It kinda comes with the job territory, and I don't particularly like a second of that part. If you read back a bit, you'll see a few stories.

Have you ever encountered mines? If so, how is it to know that they are just lying around?

Was playing a old ps1 game a few minutes ago and the question struck me. Gotta be scary.

Second question if I may; What is the most fun moment you had during your Army service((or whatever I am suposed to call it?))?

I have, and I still get a bit nervous thinking about it. It was the most stressful hours of my life. I can't go into a fantastic amount of detail to be honest, I just don't have the wordcraft to really describe the situation.

As for the most fun? Working with explosives. I'm that douche you hear on youtube videos shouting, "YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!" A the top of his lungs. Nothing makes your day like blowing up a bridge to make room for a new one. Or lighting your cig off of the steaming barrel of a .50 cal. I felt Michael Bay-esque levels of bad ass for that.

Do you have Army Chaplains or Priests?
I ask because I was reading an article in a French Military magazine 5we get those at our Day of Preparation for National Defense), and there was an article about a paratrooper priest, who seemed really awesome.
Do they engage in combat? Do they kill enemy troops when they have to?
I was always curious as to how that worked.

We do have chaplains, and no they do not engage. They're not even armed. Being the non religious bloke that I am, I let him carry some extra magazines for me. I'm a good friend, honest.

I ment, let's say you kill a commie is it offensive to say "pwned"?

You'd be flabbergasted to find out how many times I heard people say that.

 

[theycallmemang]

As a Canadian, I'd like to know, have you met any of the Canadian forces over there? Whwat do you guy think of them?

I've had very limited experience, but I thought they were extremely agreeable folk. All smiles, much like in Canada itself. You guys definitely set a standard for being generally cool people.

My dad went out to Afghan with the army two years ago, he got injured, but he apparently liked it out there. As wierd as this sounds; did you find it good fun? Or is my dad just messed up? Also: What was the most terrifying part of going out there?

I wouldn't call it fun, but I would call it a life-changing experience. I'm going back again soon, so this time I'm sure the song and dance will be different, but I'm not sure if it'll be any more enjoyable. As to your second question, I'd have to say not knowing who the enemy is at any point. They never wear identifying marks. It can be anyone at any time. Does a lot for one's sense of paranoia.

Do you like going to foreign countries killing foreigns cause your country says so.

Cause the people were fighting have absolutely zero interest in killing all of us. The terrorists are a peaceful people.

Lets not make the common mistake here that every enemy killed is a terrorist, this war has been responsible for plenty of innocent deaths. The Afghans obviously aren't happy with an occupying force, would you be?

The word Terrorist is a funny one too Afghans Americans are terrorists and vice versa its a term that has been thrown around too much. One mans terrorist is another's freedom fighter, and you can't be a freedom fighter if your fighting in a foreign land.

Now, I'll admit that I am biased. But sir, you can throw quotes around all day, but it will not change the fact that I have seen what these people have done. I have seen terrible things. I have seen the dead bodies of children being used to transport ambush explosives. What kind of person can do that? Kill a child (a freaking CHILD) and use him as a bomb mule?

A monster. No romantic freedom fighter. No cheesed off civilian that doesn't like the fact that I gave his pals some meds and food when they needed it. A God damned monster. Chew on that thought for a while, and then be so judgmental.

Okay first i am not throwing quotes i am just giving my two cents and of course having seen these things first hand is different to reading about it or even watching it on telly. I will put it too you this way i am from Ireland and if wasn't for the actions of the I.R.A's early years this country will be a very different place but to an outsider the I.R.A were just a bunch of terrorists.

I apologize, I think I came off a bit too harsh at that. With this train of thought, you assume that most of us look at things that very way. I'm about to blow this thread's collective mind here...

Most soldier's do not believe that every Muslim is a terrorist. It's a religion based around peace. But, with every religion you get fanaticism. No one is immune to it. Christians had their hoedown being the Western world's terrorists about 700 years ago, and they somehow managed to get away with it over time. Now we have the ability to use media to sway thought and gloss over, making a grey situation black and white.

The only cure is free thought. Something that someone in our line of work rarely gets the luxury of. So when I can, I capitalize.

Again, apologies for sounding so harsh.

 

[Sir_Tor]

You vs a poor child that have been forced into this, what do you do? (the kid is shooting at you)
It's a harsh question I know but I would still like to know :/

 

[theycallmemang]

As a Canadian, I'd like to know, have you met any of the Canadian forces over there? Whwat do you guy think of them?

I've had very limited experience, but I thought they were extremely agreeable folk. All smiles, much like in Canada itself. You guys definitely set a standard for being generally cool people.

My dad went out to Afghan with the army two years ago, he got injured, but he apparently liked it out there. As wierd as this sounds; did you find it good fun? Or is my dad just messed up? Also: What was the most terrifying part of going out there?

I wouldn't call it fun, but I would call it a life-changing experience. I'm going back again soon, so this time I'm sure the song and dance will be different, but I'm not sure if it'll be any more enjoyable. As to your second question, I'd have to say not knowing who the enemy is at any point. They never wear identifying marks. It can be anyone at any time. Does a lot for one's sense of paranoia.

Do you like going to foreign countries killing foreigns cause your country says so.

Cause the people were fighting have absolutely zero interest in killing all of us. The terrorists are a peaceful people.

Lets not make the common mistake here that every enemy killed is a terrorist, this war has been responsible for plenty of innocent deaths. The Afghans obviously aren't happy with an occupying force, would you be?

The word Terrorist is a funny one too Afghans Americans are terrorists and vice versa its a term that has been thrown around too much. One mans terrorist is another's freedom fighter, and you can't be a freedom fighter if your fighting in a foreign land.

Now, I'll admit that I am biased. But sir, you can throw quotes around all day, but it will not change the fact that I have seen what these people have done. I have seen terrible things. I have seen the dead bodies of children being used to transport ambush explosives. What kind of person can do that? Kill a child (a freaking CHILD) and use him as a bomb mule?

A monster. No romantic freedom fighter. No cheesed off civilian that doesn't like the fact that I gave his pals some meds and food when they needed it. A God damned monster. Chew on that thought for a while, and then be so judgmental.

Okay first i am not throwing quotes i am just giving my two cents and of course having seen these things first hand is different to reading about it or even watching it on telly. I will put it too you this way i am from Ireland and if wasn't for the actions of the I.R.A's early years this country will be a very different place but to an outsider the I.R.A were just a bunch of terrorists.

I apologize, I think I came off a bit too harsh at that. With this train of thought, you assume that most of us look at things that very way. I'm about to blow this thread's collective mind here...

Most soldier's do not believe that every Muslim is a terrorist. It's a religion based around peace. But, with every religion you get fanaticism. No one is immune to it. Christians had their hoedown being the Western world's terrorists about 700 years ago, and they somehow managed to get away with it over time. Now we have the ability to use media to sway thought and gloss over, making a grey situation black and white.

The only cure is free thought. Something that someone in our line of work rarely gets the luxury of. So when I can, I capitalize.

Again, apologies for sounding so harsh.

No need to apologize i am an adult i understand how debates are. I totally agree with you it's insane to think that every Muslim is a terrorist it's like saying every German hates Jews or all Irish hate the British, of course must people same to believe everything the media spoon feeds them at face value without thinking about it.

And that's the issue with media in general. We can't even celebrate Halloween here in the states anymore like we did ten years ago. Everyone's afraid that every last piece of candy has razors or poison. It happened once. A mom tried to kill her own kids.

Suddenly every kid at risk. No one go out tonight. It's just sad.

 

[theycallmemang]

You vs a poor child that have been forced into this, what do you do? (the kid is shooting at you)
It's a harsh question I know but I would still like to know :/

If the kid has a rifle and he's shooting at me? I'll take cover and let him run out of steam. They always do and they never hit a soul, let alone a tire or some armor. They're too scared. They empty a mag in 10 seconds (usually WAY less) and then run off. I just don't have the heart to do it.

If he's strapped with some bombs? They almost always stop. If they don't, I know someone's got them in their sights. They know when we've got them. They also know that if we stop shooting, the man with the trigger is dead and gone and they can get let loose. Some kids have it forced on them more than once. They learn very quickly. We kept a kid with us in a FOB for about two weeks after we pulled some home made bombs off of his vest, made sure he was treated extremely well. I think he ended up getting adopted, I had to leave before I could find out. He was a great kid.

 

[theycallmemang]

Do you like going to foreign countries killing foreigns cause your country says so.

Cause the people were fighting have absolutely zero interest in killing all of us. The terrorists are a peaceful people.

In regards to the Op:

1: Are there any games out there that you feel show what its like in combat. Im not comparing games to actual warfare. But are there any games that display the realities of war in a vaugly close way ? Or is it like i imagine and pretty much every war game is blowing it out their ass

2: Have you ever encountered a situation where there was something you felt you should/had to do. But were stopped by the Rules Of Engagement ? What are your thoughts on them in general ^

To the first, no. Straight up no. Nothing can capture it and it wouldn't be fun if they did. Video games are made for entertainment, they do that well. But to simulate two weeks of waiting around or the actual firefight... it just wouldn't be fun at all. The worst combat I saw probably wouldn't even compare to a tame military-themed game. I mean sure, I went through 13 magazines and didn't sleep for a couple days afterwords, but that's just it. In a game, it's just fast and crazy fun. In war? It truly defies description. I can say that the thrill is addicting. No one ever wants to just skydive once, they say.

The second is a different story. I've known a man who had been court marshalled for punching a man that was trying to shoot him with a stolen M9. He got no punishment, but still. The thought of it. I've never really felt the need to work outside of operational parameters, there's never really a situation that can't be handled within the rules. Of course, there will be an exception to the rule, but I haven't seen it myself.

Except that time I blew up a bomb car with a hand grenade. Just rolled it down the road as he drove over it. Definitely got some high fives for that one.

 

[ecoho]

ok i will hopfully be in the air force in the next few month the paper works a ***** as you well know. i just wanted to say thank you for your servce. My freind is a combat engeneer and is currently over in a iraq witch is a whole other ball game compared to afganistan have you been over there yet? or would you go if it was your choice?

 

[Roofstone]

This is just a silly question really, but I wonder a bit. Have you ever tought like; "Wow. That is worth "insert achievement here" for sure"? Dont mean to be offensive or such, just popped into my head while playing on my xbox. Hehe