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

[Seth Smith]

There's a guy at my work that used to be a sniper for the marines in Iraq. He'd still be over there, but he got injured and had to be discharged. He's got some interesting stories to tell.

Oh, yeah, OP, is it hot? I bet it's hot.

 

[garfoldsomeoneelse]

OP, I think you've answered pretty much every question I could've had about enlisting (which I've considered and reconsidered time and time again). I really don't have any curiosities left that I can't simply infer. So, thank you very, very much for creating the most interesting and informative (subjectively speaking) thread I've ever seen on the Escapist. And, of course, I remiss to not express my sincerest gratitude for what you're doing overseas.

...okay, actually, I do have one question, regarding the cupola turret on the HMMWVs. It seems like it'd be a pain in the ass to rotate the turret by hand, when the grip is located towards the center of the rotational area. Is there a mechanism or method of operating the fifty on a humvee beyond the "aim to the side of the screen and the mount magically follows" that I've seen in every single game that included it?

 

[Dango]

What's your opinion on video games trying to simulate the experience of war?

 

[theycallmemang]

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

Read back to my comment on the grenade rolling. Totally should have earned me some kind of nick name. But "grenadey" and "rolly" just don't have a ring to them.

There's a guy at my work that used to be a sniper for the marines in Iraq. He'd still be over there, but he got injured and had to be discharged. He's got some interesting stories to tell.

Oh, yeah, OP, is it hot? I bet it's hot.

Makes my balls swim just thinking about it. Graphic.

OP, I think you've answered pretty much every question I could've had about enlisting (which I've considered and reconsidered time and time again). I really don't have any curiosities left that I can't simply infer. So, thank you very, very much for creating the most interesting and informative (subjectively speaking) thread I've ever seen on the Escapist. And, of course, I remiss to not express my sincerest gratitude for what you're doing overseas.

...okay, actually, I do have one question, regarding the cupola turret on the HMMWVs. It seems like it'd be a pain in the ass to rotate the turret by hand, when the grip is located towards the center of the rotational area. Is there a mechanism or method of operating the fifty on a humvee beyond the "aim to the side of the screen and the mount magically follows" that I've seen in every single game that included it?

It's my pleasure. But thanks!

As for the turret, there is no true mechanism in most turret rigs other than the brake lever. It actually moves extremely easy. You just grab the machine gun and turn, really. It's extremely smooth. Well, until winter when the track freezes and you have to beat it with your e-tool.

 

[theycallmemang]

What's your opinion on video games trying to simulate the experience of war?

I don't mind it, I love video games. Always have. However, a video game cannot simulate true warfare. It cannot, and it should not.Primary reason being that the game simply wouldn't be fun at all.

 

[theycallmemang]

snip

How do you justify the illega...you know what, I don't even have the heart to finish pulling your leg. I guess I'm growing up.

On a serious note how does the army look upon using your gun for animal control? I've heard about camel spiders being big, fast, very dangerous and actively aggressive towards people. I'd probably want to shoot one if it came near me but what's the army's stance on this technically unauthorised use of a weapon?

I'd shoot the living balls out of it! I HATE THEM!

In reality, no one gets too terribly upset about these things, unless it's the middle of the night and everyone's just trying to sleep. One Lt that followed us around for a month or so unloaded half a magazine on one of those things.

Seriously. Fuck camel spiders.

 

[Shoqiyqa]

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

Read back to my comment on the grenade rolling. Totally should have earned me some kind of nick name. But "grenadey" and "rolly" just don't have a ring to them.

How about "300-game", or do you have to manage it twice in a row for that?

 

[Blemontea]

Is i true if you drop your M16 rifle you cant return to base until its retrieved.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

Is i true if you drop your M16 rifle you cant return to base until its retrieved.

Depending upon the circumstances, this is more or less true. If you lose your weapon in training the Army will go to great lengths to retrieve it. In combat they are somewhat more reasonable about such things depending upon the circumstances in which the weapon was lost. Also, these days only support personnel get M-16's regularly. I myself was a 96B (Intelligence Analyst) so I was actually issued an M-16 and an M11 and I most often actually carried the M11. The logic was simple enough - if I needed my rifle, it almost certainly wouldn't help much anyhow and thus it was kept in the arms room unless I had to leave the wire.

 

[superbatranger]

I don't know if anyone has asked this, but what made you choose the Army over any of the other branches, like the Marines or the Air Force?

 

[theycallmemang]

I'd shoot the living balls out of it! I HATE THEM!

In reality, no one gets too terribly upset about these things, unless it's the middle of the night and everyone's just trying to sleep. One Lt that followed us around for a month or so unloaded half a magazine on one of those things.

Seriously. Fuck camel spiders.

So you're given permission to shoot on sight? Thank God for that! I had a horrible vision of all of you with glasses and paper trying to catch the bloody things!

I wouldn't say shoot on sight, but no one wants them anywhere near them. It's more, "Kill it with fire if it gets all in your face and ruins your sunny day."

 

[Wadders]

What are your opinions (and the opinions of your comrades too) on your officers, and your superiors in general, from squad level leaders to Generals etc?

As I understand it there can sometimes be stigma between enlisted men and officers, so I was wondering to what extent you experienced this?

Thinking of going to Sandhurst Military Academy (Britain's officer training school) after I finish University so I'm a little curious about the relationships between the two. I'm aware it will possibly vary between units or whatever, but I'd still love to hear your thoughts on the matter, I've enjoyed reading this thread a lot.

 

[hurfdurp]

Are you a 'don't ask, don't tell' kinda guy?

 

[ecoho]

Are you a 'don't ask, don't tell' kinda guy?

ok man he cant comment on that.

 

[Nickisimo]

I know this has been in the thread...but seriously...of all the branches to pick from, you picked Army?! I could be perfectly safe in the Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard, but I want to risk personal injury by joining the Army? The Marines risk themselves too, but at least there you're with better trained troops and most of what you do is invading, not police duty.

I'm not saying that the Army is bad, my father was in the Army and I seriously considered joining OCS out of college, even met with recruiters, but then decided I would wait and test the job market first. This was in the Spring of 2001. If I had signed up then...9/11 happened that fall...I'd be dead, maimed or still fighting.

I'll admit that there's always been a part of me that's wanted to be involved in the military in some capacity though. I really admire the hell out of the people that serve in all branches. I have friends in the military and they put up with some horrendous shit so we all don't have to.

 

[theycallmemang]

What are your opinions (and the opinions of your comrades too) on your officers, and your superiors in general, from squad level leaders to Generals etc?

As I understand it there can sometimes be stigma between enlisted men and officers, so I was wondering to what extent you experienced this?

Thinking of going to Sandhurst Military Academy (Britain's officer training school) after I finish University so I'm a little curious about the relationships between the two. I'm aware it will possibly vary between units or whatever, but I'd still love to hear your thoughts on the matter, I've enjoyed reading this thread a lot.

This is where things get kind of hard to explain. I have been in an officer grooming place, and what I saw didn't impress me for the most part. A lot of people becoming officers will never have done anything remotely military-oriented, but still feel that they can yell at you. I've been there, I've done that, I've seen what happens under bad leadership. But some guy or girl on scholarship still gets the ability to debase me in public. I don't like it, I usually just laughed at them, and they make themselves seem so worthless.

However, I must say that the vast majority of leadership is astounding in their work. The captain of my own unit is completely crafted of bad ass, head to toe. I've met others who grew fat and lazy in their time, but mine is 100% hero. Granted, I may be biased.

I don't have experience with much higher brass than a handful of colonels. They all seemed so laid back and easy to talk to. I have experienced the rivalry and anger between enlisted and officer, but in all reality... the officer still tells you what to do at all times. End of story.

I wouldn't say shoot on sight, but no one wants them anywhere near them. It's more, "Kill it with fire if it gets all in your face and ruins your sunny day."

Bad idea man, for the minute until it burns to death you have the one thing worse than a camel spider; a camel spider made of angry and fire!

Then we're doomed. DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!

Are you a 'don't ask, don't tell' kinda guy?

I actually had quite a few homosexuals in basic training alone. Most of my friends at home are gay, for some reason I'm the guy to come out to. Homosexuality doesn't bother me in the least amount. That's just who you are, doesn't make you anything less or more. I'm not impressed or angered. Period.

That's like racism to me. I can't hate a man for being a different color. Period. They are themselves, nothing more or less.

Why didn't you decide to go into the army as an officer?

Basically surrounding that question I would really like to know if it's difficult to be one and what opinions are of them.

Also, could you tell me anything about artillery regiments (Wait, does the US army have regiments or... something else?)? Hard to be one, safe to be one, fun to be one or anything like that?

An officer is just not my style. I follow orders well in combat, but I give orders well outside of it. I'm a great leader to friends, not to soldiers. I'd rather keep focused and stay on track. There are much wiser men than me in positions of power, I'd rather them lead than I. I'm a big enough man to admit that I simply will not do well in the position. Plus, I'd rather see action. As callous as that sounds.

Artillery is a cool job. You do some math, work a single mechanism, and blam. Your balls are bigger because you BLEW SOMETHING APART SO HARD ITS INSANE. I don't know much about them, despite how I've worked with them with calling in strikes. I tend to throw them solid high fives, but it's a pretty safe job. The enemy of this current war doesn't recognize the value of capturing artillery, they don't know anything about it.

I know this has been in the thread...but seriously...of all the branches to pick from, you picked Army?! I could be perfectly safe in the Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard, but I want to risk personal injury by joining the Army? The Marines risk themselves too, but at least there you're with better trained troops and most of what you do is invading, not police duty.

I'm not saying that the Army is bad, my father was in the Army and I seriously considered joining OCS out of college, even met with recruiters, but then decided I would wait and test the job market first. This was in the Spring of 2001. If I had signed up then...9/11 happened that fall...I'd be dead, maimed or still fighting.

I'll admit that there's always been a part of me that's wanted to be involved in the military in some capacity though. I really admire the hell out of the people that serve in all branches. I have friends in the military and they put up with some horrendous shit so we all don't have to.

I may come off as angry, but believe me, I'm not.

Don't fall into the "better training" belief. It's not true. It's just different training for different circumstances. The Marines deal with very different situations than I do, and we know that. My grandfather was a Marine in Vietnam, same job as me (I never knew that until about two weeks ago). Vastly different training for different situations.

The Army and the Marines do totally different things. Neither is better, neither is worse. In both, you will find worthless people. It's just that more people join the Army, therefore, more worthless people. Just like any other job.