Just as a matter of curiosity, how much do you guys play around with that kind of talk? For example, do all the pilots ironically quote Top Gun, the snipers exclaim "BOOM HEADSHOT," and the air traffic controllers complain about it being a bad day to stop sniffing glue? I imagine it would be a great way to make a stressful job a little easier, but I have no idea if they do it sparingly, a lot, or not at all. As for being on topic, I joined the Marine DEP in May, and will be shipping out to Parris Island on November 15.
Actually, most morale talk within actual combat forces tends to revolve around either homosexuality (e.g. "You may not be a good shot, but you space-dock like a champion."). People quote movies and stupid shows here and there, I guess, but it's hard to pass up something as absurd as the Unit. The only thing I've never, ever heard anyone joke about is IEDs.
Those motherfuckers are not even remotely funny, and all I did was get MedEvac'd through an area that had them, while seeing people that lost half their face to them. Actually, that guy did joke about them, but he was high as shit on painkillers at the time, and we all appreciated that someone with half a jaw could even talk, let alone joke.
I had a guy in my platoon shit his pants in a vehicle on the way to an objective once. Then he shit in some folks living room when we got there. Sure enough there were plenty of poop jokes for the rest of that trip. Worst part is he tried to wash those pants so he could wear them again, Sick motherfucker.
Our unspoken rule is Mom jokes and general family jokes are off limits, anything else is free game. We went on a Hurt Locker kick for a while, "Drop me off here I can walk back." "Hey gunner get down no threat here." "Lets roll out just one gun truck no big deal." We had air support one night and they joined in on talking shit to our LT who sounds like he is making love to the mike every time he gets on the net.
Check out this forum: www.afforums.com Register and do a search before you ask any questions. The regulars there get pretty annoyed with DEP'rs at times. I joined after the BMT change, but there's quite a few videos floating around the net and on the official website. Good luck.
This is regarding Marine Corps Boot Camp. I'm going down to Parris Island on November 15, three weeks from now. I've been working out since May, and I'm about as ready as I'm going to get (My running isn't great, but other than that I'm pretty much set). My recruiters have been telling me from day one, "Be the best one there. Do better than anyone else, and the drill instructors will leave you alone." However, when I visited my uncle, who works with a bunch of former Marines in an ATC tower, all of them unanimously told me to sandbag it, stay as average as possible, and be anonymous, because the best guys catch just as much shit as the fuck-ups. I'm a bit caught here, because I've been training with my recruiters every week since I joined the DEP, but the retired Marines definitely looked like they knew their shit. Anyone want to weigh in here? Thanks in advance.
Stick with what the vets tell you. It pays off to be good but you definitely don't want to stick out. Save the super motto stuff for when you get to your unit, where it matters. If you cant run two miles in under fifteen minutes you might want to get on that, falling out of PT runs is the quickest way to a DS's shit list.
5 years US Army. Did my time with Bco 2-6 IN 2BCT 1st Armored out of Baumholder and 2-2 IN 3BCT 1st Infantry out of Ft. Hood. Did my deployments in Ramadi OIF in '06 and Maywand OEF 08-09. 11B straightleg
SGT, USMC 4 years. Served with 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines out of 29 Palms, Ca as a communicator. OIF 1 and OIF 2 - Camp Ramadi. Listen to the vets. Don't go down there trying to motivate the entire platoon - you are going to be just as lost as they are for the first phase, at least. Lay low, get your bearings and do what you are told to do. Help out your rack mate - this relationship will prove to be invaluable, especially when you leave your rifle unsecured and he catches it before the DI. Most importantly, challenge yourself. You're only going to get out of it what you put into it. Now, as far as "staying average as possible", if you get down there and are outperforming your fellow recruits, or feel that a billet such as Squad Leader might suit you, then go for it. Just wait until after the first phase, when you have your bearings and (relatively) have your shit together. The turnover rate for the squad leader position is ridiculous. Being a squad leader in Boot doesn't equal shit in the fleet, but it does give you a bit of a lesson in how to gain (and keep) the respect of those around you as a leader. ANYWAY...
My running isn't that bad; I can run 4 miles at a seven-minute pace. It's just not at "track superstar 5-minute mile" pace. (To both PewPewPow and BadBrains) Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Average it is. Thanks again.
I just got my branching information from Cadet Command last week and it appears for at least my first 3-4 years in the Army I'm going to be an Infantry officer which is what I've been hoping to get since I joined ROTC. Now I have a little over a year to get myself squared away for IOBC, Ranger School and eventually leading my first platoon. Do any former LT's have any advice on how to best prepare myself for the next step in my career, or any NCO's want to weigh in on what makes a good PL, especially since I'll be going in not knowing half as much as most of my Joes let alone my SL's and PSG?
Recently separated E-5 2A3x1 (F-15, A-10, U-2 Avionics). Spent about 4 years in Las Vegas and two in Okinawa.
Marine Corps Ball next Saturday. Should be a good time. We have the Asst Deputy Commandant to Marine Aviation as our guest of honor. Sweet! Maybe if I somehow get on his good side, I'll get to fly whatever I want!! I got voluntold to be on the sword detail, so it looks like I'll be practicing my sword snaps with the scabbard on for the next week...
I never posted on the old board, kind of due to my lack of experience, but I figured I would throw my credentials up: E-3 in the Navy, Intelligence Specialist (ground analyst/3912) currently attached to Maritime Expeditionary Security (formerly known as Naval Coastal Warfare).
Awesome. I, like many, was sombered by the fact that I was actually bummed out by the closing of an internet forum. One which i didn't post much on, but instead picked up a shit ton of knowledge from. Recently I assumed the responsibilities of a new position within my unit, where I will be responsible for keeping up to date with new and improved military toys so I can get them for my guys. Sorting through all of the stuff I'm responsible for now, I thought of how great it would have been to check in and see the feelings of the really intelligent, and experienced people that had consistently weighed in on the military thread. Pretty pumped to see this board, and within it again, a military thread, making an effort to continue with some really intelligent coversation. As I previously said I was mostly a "lurker" and enjoyed the information put out there by people alot more intelligent and experienced then I. I've only had 5 years so far in the military (ARNG), most of which was spent in TRADOC, so not much experience here. About the only place I might be able to prove useful is concerning any questions about Army Flight school at Ft. Rucker, where I just spent almost two years of my life just recently. As well as little bit of knowledge concerning the Warrant Officer Corp, of which I've been a member of, again just shy of two years. Good to see familiar faces, and I look forward to continuing to learn from you guys. WO1, MOS 153D, ALSO E-5 15P (avn ops)
I spent three years on active duty in the Army as a Cav Scout, MOS 19D, deployed pretty much the whole time. I specifically chose to get Korea as my first duty station, which was an eye opening experience. Actually I enjoyed Iraq more than the Korean DMZ. Luckily I got out after getting stop lossed for only a few months and made the rank of sergeant before doing so. When it comes to life as a cav scout, I could shed some light on that for those who are considering it. Also, now that I'm a vet I keep up on what the VA is doing and what benefits are available to veterans and especially ones with disabilities. So I could probably lend a hand there as well. I've had some success in dealing with the VA, which by all accounts is a pretty screwed up agency, but seems to be improving.