The "anything" thread

[Major Liability]

Originally Posted by Grabbed_by_the_Spetsnaz

Joined at the exact wrong time there buddy, US is withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan and can't afford another war. All your gonna be doing for the next 5 - 7 years is sitting around, twitching your thumbs waiting for something to happen :P

That sounds a lot better than going to war, but what do I know, I wasn't in war, I just play Red Orchestra.

[Alexander Ostmann]

Originally Posted by Grabbed_by_the_Spetsnaz

Joined at the exact wrong time there buddy, US is withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan and can't afford another war. All your gonna be doing for the next 5 - 7 years is sitting around, twitching your thumbs waiting for something to happen :P

Thanks for trying to be a Debbie Downer in my happiest moment, buddy. The last time I checked, we have an agreement to stay until 2024, which means the "withdrawal" in 2014 will only be a drawdown. Even then, I will still be able to make it to Afghanistan in time before we draw down in December 2014. From what everyone in the infantry has already told me though, it's all just twitching your thumbs and waiting.

Originally Posted by Major Liability

That sounds a lot better than going to war, but what do I know, I wasn't in war, I just play Red Orchestra.

I don't know; my brother said he never had as much fun as he did in Iraq. I guess it's all just personal taste.

[The Masta]

Originally Posted by Alexander Ostmann

I don't know; my brother said he never had as much fun as he did in Iraq.

Does that involve getting shot at?

[Alexander Ostmann]

Originally Posted by The Masta

Does that involve getting shot at?

Yeah, he got shot at almost everyday. He said there is no other experience like it.

[Shadrach]

We're talking about the US of A here fellas - there's always a war going on somewhere for these guys...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_war

[Abomolith]

Congrats on the enlistment Alexander. I'll be shipping out to basic as a linguist in the Air Force in a couple months myself. If I am assigned the Russian language (as I hope), I will fervently await the day that I can somehow work the glorious into the translation of a document. Although I doubt my superiors would find it very amusing...

[Alexander Ostmann]

Originally Posted by Abomolith

Congrats on the enlistment Alexander. I'll be shipping out to basic as a linguist in the Air Force in a couple months myself. If I am assigned the Russian language (as I hope), I will fervently await the day that I can somehow work the glorious into the translation of a document. Although I doubt my superiors would find it very amusing...

Thanks! Did they give you a bonus for that MOS? That will be a really rewarding experience I can imagine.

[Abomolith]

Originally Posted by Alexander Ostmann

Thanks! Did they give you a bonus for that MOS? That will be a really rewarding experience I can imagine.

The signing bonus is currently $10-12,000 for linguists (awarded after completing the 58+ week tech school), although I apparently have to wait a couple months until Congress approves the military budget before I sign that into my contract. Figure as long as I have that in ink before I ship out it should be fine.

[Hobitt]

Ostmann you're the weirdest person i saw in my entire life or i guess most americans are like that?

[Nezzer]

Originally Posted by Alexander Ostmann

I don't know; my brother said he never had as much fun as he did in Iraq. I guess it's all just personal taste.

It must be fun when you are in another country fighting people that don't stand a single chance again you, while you wear armour and use really advanced technology. But it probably isn't as fun when you are fighting on your homeland, wearing only common clothes and armed only with an AK with only 3 mags. I'm not being ironic, I do believe it really must be fun when you can get out unscathed so easily, taking little danger like that and having a clear mind because it's not your land or your family that is being threatened. A lot of American soldiers, especially rookies, think it's all a game, and rightfully so, because for them it's just like an extreme sport. Only a very small percentage of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans suffers from any trauma.

That's what war is when one side is dozens of times more advanced and developed than the other. That's why a veteran marine that fought in Okinawa in WW2 is much, much different than a veteran marine that fought in Fallujah. A completely different experience, I'd say. When you face an enemy as strong as you, war is not fun at all for most people.

Tell me honestly, Alex: you want to go to Iraq/Afghanistan to help the Iraqi/Afhgans, to honour your country or to live that unique experience? I'd go for the experience, and I'm no hypocrite, if I were you I'd definately go. I'd like to experience war without putting my life and/or my mind on serious danger. Maybe I've played too many war games

[Murphy]

Erm. This is still a contemporary middle east we're talking about and not a Warhammer 40k Spacemarine invasion, or something from the Starship Troopers book?

[Major Liability]

Originally Posted by Hobitt

i guess most americans are like that?

Everyone I've spoken to who's seen armed combat wishes they hadn't. I guess some people just love the rush; Winston Churchill says nothing is quite as exhilarating.

[Alexander Ostmann]

Originally Posted by Abomolith

The signing bonus is currently $10-12,000 for linguists (awarded after completing the 58+ week tech school), although I apparently have to wait a couple months until Congress approves the military budget before I sign that into my contract. Figure as long as I have that in ink before I ship out it should be fine.

You'll get it. The Army values its linguists.

Originally Posted by Hobitt

Ostmann you're the weirdest person i saw in my entire life or i guess most americans are like that?

Where did you see me? And why am I weird exactly?

Originally Posted by Nezzer

It must be fun when you are in another country fighting people that don't stand a single chance again you, while you wear armour and use really advanced technology. But it probably isn't as fun when you are fighting on your homeland, wearing only common clothes and armed only with an AK with only 3 mags. I'm not being ironic, I do believe it really must be fun when you can get out unscathed so easily, taking little danger like that and having a clear mind because it's not your land or your family that is being threatened.

Wut...

Dude, the most advanced technology doesn't save our guys from IEDs. When they drove down roads in Iraq, the only defense they had against not getting blown to smithereens was a prayer to god. They had no way to detect mines while driving. Our armored vehicles don't always withstand multiple artillery shell rigged IEDs.

AK rounds most likely will go through US body armor at close range.

The war in Afghanistan is a fight for the homeland. Had the war not happened, our country would be in much more danger, as the cesspool of terrorism would have gotten so large, it would have no choice but to overflow to other countries. Especially in Yemen, their intent is to cause harm to the US. The frontlines of this war started in New York City. Now we've moved them to Afghanistan, Yemen, and Mali. It's a shame most Americans have forgotten how they felt after 9/11. Now they all support pulling out and they ask the age old question, "Why are we even there?" Assholes, have you already forgotten???

Originally Posted by Nezzer

A lot of American soldiers, especially rookies, think it's all a game, and rightfully so, because for them it's just like an extreme sport. Only a very small percentage of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans suffers from any trauma.

Yes, a few of them out there are hopped up adrenaline junkies, but for the most part, most just like the feeling that they are serving their country and being a part of making their families safer.

And are you kidding me? The highest PTSD rates the US has ever seen are coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of the numbers are as high as 50% of troops coming back with some legitimate issue.

Originally Posted by Nezzer

That's what war is when one side is dozens of times more advanced and developed than the other. That's why a veteran marine that fought in Okinawa in WW2 is much, much different than a veteran marine that fought in Fallujah. A completely different experience, I'd say. When you face an enemy as strong as you, war is not fun at all for most people.

Lots of guys died in Fallujah. The first battle of Fallujah was a victory for the Iraqis if you look back on it. The second was the complete bloodbath and victory. Some Marine lives ended in a flash, where when they breached a house, a concealed insurgent under the floorboards shot up through killing them instantly. This is all my told knowledge from other Marines that have told me about it and from testimonies I have read online.

Originally Posted by Nezzer

Tell me honestly, Alex: you want to go to Iraq/Afghanistan to help the Iraqi/Afhgans, to honour your country or to live that unique experience? I'd go for the experience, and I'm no hypocrite, if I were you I'd definately go. I'd like to experience war without putting my life and/or my mind on serious danger. Maybe I've played too many war games

I want to go so I can fight the insurgency, help train the ANA and ANP, and get the experience. I owe it to the dead of 9/11 and the London subway victims that I avenge them in some way. Either by helping kill/capture insurgent/terrorist leaders or by training the government forces to a standard that they can operate on their own and take charge of their land. This will not only make Afghanistan safer, but it will make our homelands safer as well.

[I. Kant]

I'm keeping that post as reference for future. Do write how you feel after you get back (and I hope you'll come back safe).

[Nezzer]

Originally Posted by Alexander Ostmann

You'll get it. The Army values its linguists.


Where did you see me? And why am I weird exactly?


Wut...

Dude, the most advanced technology doesn't save our guys from IEDs. When they drove down roads in Iraq, the only defense they had against not getting blown to smithereens was a prayer to god. They had no way to detect mines while driving. Our armored vehicles don't always withstand multiple artillery shell rigged IEDs.

AK rounds most likely will go through US body armor at close range.

The war in Afghanistan is a fight for the homeland. Had the war not happened, our country would be in much more danger, as the cesspool of terrorism would have gotten so large, it would have no choice but to overflow to other countries. Especially in Yemen, their intent is to cause harm to the US. The frontlines of this war started in New York City. Now we've moved them to Afghanistan, Yemen, and Mali. It's a shame most Americans have forgotten how they felt after 9/11. Now they all support pulling out and they ask the age old question, "Why are we even there?" Assholes, have you already forgotten???


Yes, a few of them out there are hopped up adrenaline junkies, but for the most part, most just like the feeling that they are serving their country and being a part of making their families safer.

And are you kidding me? The highest PTSD rates the US has ever seen are coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of the numbers are as high as 50% of troops coming back with some legitimate issue.


Lots of guys died in Fallujah. The first battle of Fallujah was a victory for the Iraqis if you look back on it. The second was the complete bloodbath and victory. Some Marine lives ended in a flash, where when they breached a house, a concealed insurgent under the floorboards shot up through killing them instantly. This is all my told knowledge from other Marines that have told me about it and from testimonies I have read online.


I want to go so I can fight the insurgency, help train the ANA and ANP, and get the experience. I owe it to the dead of 9/11 and the London subway victims that I avenge them in some way. Either by helping kill/capture insurgent/terrorist leaders or by training the government forces to a standard that they can operate on their own and take charge of their land. This will not only make Afghanistan safer, but it will make our homelands safer as well.

Dayum, Goebbels would be proud of the US goverment with that level of propaganda

But anyway, good luck on your military carrer. I mean it. I might don't like the US government, but I like the US as a country

[Murphy]

Originally Posted by Alexander Ostmann

The frontlines of this war started in New York City. Now we've moved them to Afghanistan, Yemen, and Mali. It's a shame most Americans have forgotten how they felt after 9/11. Now they all support pulling out and they ask the age old question, "Why are we even there?" Assholes, have you already forgotten???

*shakes head*

[Alexander Ostmann]

Originally Posted by Murphy

*shakes head*

Explain if you could.

[Moyako]

Originally Posted by Nezzer

Dayum, Goebbels would be proud of the US goverment with that level of propaganda

Damn it, Nezzer. I thought the same hahahaha

But, leaving that aside, it's good to see Ostmann finally reaching his goal after being rejected a few times due his health issue

[Oldih]

Originally Posted by Alexander Ostmann

Wut...

Not everyone happens to know physics well enough to have better insight how certain things work, so you could cut some slack from the technological department. Like this part:

Originally Posted by Alexander Ostmann

AK rounds most likely will go through US body armor at close range.

Can you name a single piece of modern military infantry equipment that will reliably stop rifle\AR under ranges say ~500 yards or so? Flak jackets are designed to give simply better survivability at certain ranges and whenever you blow up you, your body or the remains of it are far more easier to retrieve for identification, strip all your gear back or if you survived well, hopefully patch you in some state. And even those said flak jackets can provide somewhat reliable survivability for shrapnels up to only certain weight and velocity, and once it's beyond that you're in for a hot ride.

Of course **** and weird things happen from time to time, but since you cannot predict anything beyond educated guess in such situations it's easier to expect when it happens they will induce appropriate problems to say the least.

[Bluehawk]

Originally Posted by Alexander Ostmann

Explain if you could.

He's probably shaking his head because Iraq and 9/11 have nothing to do with each other AND because Osama is dead and Al Qaeda are in shambles. The insurgency now as it stands is (inadvertently, of course) a US creation.

If you want to help the Iraqis and Afghans create stable government and bring the order of law to their lands, that's great! But don't try to tether it to 2001 and don't try to pretend you're making US soil significantly safer.