How come the USA Military looks as if they are scared to death?

Question

Watching CNN right now and they showed a few Marines hiding behind some trees and the Marines were shaking like a leaf on a tree in a wind storm. A few Marines had some dirty on their butts. ( From being scared?) One Marines looked to be about 20 and he had the look of death on his face. ( Or was that the look of defeat?) So why do the insurgents scare the Marines so much?

Answer 1

I see that once again you are attempting to stir people up over your views on what is going on in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. I would like to share with everyone some facts missing from Erudite’s comments. Trees are often the only protection provided in a combat zone. Although they do not stop all bullets, they do stop some and they provide an immediate sense of security. Enemy fire can cause people to seek cover; this is not a Marine only trait.

As for shaking, which could easily be associated with the camera man's hands, it is often caused by sudden surges in adrenaline. Adrenaline, as most know, causes the body to surge into action in "fight or flight" situations. As most Marines in action today have overcome the natural tendency of flight, it can be assumed that the Marines seen in this CNN video are riding on an adrenaline high as they prepare to fight.

As Afghanistan, Iraq, and most other countries are covered with "dirt", it is not unlikely that their "butts" appeared dirty. As the temperature today, in Iraq, is at a comfortable 108 degrees, the fact that someone who is sweating (typical in full battle gear) might get a muddy looking appearance on their "butt" after sitting on ground is not far-fetched. Your insinuation that the Marines had defecated themselves is obviously undeterminable without being there, which we know from your bio is not something you are willing to do.

Your allusion to a look of death/defeat is not uncommon in a battlefield environment. It is typically called the "thousand yard stare." It results from being exposed to a highly stressful environment over an extended time. This might seem foreign to most, but the military members who are serving in the SW Asia are dealing with it on a day-to-day basis.

Your final question on why the insurgents scare the Marines is obviously showing your bias again. Yes, every soldier has a healthy level of fear of their enemy. Without fear, one would run headlong into death.

Since CNN rarely airs more than 15 seconds of video in any of their stories, I do find it interesting that you were able to ascertain so much information in that time frame and without understanding the entire context. I enjoy the fact that you post information on this forum. It allows me the opportunity to research and share valid information to others.

Answer 2

You are a disgrace to humanity. For crying out loud these men are doing their jobs and doing them well. None of these "news" stations will give them a break.

Everyone is so freaking wrapped up in sabotaging this war that they forget our soldiers are real people. They have hearts and they have feelings. Show them a little f*cking respect. These are our families fighting this war and I don't give two sh*ts if you don't agree with what we are doing STOP talking about the troops as if they are dirt because they aren't. These men and women are of the bravest and they deserve respect. I don't see your a** out there fighting so excuse them if the only time CNN wants to show them on TV is when they look "scared to death." The only reason we would lose this war (which we ARE NOT going to) is because losers like you are out there crushing the moral of our soldiers. How do you think it makes them feel when people talk about them this way? I don't care what country your from you need to grow up because one day you might need something and when you do who is going to be there for you? Don't call me.

Answer 3

Your comments are obviously placed to stir up some kind of debate here and attract people like me of course, it`s possible that you are one of those people who think that your version of war is what you would see in a movie and believe that`s how it is played out on the battle field as do most of our politicians, but on the contrary people like you can never understand what it is like to be shot at and I am not talking about your experience with your local hoodlum either, these insurgents don`t come throwing rocks at you and when you see a Marine taking cover and looking a little concerned it is because he is human and values his humanity and somewhere in his mind along with all the other things that happening in that moment "completing the mission,ensuring the safety of your soldiers,respecting the lives of the innocent, family,wife children and lastly weather or not someone is going to have to scoop up his body parts what`s left of it in a bag to ship home, it`s not a look of fear that you see it`s just a little concern that`s all, and Soldiers don`t fear the insurgents we just respect them enough to know that we should not stick our heads out and just simply take cover on a few occasions, they got their days and we get ours some of em are baddasses but most of em are punks, mano y mano you best better bet on the Marines punk.

Answer 4

well you obviously never saw any combat... all soldiers [ sane ones] are scared ... insurgents dont scare marines, loosing contact with the ones they love scares the hell out of all of us... you should join up before its too late.... war aint the movies no way no how.. too bad cheney /bush doesnt relize that... oh waite they did, thats why they both stayed out of the service[ believe me back in thr 60's going to the reserves was about the same as going to canada.. only it took less guts to go into the reserves.. i was around then and thats the way it was!] .and ..oh yeah, i know you meant your question as an insult... but insults can only be taken ,never given... and nobody's takin' your "crap"! you'd wet your pants if you were in the same room w/ a marine.. you are a coward... and you know it....prove me wrong...

Answer 5

well, you know, criminals remain worried until being caught by law, and the rule says " you kill, you get killed". most marines are merciless as they are sent to kill civilians thinking that those civilians were terrorists,according to false media: innocent people become victims under the hands of the marines. so they remain scared unknowing if killing those people was the right thing to do or is it genocide in which it is forbidden by law and religion all over the planet.

Answer 6

I'm guessin that the 6 years you spent in the military as a mess kit repair person left a bad taste in your mouth. Fear is natural, controlling that fear and completing the task at hand is a soldiers lot. Until you have been in a fire fight. I suggest you keep your comments to yourself.

assbag

Answer 7

You wish.
"Fear" is an inborn safety factor. Without it, one risks ones own life, AND the life of ones companions in a war zone.

DO NOT ever equate "fear" with "cowardice" in an opponent. Do you think that terrorists have no "fear"? If not, why in hell don't they come out in the open and fight and risk their lives as a "soldier", loosely used. They are so "brave" that they use children and women as shields?

Are you so "brave" that you refuse to reveal where you reside?
USA here.
And lest you feel hatred towards me, which of my bloodlines do you most hate?

Italian, German, Irish, Dutch, Russian, Polish,
Syrian, Palestinian?
Which one, or all?

Answer 8

I think you need to get eye glasses and also need to dust off your brain. Get a life and accept the reality that US marines are kicking your hairy butt and eventually US marines will send you all to the hole desert that you came from with you camels.

Answer 9

Who are you to question how a guy feels? These soldiers provide freedom and lover their jobs. I would rather you say "thank you" instead of criticizing the troops and the gov't. I don't think slander and gerrymandering helps anyone out.

Answer 10

How come a brave soul like yourself don't teach these scared marines a thing or two... sign up or shut up!!