Vets please back me up!?

Question

For the past three days I have seen post from we'll say young adults about joining the military. Most of them saying they can't wait to jump into the action and join the war. Don't get me wrong I'm glad they want to join. But not one of these kids know the truth about real combat. Does this ever get to any of you guys who have been in combat?

I'm not trying to show any disrespect towards our youth. I just don't want them to think our stories of combat were all about glory.

I wouldn't trade my time in service for anything.
The funniest moment of my life came while under fire. We had an issue in the 90's and found ourself in a bit of a spot. I was tlaking to another guy and said "We're in a sh!**y mess now." Old Sgt D just says "yup" as he squeezed off a few rounds. I guess you had to be there but trust me it was funny.

Answer 1

Not really, because were always getting new people into the unit.
But,,,
My National Guard unit was relieved by the 101st Airbornes Artillery Unit, (I can't remember their designation, but their motto was "Balls of the Eagle", we had fun with that!) Whenever we went to them for breifings and training for them to assume their duties in our area, I had this feeling of being old. I wanted to ask for the adults! They looked about as old as my Cub Scout Troop!
I talked about this with several folks from my unit, and we all felt like we should stay around just a bit more to make sure they were OK.
I know the National Guard tends to be more mature, and I know I'm getting older, but it really hit home that these were young men.
I bet they'd kick my butt on an X-Box 360 though!

PS, I showed them my "Sharpnel" collection, various pieces of shell spinters I had collected from IED holes. One of them was half a nose from an American 155mm round that still had that russian C-4 in the threads of the fuze well! It weighed about 6 pounds. They stared in awe as I pulled out jagged pieces of steel, some as long as a foot, and sharp like steak knives. Some of them would stick in the dart board when thrown!
Judging from the "deer in headlights" looks I got, I think they got a valuably lesson to sink in!

Answer 2

We had this same, I guess you could say, problem with all our new guys when we got to Iraq. Mortars got stuck with ECP duty due to the fact mortars weren't allowed to be fired within the city of Fallujah. Anyway, they constantly bitched and moaned about not being able to do patrols and how they were gonna miss out on "the good stuff".

We tried telling them numerous times that it isn't playstation and there is no reset button once you get shot or hit by an IED. We told them that it isn't just a range on Lejeune, that the targets here shoot back. Needless to say, none of them listened.

They never really saw much action that first time, but the second time they were sent back, it was to Ramadi and they had more than their share of firefights..... and losses of fellow Marines. I've talked to a few since their return and they definately don't think combat and firefights are as fun as they looked.

I never got too frustrated though, I joined the infantry for the same reason, even before 9/11. These guys joined after and had full intentions on going to Iraq. My biggest problem was that they never looked at it in a realistic light. But, I still never let it get to me because I had once had their same mindset too.

Answer 3

I think we all had that young, green, and bulletproof syndrome at some point prior to actually experiencing combat. It usually only takes a few bullets whizzing past or seeing someone hit to cure that misperception. I have responded to several young men who have made remarks regarding how they are ready for combat, in which I have informed them that they havent a clue. I dont know as they can really understand until they get there. This isnt a game of HALO where you can pause, reset, or replay the game if you get killed.

Answer 4

I noticed that too. And all of them want to be Army Rangers, Green Berets or Marine snipers. The UN Peace Enforcement Mission of 1991, A.K.A. "Operation Desert Storm", became known as the "Nintendo War" because of all the high tech "gee whiz" weapons systems involved. But, you still have to take real estate one meter at a time. And there are two guys five meters or less either side of you with the same wish. That's to do the mission, avoid getting killed or wounded, and get a chance to go home. Growing up with all of those video games doesn't give you that sense of reality. Blood doesn't ooze out of those game consoles.

Answer 5

Yeah, my new soldiers act like that, I keep on reminding them that combat isnt exactly how they think it is. Thats why I take them on very long ruck marches, and do plenty of MOUT training and weapons qualifications, so when the day comes for them to be in combat, they wont have a too bad awakening.

Answer 6

It's easy to say but I was the same way. I was excited as hell to get out of garrison and I was pumped up all the way on the flight to Kuwait. Once I got there I was rushing with adrenaline to move North. Once we got to Iraq I was so ready to go on my first patrol. After a year it got real old, real quick though. So yeah when we get new people in my unit and all they want to do is go to Iraq, I shake my head and tell them it's not all it's cracked up to be. But I was just the same....so can I blame them?

Answer 7

I agree. I'm glad they want to serve their country but war is an ugly thing. It is hard to explain what it is like to never really be able to fully relax knowing you may get attacked at anytime. You can't let your guard down.
My platoon sergeant got killed in Iraq and I can't express in words what that was like. I don't even remember how many services I went to.
War brings out emotions you never knew you had. I'm not saying all the time I spent in Iraq was bad but it just takes that one lifetime changing event and you never really get over it.

Answer 8

Gosh, don't you remember being young and thinking you were invincible?

It is simply part of growing up... Once they join they will mature, and mature a bit quicker than they would otherwise.

War really is not the glory it is on their Xbox games, it stinks, but I would not trade my experience for anything. And I went into the military having my own delusions of grandeur. (I was 19)

Answer 9

they have no idea what they are getting themselves into. now i'm about to go somewhere i have not been in a long time. i have nothing but respect for those of you who have fought in iraq war. where i have been is nothing like where you have, however, it was still pretty bad. "peacekeeping" operations of the nineties were not somewhere a person wanted to be. and i still can't discuss what i witnessed there. so those of you who are able to serve in the military and are fortunate never to serve in a combat zone, BE GRATEFUL. don't be so anixous. please believe us, we have a basis for our opinion.

Answer 10

I did the same myself and well combat, was exhilarating from the adrenaline. In Iraq at least, its not that bad, you shoot at the bad shots and they die, but they never get close to hitting you most of the time.