Seriously OT..A strange encounter

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Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 12:42:15 PM

m10bob

Posts: 8622
Joined: 11/3/2002
From: Dismal Seepage Indiana
Status: offline

Only age has slowed me down and softened my prior "hardcore persona".

Lifer army officer father made sure his sons were matured to the harshness of life at an early age. Maybe it has tended to make me see the weakness in men sooner than others might detect it?
This is not always a good thing, (except in combat).

Yesterday, I was browsing the aisles of the local PetSmart store and this "kid" walks over to me. He works there..He asks if there is anything he can help me find?

I turn to look at him for the first time. I size him up..Looks to be maybe 20, 22 tops..I told him I had just found what I was looking for, explained my wife has a wolf and it has always required a special food..(Only Purina Pro Plan with meat as the #1 ingredient, no cereal whatsoever or he impersonates a cow with diarrhea which you would not believe).

He sez "Yes..we had a wolf in our unit in Tikrit.."

I look at him again..I asked "Tikrit"?..He responds "Yes".
Of course I knew where Tikrit is, but this guy is just a "kid"!!
He then explains his unit had been in Iraq,Afghanistan, and Kuwait..
I asked if they were combat zones when he was there? He sez "Yes, all but Kuwait", but he counters that he did not see much "action" as he was always in "the rear area".
He seemed apologetic.
I assured him that with my guys, in my war, we were ALWAYS grateful for the guys in his AO and that there really was no differentiation in a war that has no "front lines"

For me..this encounter was supposed to happen, to maybe soften me up some more and to educate me on how biased I might have been concerning perceptions of "kids" and generational conflicts.

I thanked him for his service,(he did likewise), and I walked away feeling much better about the hands of the folks protecting me now.............

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Post #: 1

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 1:40:31 PM

ny59giants

Posts: 9869
Joined: 1/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

I thanked him for his service,(he did likewise), and I walked away feeling much better about the hands of the folks protecting me now.............

Its not the soldiers that worry me, its the politicians which sometimes includes generals and admirals.

USN '77 to '83

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(in reply to m10bob)

Post #: 2

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 2:15:15 PM

downtown

Posts: 80
Joined: 5/29/2005
From: Brandon, FL, USA
Status: offline

My nephew is 24 now. He served in the USAF for 4 years. He was the cargo master for a C-5 flying supply drops and other "special missions" into Afghanistan and Iraq. To look at him you wouldn't guess he was over 19. He has some stories to tell though.

_____________________________

Old soldiers never die. They just fade away.

(in reply to ny59giants)

Post #: 3

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 3:23:46 PM

linrom

Posts: 100
Joined: 2/20/2002
Status: offline

quote:

I thanked him for his service,(he did likewise), and I walked away feeling much better about the hands of the folks protecting me now.............

Protecting you from what? I live close to a recruiting station and often see prospective recruits performing drills. Most of these folks are poor Whites and Hispanics who join service for ONLY economic reasons. About 50% of them will end up applying for disability benefits as soon as their tour is over.

Our country spends over a $1 trillion on the MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX with most of the money ending up in the pockets of industrialist war profiters. And yes, war is a racket.

I know that this is not the kind of a post you want to see and I have no desire to engage in further discussions on this subject.

I am a fan of WWII history, I love to watch war films and read military books and --of course-- I was hooked on Pacific Was ever since the mid 90's Gary Grisby Pac War, but I agree with General Eisenhower warning about MIC and Smedley Butler's War is a Racket.

(in reply to downtown)

Post #: 4

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 5:02:29 PM

jamesjohns

Posts: 135
Joined: 12/2/2013
Status: offline

Most soldiers are young, most people serve when they are young. Previous generations that are now senior citizens where the Vets of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and where in that 18-24 year old range.

(in reply to linrom)

Post #: 5

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 5:21:02 PM

John 3rd

Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline

The last year I taught High School was in 2006 and we had a graduating class of 52 students. Of those students TEN joined the service. This included the Valedictorian and Salutatorian. These were great kids.

In teaching college, I get a lot of ROTC students. They are GREAT kids as well. Bright, patriotic (when that isn't popular right now), and dedicated.

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Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.

Reluctant Admiral Mod:
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Post #: 6

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 5:45:01 PM

Symon

Posts: 1928
Joined: 11/24/2012
From: De Eye-lands, Mon
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: linrom
Protecting you from what? I live close to a recruiting station and often see prospective recruits performing drills. Most of these folks are poor Whites and Hispanics who join service for ONLY economic reasons. About 50% of them will end up applying for disability benefits as soon as their tour is over.

Our country spends over a $1 trillion on the MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX with most of the money ending up in the pockets of industrialist war profiters. And yes, war is a racket.

I know that this is not the kind of a post you want to see and I have no desire to engage in further discussions on this subject.

No, not at all what I would like to see; and not at all what happens in the real world. I been there and done that and yes got some of that industrialist war profiteer money.

I know that this is not the kind of a post you want to see and you have no desire to engage in further discussions on this subject. Obviously you won't, because to do so will subject you to responses from people who know more in their little finger than you know in your whole body.

Please don't tweak us with your nonsense anymore. Go away, stay away.

Ciao. JWE

< Message edited by Symon -- 5/30/2015 6:48:42 PM >

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Nous n'avons pas peur! Vive la libert�! Moi aussi je suis Charlie!
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Post #: 7

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 7:44:57 PM

Bullwinkle58

Posts: 11302
Joined: 2/24/2009
Status: offline

My family got a lot of it too.

I don't associate myself with the poster you responded to, Symon, or his views. But I do think the manner in which the US military has been used since 9/11 is a valid question. If I had a child I'm not sure I would advise them to serve right now. Very different America than when I joined in 1980.

The question of how the military has been used is, however, off topic here.

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The Moose

(in reply to Symon)

Post #: 8

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 9:47:38 PM

KenchiSulla

Posts: 2948
Joined: 10/22/2008
From: the Netherlands
Status: offline

I am not from the US so it is a bit hard for me to "feel" your culture and way of looking at things. When I look at my own country we have a very small army with mostly well trained (young) professionals. Let's be honest, we need people to step up (for whatever reason) and take up the rifle (state monopoly on violence if you will) to defend our values, including the right to disagree, and help stabilize or at least try to stabilize and help others who are not part of our culture...

Sometimes governments make bad calls... It should not, however, change our opinion of people who risk everything (for whatever reason) to make the world a little bit better and safer...
Not sure if it makes sense...

< Message edited by Cannonfodder -- 5/30/2015 11:27:18 PM >

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"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.�
� Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor

(in reply to Bullwinkle58)

Post #: 9

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 10:23:58 PM

wdolson

Posts: 10398
Joined: 6/28/2006
From: Near Portland, OR
Status: offline

There is a time and place for everything and here is not the place to discuss modern politics. I do have strong opinions and have expressed them at length elsewhere, but Matrix doesn't want modern politics discussed here.

This is not a "go away" message, just a request to hold your fingers when it comes to current and recent politics. Everyone is welcome on this forum as long as they follow Matrix's rules.

Bill

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(in reply to KenchiSulla)

Post #: 10

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/30/2015 10:59:53 PM

Jim D Burns

Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
Very different America than when I joined in 1980.

Cannot agree more. I�ve spent most of my entire adult life in service to my country in one way or another, yet I find myself pondering that service and asking if I�d ever do it again. The answer I keep coming up with is a resounding no, I no longer think America is worth the sacrifices I made.

Something has gone very wrong in this country. The fact our government was caught red handed using the power of the IRS and NSA to oppress its people yet barely a ripple of dissent arose in the nations people leaves me with a very sour taste in my mouth.

Now you have Mrs. Clinton caught obviously breaking the law by hoarding classified data on an unsecured server and now left exposed to blackmail or worse by anyone or any nation who may have hacked her hard drive and hardly a peep is raised about how inappropriate it is to have her anywhere near the �football� when our nation�s future might be in serious jeopardy. Anyone who threatens to release the information on that hard drive owns that woman�s soul, she should never be allowed to run for anything and belongs in jail because of what she did.

The utter lack of accountability for those in power positions in the US today is going to lead to a very rapid decline here. Lots of leaders spout platitudes about how they support the military and honor the service for those who sacrifice for the country, yet thousands are allowed to die unnecessarily every year because of the massive bureaucracy the VA has become. Other than some speeches and a few firings, nothing real has been done to protect the lives of veterans seeking care and nothing real will be done. The US simply lacks leaders with true honor and courage these days.

Now you have the leftist news media stirring up the populace against the police and homicides against the police have more than doubled in the past year. Of course the natural response by the police is to step back and now the good people are left exposed to the scum. I doubt it�ll be long before federal troops move in to occupy Baltimore. The only way to prevent this would be to somehow assure the Baltimore police that they can trust the people in power again by dismissing the over-inflated charges, something that the left will never do since they are the ones who ginned up the unrest in the first place.

We live in some very troubled times and things are only going to get worse because the people in this country have checked out and are not paying attention.

Jim

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 5/31/2015 12:09:33 AM >

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Post #: 11

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/31/2015 12:06:17 AM

jamesjohns

Posts: 135
Joined: 12/2/2013
Status: offline

quote:

There is a time and place for everything and here is not the place to discuss modern politics. I do have strong opinions and have expressed them at length elsewhere, but Matrix doesn't want modern politics discussed here.

This is not a "go away" message, just a request to hold your fingers when it comes to current and recent politics. Everyone is welcome on this forum as long as they follow Matrix's rules.

Bill

I second the desire to restrain from politics on what is an excellent board.]

We are a pretty small group of people that play this game, if we get into politics people will be driven from this board; we can't afford that. I fully support free speech. My own personal views range from socialist left to hard core right depending on the topic and my mood but the internet is full of other places to share them.

I enjoy discussing Military History with a group of excellent, smart posters who share an enjoyment of computer games that require functioning brain cells and appreciate history.

Lets keep this board to how to calculate supply levels, what class of heavy cruiser is best and what if Japan took New Zealand in 1942.

< Message edited by jamesjohns -- 5/31/2015 1:37:02 AM >

(in reply to Jim D Burns)

Post #: 12

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/31/2015 12:39:34 AM

Chijohnaok2

Posts: 628
Joined: 7/29/2002
From: Florida, USA (formerly Chicago)
Status: offline

I enjoy discussing modern politics but understand Matrix management's desire not to have political flame wars on this gaming forum.

For those that do enjoy healthy debate of politics and current world events, I would suggest visiting the forum referenced in my signature. For anyone interested just click on it and you can check it out for yourself.

Keep your gaming discussions here and your politics/current events discussions elsewhere (signature below).
Win-Win for everyone.

_____________________________

Feel free to drop by and chat about whatever is on your mind.

(in reply to jamesjohns)

Post #: 13

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/31/2015 2:05:08 AM

wdolson

Posts: 10398
Joined: 6/28/2006
From: Near Portland, OR
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
Very different America than when I joined in 1980.

Cannot agree more. I�ve spent most of my entire adult life in service to my country in one way or another, yet I find myself pondering that service and asking if I�d ever do it again. The answer I keep coming up with is a resounding no, I no longer think America is worth the sacrifices I made.

Something has gone very wrong in this country. The fact our government was caught red handed using the power of the IRS and NSA to oppress its people yet barely a ripple of dissent arose in the nations people leaves me with a very sour taste in my mouth.

Now you have Mrs. Clinton caught obviously breaking the law by hoarding classified data on an unsecured server and now left exposed to blackmail or worse by anyone or any nation who may have hacked her hard drive and hardly a peep is raised about how inappropriate it is to have her anywhere near the �football� when our nation�s future might be in serious jeopardy. Anyone who threatens to release the information on that hard drive owns that woman�s soul, she should never be allowed to run for anything and belongs in jail because of what she did.

The utter lack of accountability for those in power positions in the US today is going to lead to a very rapid decline here. Lots of leaders spout platitudes about how they support the military and honor the service for those who sacrifice for the country, yet thousands are allowed to die unnecessarily every year because of the massive bureaucracy the VA has become. Other than some speeches and a few firings, nothing real has been done to protect the lives of veterans seeking care and nothing real will be done. The US simply lacks leaders with true honor and courage these days.

Now you have the leftist news media stirring up the populace against the police and homicides against the police have more than doubled in the past year. Of course the natural response by the police is to step back and now the good people are left exposed to the scum. I doubt it�ll be long before federal troops move in to occupy Baltimore. The only way to prevent this would be to somehow assure the Baltimore police that they can trust the people in power again by dismissing the over-inflated charges, something that the left will never do since they are the ones who ginned up the unrest in the first place.

We live in some very troubled times and things are only going to get worse because the people in this country have checked out and are not paying attention.

Jim

Please refrain from the modern political opinions.

Bill

_____________________________

WitP AE - Test team lead, programmer

(in reply to Jim D Burns)

Post #: 14

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/31/2015 1:41:24 PM

mind_messing

Posts: 3393
Joined: 10/28/2013
Status: offline

Let's not forget the fact that share prices on the NYSE fell in 1945 when the end of the war was in sight. An embarrassing reminder that for many, war makes an excellent business opportunity.

(in reply to m10bob)

Post #: 15

RE: Seriously OT..A strange encounter - 5/31/2015 1:58:38 PM

m10bob

Posts: 8622
Joined: 11/3/2002
From: Dismal Seepage Indiana
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: wdolson

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
Very different America than when I joined in 1980.

Cannot agree more. I�ve spent most of my entire adult life in service to my country in one way or another, yet I find myself pondering that service and asking if I�d ever do it again. The answer I keep coming up with is a resounding no, I no longer think America is worth the sacrifices I made.

Something has gone very wrong in this country. The fact our government was caught red handed using the power of the IRS and NSA to oppress its people yet barely a ripple of dissent arose in the nations people leaves me with a very sour taste in my mouth.

Now you have Mrs. Clinton caught obviously breaking the law by hoarding classified data on an unsecured server and now left exposed to blackmail or worse by anyone or any nation who may have hacked her hard drive and hardly a peep is raised about how inappropriate it is to have her anywhere near the �football� when our nation�s future might be in serious jeopardy. Anyone who threatens to release the information on that hard drive owns that woman�s soul, she should never be allowed to run for anything and belongs in jail because of what she did.

The utter lack of accountability for those in power positions in the US today is going to lead to a very rapid decline here. Lots of leaders spout platitudes about how they support the military and honor the service for those who sacrifice for the country, yet thousands are allowed to die unnecessarily every year because of the massive bureaucracy the VA has become. Other than some speeches and a few firings, nothing real has been done to protect the lives of veterans seeking care and nothing real will be done. The US simply lacks leaders with true honor and courage these days.

Now you have the leftist news media stirring up the populace against the police and homicides against the police have more than doubled in the past year. Of course the natural response by the police is to step back and now the good people are left exposed to the scum. I doubt it�ll be long before federal troops move in to occupy Baltimore. The only way to prevent this would be to somehow assure the Baltimore police that they can trust the people in power again by dismissing the over-inflated charges, something that the left will never do since they are the ones who ginned up the unrest in the first place.

We live in some very troubled times and things are only going to get worse because the people in this country have checked out and are not paying attention.

Jim

Please refrain from the modern political opinions.

Bill