US Army's new recruit

[bombtek]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

I am right up the road from Aberdeen....but did my time at the Head

[bombtek]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

Oh yeah...and tell him that if he wants to run around with a rifle.....EOD carries the most badass of all the badass rifles out there that a soldier can fire....the Model M82A1 Semi Automatic Ten Round Barret.50 Caliber Sniper Rifle....it don't get much more fun than shooting that toy [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[donf]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

Nice area down there. I deal a lot with IH. I work up here at the Naval Weapons Station Earle in NJ.

Originally from the Bronx, though, which explains my Yankee commments. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[donf]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

[ QUOTE ]
Oh yeah...and tell him that if he wants to run around with a rifle.....EOD carries the most badass of all the badass rifles out there that a soldier can fire....the Model M82A1 Semi Automatic Ten Round Barret.50 Caliber Sniper Rifle....it don't get much more fun than shooting that toy

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I'm sure I'll eventually get the story from him.

.50 cal tends to blow big holes in people. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[horns666]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

Don ...you must be proud and concerned for good reason...

May he be strong , safe , focused , and in control at all times..

you have my upmost respect and concern as well..

Bless him.

[bombtek]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

well ...technically the .50 cal CANNOT be used to shoot at people..only at equipment...BUT...a canteen carried by an enemy solier IS technically equipment...and one cannot always judge the wind velocity at all times so a bullet may veer a few inches ...so if that enemy troop gets hit by the bullet...it was just a "bad" shot ...you WERE aiming at his equipment after all

[donf]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

[ QUOTE ]
Don ...you must be proud and concerned for good reason...

May he be stay strong , safe , focused , and in control at all times..

you has my upmost respect and concern as well..

Bless him

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Bill, as for staying focused...............he hasn't done it yet. He's a sharp kid. a real 'smart-ass'. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
99.9 % says this is a good move......the other 1% is parental worry I guess.

I wouldn't really be that worried if I knew what Army lifestyle is like. I know Navy, but not Army.

[donf]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

[ QUOTE ]
you WERE aiming at his equipment after all


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[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Pretty much clears out the vest he's wearing though. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

We had .50 cals mounted around our ships for any small watercraft.

[bombtek]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

Don no matter what he does decide to do....thank him from a fellow American for me....it is not always an easy choice for someone to make....especially considering what is going on in the world nowadays...and I know that the concern for his safety will always be there....but the sense of pride you (as well as he) will feel when he makes the oath to serve this land that gives us the priveledge to be what we want as individuals, and aid others in other lands that are striving for even a fraction of those same ideals will forever be with you both..
To your son...Thank you

[horns666]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

well Don...I'm a major smart ass , cocky , dickhead , prick...but I think that comes from confidence...

and that is why I did as well as I did on the streets...He'll be fine...

I can uderstand and appreciate you parental worry...I would be too...it takes a certain kind of person to do this kind of stuff...balls mostly!

he'll have even bigger balls when he returns...

he can be cocky and have fun...but stay smart!

he sounds like a good kid...he'll grow fast and you will be proud! [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[donf]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

[ QUOTE ]
Don no matter what he does decide to do....thank him from a fellow American for me....it is not always an easy choice for someone to make....especially considering what is going on in the world nowadays...and I know that the concern for his safety will always be there....but the sense of pride you (as well as he) will feel when he makes the oath to serve this land that gives us the priveledge to be what we want as individuals, and aid others in other lands that are striving for even a fraction of those same ideals will forever be with you both..
To your son...Thank you



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I will pass that on. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Thanks

[donf]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

[ QUOTE ]
he'll have even bigger balls when he returns...


[/ QUOTE ]

I'm preparing myself for that. I remember when I returned home from bootcamp. Anytime I'd go out, I'd wear my uniform. I even went to the bar and slapped my military ID on the bar and ordered a beer. Bartender asked me if I wanted to make that a root beer. (I was 17 [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]). Drinking age was 18 at the time.

[horns666]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

He'll need a wheel barrel for those nuggets by the time he comes back!!! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

only advice I could give is.. Cover your ass , kick ass and keep your nose clean..and make sure there is no cameras around when he's kickin' ass..

you know how many "Rodney Kings" I was involved with on a daily basis...Hell , I'd make that Rodney King tape look like they were just swatting a bee.. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

and I loved every second of it...and they all deserved it and then some! [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Madness]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

Don

I know excactly how you feel. My younger brother is a US Marine that has been to the sandbox once (Iraq,specifically) and is going back for a second tour in Sept. He had the opportunity to go to sniper school the first time around but, decided that if his buddy's were going than so was he. I have never had so much respect and admiration for someone in my life and I'm not just talking about my bro but, everbody that has served with the selflessness that has allowed us (as well as others) to live in the freedom we enjoy. So thank your son for me and God bless him.

[LouSiffer]

Re: US Army\'s new recruit

Well, give your boy a big Hoo'ah for me. Yes, the basic training in the Army is much different that the basic in the Navy or Air Force. It is physically harder and requires more mental discipline. If he wants to run around with a rifle, infantry will love him.

I was in the infantry/Airborne. Basic was in Fort Benning, Georgia. Training is about what you would expect it to be. It tears you down and builds you up and turns you into a man. He will arrive at reception batallion where he could spend a few days or a couple weeks depending on his MO and when they are ready to move them down range ( basic training ). While at reception batallion, he will do a PT test. If he fails this test, they will put him in physical rehab until they feel he is ready. That means hardcore PT from wake to sleep.

The first 2-3 weeks is the toughest. Homesickness, unusual surroundings, mental and physical fatigue, and 6 sawed off little sumbitches screaming and spitting in your face.

By the 4-8 week stretch, things are starting to click with the new recruits. Everyone is starting to function as a unit. This is where all the fun shit happens. Firing range, granade range, hand-to-hand combat training, BIVOAC, and my personal favorite: the tear gas chamber.

Then you will have your graduation "march". This is advertised as 12 miles. Notice, I said advertised.

After basic, he will then go to AIT. This can be as soon as a day or two after basic or a couple of weeks..again, depending on his MO and when that session is ready.

Now, I was never active during war time ,but, our of war time, Army life is easy, usually. I got up at 0500......went to PT at 0530...that lasted 30-45 minutes and then showered. Went to chow at 0630. Reported to post. Sit in a climate controlled environment. Went to chow at 1100. Back to post. Was done usually around 1400-1430 and the rest of the day was mine. Of course he will have to do his overseas duty. He will bid for what country. Germany is popular. Getting the Australia bid is nearly impossible. Sameway with the Hawaii bid.

However, since we are in a war time. There will probably be some major differences after basic and AIT for him.-Lou