Intro A-2 1/75 99-05

Soul Snatcher · Post by **Soul Snatcher** » August 4th, 2006, 7:55 pm

Yeah, I know what you mean. ROTC is probly worse than the otherside of the Army, I'm ready for some painful transitioning.

Congrats on your job, that is a good job to have. Rangers have the confidence and attitude to do whatever they want. Like someone posted earlier, employers like highering someone who strives to be the best.

I already said it somewhere, but I was just venting on my shortcommings upon ETS. Good Luck, and thanks.

Silverback · Post by **Silverback** » August 4th, 2006, 8:47 pm

reedycsu wrote:That's about average today brother, maybe even below average depending on how long it takes people to want a life.

How long is a "Combat Deployment"?

Soul Snatcher · Post by **Soul Snatcher** » August 4th, 2006, 8:49 pm

That could be an OPSEC violation, so I'm just going to leave it at that. No offense, just seems like a shady question.

Silverback · Post by **Silverback** » August 4th, 2006, 9:39 pm

reedycsu wrote:That could be an OPSEC violation, so I'm just going to leave it at that. No offense, just seems like a shady question.

Nothing shady. When you answered I was going to point out that some people execute 12-months "Combat Tours" and that I have noticed a tendency for personnel who participate in shorter tours to refer to their number "Combat Tours" as some kind of a badge of courage. I can say that during the current conflict having any "Combat Tours" is neither noteworthy nor something to brag about.

I thank you for your previous service and I wish you luck on your chosen career path.

Soul Snatcher · Post by **Soul Snatcher** » August 5th, 2006, 5:34 am

Ranger Silverback- You are right, some deployments can't compare to what some of the National Guard and Regular Army Units 18 month deployments. They also don't train as hard when we are in the rear. That is why they are who they are. We must maintain our condition, and proficiency, that is why we can't afford to deploy for years at a time. We would eventually lose all of our perishable skills. I'm not trying to school you, just remind you that I never deployed for a reason that is not note worthy. Some folks in Nam saw the shit, but their are others who have never been shot at, but that doesn't mean they are trying to carry around a badge of courage. Maybe they are just proud of what they have done.
-Rangers deploying to combat speaks for itself, we don't deploy to sit on our ass, if that were the case we would be disbanned and rendered useless. It only takes a second to die.

I see some Rangers on the site who were in Batt. for 1 or 2 years, so does that mean they are only using their short stay as a badge of courage? Ive got three combat stripes if that makes it more noteable for you.

Looon · Post by **Looon** » August 5th, 2006, 5:45 am

reedycsu wrote:I see some Rangers on the site who were in Batt. for 1 or 2 years, so does that mean they are only using their short stay as a badge of courage? Ive got three combat stripes if that makes it more noteable for you.

We aer required to post our credentials in our sig line. Some of the members have not served one day in batt, but have attended hooah school and share the same title. As far as my 1 1/2 yrs in batt, I broke my back and fucked up my legs. I served in OJC, but it is not listed because it is not a requirement. Just my time in, is required.

CHCB · Post by **CHCB** » August 5th, 2006, 5:52 am

Sorry to get into this late.

Welcome, and thanks for your service.

As a soft skilled pogue, I have to say that this whole "soft skills pogue" shit pisses me off. I spent my first 12 years in the Army spouting the same bullshit, until I finally got a job that took me into the BSA, and found out that a whole shitload of REMFs worked their asses off around the clock to keep fuel, ammo, water, and spare parts moving forward. They got no glory, no recognition, and no notice (unless something went wrong), but they kept at it. I worked harder, longer, and addressed more complex issues in the battalion field trains than I ever did as a TL, SL, PSG, or PL.

Greater danger and greater glory will always go to the guys on point, but the guys on point should always realize that they require a considerable logistical tail to keep them fighting.

Addressing your other point, you're correct, there is no civilian job description for "jumpmaster, etc." There are, however, a shitload of job descriptions for motivated, self-disciplined, risk-taking problem solvers. Long before the proliferation of private security firms, Rangers have been doing well, in many cases, VERY well, on civvie street. Many of them are members of this board.

I wish you well in ROTC, and in your future as an officer. I will likely be at LDAC when you attend, where I'll be happy to buy you a cup of coffee at the DFAC.

Soul Snatcher · Post by **Soul Snatcher** » August 5th, 2006, 6:39 am

Copy that Ranger CHCB, That is what I was getting at, I made the mistake of calling quartermasters pogues, but men like you, SGM Puck, and others, pointed out the importance and selflessness others go through only to read in the paper: blah blah blah Special Forces, blah blah Army Special Forces...you get the point.

Dedicated duty that goes overlooked in unfortunate, If some of us lose are arrogence and stop to say "Thank You", maybe it was all worth it. So THANK YOU, and thanks for the welcome.

CHCB · Post by **CHCB** » August 5th, 2006, 6:48 am

I did green to gold, as well, after 10 years. Feel free to send me a PM whenever you feel like (and, hopefully, in lieu of) ripping some ROTC instructor's head off (I came close a couple of times).

Soul Snatcher · Post by **Soul Snatcher** » August 5th, 2006, 6:54 am

Ranger Luna- no disrespect intended, but I would appreciate it if my quotes were not taken out of their context. I was responding to Ranger Silverback who made it clear that I was sharing my combat as a form of courage, He said they didn't count because they wern't a year long. So in return I asked, is it noteable to claim you were in Batt. If it was only for a year.
-I already know the answer YES. One of my heros CPL Matthew Commons who died on Roberts Ridge. He wasn't even in Batt a year. He was titled CPL for his dedication and unltimate sacrafice for his country.
-I was deployed with him on March 4 when he died, but since we didn't deploy for a year, I guess I can't claim that as a "combat deployment".

I would just appreciate it if things stayed in context, so the next yahoo, doesent get on here and only read your post, then responding to me with some crap about being arrogent, or bragging that my time counts more than theirs.
-To be completly honest, I don't even know how I lasted as long as I did without jacking up my body, but that is why I left, so I could enjoy my legs and back, and not destroy myself and be 3 inches shorter by the time I am 30.

Soul Snatcher · Post by **Soul Snatcher** » August 5th, 2006, 6:59 am

Ranger CHCB, I have a post in the 75th asking for advice. If you want to throw something on there or PM me, it would be greatly appreciated. I wish they would make some changes to this program. It is kind of bullshit that I am considerd a civilian. I'm an investment, it would make sense if I could afford or be offered medical and dental. Hell in Batt. I didn't even see the dentist other than cleaning cause I had no time. Now I got tons of time, but no dental. Friggin joke.

Silverback · Post by **Silverback** » August 5th, 2006, 7:42 am

reedycsu wrote: Ive got three combat stripes if that makes it more noteable for you.

Are those different than Overseas Service Bars? What are the requirements for that award?

Soul Snatcher · Post by **Soul Snatcher** » August 5th, 2006, 7:47 am

Garsh darnit, Yes overseas bars, the ones on your class A jacket, opposite the sleeve of your service bars. One bar equals 6 months of combat. I'm not sure if it counts for garison overseas too. Someone else may know, but there is no Batt's overseas, so to us they are called combat stripes.

Silverback · Post by **Silverback** » August 5th, 2006, 7:51 am

reedycsu wrote:Garsh darnit, Yes overseas bars, the ones on your class A jacket, opposite the sleeve of your service bars. One bar equals 6 months of combat. I'm not sure if it counts for garison overseas too. Someone else may know, but there is no Batt's overseas, so to us they are called combat stripes.

(12) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6-month period of Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service participating in Operation Enduring Freedom, the CENTCOM area of operations, or under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, from 19 September 2001 to a date to be determined. The months of arrival to, and departure from the CENTCOM area of operations are counted as whole months.

(13) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the CENTCOM area of operations, or under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, from 19 March 2003 to a date to be determined. The months of arrival to, and departure from the CENTCOM area of operations are counted as whole months.