- #71
russ_watters
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Of course you know this is false. Well- I can't speak for the Australian military, but in every other military I've ever heard of, your training ends the day you are discharged. Those first 12 weeks are called "basic" training for a reason - they indoctrinate you into the military, but they are NOT what makes you an effective soldier (/sailor/marine/airman).Originally posted by Adam
USMC training is 11 weeks, plus 1 week of parades and other such fanfare. My training was 9 months.
Of course you know this is also false. The US model of technology and tactics in leu of numbers is the model that the rest of the world follows (those who can anyway). And our performance speaks for itself - never before 1991 has such a large conflict been fought with so few casualties. The fact that statistically a soldier was safer in theater than at home on leave in 1991 is mind boggling.One relies on massive numbers and firepower. The other relies on exceptional training, stealth, and walking very quietly while carrying a very big stick.
Other western countries have drawn down their militaries becasue they know they don't need them except as a token show of strength. They know that the US will come to the aid of any western country that needs it - an idea they got from Japan after WWII.
The one service that the US has any advantage at all in size over our major enemies is the Navy. And the reason for that is it is used so much. The Army and Marine Corps are smaller (relatively speaking) because they aren't used as often. They for the most part just sit at home and train their whole careers - which presents a bit of a problem though when it comes to dealing with an Iraq type situation.
Now this is just starting to sound like jealousy/resentment. I spent some time with service members from other countries and they were great people, but it always seemed like they were upset about the fact that they didn't really defend their countries. It is a wonderful thing though that the US has created a world in which most countries don't need militaries.
You know there are exchange programs you can join? You won't really be a member of the US military, but you can pretend for a while.
There were a handful (2 or 3) of wives killed at an army base when the first of the soldiers rotated back to the US. I haven't heard of any since then, and by now virtually everyone has been back at least on leave.That IS a creepy tape, and from what I've read it's just the tip of the iceberg. Everybody get ready for a wave of serial killers when some of these guys get back.
Soldiers don't become serial killers, they become passion/impulse killers. One of the issues there is that there is no easy way to decompress when leaving combat. Even taking a few days for counseling wouldn't help - that's just a few more days to think about not being at home.