The U.S. military embarrasses me

My brain | 05/01/08 | Me

[Pylon]

I have really tried to accept things, but I have finally reached my point. Disclaimer, Mods, please move this wherever necessary.

I have been watching "Carrier" on PBS plus a few other documentaries lately on our military and I am embarrassed. When did our military people turn into baby machines looking for a reason out because of a child they should not have had? They teach new parent classes on a ship, how about a class on how not to be a parent when you can't be one?

And don't whine when you get deployed because you miss your kids. You signed up for it, you knew the possibilities, don't play the victim. If you wanted to be a stay at home mom, the NAVY was a bad choice, don't play the sympathy card.

Next time you want to complain about nine moths on a ship with hot meals and a nice warm bunk, talk to guys like my dad who spent 3 years in Europe in WWII and a tent was a luxury.

Don't get me started on reservists who only signed up for college money.

[hosepipe]

When?... After Patsy Shroeder(D-Co) emasculated the military..

[TheZMan]

Ya may want to focus your displeasure at the people in question instead of the whole military. That can get you flamed hard on this forum.

[doc1019]

What is on film and what is reality are two different things. ;-)

[WesternPacific]

Consider the source, its on PBS.

[Uriah_lost]

It looks like PBS has accomplished exactly what they set out to do....sigh.

[Pylon]

Ya may want to focus your displeasure at the people in question instead of the whole military. That can get you flamed hard on this forum.

But it is our whole military as a whole who are letting things like this happen. Not our real soldiers, but the higher ups who will let things happen. If what is applied now was applied in WWII, would we have won?

[writer33]

Flame on!

[bobby.223]

agreed. sigh is right.

[the invisib1e hand]

What is on film and what is reality are two different things. ;-)

Man, if there were a Captain Understatement, his footprint would look like this, for sure!

Whaddaya expect PBS to make you feel, warm fuzzies for the US Military?

Try this on: A few years ago, a friend's son had just returned from his compulsory IDF stint. He reported that, in exercises with US soldiers, the US soldiers were tough, strong, and well trained. Trained, that is, by the US Military.

If an Israeli soldier says your well-trained, then you're probably well trained.

The moral of your story is, as always, the leftist media is a liar.

[Pylon]

I’m embarrassed our military let this be filmed let alone broadcast. Stuff like this makes us look soft and gives the enemies hope they can take us out. I’m waiting for the day we lose a carrier because the internet was down.

[Crim]

“Consider the source, its on PBS.”

Bingo!

I watched a bit of it...they spent alot of time showing the “not wanna be there’s” sympathetically..and the “wanna be there’s” as nothing but bomb dropping machines or jingoistic killer wannbees....

Were suppossed to think the guy who counldnt refuel and had to divert to bagdad as getting screwed over...

Sorry boy..them’s the rules...

[buccaneer81]

I watched most of it, too. They profiled some great men and women. But I agree with you, they went hunting for some weak sisters, as well.

Tonight's show was cringe-worthy. Was that a naval aviator in that "Dancing With The Stars" type piece with his wife?

And the enlisted coming home to knocked-up "girlfriends" who were now leaving (but the damn check better come every month.)

My late Dad was a Buff driver (flew B-52s from 1961-1973.) He would roll in his grave if he saw some of these guys on TV. Not because of the emotions. Because they allowed themselves to be exploited.

[FrankR]

I've been watching some of that "Carrier" show, and I have to agree with you somewhat...it's not the entire U.S. Military.

I heard one guy whining because someone told him to do something and he didn't think it was necessary, and just because that guy was one rank higher who did he think he was, blah, blah, blah, whine, whine, whine.

What did they think military service was, a day care center?

I was in the Air Force from 1964-1968, and even though the USAF was thought of as the "country club" of the armed forces even then, today's pansies would not make it through the ass chewings and abuse we took during basic training.

I remember about three weeks in, we had a night march and the TI came over to re-arrange the flight, on account of height differences...well, he me to the inside file and me and three other guys who moved forgot to change our flashlights to the appropriate hand. As punishment, we had to pull guard duty from midnight to 3am...we guarded a "clothesline" in full uniform with a wooden gun.

Stupid? Yep, but people have to understand that the entire basis of the military is discipline. Do what you're told when you told. It has to be that way to have an efficient fighting force, as the brass doesn't always have time to expain the whys and wherefores to you when the enemy is charging. Just do it.

I figured that all out at 18 in basic training, and after that realization, most of the training was not only interesting, but even humorous. I broke the code.

I say to those ill-willed seamen on the carrier, did you think you were signing up for a pleasure cruise?

[GATOR NAVY]

for later

[Roklok]

The biggest mistake the Navy ever made was allowing women onboard ship.

[neodad]

Get a grip. I served six years active, all at sea, and seven years in the reserves. I enjoyed Carrier and it brought back a lot of great memories of deployment. We used to say a bitching sailor is a happy sailor. The episode about “Crossing the Line” was pretty good, and the pitching deck operations was amazing. They’re out there doing the job 24/7. Respect that whatever their motivation is.

[neodad]

This should be a fun thread.

[buccaneer81]

I watched a bit of it...they spent alot of time showing the “not wanna be there’s”

I saw a bunch of that as well. Along with, "Iraq had nothing do with September 11" crapola as well.

[bonfire]

I watched most of it too. I thought it was a GREAT lesson for anyone wanting to join the military. That it isn’t easy, it’s hard work, life is tough, etc. It may do more to DISCOURAGE those that are weak and prissy than anything else!
Like you, the dancing aviator gagged me the most.
The rest of the stories were HUMAN stories.
What goes on back at home and how those deployed feel helpless. Course their spouses didn’t help matters either. Complained and whined quite a bit.

Overall I thought it was a good show.

Mel Gibson was one of 3 producers, btw.

[buccaneer81]

Mel Gibson was one of 3 producers, btw.

I saw that, too. Good thing. He was probably the right-ward balance to the shows.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

PBS = Propaganda and Bull Sh*t.

Don't let those raving leftards influence your thinking. One will get you ten, the situation they are “documenting” is completely blown out of proportion for emotional effect.

Anytime you put men and women together in intimate(read as close) working conditions, some of them will follow their instincts.

It's not the end of the world nor the end of our military. It's what happens when boys and girls get together, has been since the beginning of time...

[buccaneer81]

The rest of the stories were HUMAN stories.

Absolutely. And I fault none of the crew for having feelings and having to deal with their emotions. But they were, IMHO, completely taken advantage of by the producers.

[Pylon]

I respect the job. I don’t respect the complaining about the job when they knew what they were in for when they signed up. Shore duty and home by 5 is not in the recruitment brochure.

[buffaloKiller]

"The biggest mistake the Navy ever made was allowing women onboard ship." BINGO !! Give the fellow a cigar and $200.

[doc1019]

I come from a long line of Military folks. Many of my family members were in WWII, and they were extremely well trained. Several of my relatives served in Korea, and they were extremely well trained. I served during the Vietnam war, and we were extremely well trained. Our current military, serving in the middle east, are all extremely well trained.

We have always had the best trained military in the modern world, that is why we dominate.

To see such silliness’ is, yes, embarrassing. But I know that, despite the filmed series, we are the best trained, prepared and equipped military force on earth.

[FreedomCalls]

And don't whine when you get deployed because you miss your kids. ... Next time you want to complain about nine moths on a ship with hot meals and a nice warm bunk, talk to guys like my dad who spent 3 years in Europe in WWII and a tent was a luxury.

Judging by the "Willie and Joe" cartoons, your dad probably whined a lot too while he as crawling around in those foxholes. But he did what was requested of him, and these people are doing what is requested of them. Soldiers have complained about their lot in life since soldiering was invented. In Britain they recently found letters from a soldier stationed near Hadrian's wall asking his dad to send him some socks and boots because it was so cold there. Nothing has changed.

[Pylon]

I live in a military town, San Diego. Seems like every week we have a feel good story on the news about why someone should not be sent or why someone should be home because of a personality tragedy. My main purpose of this thread was because of the persons who sign up for service for the benefits, college money, etc and then look for any reason to not go because their 3rd aunt twice removed has crabs. This type of behavior is awful and does not belong in the military.

[MEG33]

I’ll be sure to pass on your message to my grandson whose ship arrives back at Pearl after 6 months mostly in the Persian Gulf...NOT

[FreedomCalls]

I don’t respect the complaining about the job when they knew what they were in for when they signed up.

What's wrong with complaining as long as you do your job?

[bonfire]

God bless him, Meg.

My son has met with both the Navy and Air Force recruiters this week. AND he watched “Carrier”. Don’t know what he will decide yet.

[Pylon]

If your grandson served proudly and knew his duty and served it well, he probably wouldn’t mind reading this.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

The U.S. military embarrasses me

It must suck to be you.

[PISANO]

The Military was, is and always will be a REFLECTION of society as it is at that particular time in history.

Political correctness has permeated our society and hence our Military.

The women's movement has had a devastating effect on our Military, especially the US Navy.

Drugs riddled the Military during the 60's and 70's and race problems rose sharply, both, of course directly due to the state of our society at the time.

It is no surprise that out of wedlock births are a problem and that taking RESPONSIBILITY for oneself is just too much to bear for many in the military as they are nothing more than a reflection of today's society.

I believe the reason why we still have the FINEST MILITARY in the world is that we are an all VOLUNTEER force and DON'T HAVE a DRAFT, therby mitigating my hypothesis.

[FrogMom]

Ya may want to focus your displeasure at the people in question instead of the whole military. That can get you flamed hard on this forum.

Damned skippy!

[Pylon]

It’s great to be me. Hate to see US service members question their orders.

Must suck to be you who think people who want a competent military are bad.

[tongue-tied]

The producers made exactly what they set out to, which is a "documentary" that focused soley on characatures of Sailors. The unhappy complainers, the wannabe killers, and the ones who seemed surprised that USN means actually going ON a ship for cruises. That is what they wanted to portray.

The only thing missing (from what I read here, haven't seen it) is the guys drunk and puking on their shoes in port.

Guess what? That isn't how it really is. The majority of us are professionals and ALL of us are volunteers. Grain of salt required for any PBS show as well.

[Billthedrill]

Some of the best sailors I led in 10 years’ service were the biggest bitchers. I don’t think anyone viewing it from the outside, PBS or not, would really understand. No flame, just take it from someone who’s been there - no camera can ever get below the surface, and it isn’t anything at all like it appears on the surface.

[Elsiejay]

I recommend reading “Co-ed Combat,” by Kingsley Browne. Words have not been invented that could fully convey my disgust at U. S. Navy Love Boats, and I have served on a Navy ship prior to the feminization craze.

[Pylon]

The unhappy ones I do not want on board if something needs to be done.

The one unhappy one was ATC. I don’t want a liberal, unhappy ATC on board in a pinch.

[MEG33]

Thank you...I wish your son the best decision for him..My grandson is with a Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron, HSL 37, attached to USS Port Royal.
I am a proud grandmother..and I’ll bet he complains about the food!

[MEG33]

Grandson arrives back in Pearl tomorrow..GO NAVY

[tongue-tied]

Must suck to be you who think people who want a competent military are bad.

Um...I'll see your "competent" and raise you a "context". Keep that second word in mind when your impression of the military is gotten completely from the media.

You're from San Diego, find a Sailor to take you for a tour of his/her ship and meet some of us in person. Take a tour through the NAS if you can find an aviator or mechanic willing to show you around. You'll have a better picture of what we really are like.

[tongue-tied]

I don’t want a liberal, unhappy ATC on board in a pinch.

Late breaking, Muppet news flash for you: we don't kick people out (or off of a deployment) for complaining. We apply leadership, counseling, and training to motivate them and get them to perform at their best capabilities.

If possible we FIX what they are complaining about - work conditions, home life, whatever it may be. These days, we're their parents they should have had growing up, and have to start from scratch to create an adult.

And we can't kick them out for being libs either.

[tongue-tied]

WooHoo! Tell him I said welcome back, Meg.

[Pylon]

I was actually at 32nd street Monday, on the floating barracks things you use when a ship is being repaired. I heard how much the Navy sucks because the National City PD was cracking down on drunk drivers.

[monkeyshine]

There are hundreds of thousands of men and women in the military. The film makers are bound to find a couple of whiners and complainers. Heck, there are a couple of whiners in the White House, and in the Senate and House I dare say the 80-20 rule applies. (80% of the work is done by 20% of the people, and conversely, 80% of the people are unproductive whiners).

[MEG33]

Thank you, TT.. I read it’s getting heated up in Afghanistan..pushing the Taliban harder..Hope all is well with you.

Thank You For Serving Our Country.

[bonfire]

lol! My dad was on a carrier in WW2 and his first letters were about how SWELL the food was. In his later letters all he did was complain about it!

You have quite a bit to be proud of!

[tongue-tied]

The Navy sucks because Nat'l City is cracking down on DUI. LOL Sounds like a sensible argument to me.

The best times I've had were only "The Best" after I had moved on to another duty station. Extended deployments, flight deck work in storms, looking like a sugar cookie walking back from the shower trailer, sand everywhere when I unpack my bags, lousy DFAC food (here and now, that may take years to become "The Best") and back-to-back-to-back deployments. But I'm happy doing what I do, so maybe I'm weird.