Posted on 10/18/2016 2:22:59 AM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
I had a similar revelation several years ago in South America.
I was on assignment as a consultant to the Army Corps of Engineers (thence to the CIa and DEA) to do some site inspection work in the Amazon basin looking for suitable building sites for outposts in the riverine areas just east of the Andes. My team was assisted by a squad of US Navy SEALS in addition to contingents from the host country’s Navy and Police. Our mission required us to be dropped off on land via Piranha boats (upscale Boston Whalers) where we would make our way on foot to prospective sites. Each morning, the SEAL squad would arrange for scout protection while the in-country troops accompanied my team to rally points at midday and then again near dusk. After the SEALS melted into the jungle, we would proceed in a column to our destination with my team protected front and rear by the local troops. And each morning, after just a few minutes of hiking, one by one the troops in front of me would step of the trail to adjust a pack, retie a shoelace, take a leak, whatever. Within a few minutes, I always found myself at the head of the column.
Mind you, I am 6’-3” in a land of much smaller people, and quickly picked up the nickname “Blanco Grande”. I thought that it meant “Big White Guy” and thought nothing of it. When we returned to the Piranha boats to spend the night on the river, I mentioned this to the LT in charge of the SEALS. They almost collapsed in laughter when I told them my new nickname. Being all Spanish speakers and after they stopped laughing (which was quite a while later), they informed me that there was another meaning. Apparently in that part of the world, rather than pinning a bulls eye on the chest of the intended firing squad victim, they paint a big, white circle. Thus, Blanco Grande really meant “Big Target”. After getting over my embarrassment and anger, the SEAL LT quietly, but confidently told me that I had nothing to worry about. There mission was to protect me and my team and we were never in any danger greater than getting a blister on our feet.
And they were right.
13 is a bit wrong.
If your attack is going as planned, its not an attack, it’s ambush.
One party,(usually the loser) walks into the ambush. The other springs it.
22. If its stupid and it works it ain’t stupid.
#22 - The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly fire.
#23 - Mine are equal opportunity weapons
#24 - Combat experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.
#25 - There is nothing more satisfying that having someone take a shot at you, and miss.
“our GPS makes us drive through Baltimore”
That is a joke, right???
A long time ago, when I was a lieutenant and we were out in the field in West Germany by the Czechoslovak border on a Reforger exercise I walked by an artillery captain (the CO of the DivArty HHB). He stopped me and said I should salute him and busily explained the various proper ways to salute. I slung arms and saluted him...and prayed for a sniper. Fortunately for him it was 1988. Unlike him, I made it a point to tell all my guys to never, under any circumstances, salute me out in the field.
“A long time ago, when I was a lieutenant and we were out in the field in West Germany by the Czechoslovak border”
Was anyone driving an urban assault vehicle?
I prefer the tolls over the risk. YMMV.
“Concealment is not cover, but cover offers concealment”.
Good list. Murphy is a mother.
Or am I just talking to gamers here?
22. No plan of operations extends with any certainty beyond the first contact with the main hostile force..
There is no piece of equipment so well made that cannot be broken by a sailor.
The best battle plan never survives the first shot.
For aviators: You are never more vulnerable than when you are lining up to shot down the enemy.
Murphy was an optimist.
Not if they expect to keep the warranty.
#23-Tracers work both ways!
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