“REMF doesnt simply mean support troops. It was used for rear echelon “heros”. The oh so brave “kill em all” loudmouths who were never in nor ever would be in the front lines.
Ah, Stolen Valor types. Unfortunately, the pejorative “REMF” and the phrase “in the rear with the gear” do not make that distinction. Sadly, there are some people who see support troops as somehow less, or inferior, to front-line troops; and those support troops are denigrated accordingly.
During Vietnam, I served in the USAFSS (that was Air Force Intelligence back in those days). I served in Asia, but not “in country.” Our mission was to intercept intel and comms to and from the Soviet Union, which was bankrolling and supplying the NVA and coordinating their operations. We were very much involved in the war, though not “up close and personal.” But we found out what they were up to, and we reported it up the line. That was intel our in-country forces could and did use.
“Like the sick war porn keyboard warriors on the FR.”
That is an interesting comment. I’d like to think it was directed more to those FReepers who are cheering on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and high-fiving each other every time there is a report of a Ukrainian setback or Ukrainian loss of life, and gleeful at the slaughter that was unleashed by Russia. Hell, they can get downright giddy about it.
Both factions do it.
I was on a gunboat in Nam at Danang. While we did have firefights sometimes most of it was boring nightime patrolling.
I’d see the Marines in the field in their worn and tattered ODs and worn gear. Then I’d patrol upriver past the 3rd Marine Amphib Force headquarters and see the personnel there in their fancy new Camos and new M16s. Those are my ideas of REMFs. Or the O-3 on the radio screaming “Get closer!” from 10 miles away.
Keyboard warriors screaming “Kill (insert subject here)” are even lower on the scale.
As has been observed: the further from the front, the more enthusiasm for combat.