Posted on 08/14/2004 2:51:15 AM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4
Here's my pick for best comment so far:
this we'll defend said... CB: this should cause the whiners who cry "you've changed since the Good Morning Vietnam twins started censoring you" to shut the f**k up. Great post. I remember the dumbass conversations I had as a private. Debating the best cartoon, quoting endlessly from movies, bagging on anybody for anything. Your writing never fails to amaze - you have a gift. And you make me cry... I'm going to take the kids to soccer now. ;)
And for those few knuckleheads out there who are so f'ing amazed at the reaction of his BC, or who still don't get it and think the BC or MI don't like CB for posting - "Good Morning Vietnam" was not a g__d___ documentary. Brilliant stud commanding officers who lead from the front and are intimidating as hell are standard issue. Hollywood stereotypical desk commandoes are extremely rare and always despised. The Army likes officers who shout "follow me" not "you guys go first." And soldiers are more likely to follow those they trust - like that brave lieutenant who is missing ribs because he loved his men and risked his life to save them. What is amazing is that is the infantry - that is how it is supposed to be. CB can tell you that when it is hot and miserable or cold and rainy, his leaders are there. He hasn't served for a long time, but infantry vets who have were expecting his BCs reaction and would have been surprised at anything else.
I know. I was a smartass PFC at one point, who liked to read, like to debate NCOs - but never fell out, worked like hell, and tried to be the best rifleman I could. But never a kiss-ass and I often asked my squad leader "why" or told him my opinion of what we should do (as if he gave a sh*t - he would just tell me to suck it up and quit bitching). And my squad leader in movieland would have been my "enemy" out to get the smart kid who thinks for himself and asks questions. My squad leader in real life sought to get me promoted and did. And as a 22-year old drill sergeant I occasionally argued with my company commander or battalion commander about things (always with respect) and was known to be a "trouble-maker" about anything I didn't think was in the best interests of the Army. So, they recommended me for officer training. And when I found smart kids who questioned, who did the right thing but often wanted to know why it was the right thing before they did it - I promoted them and sent some to officer training myself. Of course his BC was impressed with CB. (Don't think that means you and he will be swapping spit in the showers or that he won't stop you into the dirt if you fuck up CB. It means that he likes your writing).
It's corny, but the closest thing to reality I have seen in Hollywood is Saving Private Ryan - the scene where they try to get Ryan to leave and he says no way, I'm not leaving the only brothers I have left. Remember CB's post about the guy whose Stryker was disabled and he was trying to bum a ride back into the fight? And NCOs and officers are part of that brotherhood. You can't lead infantrymen unless you love them. And nobody would want to unless they did. His BC let CB know what he needed to avoid OPSEC, harm to families back home or his fellow soldiers, and airing dirty laundry in public in a way that would hurt the unit - not a cover-up, but concern for the unit. And concern for the unit and your brothers are what it is all about. Those living vicariously through CB (like me) should realize that he and his unit come first. He does.
4:27 AM
CB ping
May God bless you and keep you safe, each and every one.
?
Damn man, I know exactly what you mean. Been there, got some t shirts, didn't get others.
The only thing I would say is that it isn't just your war. The American public doesn't do a very good job of collectively demonstrating the care, concern, and respect that we have for our miliatry service members, until it hits close to home. I hope it never hits close to home for you, other than the separation from your family and I hope that ends soon, but in reality it probably won't. I hope that's the worst that your family has to endure.
I can say though, that here in rural central Missouri, the war you are fighting is very a part of our lives and very much a part of almost every conversation. We are proud of the fact that you are kicking ass when and where needed and showing respect, restraint, and courtesy when it's appropriate ... that's what makes us different.
I've been there, and I agree, it aint like the movies. I spent 20 years shooting cannons ... a couple of shootin' wars and a couple of uprising. Severe bouts of boredom interupted by intense continous confusion ... the affects of which are still very much a part of everyday life.
Hang in there folks ... stay the course and don't get complacent.
BTW ... by far the closest I've seen on film, is Band of Brothers.
In his way, CB writes good. Compare CB to the journal John "F'n" Kerry kept, which is lousy, poorly written, and reaks like a hissy fit drama queen.
I usually don't like to see the war in Iraq compared to Vietnam - but this was well done and interesting.
Love this guy's blog! His MIB account was incredible.
Cannoneer No. 4, if you have a ping list, add me to it please.
bump
No greater truth was said (But totally incomprehensible to the lefties):
....And NCOs and officers are part of that brotherhood. You can't lead infantrymen unless you love them. And nobody would want to unless they did...
To the left it is all about poor dumb kids being manipulated and used as cannon fodder.
This post is awesome. Thank you for getting me hooked to this soldier's blog.
I recommend you go through his archives and read all his posts. Well worth your time.
Great read -- thanks for the ping.
Prayers continue for all who serve and Godspeed in your mission.
I have, his MIB and Al Queada posts are riveting. Thanks again.
bump
Keep writing ~ great stuff ~ you make a difference!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
