1945 - NCO's had a typewriter on their desks for doing daily reports.
2001 - everyone has an Internet access computer, and they wonder why no work is getting done.
1945 - we painted pictures of girls on airplanes to remind us of home.
2001 - they put the real thing in the cockpit.
1945 - if you got drunk off duty your buddies would take you back to the barracks to sleep it off.
2001 - if you get drunk they slap you in rehab and ruin your career.
1945 - you were taught to aim at your enemy and shoot him.
2001 - you spray 500 bullets into the brush, don't hit anything, and retreat because you're out of ammo!
1945 - canteens were made of steel, and you could heat coffee or hot chocolate in them.
2001 - canteens are made of plastic, you can't heat anything in them, and the water always taste like plastic.
1945 - officers were professional soldiers first and they commanded respect.
2001 - officers are politicians first and beg not to be given a wedgie.
1945 - they collected enemy intelligence and analyzed it.
2001 - they collect your pee and analyze it.
1945 - if you didn't act right, the Sergeant Major put you in the brig until you straightened up.
2001 - if you don't act right, they start a paper trail that follows you forever.
1945 - medals were awarded to heroes who saved lives at the risk of their own.
2001 - medals are awarded to people who work at headquarters.
1945 - we defeated powerful countries like Germany and Japan.
2001 - we come up short against Iraq and Yugoslavia.
1945 - if you wanted to relax, you went to the rec. center, played pool, smoked, and drank beer.
2001 - you go to the community center and you can play pool.
1945 - if you wanted beer and conversation you went to the NCO or Officers' Club.
2001 - the beer will cost you $2.75, membership is forced, and someone is watching how much you drink.
1945 - the Exchange had bargains for soldiers who didn't make much money.
2001 - you can get better and cheaper merchandise at Wal-Mart.
1945 - we could recognize the enemy by their Nazi helmets.
2001 - we are wearing helmets that look just like theirs.
1945 - we called the enemy names like "Krauts" and "Japs" because we didn't like them.
2001 - we call the enemy the "opposing force" or "aggressor" because we don't want to offend them.
1945 - victory was declared when the enemy was defeated and all his things were broken.
2001 - victory is declared when the enemy says he is sorry.
1945 - a commander would put his butt on the line to protect his people.
2001 - a commander will put his people on the line to protect his butt.
1945 - wars were planned and run by generals with lots of important victories.
2001 - wars are planned by politicians with lots of equivocating.
1945 - we were fighting for freedom, and the country was committed to winning.
2001 - we don't know what we're fighting for, and the government is committed to social programs (used to be called 'socialism').
1945 - all you could think about was getting out and becoming a civilian again.
2001 - all you could think about was getting out and becoming a civilian again.