garimpo Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 If you read this, you WILL pass it on. You just won't be able to stop yourself. The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances, is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment, either. He's a recent high school graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing - and a 155mm howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time - in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat, and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, and while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great- grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to war when our nation calls us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . . A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets. Prayer wheel for our military... please don't break it. Please send this on after a short prayer. Prayer Wheel 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.' When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air in Iraq, Afghanistan and all foreign countries. There is nothing attached... This can be very powerful.. Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine, or Airman, prayer is the very best one. I can't break this one, sorry. Pass it on to everyone and pray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grubstake Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 Garimpo, your right, my son-in-law, just came home from a year tour on the DMZ in South Korea, been home 5 days, now Tuesday he leaves for training at FT. Bliss TX, for three months, then on to Afganastan for 12 months, he's a US ARMY SCOUT, Sniper with the 7th Cav. his whole unit is going. Heres his picture and my step daughter. He's just 24, but looks like he's 18. Grubstake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted August 10, 2008 Author Share Posted August 10, 2008 Good morning Grubby...that's a great pic of your warrior...wish him luck for me... I guess when you and I were doing "our time" we probably looked that young but I didn't ever think about being young....to occupied trying to get back alive.....if it were possible I would trade places with that young man now....think the Army would take our Minelabs in on trade for a sniper rifle and uniform?....me and you as a sniper team....two "Okies" just out hunting.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grubstake Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 Yeh your right, I'd trade places with him in heart beat, Hell I'm sick, old and goning to die year or two anyway, I'd like to have the chance to get me some one shot kills. You should see him dressed up in his Gillie suit, He look down right funny. GrubstakeHis best friend went in with him, there a team, Jack{my son in law} Shoots and he bud spots, but they can both do each others jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grubstake Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 You know, when I went in, I was getting $79.00 a month in Basic training, he went in and was getting somewhere arond $1300.00 in basic, now he's got 14 months in and is getting $1800. and $200.00 overseas pay, which just stoped for the three months of training, when he goes to Afganastan he will get that back+ Combat pay which will make it a extra $700.00 a month. Hell when I was in name we only got 65 bucks extra and I was drawing flight pay which was only an extra $90.00 I think. Hard to remember, its been 42 years since I was there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dorado Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 We certainly were not in it for the pay! I think when I went in I was getting a whopping $120 a month! When he gets to Afganistan, I sure would like to have a well used spent brass as a bit of a shelf deco item! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuger Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Yeh your right, I'd trade places with him in heart beat, Hell I'm sick, old and goning to die year or two anyway, I'd like to have the chance to get me some one shot kills. You should see him dressed up in his Gillie suit, He look down right funny. GrubstakeHis best friend went in with him, there a team, Jack{my son in law} Shoots and he bud spots, but they can both do each others jobs. All sniper teams are two man spotter and shooter but share duties just the same.Your ghilli is your life saver as your rifle is your life taker!Semper Fi! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooter9761 Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Proud American here! I would do anything to help a soldier..... Cooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted August 13, 2008 Author Share Posted August 13, 2008 Grubby...what caliber are they using?....I'd love to team up with a .50 cal..... Kruger...morning....what kind of spotter scopes do they use and what info does the scope read out to them...I guess their not exactly the kind you would find at Academy or Wal Mart...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dorado Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Garimpo... Here is what a .50 cal Barret will do to a human body............ for those that are a squeemish do not watch this as human bodies (Taliban/AQ) really come apart and fly. http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?...yContent=161704 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grubstake Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Garimpo, he is trained and qualifide for the 50 cal. Anyway, we put him on a plane this morning for FT. Bliss, he will be there three months for more training, then come back for three weeks at FT, Irwin for desert training. Then to Afganastan, he will be going as a unit, the 2nd of the 7th cav. for 12 months. Grubstake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuger Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Grubby...what caliber are they using?....I'd love to team up with a .50 cal..... Kruger...morning....what kind of spotter scopes do they use and what info does the scope read out to them...I guess their not exactly the kind you would find at Academy or Wal Mart...... Morning' to you Garimp,We used either a Steiner or a Leupold spotter (we were allowed to use our personal choice if we bought it...wanted a Swarovski!)As for a scope the Nightforce 24-50,always a 50 mil.objective......gathers light.The mil dot system is generally standard as well,mine would illuminate.In my opinion I would rather have a gun from Wal-Mart than my scope! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuger Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Garimpo... Here is what a .50 cal Barret will do to a human body............ for those that are a squeemish do not watch this as human bodies (Taliban/AQ) really come apart and fly. http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?...yContent=161704 Dont get me wrong the .50 will "throw the juice",but those are not humans in that video......rockchucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted August 13, 2008 Author Share Posted August 13, 2008 Kruger...good info...thanks...I was never trained as a sniper but instead was assigned to a International Rifle Team (our cover).....what are "rockchucks"?.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuger Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Kruger...good info...thanks...I was never trained as a sniper but instead was assigned to a International Rifle Team (our cover).....what are "rockchucks"?.... No problem Garimpo,just a past chapter in my life.A rockchuck is a small animal ever heard of a marmot??Thats what a rockchuck is,cute little critter,we used to call them watermelons on legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 Thanks Kuger...clear on the "rockchucks".... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilaoro Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Garimpo, I don't usualy do forwards but I cut & pasted your post to all my e-mail recipiants outside of the gold prospecting groups. AMEN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regmaglitch Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Hey Garimpo, We've seen a lot of rock chucks in Colorado while four-wheeling anywhere above the tree line. The locals call 'em "whistle pigs". When you get near, they duck down into their burrow but, if you whistle, they pop their heads up out of the hole. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.