*Navy SEALS or DELTA FORCE*

I did my whole time with Charlie CO,3/325 (82ND Airborne) and remember a watering hole on post called The Red Beret...not far from the B-52 bombers which were on the hill close to the 82nd museum..,-I used to spend time in there in awe of the displays..,I am sure there is much more in there now..We did do a training exercise with the 101st in Ky. once,and although the ribbing usually was good natured...sometimes it DID get a little out of hand..But...that was then...and at that time,they were Air-Assault,rappelling out of UHIH choppers and the like..

 

I was a Calvary scout. And I know that for many years, even before the Rangers wore the black beret that it was used by Cav units.

 

Do they now have those "always in fashion" black cowboy hats,as seen in Apocalypse Now.. Come to think of it,the "Scout battalion" of the 82nd also had these...I must admit..,I was always a tad jealous..

 

I have no doubt that all of these guys are "bad #####" as you say. But that is not their nature or goal. And whoever has the best recon is more than likely going to win. I know that around my area there are lots of S-2 listening in on phones, watching on unmanned vehicles, bringing in local good and bad folks and others making reports on latest weather. Others providing current photos and maps. When our guys go out they go out ready. Most of the time they are able to lure people into the area they want to fight in and then they are in serious trouble. And of course Apaches, C-130 gunship, F-16, 18, 15 and others are just a call away. Not a lot of hand to hand stuff anymore. Wouldn't want to test any of the guys on the list. Well maybe the French. Courtesy listing. And there are plenty of rough ol' boys in the regular Navy, Army, Marines, etc.

 

Moral varies. Seems to be high when newbies come in. Like all, after 6 months of no family, others getting on your nerves and the rest some get depressed. Others seem to thrive on it. We just had a new group, Task Force Iron Ranger show up. They are all gung ho in their new multi cams, safety glasses all the time, and sparkling clean equipment. Most are on 1st tour. SF guys are mostly on 3-9th tour. They definitely handle it better. But that is why they are chosen too. Lot of adrenaline junkies.
We are doing a lot better than the Soviets. I think more locals like us. Not enough yet. I don't know what will happen when and if we leave. I don't see us just leaving airstrips that close to Iran just like we stayed on 3-4 in Iraq. Have them surrounded. I think most of this surge is wasted. Too much stuff just sitting in the rear. Base commander and I talked about this. He laughed and said " give me a red pen and I'll have 50,000 more combat troops in 5 minutes". Way too much logistic support and not enough door kickers.
I don't know what the mission is. Say it is too train their army and police. I still don't see how you can have an effective army if anyone can quit any time they want. Same thing we ran into in Iraq. But that is beyond my pay grade.Just hope for the best and pray that we are not just throwing these fine Americans in a meat grinder for nothing.

 

I would like to express my gratitude to ALL the men/women both active and veteran who have worn the uniform and served..Thank you.

My family is safe and my children were able to grow up FREE and with liberty and justice for ALL!!


My greatest regret now as a old man was that i never served my country and did my duty...i was was to busy raising a family and i didnt realize what i was missing till it was to late.





But.Thank you.God Bless you.

 

Friend,you did your "duty"- you raised your family..

 

I am wondering about the 3-9 times on a tour..Again,I missed the Vietnam War by a couple years,but I had two brothers which did combat tours there.,one did his bit for God and country,the other did 1 more tour than he had to,and they MADE him come home...My question is this,in your opinion,this staying over in a combat zone,voluntarily,indefinitely,do you see this as a good thing? And also,what of our young men and women who have done their duty there,and HAVE to return because of the military"s stop-loss program?

 

My oldest brother was 101st. I think it was Ft. Bragg. I don't remember him at Ft. Cambell. I forget, heck I was only 8, lol.

 

CC,I was gonna say your wrong,but since I am only two years older than you,here it is.... In 1977,the 82nd Airborne Division was at Ft Bragg....otherwise,my DD-214 (discharge papers) are wrong...which means...I hope I do not have to do it all over again....wont be pretty folks..