I asked my dad when I was way younger what basic training was about.
He told me it was to “get you out of a civilian mindset and into an Army mindset.”
I asked him what that meant and he replied “the civilian mindset is all about comfort and making things easy. You think about yourself too much as a civilian. The army mindset is about about getting rid of that and focusing on the mission. The goal. Learning to Ignore all the unpleasant things around you to push past that and complete the mission and to survive.”
That’s always stuck with me because he wasn’t a good dad at all. But that was one of those few deep conversations we had.
Last time we talked I asked him how he felt about some of the controversies in the military. He said all it would do is get people killed in a future war. He said he felt like they were dumbing it down too much and letting people’s comfort bubbles be a factor. Which will only result in lost missions and people getting killed.
He served in the late 80s and into the late 90s. So I’m guessing things have dramatically changed over the years.
I agree with this in non military settings too. Sorry if I get it wrong….but heck people get me name wrong all the time…not a big deal. Correct and move on.
I served in the mid 70’s to the early 80’s. I 100% agree with the lesson. There were more than a few times, when my creature comforts and personal feelings had to be set aside in favor of the mission. I can’t even begin to imagine serving in today’s woke military.
General Lloyd J. Austin III, hails from Thomasville, Georgia. He was commissioned an Infantry second lieutenant in 1975 upon graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
Thirty-eight years later:
General Austin assumed command of United States Central Command on 22 March 2013, and turned over command to General Joseph Votel on 30 March 2016.
I did 3 years in an ARNG Light Infantry unit in MD early ‘90’s commanded by a Marine Lt Colonel. They had a mortar platoon and Hummer mounted TOWs so my 13B came in handy although 20 years prior I was crewing on 155 Howies and Palladins.
I saw the Old Man light up a staff O3 because he barked at the Line Company Top. That O3 reminded me of a chooch we had back in Fulda. All hat no cattle just a ticket puncher.
Everyone loved the Colonel, the Battalion always in top readiness form. The kids coming back from Basic and AIT had to get their ■■■■ seriously together, they weren’t even close to what we endured in the early ‘70’s. The NCO Nam Vets we’re always telling them it was about good order, discipline and keeping everyone alive.
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Why? Most people aren’t joining to make a career out of it. So don’t waste four years of your life serving in a military for a hierarchy that has nothing but disdain for you and you family.
Drinkers are being asked to stop using non-inclusive terms like “happy hour” and “pub crawl” …
The stupid woke-ization of our language isn’t going to end any time soon. Hunker down and hold onto your hats, folks. (Likely there was some non-inclusive words in that last sentence too, though I wouldn’t know how to tell. )
Don’t let duty positions fool you. There are combat generals and there are political generals. And old saying when I was in was that you will be promoted to your level of incompetence. I also saw plenty of officers who lead by OER (Officer Evaluation Report).
My point is that one way or another, it’s still possible to climb the ranks and eventually exert some influence on policy. Just throwing your hands in the air and ceding the military to the left seems like a mistake.
I recall but cannot remember the name or position of the official who said this, so no…I can provide a link. But I do recall a government official commenting when the national guard was in Washington that they were made up overwhelmingly of white males…and that those were the people who voted for Trump.
I suspect this person was not the only one to have considered this.
So yes, that may be a consideration in their policies.
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