Posted on 10/08/2007 3:33:35 AM PDT by Renfield
Whoa, Crikey! This is getting real heavy...
I started reading this thread because I thought it contained Military Rules by Service, and was a serious piece not humor. (a naturally curious civilian, always wanting to learn more about what our Warriors do in our service)...
...only to find it was a humor piece that, depending on how it reads, is either mildly amusing or not funny at all.
A tag in the title viz (HUMOR) would have been a good clue to read at one’s own risk, because humor is seldom funny to everyone who reads it. I wish it were there, now.
I don’t think anyone set out to offend anyone — and civilians have never understood inter-service rivalries at the best of times. It’s like one of those cop jurisdiction things.
I’m probably way out of line but can I offer that it would be good if everyone took a real deep breath and calmed down...
Cheers
*DieHard*
This is service humor - the kinds of joshing those of us that did serve our country routinely do with each other.
The fact that you took this as anything but humor is an indication that you haven't spent a day in the service and need to butt out.
As for your friend, we're proud of him - exactly as were are proud of all the rest of our barracks buddies and shipmates that we have lost during our wars. You lost one friend - many have lost many, many more.
Aw, fer cryin' out loud, lighten up, Francis.
I spent a day or two fighting wars. The inter-service ribbing and jokes only made my day go faster. And made me feel even better about the assistance I received from all the other services, by way of the big guns from the Navy, the jets of the Air Force and the timely arrival of the Marines to rescue my dog-faced ass from whatever stupid engagement we had managed to stumble into.
Ain't nobody denigrating another service, nor their valor and whether it's appropriate for this forum or not is a moot point.
In my few days of active duty, I found that our services are closer to one and another, much like male siblings (sorry, ladies, I still think war is a man's vocation), than any other armed services in the world.
As far as your friend, I salute him and I would not in any way joke about his sacrifice.
But the living, those that have gone to war, fought valiantly (as opposed to Kerryesque) and returned alive, should not feel any less of a sacrifice, simply because they are alive to still feel anything.
The notion that we, the living, should in some way, beat ourselves on a daily basis, because we did not die also...well, that's just stupid.
I refuse to celebrate his death, rather I would celebrate his life, since that is the focal point, or should be, of how he came to be the person of integrity, bravery and dedication that he obviously was.
Mourn for your friend, as shall I and I didn't even know him. He was a fellow warrior that gave his all and that is enough.
As for our morbid humor, just take it with a grain of salt.
I stood proudly with the greatest warriors in the world, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army and loved them all, one and all.
I raised one son that entered the Army, one that entered the Air Force.
I love them both equally.
My brother was Air Force.
My nephew was a Marine.
Both beloved uncles were Navy.
I never miss a chance to tell them some new joke about their service, nor them I and the more ribald or put-down, the better.
We cannot go around forever with a dour disposition as a result of the loss of a close acquaintance under combat conditions.
If we do, we are not as focused, not as sharp as we need to be, so that we may survive.
I have always applied that to my personal life, too.
Again, let us celebrate your friends life, rather than his sacrifice. His sacrifice was not a joke and I really don't think you'll find anyone on this forum that would characterize it as such.
Bookmarked
The branch with IQ’s high enough not to be stormin’ up beaches.
Many of us have earned the right to bust each other’s chops. We appreciate your friend’s sacrifice, as many of us know some who made the same sacrifice.
As far as your preachy post: Lighten up Francis.
21 years.
You said it better than I, Sarmajor.
If you need something nuked in 30 minutes or less, anywhere on the globe, call the coneheads at Malmstrom. They need a break from studying for their MBAs.
And you never encountered this type of humor among friends in the service? -
And Maj Dively is the only friend you lost?
Most of the people engaging in the kidding during exchanges like this have also lost friends - close friends - in combat and in training.
For you to come along and imply that this kind of friendly fooling is somehow disrespectful is inappropriate and out of sync.
On days you feel like throwing a bucket of cold water on other people's parties, you should lay off the typing and go fishing or something. I seriously doubt that your friend would've wanted you to respond the way you have.
You forgot one for each and every service:
Hurry up and get in line.
not an issue if you’re a naval officer on an aircraft carrier- just have the grunts roll out the astro turf- should be enough room for a whole 18. and make sure watch out for the water hazards..
“* Avoid serving with Guard units whose home base is in a Democrat’s district;”
Oops. I for got to read the regs on that one. My unit was in Austin.
“* Beware the E-4 Mafia;”
I miss those days. As long as I’d been an E-4...I was in the senior hierarchy of the E-4 Mafioso. LOL!
21 years? I am on my 21st year as well. As someone who is on their 21st year...who is Air Force but who has spent the majority of their time as Army Support...in the field with the Army or at the HQ level...I can tell you that its brutal. There is nothing that compares to the inter-service rivalry that occurs when you are stationed with the “enemy.” Somehow I think the fog of war has bittered your mind. Your friend would have understood it. Many of us have lost comrades. Many of us have lost friends who told the best inter-service jokes around. Its what we do. Its humor and doesn’t denigrate anyone’s service. Its a fact of life in the service...like MILPAY screwing up your travel voucher. Its a way of celebrating our friends who have gone down in battle...nobody is disrespecting them. Lighten up.
Hey, are you back in the states?
Some fine folks in the Phoenix area have donated a whole bunch of golf clubs and balls to Proud Patriots. Would you like us to send some to you and your buddies?
I lost my best friend during the forgotten war or the war that never was, I don’t know. I wanted to hurt some operations people real bad, but one of the pilots who flew in WWII stopped me and gave me a bottle which I drank to my friends memory, I still get teary thinking about him, but I went on and I had fun with the inter service rivalry as he would have done. I have a star in our flag picked out for this particular friend and I salute it every time I hear the star Spangled banner played. So I don’ think that it is wrong to make fun of each other, as actually we are all one.
And thanks for posting this!
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