Posted on Aug 20, 2017
Is there some strange reason why SOF operators are the measuring stick for all service members?
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Is it because SOF is the only thing that pops into the heads of civilians? Or maybe because they receive the most media attention? Should we blame video games? What is the reason that when our careers are discussed with those unfamiliar with our jobs that SOF is where they start to measure what we have done? Do you think this plays into why people lie about their extent of service?
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Military Career
Military Career
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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SGT great question, 1st is people dont have a clue what anyone is doing. I think it is easier to say SOF does it this way. Well, I spent the majority of my 20+ in SOF and rarely is does the news or anyone else get it right. I remember one of my guys told me he liked the way I always talked to the the nonSF guys. I stopped him, thanks but I am not doing it for points they are part of this unit and provide a service. I went into great detail about their importance and said yes their jobs are different but we all part of the same team.
I would send cooks and mechanics to A-camp deep in bad guy country, the guys were always excited and said thanks. I said, life is different there you have to do everything, but you are part of the team.
SGT, I am not worried about the news they dont get it right most of the time anyway, however, I always had to take care of my guys. Because I would not think twice about getting them to go to bad places.
I would send cooks and mechanics to A-camp deep in bad guy country, the guys were always excited and said thanks. I said, life is different there you have to do everything, but you are part of the team.
SGT, I am not worried about the news they dont get it right most of the time anyway, however, I always had to take care of my guys. Because I would not think twice about getting them to go to bad places.
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I do think it plays into the fakers out there. When you're in long enough you can really see how the big one team one fight that all of us brings to the table plays a vital part. Even the SF operators aren't gonna get enough saddles or ammo for their next mission without the logistic experts in all the services getting it shipped over there( ships, planes, airdrop).
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LTC John Mohor
Thanks Jeff! I have a lot of respect for everyone that honorable wets or wore the uniform!
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LTC Jeff Shearer
John, on my last trip over I exchanged unpleasant messages with a weapons contractor. One of my A-camps fully equipped with an 18B or 2 need a specific part of one of the M4s. No one else would have even known what part was needed.
The contractor said please fly the weapon to back to Bagram and he would get it fixed up. I said just give the part to my guy, he will fly the part out there faster than it could get up to Bagram. He said oh no I can't do that, he does not know weapons like I do. Then I blew a gasket. I said you get on the damn AC that is leaving in a few and go with said part. His response was no, its to dangerous there. I told my guys I was going to drive over and get the part myself, they made me calm down. I am not sure how the S4 fixed it, but he did. I guess that is what happens when the S3 gets in the S4 lane hahaha. I told the CJSOTOF CDR he needed to go, out of Country and never have anything else to do with SOF. AAAAAGG!!!! Sorry, all that to say there is some young E4-E5 that could have fixed this issue in seconds. Sorry John, I am going to go drink some coffee.
The contractor said please fly the weapon to back to Bagram and he would get it fixed up. I said just give the part to my guy, he will fly the part out there faster than it could get up to Bagram. He said oh no I can't do that, he does not know weapons like I do. Then I blew a gasket. I said you get on the damn AC that is leaving in a few and go with said part. His response was no, its to dangerous there. I told my guys I was going to drive over and get the part myself, they made me calm down. I am not sure how the S4 fixed it, but he did. I guess that is what happens when the S3 gets in the S4 lane hahaha. I told the CJSOTOF CDR he needed to go, out of Country and never have anything else to do with SOF. AAAAAGG!!!! Sorry, all that to say there is some young E4-E5 that could have fixed this issue in seconds. Sorry John, I am going to go drink some coffee.
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I served AD for over 30 years and have never felt that SF was any sort of a measuring stick. The SOF world have very specific mission sets and are trained, manned and equipped for those missions, and they are damn good at it. No differently than a transportation unit delivers, while an Infantry unit fights on the front line. They too are damn good at what they do. Each military organization has specific needs and selects and trains their personnel based on those needs. The measuring stick for all of us are the techniques, tactics and procedures required to fight and win in combat.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
I try to explain to non military people the difference and it's hard to get across. I have immense respect for SF and the Rangers, but theirs is a completely different mission from the 3RD ID or 1ST CAV. I am still in awe of the firepower available in Mech and Armor regiments/battalions, something that isn't as readily available to a Ranger Company.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
The awesome power of an Artillery Battalion I amplified by the Tank and rotar wing attack. Nothing more devistating. Pinpoint strikes and rescue missions are much more subtle and requires special focus. Not to say that these are limitations. Thanks for the note.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CSM Darieus ZaGara - Not to mention that division and brigade level attacks usually have some serious CAS assigned to them also. The amount of firepower available really didn't strike me until I branch transferred to the Engineer and had the chance to serve as Task Force Engineer, Engineer Company and Assistant Brigade Engineer. Yep, I get in a brawl, I want to be with the tanks backed up by 105's, MLR's and a bit of a Close Air.
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