Posted on Mar 7, 2018
How does one become a door gunner or gunner on a HMMWV?
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My current MOS is 91e ( welder and machinist )
How can I get opportunities for combat without reclassing
How can I get opportunities for combat without reclassing
91E: Allied Trades Specialist
Gunner
Door Gunner
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 12
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Being a gunner on a HMMWV sucks. And sucks hard. Especially back in the days when you had to spin the turret using nothing but your leg strength or a shitty hand-crank. You're stuck where the truck takes you, you have shoddy cover, the enemy are targeting you first because you're the biggest threat, and you have the least amount of protection from IEDs. You'd find it fun for about five minutes until you realize what it is you're getting yourself into.
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Watching too many action movies have we? Why are you so interested in becoming a gunner? Think killing someone is like being in the movies? Listen Hard Charger, real soldier's detest war, you want to shoot accurately, keep going to the range and get qualified on as many weapons possible, but don't thirst for blood it could be yours. Besides, demons will haunt you for a life time. Fight and kill for a just cause, then you might be able to live with yourself not to glorify ambition.
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MSG Louis Alexander
SPC David Willis - David, It's true someone has to do the job, that's where training kicks in, it's an automatic response. Philp seems to be a great soldier, that's not the issue, the issue is living with what you've done. Not all people are capable of recovering from the horrors. You must have the mind set, dedication and moral strength. I guess it was the excitement he shown of kicking butt and taking names. I hope that both you and Philip advance in your fields, for its warriors like yourself we the nation are dependent upon. Lead by Example, Strive for Excellence!
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SPC David Willis
MSG Louis Alexander Well I'm out now. Did a couple trips and got out. Luckily I never had to take a life nor did I see any friends mortally wounded. However I was a hard charger who loved fighting and for a while thought that not killing anyone meant I didn't actually do my job, weird I know. Unfortunately it took a good friend of mine who I deployed with, who had killed, taking his own life to make me realize I was actually lucky.
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MSG Louis Alexander
Sorry for the loss of your pal David, as in war no one is immune. Keep him in your memory and he'll live forever.
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What did you think you were signing up for when you chose machinist? These fantasies about heroic combat are just that fantasy. Your typical combat patrol is hours of boredom punctuated with a few minutes of terror. I suggest that if you want combat, re class. Otherwise be a great machinist. They're in short supply. Nearly every unit needs your skill. Not everyone who contributes to the fight, shoots a gun.
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SPC David Willis
Best comparison I've heard for war is baseball. Hours of monotony and boredom, and suddenly when you're not paying attention a crack of excitement than more boredom.
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