Posted on Jun 2, 2015
PO1 Seth Crotser
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I am a recruiter for the Navy and I constantly have "battles" with people who are interested in the Marine Corps and Army and I tell them that not everyone will see combat and that in fact if you are infantry/medic/truck driver you pretty much don't leave the base you're at. Is that a true statement? I'm not a huge fan at all about being a liar just to get people to join. Just trying to get my facts straight. Thanks
Posted in these groups: Air combat art 0134 CombatArmyrecruitposter Recruiter
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SSG Training Sergeant
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I spent 12 months as a lowly truck driver on convoy duty traveling thru hostile territory worried about every form of IED possible, indirect and small arms fire. Two convoys a week up to 18 hours a day. No i did not see combat like in the movies a d video games but i did have the most dangerous MOS for a while and i did seve in a combat zone outside the wire.
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SPC Daniel Rankin
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I was a tool truck driver and spent more time out in the front lines then any one, Why? because I was also a recovery specialist and that was why I spent more time way out in the front of the front lines more then the combat people. I saw more action than I wanted too in fact. The phrase rockets red glare took on a new meaning.
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PO3 Jose Heinert
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When I was a Navy Corpsman from 1966-69 my entire graduation class got orders to USMC Base Camp Pendleton.Most of us remained attached to Marine Units for the duration of our tour, including at least a year in Vietnam, most with grunt infantry units in the field. Some were in the rear at Field Hospitals or on Hospital Ships. Of my graduation class of 40, ten were KIA in Vietnam and many others wounded. Corpsmen were a favorite targets for the NVA or VC.
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1SG Jason Almond
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What is the battle? Are people thinking that if they join the navy that they are going to be doing saber and pistol battle with pirates on the high seas?
I get it, young peeps what to get out there......most anyone whose been in combat would tell you it isn't "exciting" in the way you want it to be....but it is what it is, right?
Every service has combat jobs / special operations type folks that will see action if there is action to be seen, but even in those jobs, it's never the majority of what you do. The right fit is far more important for the recruit and the force. If someone is just bent on "chasing combat," then tell them to put their money where their mouth is and put them in the SEAL training program. Go pass that test and go get'em tiger. More power to them if they can. Can never have too many bada$$es on your side.

And if they are just all talk, then don't waste your time.
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MSG Infantry Senior Sergeant
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While working as a contractor in Iraq and Afganistan, the most talked about subject in the chow line between troops was How to collect disability, They were teaching each other, most never got outside the wire. I know a female Airforce pvt that served 6 mos. at Bagraham that got PT SD from VA and a free pet dog to take anywhere , just for going to the bazare on weekends, eating at Popeyes chicken and pizza hut, dairy Queen, and Burger King, just because they had to wake up at 0700.
Don't get me started............
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Sgt John Lauer
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Less than 30% of all people that were in Viet Nam during the war ever fired their weapon at the enemy. Some were hit by occasional mortars while they were in a massive base camp but most never saw combat. What got me was when I was wounded and sent to Cam Rahn Bay Hospital, nobody on base had a weapon except the MP's and base security. I woke up and asked for my shotgun but was told I could not have it.
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PO3 Jose Heinert
PO3 Jose Heinert
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Where did you find that statistic re "less than 30% of all people...fired their weapon at the enemy" ? In the I-Corps during 67-68-69 Third Marine Division units surely saw a lot of combat involving a much higher percentage of the troops "firing their weapons" (and I don't think you should fail to include people with artillery units such as 12th Marines, who were certainly in the thick of the receiving end of incoming, although not firing their M-16s. I was a Corpsman and although I was in combat and receiived a Bronze Star with Combat V, I never fired my Colt 45 since I was to busy tending to wounded to be able to use my weapon.
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SGT Patrick Hunter
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I was a Combat Medic in country 2x, and you rarely see base. I go out with my squad everywhere they go.
Just FWI. There are different levels of Medics in the Army.
A Hospital Medic remains on base 85% of the time. We do our thing up close and personal.
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SFC Petroleum Supply Specialist
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You couldn’t be more wrong. It doesn’t matter what your MOS is. It goes off your units mission. I’m a 92 series (supply) and spent many miles and hours off the FOB. We had cooks as EOD escorts. If the young recruits want to stay out of harms way and never leave the FOB/Base, they need to join the Navy.
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PO3 Jose Heinert
PO3 Jose Heinert
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AS a Navy Corpsman who saw plenty of action in Vietnam while attached to Marine infantry units, I should correct your suggestion on how to stay "out of harms Way". I never set foot on a ship or Naval Station during my 3yrs6mos on active duty during 66-69.
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PO2 Sam Messer
PO2 Sam Messer
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YES join the Navy Submarine Service they damn sure don't see hand to hand combat @ least during their 6 months under water. Peace time they don't get shot at much.
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PO3 Charles Streich
PO3 Charles Streich
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The Best Man at my wedding was on a Sub. off Nam and took shore fire.
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SSG Sharon Fields
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Not true. My husband was a truck driver in Vietnam, although assigned to aviation, and saw plenty of combat. Who do you think resupplies our guys on the front lines? And guess what the enemy does not want them getting their supplies. I think nowadays a lot depends on what unit they get stationed with and if they have a history of being deployed or not. But if you are infantry there is always the chance of being deployed. Once in combat they use you for whatever you are needed for.
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PO2 Sam Messer
PO2 Sam Messer
>1 y
we they were needed for cannon fodder....
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COL Jim Lincoln
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answered before-again,in a combat theater,typically about 70% are in support,logistics,training role and will not see direct combat. It is possible parts of the support area might be hit with mortar fire,or a highly unusual attack from thought to be friendly supported locals,as has happened in Afghanistan. In the mid east theater,we have a large contingent in Kuwait,not exposed to direct combat,but all assigned receive "hostile fire pay". All of this similar to Vietnam. Early in the war,we had to document exposure to "hostile fire" to receive he same hostile fire pay,but this requirement was dropped by mid-'65-all in country received it,even if you lived in sometimes air conditioned building in the rear area with hot means and shower--as most do in the mid-east theater. For about 6 months of my 32 in Vietnam,I experienced the latter-the rest--quite different! Then there are the contractors--former military,making about $100K (tax free) thousands serving tin Iraq and Afghan as paramilitary,trainers,secruity etc. Compared to using active duty military--they are a bargain!
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PO3 Jose Heinert
PO3 Jose Heinert
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Hot meals and showers and air conditioning in the rear....in a year in Vietnam (68-69) as a Corpsman with Marine units I had such luxuries as a cold beer or warm meal and shower maybe for a total of 30 days....never any AC.
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PO2 Sam Messer
PO2 Sam Messer
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PO3 Jose Heinert - Didn't you ever invite yourself to a seabee enlisted bar or shower ? A lot of Marines did at Dong Ha CBMU301 the little red barn & our small bar at Khe Sanh before the siege.
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PO3 Jose Heinert
PO3 Jose Heinert
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I never knew about the seabee little red barn or the one at Khe Sanh...but I did go to a bar at the 12the Marines compound in Dong Ha, which also had warm showers. Thanks to the Seabees for the great bunkers you built at ConThien and for the C-Med bunker at Khe Sanh.
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