Posted on Dec 6, 2013

Thoughts and stories on "Mandatory fun?"

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At some point in our careers we've all participated in an event or that we were "voluntold" for (fill in the blank). So, what's your thoughts on the practice, what memories do you have from a particular event, or just feel free to share your most entertaining stories on the matter.  This should be a real blast folks, I'm absolutely sure there are some "mandatorily" awesome tales out there (both big and small) of our all time favorite military subject... mandatory fun!  So, let's take a stroll down memory lane together here folks; now, pull up a laptop and let the mandatory fun begin! lol

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Edited 11 y ago

Posted 12 y ago

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Responses: 26

LTC (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

The less "Mandatory" the more "Fun"

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Col (Join to see)

12 y

Wise words MAJ Miller, wise words indeed! lol

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Cpl Michael Strickler

>1 y

were you in any way incorporated with or an adviser at Twentynine Palms from 2005 to 2009?!

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Col (Join to see)

>1 y

I was on the Eastcoast during that time, it is a popular name, so I get other people's mail all the time! lol

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MSG(P) Michael Warrick

>1 y

BLUF - the lesser the mandatory the more funnier it was. However, a lot of times is what you make of it too !!

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CW2 (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

Right before we deployed I basically gave my company a free few days off. I only made them show up for accountability at a bowling alley on base. Immediately after I told them they could leave if they wanted. Most people stayed. Mandatory is not fun. Ever.

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Cpl (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

My last squadron "fun" run during my first enlistment ended at the gas chamber on New River. CS and sweat don't mix well.

(7)

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SPC David Hannaman

>1 y

August at the CS chamber in Ft Jackson... sweat and CS don't mix well indeed!

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Suspended Profile

>1 y

I have to say I enjoy the gas chamber, nothing like clearing out those sinuses and seeing how miserable other people are in doing so.

SFC Mark Merino

>1 y

Amen

(3)

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1SG (Join to see)

>1 y

My unit's run had us running at Ford Island here in Hawaii. It sticks out to me more than most, because the change of scenery. Instead of looking at POVs driving along the roadways of Wheeler Army Airfield, we were treated to looking at the various Navel vessels in the harbor.

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SFC Mark Merino

Posted >1 y ago

Universal for all branches......

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PO1 (Join to see)

>1 y

...stay military, my friend

(2)

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SFC Mark Merino

>1 y

PO1 (Join to see) YES!!!!!!! Well done!

(3)

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SSgt (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

"Mandatory fun" is the same thing as being "voluntold". lol.

(6)

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SSgt (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

I was picked to enlist unit members to play softball and it seemed as if no one was signing, save for a couple. Weather units are generally pretty good as a rule and we destroyed the instructors in a game.

However, I got frustrated at the lack of progress and started to pencil in names and decided to go with Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and others. Well one afternoon the commander of the weather unit was looking at the list and commented,

I DON'T RECOGNIZE THESE NAMES. The observer and I looked at each in stunned disbelief. Later on we laughed but this was the same observer who put metal into a microwave. LOL

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SFC Robin Gates

>1 y

Sir your a Officer!!! You got it..LMAO

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SSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

SFC Robin Gates I just go that!!!! LOL.. Must mean I am officer material????

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SFC Robin Gates

>1 y

SSG Larry Olsen LOL, shit happens. If you want to go that route!

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SSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

SFC Robin Gates Indeed it does brother! :)

(1)

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CPT Jacob Swartout

Posted >1 y ago

Never on Saturdays and never out-of-pocket was the rule back in the day.

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Col (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

Hey there RallyPointers... well, this one was just "too-good-not-to-share..." now, let's get out there and have some fun... that's an order! haha Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, many blessings, and a safe and Happy New Year! : )

Mandatory Christmas Party Is 'Completely Voluntary', Says Sergeant Major

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SFC (Join to see)

11 y

Col (Join to see) "FYI, those attending will be given a four-day. Those not attending will have a room inspection with full field lay out."

I wonder how much legal trouble can cause the CSM.

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CMSgt James Nolan

Posted >1 y ago

Only SMs would understand Mandatory Fun. And everyone is for the most part correct..Mandatory Fun tends to be UN-FUN. As soon as something is made mandatory the life gets sucked out of it.

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MSgt Shawn Wood

Posted >1 y ago

I was voluntold as a young Airman to go paint the grass green because the newly created ACC commander (4 Star General) was coming. He was coming to Cannon AFB, "THE DESERT" oh and by the way it wasn't yet spring either. Then we had to stand at attention for 4 hours in the cold (Remember not Spring yet) waiting for him to arrive. But someone forgot to tell the Wing CC that 95% of the base was waiting on the Flight line. So They drove around the base in their toasty staff car seeing the sights wile we got hypothermia.

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Thoughts and stories on "Mandatory fun?"

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