Posted on Jul 1, 2014
What constitutes being "old school" in the military?
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I'm hearing/reading people saying "I'm old school, therefore..." So out of curiosity's sake, where is that ever-moving line?
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 1808
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At a minimum (for Army folk) I'd say you have to have worn the old woodland BDU, know what M-Nu is, remember having only the old dark brown 1-12 MRE cases, shined boots, and worn the old "inappropriate" gray PTs (man they were comfy though).
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MSG John Wirts
CW3 Ian Mains - Active duty Army (RA) 1962-1965 Irr 1965-1966, Air National Guard 1966-1972, Army NG 1972-1974, US Army Reserve 1974-1993, Retired Reserve 1993-2005.
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MSG John Wirts
Yes in Fatigues and combat boots. With road guards with red lenses on their flashlights!
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SFC Charles McVey Sr.
As did I, as well as the M2 Carbine, the .45 Grease Gun, and the BAR, the ZM16E1, and the M16A1. I also did and annual record fire with the M1911A1 Colt .45 Semi Automatic Pistol.
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MSG John Wirts
Me too, before I got in the Army I fired 30-40 Kraig-Jeorgison, 1903 Springfield, 1903A3 Springfield, M1917 Enfield. I never handled the Bar, the 1941 Johnson. I fired the M60, the M79, M-16. M-16A1, M249, and the M72 law.
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If your first ID card was a piece of green paper with your picture glued to it and your information typed on it with an actual typewriter and laminated.
If you had to stand in line to cash your paycheck on the 1st and 15th, and had to check in with Doc to make sure you weren't missing anything in your medical record before you could get your money.
If you had to stand in line to cash your paycheck on the 1st and 15th, and had to check in with Doc to make sure you weren't missing anything in your medical record before you could get your money.
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SGT Randall Smith
We went through a pay line and collected cash the 1st of each month. And as a Pvt $78.00 a month did not go far.
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SGT Randall Smith
After basic and AIT we had to pay into a KP fund to pay civilians to do it. Then you donated to the Red Cross and United Way. Also had to donate to the Soldiers Sailors Relief Fund. Then you could go to the PX and get your coupons out to buy smokes. Then Brasso, Shoe Polish, and new razors and shaving cream. Then you found a 5-10-25 cent poker game before you went to town to drink beer. Was usually broke by the 15th of the month.
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PO2 Joan MacNeill
My first ID card was red, as I started as a reservist. I only got the green card after I exchanged my salt for the regular Navy variety. i remember filling out pay chits to get whatever portion of our pay we wanted to draw. I was SO jealous of a shipmate who, although my printing was good, his was PERFECT.
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Suspended Profile
By the time I retired from the Navy, every ship I had served in had either been scrapped or sold to a foreign Navy. I was old school...
MSG John Wirts
I realized I was old school, when my son was in Jr High school, He came home with a book "The Space Age Army", I looked through it and realized that all the weapons and equipment were in current use, and most were new when I joined, they were now all obsolete and in museums! During my service and after being transferred to the Retired Reserve, most if not all of my former units no longer exist!
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MSG John Wirts I know how you feel. I was Damage Control Assistant on the CALIFORNIA (CGN 36) in the mid-80's. When I got on the LONG BEACH (CGN 9) in 93, I didn't know any of the Damage Control Gear - it had all been changed...
MSG John Wirts
LCDR Rabbi Jaron Matlow - Yes I feel really old school now all the stuff I learned in basic training has been replaced, revamped, or retired, including me.
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Indeed...
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Depends on your start point, I started with the M-1 Garand , old school was the 1903 Springfield, and M-17 Enfield are old school. Any questions other then what are those?
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This turned into a great discussion, SSG Selwyn Bodley. Thanks for starting it.
If someone hasn't already said it, I'll add that the five-event Army PT test is old school.
If someone hasn't already said it, I'll add that the five-event Army PT test is old school.
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SGT Steven Montgomery
Have to agree with SFC Royce Williams below; having served from 1975-1981, my view is that's "Old school"
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Old school....
SAC Alert duty
Blast fence training
Green Utility uniforms that were only worn for work
DEW Line across Greenland Ice Cap
The Cold War
SAC Alert duty
Blast fence training
Green Utility uniforms that were only worn for work
DEW Line across Greenland Ice Cap
The Cold War
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- When Combat Engineers still laid minefields and conducted mine training with actual M16 "Bouncing Betty" Mines
- When Mountain Climbers were a regular part of the PT regime
- When wall locker inspections, TA-50 full boat layouts were mandatory
- When everyone had two sets of TA-50, one issued, one that had been "acquired"
- When the PSG informed you that "finding" missing fuel cans or water jugs from other units was not only acceptable but encouraged
- When there was 2 Army Corps in Europe and waiting for the "Balloon" to go up
- When you can remember your battle positions in the Fulda Gap
- So many things, however I agree with some of those on here, it's a moving target.
- When Mountain Climbers were a regular part of the PT regime
- When wall locker inspections, TA-50 full boat layouts were mandatory
- When everyone had two sets of TA-50, one issued, one that had been "acquired"
- When the PSG informed you that "finding" missing fuel cans or water jugs from other units was not only acceptable but encouraged
- When there was 2 Army Corps in Europe and waiting for the "Balloon" to go up
- When you can remember your battle positions in the Fulda Gap
- So many things, however I agree with some of those on here, it's a moving target.
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