What does old Army mean to you?

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 18:48:57 -0400

I don't think I know enough of this subject to open my mouth.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jun 14 at 2016 6:54 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 18:54:25 -0400

Old Army to me is the early 70's, Drills and NCO's used hands on teaching methods. And language that would get you sent home to mama today...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2016 6:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 18:56:23 -0400

For me being a personnel NCO No computers, Tape typewriters, Everything was on paper in my tenure in the Army. Least I not forget TEMPORARY promotions, was on the way out when I enlisted.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 14 at 2016 7:06 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 19:06:47 -0400

Probably similar to Old Navy. That depot canvas smell. C-Rats with a 4 pack of Lucky Strike and Chickets gum. Watching a BB belch 16 inch rounds. All recruits getting 200M IU dose of bicillin in the hip with killing 5-10 a year due to drug reaction an acceptable loss. Learning how to write backwards so you don't stand in front of the vertical plots. China markers and plastic. 782 Gear that sticks in all the wrong places. That shelter half that you never seem to get your half. Endless.....

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 14 at 2016 7:16 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 19:16:30 -0400

In my opinion, it's just one generation talking about another. Same thing the Marine Corps, you'll always hear about the Old Corps Marines and New Corps Marines. As if one is better than another. Sometimes it's just to express fondness for things we can't do anymore. For instance, we can't take people to the treeline anymore and beat the snot out of them until they're compliant. That would be considered hazing. But it's stories like that you'll often hear about the "Old generation". You know... back when "Men used to be Men".

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 14 at 2016 7:44 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 19:44:11 -0400

When I served, we had the "Brown Shoe Army" to look back on.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 14 at 2016 7:49 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 19:49:43 -0400

General Colin Powell said in the old army things were kept in house like punishments, rewards, and raising the soldiers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2016 8:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:18:49 -0400

Driving the CO around in M151

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2016 9:19 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 21:19:43 -0400

I started to miss spit shining my boots.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jun 15 at 2016 8:38 AM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 08:38:41 -0400

What I have been told and seen about the "Old Army ". The ole brown boot army or when dog tags had service number and not social security numbers. But, then again no " Camo ". Solid green fatigues.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2016 1:42 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 13:42:54 -0400

Old Army means, there was more corrective actions taken to discipline Soldiers than just giving AR15s. New Army is just a person way of trying not to enforce the standards.

The Army is full of outstanding Soldiers, but some of them have bad leaders. Sad to say but it is true. If a leader doesn't enforce the standards on a Soldier at his or her first duty station, that like of leadership and discipline has set a new standard for the Soldier.

You know the rest. So if you have Soldiers that are out of control, asked them how was their leader at their first duty station?

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jun 15 at 2016 2:21 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 14:21:11 -0400

The Old Army to me was the mid 60s, learning to march in the quadrangle Fort Lewis WA.strat drills,C rats,poncho tents,bug juice, jungle fatigues all that Vietnam crap,and then hearing my Dad say How easy I had it compared to his WWII duty now that's Old Army.

Response by SGT David T. made Jun 16 at 2016 3:10 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 15:10:10 -0400

Mythical, like the Easter Bunny...

Response by SGT Brian Pasquarelli made Jun 15 at 2022 7:38 PM

SGT Brian Pasquarelli — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 19:38:47 -0400

Training was more difficult

Response by SPC Nancy Detwiler made Jul 28 at 2022 4:52 AM

SPC Nancy Detwiler — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 04:52:53 -0400

Spit shine to a high gloss black, brasso, respect for our peers and upper echelon, respect for our flag and country, doing more before 0900 than most people do all day.