What's something everyone in the military thinks is true, but is actually false?

SFC Marc W. — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 21:52:38 -0400

Just curious what little things some of you out there know that could be useful for the rest of us.

Edit: Or even the reverse, something that is true but everyone thinks is false.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Aug 9 at 2018 11:06 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 23:06:50 -0400

The whole thing about the 3 items in the ball atop of the flag.
match, map and 9mm bullet

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 11:08 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 23:08:25 -0400

That the pay, the chow, and the coffee are mighty fine.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 9 at 2018 11:22 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 23:22:40 -0400

That we love war.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 10 at 2018 12:36 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 00:36:05 -0400

MREs are better than C-Rats. Not the early ones by a long shot. Besides the C-Rats had a 4-pack of Lucky Strikes in them. Made up for some of the Four Finger Mary pucker.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 10 at 2018 9:12 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 09:12:53 -0400

That NCOs have power.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 9:46 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 09:46:35 -0400

It's been discussed on RP before but, pretty much everyone in the military thinks that "Attention to orders" is a command and you must pop to attention when you hear it. That isn't the case. The command given to soldiers is simply "Attention". Attention to orders simply means to pay attention o what I'm about to say.

Think about it. If "Attention to orders" was a command, we'd all still be standing at attention to this day because no other command is ever given. After the award or whatever is presented, soldiers just clap and then sit back down. That's not how D&C works.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 11:17 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 11:17:47 -0400

Where to start?
-Tricare will give you one free cosmetic surgery.
-That Special Forces are primarily door kickers.
-The Marines alone fought in the Pacific.
-Enlisted make $2.63 per hour.
-Free Healthcare for life.
-JAG will be your divorce attorney.
-You should get married to move out of the barracks; the military will pay you additional money for each kid.
-I'm going to get out and go to college.
-When you get out you will get a job doing what you did in the Army...almost never happens.
-Airborne is skydiving.

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Aug 11 at 2018 9:28 PM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 21:28:11 -0400

That the Marine Corps is the smallest branch, 182,000 Marines VS 41,000 Coasties. While I am very proud of our Marines, it’s not really close.