FNG syndrome - Wikipedia

NEW GUYS
FNG was a term used to describe Fu..ing New Guy during the Viet Nam war. It was a description for a new replacement who not only looked the part but was totally unprepared for his initial assignment. Combat duty in South East Asia was different from unit to unit and location. The new guy's training was on the job once he got to his unit.
I remember processing out to RVN from Fort Lewis, Washington, in September, 1968. They issued you new jungle fatigues and boots that were bright and shiny. It made you feel as new as you did in reception center, wanting to get your uniform and hair cut so you could some what fit in and not look like a new guy. As my luck had it, I had the opportunity to pull KP and got to see all the veterans getting their first steak dinner in the "world". I was afraid to make eye contact as the vets brought their trays to my KP station. I thought to myself, a year from now I'll be like them, hopefully. The new guy experience seems to follow you though out the army adventure. As soon as your location changes, the being new feeling is again reborn. The first night in country was at Cam Ranh Bay. That was when I heard a veteran PFC make the remark that you FNG's were still shitting stateside chow. Being as new as my uniform, I asked "What is a FNG?" The answer was modified with stupid in front, you stupid Frigging New Guy... At that point I began to hate REMF's, Rear Echelon Mother Fu..kers. The next FNG experience was at Quang Tri Air Base at the 5th replacement detachment. KP again and my first experience at perimeter guard. A week later, I was an FNG again at my unit, it never ends. The highlight was my FNG days was the first night in the bush, Bi Long Valley. I heard what I thought was someone saying F..k you, FU, FU,... I awoke my squad leader and told him I heard gooks. Everyone was alert grabbing grenades moving into fight positions while my squad leader was trying to understand what's going on when he realizes what I heard was a FU Lizard. Two days later I awoke and found a big dead lizard next to my poncho liner. Everyone got a big laugh except me.
The FNG status lasts until the next batch of new guys takes your place. Only then, you are not referred to as "FNG". September, 1969, Fort Lewis, Washington, returnee mess hall, I am eating my first state side steak. I looked up and see a guy doing what I did a year ago. He immediately turned his head when I made eye to eye contact with him. I saw myself again and remembered what it was like to be an FNG. I told him I know what it is like, I pulled KP here a year ago. I handed him my tray and proudly walked out of the mess hall.
Danny L Mathers, Rifleman, B Company, 1/61