Avatar feed
Responses: 2
1SG Steven Imerman
6
6
0
Soldiers in barracks are the rougher end of the teenage population, the self perceived tougher ones, the ones that want to impress. They are the ones that ran to the mouth of the cave with a pointy stick when the cave bear came. They are not prone to open displays of touchy-feely emotions nor of overweening concerns for others' feelings, but they are damned useful in certain situations, such as storming defended beaches or clearing Fallujah. It's always been that way, here's a chunk of Kipling's poem, Tommy-

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap.
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an` Tommy, 'ow's yer soul? "
But it's " Thin red line of 'eroes " when the drums begin to roll
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's " Thin red line of 'eroes, " when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an` Tommy, fall be'ind,"
But it's " Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's " Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind.
(6)
Comment
(0)
MAJ Matthew Arnold
MAJ Matthew Arnold
3 y
"Tommy" has always been spot on.
(1)
Reply
(0)
1SG Steven Imerman
1SG Steven Imerman
3 y
MAJ Matthew Arnold - Gotta love Kipling.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
MAJ Matthew Arnold
4
4
0
CNN is publishing propaganda to influence an desired outcome. I served for 24 years and there was never an extremist problem. We were all army green serving the red white and blue.
(4)
Comment
(0)
COL Acos Education
COL (Join to see)
3 y
So your 24yrs experience should be the basis for us to judge all that’s going on in the military?
It is this myopic view and inability to see anything outside of your lenses that keeps this country divided. Thank you for your comment.
(2)
Reply
(0)
MAJ Matthew Arnold
MAJ Matthew Arnold
3 y
Liberal propaganda is what is dividing this country, not my limited experience.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close