Does anyone else miss the Cold War, when the bad guys were defined?

SGT Francis Wright — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 11:37:42 -0500

Response by LTC Marc King made Dec 19 at 2015 11:41 AM

LTC Marc King — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 11:41:07 -0500

It sounds strange to recognize that the Soviets were a reliable enemy. Back in the day you could be sure that they were rules that defined how things were done. Today there are no rules everybody is a target and the danger comes out us from all directions. You are absolutely correct Sergeant there is something to say for reliable predictable and in some cases even honorable enemies.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2015 11:46 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 11:46:37 -0500

Absolutely

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 19 at 2015 11:53 AM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 11:53:11 -0500

SGT Francis Wright I couldn't agree more.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Dec 19 at 2015 11:53 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 11:53:43 -0500

SGT Francis Wright at least we knew who are enemies were back then.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Dec 19 at 2015 12:06 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 12:06:32 -0500

Yes and no. The Cold War was easier in some respects, but also far more dangerous. I do remember the SMLM (Soviet Military Liaison Mission) plates and chases and reports; and the US counterpoint USMLM. The spies, the lies, the confonfrontations along the InterGerman border, REFORGER, FLINT LOCK, WINTEX/CIMEX, Atlantic Resolve, and similar major show of force exercises across Asia. It was as the saying goes a more elegant and intriguing time with clear definitions of good and evil.

We now live in a more dynamic and interesting environment with broader definitions of good, evil, and everything in between. Uncertainty is the new norm. Uncertainty over our values, our role in the world, our friends and our enemies and our own Vision of self. We suffer the Chinese curse, for we do indeed "Live in interesting times."

Response by SFC James Massey made Dec 19 at 2015 12:29 PM

SFC James Massey — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 12:29:39 -0500

I am not sure if missing a war is ever a good thing. The only thing the cold war did was keep troop levels high and the amount of nuclear weapons on hand kept everyone at a checkmate so no one made an advancement toward the other. However as with any of the wars the US has every fought in, the enemy looked exactly like the allies. But like I said before war is never a good thing, cold or not.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Dec 19 at 2015 1:27 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 13:27:44 -0500

Things were definitely more defined. It was almost like a chess match. To a degree there were "rules".
We would do an exercise, they would counter with an exercise of their own. We/they would prop up some country's government, we/they would arm the anti-govt forces or the country next to it. We dared them to out spend us militarily and they failed.

Now it's just a big muddled, chaotic mess. Warlords and their Militia groups go to the highest bidder. Anyone and everyone is a target now, women, children, it doesn't matter.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2015 2:29 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 14:29:37 -0500

We know who our enemies are today too, but don't have the guts to call a spade a spade.
We are so busy trying to make nice with the enemy that they are busy systematically undermining our way of life.
Our enemy is radical Islam.
Our enemy is complacency.
Our enemy's best friend is anyone who doesn't see it that way.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Dec 19 at 2015 3:16 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 15:16:33 -0500

As far as the enemies being defined; yes. However it was not a good time for those spies that got caught!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 19 at 2015 5:09 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 17:09:46 -0500

Nope but I understand the Longing for a Simpler Time with Simpler Answers. It never was really true but it is a nice Romantic Notion.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 19 at 2015 10:09 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 22:09:54 -0500

Linear warfare is so much easier to understand than terrorism and insurgencies.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 20 at 2015 11:34 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 11:34:43 -0500

lol, that card is awesome. never seen that before.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 20 at 2015 3:02 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 15:02:19 -0500

Screw the cold war. I often lament that I was born too late to fight the fascists in WWII and regret that I was born to soon to fight the next wave of them. (Keep in mind that both the communists and the socialists are variations of socialists and they are coming again)

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 21 at 2015 5:39 AM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 05:39:14 -0500

I miss the fact that we were respected for our stance and that we were looked to for an example of strength and resolve. I feel like weak leadership has divided us severely.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Dec 21 at 2015 9:57 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 21:57:09 -0500

We DO know who are enemies are. Russia and Iran and Syria to name the chief protagonists. Russia is playing dangerous games with their bombers and fighter jets off both of our coasts plus right over the borders or Turkey, Iraq and Syria. The BIGGEST problem is that Putin is a military genius and we have a President who learns about news on his TV up in the WH living quarters. Well, where are his advisers? He has the largest staff of any CIC in history so what are THEY for? Scares the hell out of me.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 9:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 21:29:49 -0500

in 1981 I was in Bamberg Germany Warner barracks 1st battalion 52nd infantry working as a unit police at gate 8 a white Mercedes with that license plate try to get through my gate I stopped him and ask for ID at the same time my partner called the sergeant of the guard and they notified the MP's they figured out that I wasn't going to let them in so they backed up and they left later they try to come through the back gate where a high school was the MP's was waiting on him

Response by CPT Earl George made Jul 19 at 2016 9:46 PM

CPT Earl George — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 21:46:56 -0400

I remember when I tore my card up and pitched it.

Response by SSG John Wurst made Aug 8 at 2017 7:11 PM

SSG John Wurst — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:11:14 -0400

The good old Soviet Military Liaison Mission cards. Also known as the SMLM card. God only knows what happened to mine.