Opinions please...
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Originally Posted by Richiec77
I'm not in the Army any longer. I ETS'd back in Febuary after 10 years. This time I'm making good money as a contractor, but everyone still does there part. I still work side by side with the Joe's out here and a couple I knew when I was in.
I'm good on the care package side. Thanks for the thought. Means as much as getting a package.
This is my 3rd time here and my 4th time in a war zone. (I don't count the Balkins as a war zone like here is.) What you described is what Afghanistan and Iraq both were when the 1st push came thru. I had more fun back then roughing it then working in this GD Garrison in a war zone with all the stupid *** rules. Since I'm now a contractor I can be sent home easily. ****. Get 2 speeding tickets and the MNF-I commander can ship you out of here. It sucks driving all around Baghdad doing 40Kmh MAX. Most places are only 25-30Kmh. (That's driving no faster then 30 MPH)
I miss the simple life with no stupid rules.
I hate never knowing if a mortor is going to come in worse then being in a convoy being hit with an IED. Atleast being in an uparmored truck gives you some protection. But walking around the FOB, almost no body wears their IBA unless the threat is pretty high...but if it happens it happens. I can't worry about it. It would drive me nuts.
I'm good on the care package side. Thanks for the thought. Means as much as getting a package.
This is my 3rd time here and my 4th time in a war zone. (I don't count the Balkins as a war zone like here is.) What you described is what Afghanistan and Iraq both were when the 1st push came thru. I had more fun back then roughing it then working in this GD Garrison in a war zone with all the stupid *** rules. Since I'm now a contractor I can be sent home easily. ****. Get 2 speeding tickets and the MNF-I commander can ship you out of here. It sucks driving all around Baghdad doing 40Kmh MAX. Most places are only 25-30Kmh. (That's driving no faster then 30 MPH)
I miss the simple life with no stupid rules.
I hate never knowing if a mortor is going to come in worse then being in a convoy being hit with an IED. Atleast being in an uparmored truck gives you some protection. But walking around the FOB, almost no body wears their IBA unless the threat is pretty high...but if it happens it happens. I can't worry about it. It would drive me nuts.
One of our LRRP or S/F instructors said something that still sticks with me today - he told us to accept that we were already dead, and anything more than that was a bonus!
Iraq / Afghanistan has always been my "Plan B" since 2004. There has been a high demand for LRRP, both in the Army and private sectors. Could have paid off my house with what Uncle Sam was offering as a bonus a couple of years back to re-up.
I doubt they will send you packing. I heard a speculation this past spring there was a 1 to 1 ration of GI's -vs- contractors in country.
Look at the bright side ... we once calculated we were making $1.36 / hour at "peak times". But the food was good, we got a $800 AR, and all the bullets we could carry.
Blackwater pays a "little" above that, and hopefully your equipment is a lot better too.
A sad, sad fact:
Try doing this with a GI M4 or M16 ...
For all of you that don't know, IIRC, the Army qual standard is one hit on the 300m target on a 25m range, this is 10 shots / 10 hits (2 fliers) with my personal M4A3.
Again, if you need anything let me know.
Last edited by Kazmaniac; Sep 13, 2007 at 12:50 AM. Reason: spelling
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Yeah - that's usually what we called our Combat Medics.
The internet is kinda like going to a gun store. I don't talk much there on a personal side because it seems like all the guys there know someone who was "ex-Delta", could out-shoot me, want to show me there's is bigger than mine or could kick my ***.
Overall enjoyed my time, have issues like just about everyone else.
Feel for the Troops in the **** right now.
The internet is kinda like going to a gun store. I don't talk much there on a personal side because it seems like all the guys there know someone who was "ex-Delta", could out-shoot me, want to show me there's is bigger than mine or could kick my ***.
Overall enjoyed my time, have issues like just about everyone else.
Feel for the Troops in the **** right now.
Originally Posted by Kazmaniac
Yeah - that's usually what we called our Combat Medics.
The internet is kinda like going to a gun store. I don't talk much there on a personal side because it seems like all the guys there know someone who was "ex-Delta", could out-shoot me, want to show me there's is bigger than mine or could kick my ***.
Overall enjoyed my time, have issues like just about everyone else.
Feel for the Troops in the **** right now.
The internet is kinda like going to a gun store. I don't talk much there on a personal side because it seems like all the guys there know someone who was "ex-Delta", could out-shoot me, want to show me there's is bigger than mine or could kick my ***.
Overall enjoyed my time, have issues like just about everyone else.
Feel for the Troops in the **** right now.
As far the "gun store" thing, I feel ya, but you know as well as I, that if you have to brag about it, you probably didn't do it.
I feel for the troops over there too. I've got a good friend of mine (one of my former soldiers) there right now. He's on his second tour of Iraq and has already been to Afghanistan. I think about him every day.
Originally Posted by Kazmaniac
Yeah - that's usually what we called our Combat Medics.
The internet is kinda like going to a gun store. I don't talk much there on a personal side because it seems like all the guys there know someone who was "ex-Delta", could out-shoot me, want to show me there's is bigger than mine or could kick my ***.
Overall enjoyed my time, have issues like just about everyone else.
Feel for the Troops in the **** right now.
The internet is kinda like going to a gun store. I don't talk much there on a personal side because it seems like all the guys there know someone who was "ex-Delta", could out-shoot me, want to show me there's is bigger than mine or could kick my ***.
Overall enjoyed my time, have issues like just about everyone else.
Feel for the Troops in the **** right now.
#2 You must have some big hairy cujones for Long Range Rec. Patrols...I have a lot of respect for those who can tell their brain f-you and go deep in the red and stay clear in the head.
#3 You're a real classy guy...people forget the service to our country is paid by classy, educated, free-thinking men like yourself.
As for blackwater, I think what they do is better and more honorable than a GI and I have wanted to join, but I've heard their training standards and job application/acceptance rate is very steep. All their operating contractors are ex-GSG-9, ex-Delta, ex-Seals, ex-SAS....pretty legit fighting units.
Armed Forces guys get all the respect in the world from me...I'd buy 'ya dinner any time
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Every time I put on my uniform it reminded me that there are far braver men who fought for and paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country and the citizens of other countries.
Stories like Richiec's and Corny's Team Member who volunteered for multiple tours, guys who are wounded, limbs missing, putting their concern for their own personal safety aside to go back to make a difference.
Generations from this war, GW1, Vietnam, Korea and WWII, all walk amongst us.
You need to know that kind words and thoughts like yours DO make a difference to them ...
Stories like Richiec's and Corny's Team Member who volunteered for multiple tours, guys who are wounded, limbs missing, putting their concern for their own personal safety aside to go back to make a difference.
Generations from this war, GW1, Vietnam, Korea and WWII, all walk amongst us.
You need to know that kind words and thoughts like yours DO make a difference to them ...
