New HBO TV show: Generation Kill

[Justin]

I was "lines" like- This (dead guy) is from Syrira, he was in college last weak, he wasn't a Jihadist until we got here.

It's a fairly well-documented fact that once the US invasion began there were people from countries around Iraq, notably Syria, who crossed the border in order to fight Americans.

The line is hardly a Democratic talking point. Especially in light of the fact that once this began to happen that the Republicans claimed that this was a good thing and dubbed it the "flypaper effect."

 

[DigitalWarrior]

mainside dwelling POGs

You called?

I never liked the term "Data Dink", I prefer "DigitalWarrior"

I wanna be a chair-borne ranger,
I wanna grow out alla my hair.
I wanna be a chair-borne ranger,
I wanna room with central air.

Nobody I know gets all enthusiastic about being a "blood crazed killing machine"

Although I bet a tiny shameful part of you loves all that oorah crap.

Shock Trooper, Devil Dog, Blood Sucking War Machine
Ready to Fight
Ready to Kill
Ready to Die
Never Will

Semper Fi
Digital "I was the pogiest pog who ever poged" Warrior

 

[siglite]

Jeff, to answer your question: Zero, so I will have to take to the word of those that have and thank them or there service.

I just seemed to me that many lines came right from the democrate talking points menu, and I hate when that stuff comes up on TV.

I'm sure the Marines complain about the BS they are asked to do. There is not many jobs where people do not complain about leadership & crazy asignments.

I found this to be over the top, but apparently I am the only one. I'll check out the next episope and go from there.

Man, my unit was full of smart guys. Not all of us cared much about politics. Not even the politics around the conflict we were fighting at the time. But some of us did. And there's no shortage of deep, philosophical or political discussion about EVERYTHING during downtime.

You never know what the hell kind of conversation you're going to run into when you walk up on five marines cleaning weapons. It might be how you'd like to boink your fireteam leader's sister, or it might be particle physics.

And as for the "blood makes the grass grow, hoorah" stuff, well there's some of that. And honestly, about half the guys I was with meant it, and the other half invoked it with sarcasm.

 

[bobbarker]

+1 on the wild conversations. Especially when you're sitting on post with someone. We rotate through with squads in country, so, you have a possibility of being on post with 10 different guys, (Squad leader acts as Segeant of the Guard, doesn't sit a perimeter post.) After a few months of that, you're going to wind up on post with the same guy, a lot. At four hours a piece, twice a day, you're spending 56 hours a week on post. So, even if you stood with a different guy each time, thats averaging 5.6 hours on post a week with one guy. IF you stand with a different guy every time. And all you have to do to keep from dying of boredom is talk. Maybe you talk about different people you'd like to nail, maybe different people you'd like to beat up, whatever. Eventually, you wind up talking politics, religion, science, philosophy, all sorts of stuff. And some of the smartest men I've ever met were fellow grunts I was sitting on post with. Saying grunts are dumb, is far from the truth. We have the idiots too, but we also have some people that are just incredibly intelligent.

Also, the Charms thing, however it got started, the superstition is that if someone eats Charms, it rains. It got to the point NO one would eat Charms(Which are like square life savers,) and they eventually took them out of the MRE's.

And about MRE Toilet Paper....my old First Sergeant used to give a class to all the new guys about how to use MRE Tp. You poke a hole in the middle, stick your finger through it, (Whichever finger you don't use for putting in/removing your chewing tobacco with,) scrape your ass with the finger, and then pull the Toilet Paper off, wiping your finger in the process. No one does it, I want to assure you, it was just a funny class to reiterate how badly MRE toilet paper sucks. The entire amount you get in one MRE is sufficent for one wipe, if you're careful. That's why the Baby Wipes everyone sends aren't used just for cleaning your body.

 

[SoCalShooter]

Well I have never been in the military but the show is entertaining. And from the marines I talked to and some of the army people I know and work with they have said its not bad on the accuracy.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I've read both Generation Kill, the book by the journalist that is embedded with those Recon Marines, the book this series is based off of, as well as Lt Fick's book "One bullet away". They are 2 points of view of the same events. One from the POV of an embedded journalist, and one from the POV of Lt. Fick himself.

So far the series has in fact been very accurate. The running with MOPP gear and IBA on, all of the "Kill! Kill! Kill!" attitude, and even the things like shooting the kid, all really did happen. I know it may seem somewhat unrealistic or biased, if you just look at it as a TV show. But if you are to believe 2 guys who were really there, one of them being those Recon Marines' very own commander, the show is actually pretty in line with their accounts of the events.

Go ahead and reah Lt. Fick's book "One Bullet Away". You'll see that he pretty much corroborates most of what you see in the series or read in Evan Wright's book. I know some of you are saying it's leftist tripe and that some of the stuff is made up or it doesn't accurately depict Marines and the combat. Read Fick's book. He was the actual Marine on the ground and he wrote the book himself. If you don't believe the miniseries, at least believe the Marine that was actually there.

 

[kd7nqb]

I loved the show have watched I think the first 5 episodes so far. Moments of really interesting stuff and I think it did a GREAT job at pointing out some of the real issues we are facing. Anyway I think its a great show with a lot of cool gun stuff in it.

 

[Freelance Tax Collector]

You called?

I sure as hell did, and I already fixed the problem while I was waiting for your slow butt.

I'm a company level POG now too. I'm basking in the POGdom and skatery. I don't have to carry a SAW anymore.

Although I bet a tiny shameful part of you loves all that oorah crap.

I'm still just as much of a gun nut, but that's not the same. Some people confuse the two, especially when they overhear me and the armorers talking shop. I'm really more of a gear queer than a mo-****, but I'll be damned if I ever spend any of my money on personal tactical equipment in relation to my job.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

Originally Posted by DigitalWarrior
You called?

I sure as hell did, and I already fixed the problem while I was waiting for your slow butt.

In response to the "You're slow" spoken in the range officer voice:

Sorry, I was at taco bell, at jack-in-the-crack, bowling, playing CallofDuty4, napping, or PTing (yeah right).

In the future for fastest service, please make sure to call during working hours (1000-1100 and 1400-1600) Tuesday through Friday. If you are approached by a man in a Che t-shirt, it might be "civvy friday" (to raise money for the marine corps ball).

Cpl. DigitalWarrior and the OSIdogs.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

I'll be damned if I ever spend any of my money on personal tactical equipment in relation to my job

I actually bought an alice pack on my own. I needed to carry a lot of books and tools periodically, and you cannot shoulder a piece of non-issue gear in uniform.

I also started wearing my watch on my right hand (a habit I still have not broken) because I spent so much time carrying crap with my left hand, while leaving my right free for the all important salute. When I needed to check the time (for chow of course), I could either put all the crap down or just wear the watch on the saluting hand.

And in 4 years, I never stopped saluting Navy Petty Officers

 

[Freelance Tax Collector]

In the future for fastest service, please make sure to call during working hours (1000-1100 and 1400-1600) Tuesday through Friday.

I'm sorry, grunt working hours are usually "oh-god-it's-dark-30" to "hey the sun's going down". :banghead: We usually only figure out we have a problem when it's almost close of business.

Gotta say, I'm in a clerk job now, and I'm learnin the POG ropes, and I think I'm in better mental condition than when I was humpin a SAW.

 

[hoosier8]

Man, my unit was full of smart guys. Not all of us cared much about politics. Not even the politics around the conflict we were fighting at the time. But some of us did. And there's no shortage of deep, philosophical or political discussion about EVERYTHING during downtime.

You never know what the hell kind of conversation you're going to run into when you walk up on five marines cleaning weapons. It might be how you'd like to boink your fireteam leader's sister, or it might be particle physics.

I talked about this thread with my daughter, who is a Marine, and she got absolutely defensive about the Liberal view. She knows enough people that have been in country to know that these views are on target.

When she joined, some of her friends would say things like, "How can you support Bush?", which I have heard. Her reply was, "I am supporting my friends." I cannot express the respect I have for my daughter.

 

[DRZinn]

The entire amount you get in one MRE is sufficent for one wipe, if you're careful.

Depends if it's wet or dry. Dry, MRE paper is good for three wipes, four if you're careful.

 

[ColinthePilot]

I just saw it for the first time the other night. can't decide if I like it or not.

edit: after reading the thread, I'm talking about the show, not the MRE toilet paper.

 

[gym]

First three episodes were good, it fell down in 4 and 5 really sucked. That's what happens when actors try to direct. ImHO

 

[Freelance Tax Collector]

you cannot shoulder a piece of non-issue gear in uniform.

That's the type of thing I take issue with. My experience in the military has made me draw new conclusions of my perceptions of reality. In particular, my perspective of authority.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

Arbitrary rules make the Marine Corps.

Without them, we might have mustaches, carry umbrellas, salute with the left hand, start marching on the right foot, and keep hard liqueur in the barracks.

Do you really want a world where a PFC gets to pick which cammie pocket he irons the EGA on to?

 

[Freelance Tax Collector]

Do you really want a world where a PFC gets to pick which cammie pocket he irons the EGA on to?

Maybe that type of unconventional thinking is just what the marine corps needs to have better success in it's ultimate mission.

Edit: Okay, maybe I should clarify this: to neglect uniform regulations isn't something I'm trying to advocate. I understand that the purpose of a uniform is to impose a sense of purpose, but what I am talking about are actions which though not realized by the individuals who put them forward, end up detrimental to the Corps in the long run.

Some people can't wrap their head around the idea that nobody in my camp marches. If a platoon has to go to the armory, they just walk there. If a gear list says "bring 2 one-quart canteens" and I bring 2 collapsable two-quart canteens, should that be a problem? If people didn't get haircuts 4 times a month, they'd save $40 a month. If barracks life wasn't so terrible, maybe marines wouldn't get into poorly conceived marriages that would fail before that marines first enlistment is over, just to get BAH and live out in town/on base housing. Does this mean that marines should be allowed to grow dreadlocks? Or let a state of anarchy slip into the barracks? That's not what I'm trying to advocate. I'm just trying to say people should lighten up, not get wrapped around the axle, and not take some of these small issues too seriously. This would improve the Marine Corps, the military, and society.

But nobody's asking me.

 

[cpttango30]

What's the deal with Charms candy being bad luck.

I don't know if they are bad luck but if you want some one to shut up just shove a stick of Charmes in their mouth and make them chew. Their teeth will stick together for atleast 2 to 3 hours.

 

[bogie]

What gets me are the kiddies who join the service so they can get away from mommy and daddy...

And they're sullen little bitching complaining whining twits the entire time they're in... Ruins the whole day to have to deal with one...

I wasn't a jarhead, but I trained with a few. Fun guys, but power-drinking until 3:00ayem and getting out of the rack to run a few miles with a puke break just doesn't have that attraction for me...

Having been out for quite some time... The show strikes me as fairly genuine... The military, and war itself, is comprised of endless boredom, punctuated by the occasional few seconds of extreme panic.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

Maybe that type of unconventional thinking is just what the marine corps needs to have better success in it's ultimate mission

The Marine Corps has done just fine for the last 332 years with the things the way they are.

If a gear list says "bring 2 one-quart canteens" and I bring 2 collapsable two-quart canteens, should that be a problem?

Yes it is a problem. You were told to bring 2 one-quart canteens, and you didn't.

If people didn't get haircuts 4 times a month, they'd save $40 a month.

And wouldn't look like Marines. You make enough to spare $40 each month.


I must say, though, I felt somewhat resentful toward the Marine Corps while I was in, too. Now that I'm out I can see why things were the way they were. If it wasn't that way, it wouldn't have been the Marines.

If we let people do whatever they want, bring gear they think is "close enough" rather than what they are told to bring, grow their hair, not pay attention to uniform maintenance, discipline, or tradition, then we'd just be the Army.

 

[3pairs12]

I stayed up until 2 last night watching some of the same episodes I have already seen. Can't wait until this Sunday. Saw some previews looks like Capt Amaerica is going to get beat up.

 

[Freelance Tax Collector]

The Marine Corps has done just fine for the last 332 years with the things the way they are.

True enough.

Yes it is a problem. You were told to bring 2 one-quart canteens, and you didn't.

Please don't insult my intelligence with this "do as I say" crap. They're still vessels designed to tactically transport water. I didn't come from an assembly line. Plenty of people have [sometimes approved] variations to their gear, to suit personal requirements/preferences. Sure you can make it company SOP that grenade pouches always go on the right side, and magazine pouches always go on the left side, but that screws over left handed guys.

And wouldn't look like Marines. You make enough to spare $40 each month.

I make enough to spend just as much money washing and waxing my jeep too, but I don't because IT'S A JEEP. I'm a grunt, not a recruiting poster. Twice a month is just fine. Once a week is ridiculous.

If we let people do whatever they want, bring gear they think is "close enough" rather than what they are told to bring, grow their hair, not pay attention to uniform maintenance, discipline, or tradition, then we'd just be the Army.

You're applying a "camel's nose under the tent" idea here. I'm not advocating that we not show up with required gear, grow our hair out like hippies, have uniforms that look like a bag of ass, and toss tradition out the window, I'm just saying that I think we go way too overboard. We could stand to chill out a little. We wouldn't be the army, we'd be flexible. Semper Gumby, right?

I think at worst we're growing to a mentality of "it doesn't matter if it get's done, just as long as it looks good while we're doing it".

 

[siglite]

What gets me are the kiddies who join the service so they can get away from mommy and daddy...

Some of us indeed did that. And by comparison, in some cases, military service was a cakewalk. Parris Island wasn't all that bad. It wasn't Disney, but it beats life on the streets.

And not all of us were "sullen little bitching complaining whining twits." Perhaps your experience was different from mine. But I found that often, the guys that joined to escape their home life made damn fine Marines.

Of course, I might be reading your post wrong. You may mean it in the sense that they thought military service was going to be like frat-house life.

 

[siglite]

You're applying a "camel's nose under the tent" idea here. I'm not advocating that we not show up with required gear, grow our hair out like hippies, have uniforms that look like a bag of ass, and toss tradition out the window, I'm just saying that I think we go way too overboard. We could stand to chill out a little. We wouldn't be the army, we'd be flexible. Semper Gumby, right?

It's this simple. Uniformity means logistic simplicity. There are hundreds of reasons, both logistical, and combat related for uniformity Corps wide.

Like... maybe you think it's a good idea to store your atropine injectors in your pack instead of the pocket on the gas mask carrier. You might have a hundred reasons why that's a good idea. And you might think Gunny's an a$$%^&* for INSISTING you be like everyone else and store your atropine injector where it's "supposed to go."

That is...

Until you're doing the funky chicken in a gas attack... flopping around on the deck... and the corpsman looks for the atropine where it's supposed to be...

Whoops. I mean... if yours isn't there, your SOL, because I'm damn sure not giving you mine in a live gas attack.

Uniformity has many purposes in military life. If you can't handle that, military life is probably not for you.