Army life - perception vs. reality

Geenie · 10-09-2011, 05:34

Gentlemen,

When planning on going into a certain career field, a prudent person will do research and speak to people who already work in that field in order to gain an understanding of 'what it's like'. For people who have plans on joining the army and eventually making their way into Special Forces, this website is a great resource in that regard.

Nevertheless, I have heard it here and elsewhere that the Army is unusual in that you never really know what you're really getting into until you actually sign a contract and get to your first unit.

I believe that most civilians have misconceptions about what life in the army, or SF in particular, is like. I feel this is especially true for younger generations, who grew up watching hollywood movies with lone warriors dodging bullets and slitting throats against a backdrop of fiery explosions. I feel that video games have further contributed to a general misunderstanding of what it may mean to serve in the Army and see combat. Surely there is more to special operations than what can be seen in 4:00 youtube clips.

So, for the sake of educating myself and others, I would like to ask you men who have served: What were some of the things that were different from what you initially thought they would be like? What were the pleasant/unpleasant surprises? What were some of the things you never thought you were going to have to deal with?

Dusty · 10-09-2011, 05:47

Prohibition in Panama.

mojaveman · 10-09-2011, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geenie

What were some of the things you never thought you were going to have to deal with?

Doing post maintenence support which included mowing lawns, weeding, painting, etc. when we could have been shooting at the range or conducting some other type of valuable training.

Tress · 10-09-2011, 12:00

You cannot forget the picking up and removal of the ubiquitous Fort Bragg pine cone. Luckily I never got caught up in that, but I saw many a Senior NCO and Officer having to do just that.

Tress

Dusty · 10-09-2011, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abrazadereas

Can't let the place get all messy and run down though, right? Or are there people that are supposed to do just that stuff alone?

There should have been.

mojaveman · 10-09-2011, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abrazadereas

Can't let the place get all messy and run down though, right? Or are there people that are supposed to do just that stuff alone?

Yeah, 1st COSCOM

Utah Bob · 10-09-2011, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojaveman

Doing post maintenence support which included mowing lawns, weeding, painting, etc. when we could have been shooting at the range or conducting some other type of valuable training.

Ahhh but training costs money.

greenberetTFS · 10-09-2011, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojaveman

Doing post maintenence support which included mowing lawns, weeding, painting, etc. when we could have been shooting at the range or conducting some other type of valuable training.

Yep,especially those damn "pine cones"........

Big Teddy

rdret1 · 10-09-2011, 18:48

Health and welfare inspections. It is amazing what will fit in hallway ceiling tiles!

**PRB** · 10-09-2011, 19:06

There were annoying things I didn't care for but that is life in or out of the Army. The BS stuff paled compared to the things the Army allowed me to do...I picked up some pine cones, did maint on stuff I never used, pulled CQ overnighters etc....hurried up and waited etc.....
I also got to jump a nuke device from 21,000 ft so the other stuff didn't seem that bad

Utah Bob · 10-09-2011, 20:52

I didn't expect the food to be as good as it was. Especially LRRP rats.

mojaveman · 10-09-2011, 21:03

As an 18 year old kid from California in '81 I never thought I'd be guarding the second most important American military commander in Europe at his estate next to the Capitol building of Baden-Wurtemburg in Germany. Being a member of the USEUCOM praetorian guard was something I thought I'd never do.

**Pete** · 10-10-2011, 03:54

24/7

It's a 24/7 job. You're never really off - even when you're on leave.

You have to love it to live it - and live it to love it.

Dusty · 10-10-2011, 03:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRB

There were annoying things I didn't care for but that is life in or out of the Army. The BS stuff paled compared to the things the Army allowed me to do...I picked up some pine cones, did maint on stuff I never used, pulled CQ overnighters etc....hurried up and waited etc.....
I also got to jump a nuke device from 21,000 ft so the other stuff didn't seem that bad

Good perspective.

Utah Bob · 10-10-2011, 08:02

I never thought about the immense responsibility that would be placed on my shoulders.
I had only a vague idea of how it would change my attitude about life, family, friends and freedom.
Compared to civilian life, things are magnified ten fold.