View Full Version : Music to fight to...
aricbcool
12-03-2006, 00:10
Been reading a lot of books regarding men in combat and noticed a trend of playing music in or en route to combat operations. On that note, I thought I'd start a thread for everyone to post their "fight song" of choice.
Respectfully,
Aric
I'm sure someone will correct me on this, but wasn't it Hitler who said "Win them with music" ... or was it "Inspire them with music" ....?
Ugh, I'll go read a book after I do some pushups Gentlemen:lifter
Jaeger1980
12-03-2006, 05:54
My grandfather told me his unit used to sing the Horst Wessel song en route to combat at that time.
Gruss,
Jäger
Jack Moroney (RIP)
12-03-2006, 06:30
Usually I've been a little to preoccupied with running the op thru my head, validating check points enroute, listening for telltale sounds that shouldn't be there, the click of the push to talk switch on the radio, receiving intell updates or listening to my own voice transmitting instructions. Now I do know of folks that get bored during long movements in hostile territory that are not paying attention and suddenly find themselves hearing some dumb song in their heads. One very good friend of mine swears he was day dreaming moving through the undergrowth listening to "Winchester Cathederal" in his head when he got shot in the ass. Today, he goes cold every time he hears that tune. So I guess the moral of this story is if you are dumb enough to sing to yourself when you should be paying attention to what is going on around you you probably also have your head up your 4th POC which could very well result in you receiving a head shot. But then I guess we all march to the tune of a different drummer:D
My fight songs of choice are the whistling sound of called for fire support, the screaming of CAS, the simultaneous crack of weapons at the end of a count-down, the humming in my ears after a danger close explosion that resolved a crisis, the rythmic sound of a duster used in a ground fire role, the beating of chopper blades coming in to take us home, the droll voice of a C-47 pilot answering my call with "Wicked Talons this is god, where do you want it" followed by the deep belching sound of a vulcan, and that last radio call that tells that the mission was accomplished and we have no casualites. Now that is sweet music to my ears.
Team Sergeant
12-03-2006, 09:24
I have taken quite a few long flights and like the Col I go over what needs to be done once we hit the ground.
I have two thoughts concerning music inbound to tgt, it looks great in the movies and might work well for those that need to be told what to do and where to go (privates).
I relax after the mission, not during.
Jaeger1980
12-03-2006, 10:05
"... might work well for those that need to be told what to do and where to go (privates)."
Exactly!
Gruss,
PFC Jäger :munchin
I find it interesting music is used more, maybe because of the type of activities. I think in my whole tour I know of only one chopper pilot that had music and only once. Music was a after math of the days/night work but not as popular as playing cards (back alley bridge). As the Col states focus was on the mission at hand and being ready for the unknown. I think we tried to use all our sense to detect what was out there. General feelings anything that restricted those senses was a negative. I even wished I could smell better.
Trip_Wire (RIP)
12-03-2006, 13:36
I have always admired the Brit's use of Bag pipes, especially the Scotish Regiments, etc. that are led into combat with bag pipes. Of course, they would not work to well for most Spec Ops units. :D
They, might work better for line Infantry units!
Nothing stirs my heart more, then the sound of a good piper! :lifter
Monsoon65
12-03-2006, 16:01
When I was deployed once, on approach when the pilot had the field in sight, we played the B-52s "Love Shack" on the PA.
How would the walkman or iPOD make it past a PCI in the first place???? :confused:
frostfire
12-04-2006, 12:13
I have taken quite a few long flights and like the Col I go over what needs to be done once we hit the ground.
I have two thoughts concerning music inbound to tgt, it looks great in the movies and might work well for those that need to be told what to do and where to go (privates).
I relax after the mission, not during.
A few of my synapses fired up and I recalled this lesson learnt:
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=114832#post114832
but as what looks great in the movie: The Last of Mohicans Main Theme for sure
x SF med
12-04-2006, 12:41
I'm in full agreement wit hTS and COL Jack here - on a long flight, catch a nap if possible, and in your awake time go over your mission plan. You can never be too prepared, and you never know when you'll get your next nap.
aricbcool
12-04-2006, 17:41
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your replies. They have an inherent wisdom and clarity of thought that proves time and time again the excellence of this site.
Regards,
Aric
Goose-stepping in the red square in formation to the Pet Shop Boy's GO WEST...:)