remember...they are human too...

[FallenAngel]

I dont think I have to tell anyone HERE that soldiers are still humans and have feelings like fear before battle..

...and my hats off in salute to everyone here who has actually had to go through that...even once....even in a drill or "false alarm".

Here's an interesting article I found about the 3rd Inf. Div. and Marines in Kuwait on this very topic. Very interesting read.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/864458.asp#BODY

[hood]

I liked that article a lot... A big difference between WWII, with its very high stressed out soldier situation, is that most of those guys were drafted. Same goes for Vietnam. Although our current soldiers obviously have many demons that they have to overcome when war starts, they're all volunteers who've had time to go through tons of training where it wasn't rushed just so they could get on the front lines. There's something to be said about being the conflict initiator. It lets you decide when and where the fight will take place and you're more prepared for it when it comes.

[Austin Pancamo]

Hey,
There's a good book on this subject by ???? it's called On Killing. Basically it says that soldiers and marines are better trained for combat than in WW11. Read it if you can.

[Ichhabe]

For those that also r interested in this subject, I highly recomend "A War of Nerves." Soldiers and Psychiatrists 1914-1994.
I find this subject on how soldiers react on all kind of situations more interesting than any other topic whatsoever. What does it help what weapon or equipment u have, if ur not trained AND have the ability to aware of those dangers lurking.

As I said the book is very good, but I missed more stories from soldiers themselves on how they faced the ultimate enemy. The battle against the Nerves...

So please come with more suggestions on books in this underdog topic.