Chat with REAL Soldiers!

[GearGod]

Is there a message board on the internet where real soldiers post messages? I went to armyranger.com, asked a question, and no one responded: http://www.armyranger.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=20 Other categories in those forums are pretty busy though

Other forums that I have yet to post in are:

lightfighter.com
specialoperations.com

Are there any others?

Thanks

[Duke]

Adam,
I'm a real live honest-to-God Marine, and on Socnet the dudes are for real, and even the crew takes chunks out of my hide now and then. so dont go ****-ing around in there. Read the stickys and do searches before posting ****. I was booted for my third post, those former and current SOF take OPSEC seriously.

[Nelson]

SOCNET does that because they are tired of dumb**** kids going in their and asking the same question a billion times. People are tired of dumb kids asking stupid questions like, what kind of socks are those they are on a special operations forces member so they must be the latest and greatest.

[hood]

:) it's not opsec, it's a mix of ego/arrogance/stupidity. They claim opsec for stuff that was downloaded over a million times on the history channel's website. If you look at the messages where they're not blasting some guy for asking a question, they're talking about some thing that happened in the world and blasting that. I went back and looked at the forums again recently and they're as stupid now as they were a while back. If that's the kind of idiocy that it takes for these guys to keep us free, all power to 'em. But most intelligent people want no part of it.

[Duke]

Yes you are right Hood. Remember though the military is about 95% EGO driven.

[96B]

I made the mistake of signing up and posting on the SOCNET forum.... First they literally cussed me for having this name and not being a Marine yet which I kinda understood... and they even just talked random sh*t to me to be offensive which seemed strange to me coming from guys who are supposedly former Marines, Scout Snipers, etc etc. I never post on there or even look at that sites message board because I also think they are a bunch of idiots who think that they are better than everybody else. I totally agree with the notion that it is very annoying to have kids post stupid questions or what not, but nobody is making you respond to it so either politely tell them to research or just dont post. Another big thing about that site is for some reason you have to basically earn the right to post on there without being flamed which is outrageously stupid. All Marines I have talked to and met in person are cool as hell, dont act like ****s, are always offering advice, information and commending me for deciding to join.

[Nelson]

The problem is not them, it is idiots who have names like yours, you haven't earned have you? Then why do you have it? They are tired of imposters and airsofters. They can be as arrogant or as cocky as they want because they have gone through BUD/S or Ranger School some even SFAS. They have seen the ****hole life of the military and they conquered it. They went to the edge and back. They can be as cocky and arrogant as they want. It is men like them that keep this country free so that you can ask questions on the internet.

[FallenAngel]

Nelson....Semper is enlisted, he's going to boot as soon as he can get out of highschool. So, give the kid a break. Hell, maybe he knows latin...ever think of that possibility? :)

[GearGod]

heh yea he did say "for not being a marine yet"

[hood]

Nelson, the problem is that they treat people that way even if they don't claim to be anything they're not. I went on there a while back and mentioned this photo site saying that I was trying to get a diverse set of photos from the various branches. All they had for me was insults me about it such as "you can take your photos and cram them up your ass" and "I couldn't care less about you or your photos, so leave why don't ya". You could say things in the most polite language with honest intentions, merely mentioning something like this and they'll beat you up over it. There's no excuse for that type of behavior. But whatever.. let them have it. It's one of the reasons why I got the forums going on here, so that people may not be answered if they ask an inappropriate question, but they won't be beat up over it. Most people don't have the ability to join the military for whatever reasons, but they still have an interest. Imagine if car mechanics treated you the same way as these guys, if you were just starting out, trying to find out how to fix your car.

[BMF]

it nothing personal, just that military personnel see others imitating what we do...movies, airsoft, etc, and get tired of hearing 15 year olds spout off what they think is pertinant information. after awhile many start to think that if you havent been in, you dont know ****. Ive been on both ends of it...the kid who watches the history channel and the professional soldier listening to 15 year olds, and its just a mindset, no worries. if you were to actually talk to em for 20 minutes they'd learn. on the same note people, if you arent sure what youre saying, be carefull to say I THINK before it. differenciate between definete fact and opinion, it'll help keep people like them off your case

[a. enders]

Duke:As a living breathing Marine you have any advice for getting physically prepared for boot camp?

[hood]

I think I can answer that one as I have 2 friends that are Marines. Both of them were fat slobs before they joined. They started doing a good amount of running, but other than that, they couldn't do a single pull-up. If they deem you unfit, you get an extra 2-4 weeks of PT before you join the rest of the class. After they left basic on leave, they were solid as a rock and had both lost at least 30 pounds. Point being, as long as you can do the minimums on the requirement sheet, I would just bring a strong spirit and leave the rest to Drill Sgt. Blaze Riprock.

[BMF]

beowulf pretty much nailed it. our definition of tired is the result of 3 er 4 days in the field humping a ruck, wheres in civilian life it's waking up an hour earlier for work, then coming home and taking a nap. but or all that its no excuse to rip on some kid whos' interested in the military, i feel bad for y'all.

[a. enders]

Thanks Hood.That's indeed some encouragement as I'm not in the greatest of shape.Always figured boot would be an exercise program.

"I heard the Army had a good program,what is it 6-7 months?So I figured I'd join up,get in shape and see the world."
Ox-Stripes (paraphrase as I've not seen it in a while)

And I see Sgt. Riprock is back from the Afghan land.

[Duke]

a.enders check your PM. yes hood thats right fatso's go to the fat line during chow time and the extremely hefty ones get rolled into a fat platoon for additional PT

[Mal3]

beowulf pretty much nailed it. our definition of tired is the result of 3 er 4 days in the field humping a ruck, wheres in civilian life it's waking up an hour earlier for work, then coming home and taking a nap. but or all that its no excuse to rip on some kid whos' interested in the military, i feel bad for y'all.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in the US (and most western countries) the military is a way of life you choose. Nobody forces you to do it and to get into elite units you have to volunteer not just to be in the army, but to be in the unit in question.

Don't get me wrong, I have huge respect for the professional military man. It's as good a job as any and probably tougher than most. But you selected it, if you get so pissed about humping a ruck, are you in the correct profession?

Sure, some civilians whine. I'm probably going to lament on my upcoming exam. Wouldn't call it whining and I'd hardly strike up a conversation with strangers about how tough I got because of my exam (I don't have it tough, if I'm late reading it's my own bloody fault and I can blame myself!). Sure, civilian woes may seem trivial, but as long as you're not whining, is there any call for a flaming?

Of course a lot of the fanboys are idiots, but some have genuine interest in what the soldiers do and have respect for their chosen profession. Why flame people like that?

By the way, one would assume that military disciplin would rather teach folks better manners than worse?

[HMMcrewchief]

For the kid getting ready to go to boot camp. All I have to say is RUN, Then run some more. Oh yeah and don't forget to RUN. Then do some chin ups sit ups and push ups. Then get up and Run back to where you started. Drink lots of water, Study up on MarineCorps history, Rank structure+ Insignias, Memorize your General orders. Then run some more :bash: Just try to get a head start. I am sure you will talk to a recruiter he should give you the heads up you need to get you through. Good luck and just remember who guards heavens gates!

By the way what MOS(line of work) are you planning on?

[HMMcrewchief]

The above post is assuming you wanted to be a MARINE.

[Duke]

Chin-ups...hmmm??

[Cpl Stumps]

As with all units that consider themselves elite we Marines (In my case former) are also protective of our traditions and the rights we earned as Marines.

That being said I have no problem with SemperFi2003 using that as his name. First off it's a saying "Always Faithful" and if a young man wants to begin now living those ideals "Always Faithful to God, Country and Corps" then I say that should be encouraged not riduculed. I'd rather see him do that then be some "waste of air" spitting in a Big Mac, complaining about how hard it is to mop the bathroom floor at the local McDs. If Semper had used the title Marine in his name I might be a little offended, because that titled is earned. I earned it by sweating 13 weeks in San Diego. But given that Semper is enlisted and waiting to go I wouldn't jump his ass too much, because soon he will sweat and bleed and earn that title and join our brotherhood. I understand how Veterans of the service and especially the Elite units can get pissed about kids asking info, but if just one of those kids gets inspired to join and give of himself to our country isn't that better than the majority of reject kids that are screwin' around in our soceity today.

I'll be the first to admit that when I was a teenager I was one of those "wastes of air" that bitched about moppin' the floor at the local candy store I worked at. But I knew that I wanted to be a Marine. For that decision all I got was put downs from my teachers, fellow students and even some of my family members. But I knew I wanted to be a Marine and I became one. I know that Semper has faced some of the same crap I did and for fellow Members of the Service to give him crap for it seems pretty callous. Give Semper support and any other kid who wants to join, not more brow beating. Rest assured when Semper's bus pulls in to P.I. or San Diego he's going to get all the brow beating he'd ever want and then some.

Semper Fi!
Cpl Stumps

[jballou]

It's funny how the guys can be real assholes on SOCNET, yet in real life most SF guys (and the Marine aviation detatchment we have here) I've met have been pretty down-to-earth. They might be a little strange, but I really haven't met an SF guy I haven't liked. I perused a few boards at SOCNET and after seeing how they treat people, I think they must be on the Internet because nobody will talk to them in real life.

[GearGod]

I dont think the "online" attitude shows what their attitude is in real life-- Some people will talk defecation on the internet but when it comes down to it in real life theyre not going to say defecation

[a. enders]

HMM,
If that post was to me,Infantry.And thanks.Funny,I can blast through sit-ups like nobodies business,but push-ups give me trouble. :roll:

[HMMcrewchief]

Ahhhh but the question is can you RUN? Fall out during a run and you will be face to mouth with the most important person in your life. TRUST ME you don't want to be there! I hate running and will only run if chased but since I now have a side arm I ain't runnin! :D