I'm in Afghanistan - General

How do you measure the respect towards your commanders? What would you consider a good commander? Do most of the men in the base turn to humor in times of boredom and stress? Got any 'funny' pics? Are there any aspects of Aghan culture you like? ---- Its a rare opportunity to actually ask a soldier in his tour of duty like this. The media never sees the real thoughts and opinions. Your the exception. Sounds like your doing an excellent job, hopefully you can return home soon.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29b8Zm1K6M0[/media] The novelty wears off after a while.

I don't know if you saw this [QUOTE=Contrails;29577642]How good is your communication between units? I remember reading for example a couple years ago about infantrymen having to actually plot their routes on their cell phones to get the big picture, which seems like what you're doing, so it's good you guys are working on it. The big thing about anaconda was that no one really communicated and as soon as the plan went to hell no one knew what was going on. Is this more or less mitigated?[/QUOTE] I guess I'll add some more general questions: What household item do you wish you had the most/someone would send to you right now? Would you ever go back to afghanistan on vacation after the war is over to check it out? [QUOTE=Tac Error;29578264]What is "this"?[/QUOTE] "NTC stories" on another forum such as the one below - that huge quote you had - was interesting, would like to read more

[QUOTE=vBatuhan;29543309]I dont care Afghanistan, I dont care United "Snakes" Military [highlight](User was banned for this post ("Snipe/ Why reply" - Craptasket))[/highlight][/QUOTE] this was posted 2 days ago, but I'd just like to say MY GOD this post is dumb

How has the morale shifted since news of Osama being killed was released?

did you ever consider joining another branch?

[QUOTE=TEH_TPMASTER;29572277]Keep a memo on OPSEC from our commander on me at all times. I'm not Air Force, I'm Army, Sergeant. [editline]2nd May 2011[/editline] I don't know how they fought the Soviets and I'm not too sure I want to look it up. I think I'll leave this question unanswered for the sake of OPSEC. [editline]2nd May 2011[/editline] PICS INCOMING [editline]2nd May 2011[/editline] [img_thumb]http://i51.tinypic.com/30ma9g1.jpg[/img_thumb] The clocks. Yes... the clocks. [img_thumb]http://i52.tinypic.com/mhbz84.jpg[/img_thumb] That's me with my nine standing beside that horrible fucking existence called a cot. [img_thumb]http://i52.tinypic.com/fbepox.jpg[/img_thumb] Crazy Coke can and me in my gear. [editline]2nd May 2011[/editline] If you wanna join the military, really make sure you're committed to what you sign up for. The last thing a military needs is people failing out of basic and AIT or doing drugs or some stupid bullshit like a DUI. Other than that, keep your head up and your eyes everywhere. Stay alert, stay alive, stay out of trouble.[/QUOTE] It's funny because I'm taller than you are by half a foot, and I still wouldn't have the balls to do your job. I salute you, OP.

[QUOTE=Ivebo;29555969]Going back to the ROTC question I asked, what would you recommend/say to a person thinking about joining Army ROTC?[/QUOTE] I'm air force ROTC, but came out of four years of Army JROTC with almost all of my friends in army ROTC. Stay with it- Look around at all the options available at different colleges for you. The Army also offers a large number of scholarships, so take advantage of those. They aren't hard to get either...

[QUOTE=Contrails;29601542]"NTC stories" on another forum such as the one below - that huge quote you had - was interesting, would like to read more[/QUOTE] Here's another one I found: [url]http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=129798[/url]

Incase of mortar fire do you just duck under the desk you drive?

[QUOTE=Linkage;29606823]Incase of mortar fire do you just duck under the desk you drive?[/QUOTE] I thought they will fire back with their own artillery? Also, why does afghan suspects needed to be blindfolded? And what's with the "soldier's having different attachments on their M4s" thing?

I got a couple of qeustions. What is your opinion on bradley manning How is the food at the FOB. And how good are you at shooting things?

BTW, found this pic on Gizmodo: [img]http://fastcache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2011/05/bulletchess.jpg[/img] Is this how you guys play chess down there?

Playing with live ammunition? They would never do that :v:

Have you ever had an encounter with AFVs? Do they stay at the same FOBs as infantry?

Are the special forces guys as "badass" as most books/film/video games make them out to be?

[QUOTE=Ignhelper;29607242]I thought they will fire back with their own artillery? Also, why does afghan suspects needed to be blindfolded? And what's with the "soldier's having different attachments on their M4s" thing?[/QUOTE] I think someone missed the point here. To your questions You assume when mortar rounds come in you all of a sudden know where they come from They blindfold prisoners so they don't pick up any information whilst they're on approach to FOB or whilst in so if they were to be released they can't pass on any valuable info about the base itself.

[QUOTE=SEKCobra;29607461]Playing with live ammunition? They would never do that :v:[/QUOTE] "Truth or Dare?" "Dare!" "Play Chess with yourself with live ammunition :smug:" ":saddowns:"

Move over, "Ask a Janitor Anything"! There's a new asking thread in town...

[QUOTE=Soleeedus;29611860]Move over, "Ask a Janitor Anything"! There's a new asking thread in town...[/QUOTE] As a US Army Serviceman (almost) anything!

[QUOTE=Luc1f3r;29567329]25b Army E-5/SGT here, what fob are you located on? (nevermind, saw you said baf... nothing special or anything to write home about...) you appear to be airforce... I'm On BAF... Don't forget OpSec btw....[/QUOTE] Best way to describe BAF is LSA Anaconda(aka Joint Base Balad now) with less fireworks. I never liked being on those larger posts, because the lack of things going on is a breeding ground complacency. More idiots get hurt doing dumb shit then enemy fire. Also shout out to my fellow 25Buttplug, pm me if you are having CAC related problems :saddowns:

Oh my god the acronyms are killing me..

My dad is a Chief in the US Military and went to Bagram last year. He took tons of photos and even of him working on bombs with some of the lower ranking techs and staffs. He brought me Afghanistan money, a titanium ring from scrap from one of the jets as a well... a ring to wear. I also have a scorpion spiders and weird bugs from there encased in some kind of fiber glass stuff.

Hey man, I wish you the best of luck. I thank you for serving my country :unsmith:

I'm enlisting for the Nat Guard as part of the Signal Corps. How was the training when you enlisted?

How is WiFi in Afghan?

Did someone say you were Air Force or something in this thread? Do you know anything about pilots of helicopters? My cousin is in college AF ROTC right now and he's taking the helicopter pilot path. (I don't know how it works, I've never really been that interested in the Air Force per se)

[QUOTE=FFStudios;29635121]Did someone say you were Air Force or something in this thread? Do you know anything about pilots of helicopters? My cousin is in college AF ROTC right now and he's taking the helicopter pilot path. (I don't know how it works, I've never really been that interested in the Air Force per se)[/QUOTE] He's Army, Sailor. ;o

[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;29621990]I'm enlisting for the Nat Guard as part of the Signal Corps. How was the training when you enlisted?[/QUOTE] Which Mos were you going to enlist as? I'm currently in AIT at Fort Gordon.

Go Navy, beat Army!