I'm in Afghanistan - General

[QUOTE=TEH_TPMASTER;29553627]Haven't really seen any Incident Reports about the police getting high, but they do tend to start a lot of arguments with other soldiers. [editline]1st May 2011[/editline] They do their jobs. lol Pilots just fly from FOB to FOB... back and forth and back and forth and back and forth... etc.[/QUOTE] not the pilots, i mean average joe i-joined-because-mcdonalds-wont-hire-me airmen.

If it were up to you, would you pull the troops out of Afghanistan, or continue to fight the Taliban?

[QUOTE=W0w00t;29553762]not the pilots, i mean average joe i-joined-because-mcdonalds-wont-hire-me airmen.[/QUOTE] Like I said, they do their jobs. Don't really talk to the air force so I'm not sure what kind of MOS' they have here. Most work on the flight line. [editline]1st May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Mister Cool;29553842]If it were up to you, would you pull the troops out of Afghanistan, or continue to fight the Taliban?[/QUOTE] Pull the troops out. No question about it. The only reason the Taliban has the will to fight is because we're fighting back. That's what fuels their aggression and their propaganda. [editline]1st May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=CodeMonkey3;29553542]Yeah, most of us support you. But we have quite a few of whiny, bleeding-heart, save the world assholes that'll give you the Vietnam treatment. Take solace in the fact they're 13 years old and have no idea what they're talking about.[/QUOTE] Like Guardian-Angel who thinks he's hot shit because his brother is Infantry.

Did you join out of Army ROTC?

[QUOTE=Ivebo;29553990]Did you join out of Army ROTC?[/QUOTE] Yes.

Do you know what Infantry officers are doing? Do they go on patrols with their man, or are they just sitting in the base? Sorry if this is a derailment

Did you get an AK47?

[QUOTE=Scar;29554144]Do you know what Infantry officers are doing? Do they go on patrols with their man, or are they just sitting in the base? Sorry if this is a derailment[/QUOTE] I work with a lot of officers from infantry units if that tells you anything. Generally, they are there to coordinate based on the recommendations, battle plans, etc. that my peers and I give them. Sometimes they do go out on patrol, though. [editline]1st May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=garychencool;29554212]Did you get an AK47?[/QUOTE] Right now I'm issued an M4 with ACOG and an M9.

Wait so you are just a fobbit?

[QUOTE=TEH_TPMASTER;29554302]I work with a lot of officers from infantry units if that tells you anything. Generally, they are there to coordinate based on the recommendations, battle plans, etc. that my peers and I give them. Sometimes they do go out on patrol, though. [editline]1st May 2011[/editline] Right now I'm issued an M4 with ACOG and an M9.[/QUOTE] but do you actually leave the FOB? of course, i would assume that the main reason you have them is in case your FOB or wherever youre at is attacked

When you say US forces are always treated first, is that infront of civilians?

Are you allowed to divulge your ROE? If so, what are they? I'm just wondering if they've changed in recent years.

[QUOTE=RAG Frag;29554809]When you say US forces are always treated first, is that infront of civilians?[/QUOTE] I'd assume so.

Going back to the ROTC question I asked, what would you recommend/say to a person thinking about joining Army ROTC?

I'm going to be enlisting in the Army in a week or two, and as such, I have a few questions. For my MOS, I'm going to try for intelligence analyst, 35F, I think. Have you ever worked with those guys or know anything about what their job is like? I've read about it, so I have a general picture of what they do, but it's still good to get some first-hand information. Second-hand, actually, I suppose. This might sound kinda ridiculous and stupid, but are there any opportunities for intelligence people to go outside the wire, on patrols or anything like that? I want to promise myself that I'm not just going to be a desk jockey for four years, but I don't know how practical or logical that promise is. One of my life's dreams is to be in the 101st Airborne. I've heard conflicting reports about what sort of things I can get guaranteed in my contract. I've heard that I can get airborne school guaranteed (yes, I know they're air assault now, but I figure it'll still help), but not air assault school. Some people have said that I can even get my division guaranteed, but I'm a bit suspicious of that. I know that there's a dream sheet you fill out at the end of basic, I think, but does that have any effect on where you're sent, at all? I know this probably isn't your forte, but I'd appreciate any info you can provide. Lastly, any advice for getting through basic? If you've made it this far, congratulations, you're more patient than most people. Thank you for any help you can provide, and thank you for your service.

Are immigrants capable of joining the Army? And if so, do they still have all career options and privileges as native born Americans?

[QUOTE=kaven;29556469]Are immigrants capable of joining the Army? And if so, do they still have all career options and privileges as native born Americans?[/QUOTE] Joining a branch of the Armed Forces is a way to gain citizenship. [url=http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d9e03e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d9e03e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD]Here's some useful reading on that topic.[/url]

You got much buddies with you there?

[QUOTE=TEH_TPMASTER;29552772]Also, I enjoy sitting in my TOC while the "action guys" go take bullets. Want to know why? Well, it's because I get to feel safe and I get to go home without PTSD. Just because my job is different than the infantry doesn't mean I'm less of a soldier. Plus, I wonder how many bullets they would take if there was nobody doing what I do? Hmmmm. Food for thought, asshole.[/QUOTE] Oh, name-calling. Okay then. Yeah, because satellite and UAV imagery makes or breaks modern warfare and is the number one contributor to the safety of the guy on the ground. Operation Anaconda would've been a clusterfuck if it weren't for guys like you. Oh wait.

[QUOTE=Unsmart;29544845]My dad is going to Afghanistan this year :([/QUOTE] My cousin's there. He likes it, and he hasn't been harmed yet., Hopefully stays that way but yeah, :smile:

How often do you go outside the wire? What kinds of things do you do during your downtime? What's the best part about your job?

Guardian, you can go be all "YEahhhhh shoOting fuckers!" somewhere else. The rest of us are trying to learn about this man's career in the Army.

If you went through ROTC why didn't you get your commission? I DEP'd in as 35W a few weeks ago, do you like the intelligence field?

do you have any hospital corpsman working on your base?

What's your rifle's name?

[QUOTE=Guardian-Angel;29557484]Oh, name-calling. Okay then. Yeah, because satellite and UAV imagery makes or breaks modern warfare and is the number one contributor to the safety of the guy on the ground. Operation Anaconda would've been a clusterfuck if it weren't for guys like you. Oh wait.[/QUOTE] grunts vs pogs go go go NO WAIT how about you stop criticizing him for doing his job.

Just saying OP, I have a lot of respect for you and what you do. I've helped train current Royal Air Force airmen and women; if you see any GB forces, please give them a wave for me. My best wishes, and I sincerely hope you come back safely.

just got sworn into the marines, shipping January 25th. going infantry

If you ever hear about an F-15E havin' your back I'm the one fixing them. Good luck out there.

[QUOTE=TEH_TPMASTER;29552772]Melodramatic wasn't really the word for that thread. I think I was reflecting on what was happening in my life at that moment in time. Also, I enjoy sitting in my TOC while the "action guys" go take bullets. Want to know why? Well, it's because I get to feel safe and I get to go home without PTSD. Just because my job is different than the infantry doesn't mean I'm less of a soldier. Plus, I wonder how many bullets they would take if there was nobody doing what I do? Hmmmm. Food for thought, asshole. [editline]1st May 2011[/editline] Pay is based on rank. I'm an E-2 so I average about 2300-2400 due to COLA and Hazardous Duty Pay. The Army trained me. It took 7 months and I got a nice chunk of college credits out of it, though. To get the job, you need good ASVAB scores, a clean criminal background (no DUI's, no felonies, speeding tickets are okay unless you have 30 of them), and you must never have been in the Peace Corps. They do three separate security interviews with you and one with each of your references (Family, friends, ex-girlfriends/boyfriends, teachers, etc.). It's a lengthy process. [editline]1st May 2011[/editline] That pay is per month.[/QUOTE] I'm one of those "action guy" bullet sponges you're referring to by the way. Oh and regardless if you go out you could still get PTSD. Anyways you're still a dumbass private who thinks he knows everything.