Question for the current/former military folks in the forum

[glenn1]

Just curious, since i know this forum has quite a few former military folks frequenting it... while you were in (and since, if you are no longer serving), what specialization or qualification did you find the most impressive? I served in an airborne/special forces unit myself for the last 5 years of my term, and didn't find what we did nearly as worthy of the "oooh, ahhh" factor as it is commonly given (possibly because i was there doing it, and things like that never seem as impressive when you're the one actually doing it).

On the other hand, i saw some of the guys that went through scuba/SEAL training, and thought that most impressive. Exceptionally tough training, something i would never want to do (although i am a strong swimmer, it's not something i really enjoy doing, and i absolutely HATE salt water... i would go nuts having to swim in that stuff everyday). That badge was not something i was willing to accept the pain involved to go out and earn, even if i had the desire to, which as i said, i really didn't. I have also worked with a Rangers Recon team, also most impressive... the team leader for the team we did a mission with, had just completed jumpmaster, MFF, scuba, MFF jumpmaster training, and divemaster school in sucession over the course of about a year and a half. Yikes! Now someone both able and willing to go through that has my respect.

So there's your question... what specialty school/certification badge/unit do you think is worthy of the most respect in the military? And let's keep this to U.S. armed forces, although if there are folks out there with actual experience serving in, or working with, foreign units, i suppose those are fair game too (just don't want people throwing out unsupported nonsense like "the SAS would kick all their asses!!&quot

 

[Jugernot]

I think I would have to put a vote in for the Seals. I for one would probably drop out of the military in basic training! Some people just like that sort of thing, more power to them!

 

[unxpurg8d]

The guys who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. That's a TOUGH job.




(Btw, you hate salt water?!?!? SCUBA diving is sooooooooooooo amazing. I got certified in Panama while I was down there from Ft. Bragg in '88 - gotta love a deployment that involves beach time. If you haven't tried diving give yourself a present and go do it.)

 

[Fathom5]

SCUBA Diving is great and while most of my time is spent in the Great Lakes area, you do get used to salt water. When I ever I first get in salt water the first day or two is terrible but you do get used to it and it's not too bad after that.

 

[StageLeft]

unsupported nonsense like "the SAS would kick all their asses!!"

I wasn't gonna mention it but since you had to call it unsupported nonsense - yes the SAS are a superior special forces group to even the best in the US.

 

[DarkRipper]

I have a CIB.


DR

 

[glenn1]

Skoorb... the only reason i mentioned that is because chances are that very few Americans have actually worked with such units... so most of the claims would be that, just claims... that's why i said also that foreign units were fair game, as long as the person making the assertion had actually served in the unit, or worked with them, so that they could provide examples of why they they thought them worthy of high regard. I'm not trying to put down elite units from other countries, just mentioning that most would come by their knowledge of them second-hand

 

[burnedout]

I have a CIB.

I do too... I'm sitting here laughing and typing this. School of hard knocks (shots)?

SEAL training is probably the toughest, most demanding training. Don't count out Delta Force though. You went to all those annual Delta Force recruiting briefings didn't you? You probably even worked with them if you were at Bragg. Heard they have one helluva mentoring OJT program.

Ranger school ain't no joke. My brother served for a while in the Bat at Hunter.

Jump school was a mainstreamer school. Gawd, running in combat boots in 1980.

 

[StageLeft]

gleen1

Well thats true - I say it from what I've read, I have yet to even fire anything more significant than a 12-gauge shooting at clay pidgeons

 

[DarkRipper]

You know it Burnedout.


It was all hard, now that I've done it though, I appreciate the guys that are out there on the sharp end more than someone who hasn't, I think.

DR

 

[thebestMAX]

Well, let me put it this way.

I was an AF weenie and had over 1 year of training in Electronics and ICBMs namely, the Minuteman. worked on multiple warhead Re Entry vehicles with each warhead more powerful than Hiroshima or Nagasaki. I placed these on missles, helped target them and maintained them.

I volunteered for Chopper pilot school during the Viet Nam Era.

No, I didnt go to Seal, Airborn, SS or any of the other special forces because I was in a "frozen career field" but even thought I worked with Nuclear weapons powerful enough to erase more than just cities, I respected the accomplishments of those who did go.

Which do I think were the best, I'll tell you:

Those who wanted it, who tried, who made it, who earned it.
All I have are a few measly unit commendations, sharpshooters, good conduct, clusters and Missile badges. Ill tell you one thing. The thing I hated the most was, to see someone who was never in the FIELD with one of those awards.