4 ms·

I did a few rotations through Iraq and Afghanistan, and one of the few things I really learned is that everyones experience is different....but the same. I thin

I did a few rotations through Iraq and Afghanistan, and one of the few things I really learned is that everyones experience is different....but the same. I think they ended the move 'Jarhead' with a similar quote, and it didn't truly resonate with me until I'd experienced it myself. Some people get deployed and spend the whole time in Kuwait but in some ways they suffer just the same as those of us sleeping in the dirt getting mortared every 3 hours. Its just a different form of the same experience.

dvdhnt 7y ago
As someone who spent his entire deployment doing SIGINT in Kuwait, I've always wondered what it's like to have done what you did. Honestly, you spend some time beating yourself up over it, too - which is just dumb.
- rdl 7y ago
  What amazed me was just how fast people adapt to crazy stuff. I went to some of the COPs briefly in Afghanistan and once got stuck there for 5 days when it was supposed to be just overnight. Day 2-3 was pretty bad (but I didn't want to be That Guy Who Whines, especially as a contractor), but after that it was easy.
  - jngreenlee 7y ago
    The brain is marvelously adaptable...especially in survival situations (regardless of overall politics/geopolitical strength), many of us ended up in a fight or die scenario at one time or another...the tools might change, but the imperative is there...
    - hi5eyes 7y ago
      military is just a frat with access to weapons/tanks
      - dvdhnt 7y ago
        As a veteran, I think that is only part of the story. The military is many things depending on who you ask. In fact, if you ask me throughout my life, you'd get different answers. You have to consider that the makeup of the military ranges from truly noble folks to psychopaths, from the poor escaping poverty to the patriots trying to impress their family. Edit: And to some it's an imperialist frat in service to the wealthy elites. Old men start wars, young men (and women) fight them.
RickJWagner 7y ago
On this Veteran's Day, thank you for your service.

dvdhnt 7y ago

As someone who spent his entire deployment doing SIGINT in Kuwait, I've always wondered what it's like to have done what you did. Honestly, you spend some time beating yourself up over it, too - which is just dumb.

rdl 7y ago
What amazed me was just how fast people adapt to crazy stuff. I went to some of the COPs briefly in Afghanistan and once got stuck there for 5 days when it was supposed to be just overnight. Day 2-3 was pretty bad (but I didn't want to be That Guy Who Whines, especially as a contractor), but after that it was easy.
- jngreenlee 7y ago
  The brain is marvelously adaptable...especially in survival situations (regardless of overall politics/geopolitical strength), many of us ended up in a fight or die scenario at one time or another...the tools might change, but the imperative is there...
  - hi5eyes 7y ago
    military is just a frat with access to weapons/tanks
    - dvdhnt 7y ago
      As a veteran, I think that is only part of the story. The military is many things depending on who you ask. In fact, if you ask me throughout my life, you'd get different answers. You have to consider that the makeup of the military ranges from truly noble folks to psychopaths, from the poor escaping poverty to the patriots trying to impress their family. Edit: And to some it's an imperialist frat in service to the wealthy elites. Old men start wars, young men (and women) fight them.

RickJWagner 7y ago

On this Veteran's Day, thank you for your service.