Posted: 10/1/2002 9:13:49 AM EDT
| Is anyone aware of how our military is these days? I'm a tattoo artist who until recently has worked in San Diego tattooing Marines and Navy and all other branches that visit. After 9/11 I tried to re-enlist, I was turned down. Too many tattoos. I was turned down in every branch. I have full sleeves and a small swallow with a dagger through it on my neck. No hand tattoos. My brother is in Naval Spec War, my sister is Navy JAG, my father is ex-subs. But I can't fight for my country because I got one too many tattoos.... Did you also know that in boot camp today youngsters have "stress cards" A chit that they can pull for "time out" if the drill instructor is stressing them out or hurting their feelings? What the hell is this world coming to? How do you make boys into soldiers and sailors if you candy coat boot camp? I consistantly hear of complaints from SEAL's, Marine Recon, and others on the state of equiptment and weapons. There are numerous requests from SEAL's to get rid of the M4 and use the AK74. Every operator I've met hates that gun (as far as in combat, I've heard nothing but good as far as using it for CQB). Requests are denied because of government contracts and beuracratic b.s. Talked to a buddy of mine in SEAL Team 3 the other day who said they were doing fast rope training using M4's. When they hit the ground 9 out of 10 jammed with the dust clouds the blackhawk was kicking up. The next day they used AK47's and AK74's, same drill not one stoppage. Another thing, the M203 grenade launcher. It falls off the M4's alot. And when the M4 barrels get too hot the weight of the M203 bend the barrel down. Making the M4 about as accurate as a MAC-10. The prioritys are so screwed it's unreal. When a buddy of mine was dropped in with his team last year they forgot to drop food because somewhere in the chain of command someone forgot to put it on the plane.Just thought I'd share my feedback from Afghanistan and abroad. Things aren't going as smoothly as the news reports. Business as usual. |
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Propaganda is a wonderful thing, isn't it? I never saw a stress card when I was in, nor has anybody else I have spoken with seen a stress card either. I have come to the conclusion it is some kind of odd myth. And interesting...The SEALs train with AK74s, but they don't "use" them, because of beaurocratic red tape? Huh? Come again? |
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Quoted: There are numerous requests from SEAL's to get rid of the M4 and use the AK74.. Two words, Bullshit! Every operator I've met hates that gun (as far as in combat, I've heard nothing but good as far as using it for CQB). AT+T or Sprint? I guarantee that is the only "operator" you are conversing with. Requests are denied because of government contracts and beuracratic b.s. Talked to a buddy of mine in SEAL Team 3 the other day who said they were doing fast rope training using M4's. When they hit the ground 9 out of 10 jammed with the dust clouds the blackhawk was kicking up. The next day they used AK47's and AK74's, same drill not one stoppage. Lets see, the next day they draw weapons that they cannot get due to contracts / bureaucracy and they work fine. I think you have too much ink in your veins. Another thing, the M203 grenade launcher. It falls off the M4's alot. And when the M4 barrels get too hot the weight of the M203 bend the barrel down. Making the M4 about as accurate as a MAC-10. ?!?!?!?!?!? The prioritys are so screwed it's unreal. When a buddy of mine was dropped in with his team last year they forgot to drop food because somewhere in the chain of command someone forgot to put it on the plane. Didn't they bring their own rations? Are you sure you did not see this on MASH. Just thought I'd share my feedback from Afghanistan and abroad. Things aren't going as smoothly as the news reports. Business as usual. Dude, put down the pipe. |
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I think the stress card is an Urban Legend. I've heard of them, but never actually seem one. Nor do I know anyone else who has seen one. As for the tattoos...All branches of service are discouraging them. Especially ones that can be seen when in uniform. I've know females that have to put band-aids over there tats when wearing their Class "A" skirts because they would otherwise be visible. If you have a tat when you enlist they take pictures of them all and they stay in your record. FWIW. PONY_DRIVER |
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Quoted: Talked to a buddy of mine in SEAL Team 3 the other day who said they were doing fast rope training using M4's. When they hit the ground 9 out of 10 jammed with the dust clouds the blackhawk was kicking up. The next day they used AK47's and AK74's, same drill not one stoppage. Alrighty then! [whacko] |
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Quoted: I think the stress card is an Urban Legend. I've heard of them, but never actually seem one. Nor do I know anyone else who has seen one. PONY_DRIVER As far as Navy boot camp is concerned, there is no such thing as a stress card. There is however something called a "training time out" that is similar to a stress card. Theoretically, a recruit who is being "pushed" beyond his or her limits, be they verbally or physically, can call a 'training time out' at which point the RDC must immediately stop what he was doing with the recruit. I saw this first hand last summer at Great Mistakes when I was there for three weeks providing medical support. Thankfully, the RDC's found a way to circumvent the training time out. The book states that when a training time out is called the RDC in question must stop (not all of them). It says nothing about not having another RDC continue 'training' the recruit in question. One recruit found that out the hard way. He was being yelled at for something when he called a training timeout. The RDC in question immediately stopped yelling at the recruit and a different RDC promptly took the first RDC's place. On and on it went. Personally, our Armed Forces have become too PC. It's all a crock of shit! I've had more classes on sensitivity, EEO, sexual harassment and other such PC crap that I'm really questioning as to whether I'm serving with a USMC Infantry Company or the ACLU.... |
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I went to boot camp in Ft Leonard Wood, MO in 1995 (one of the first co-ed boot camps). My cycle was one of the last before the stress cards were started. Another thing about the "new" boot camps, is the lack of boots. Recruits were allowed to wear tennis shoes with their BDU's for the first couple weeks of training. I remember the drill sergeants bitching to us about the stress cards (cause we didn't have them and they needed to vent). As for basic training getting easier, unless you are combat arms I don't see the point in going overboard on stress. People learn differently now and recruits are generally smarter (IMO) than decades ago. |
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Quoted: I went to boot camp in Ft Leonard Wood, MO in 1995 (one of the first co-ed boot camps). My cycle was one of the last before the stress cards were started. Another thing about the "new" boot camps, is the lack of boots. Recruits were allowed to wear tennis shoes with their BDU's for the first couple weeks of training. I remember the drill sergeants bitching to us about the stress cards (cause we didn't have them and they needed to vent). As for basic training getting easier, unless you are combat arms I don't see the point in going overboard on stress. People learn differently now and recruits are generally smarter (IMO) than decades ago. i took o.s.u.t. in 97 as a 12b10 in A35th at L wood and we dodnt have any stress cards and could not were our shoes unless you were on code from sick call...but mabey because i was combat arms tattoo |
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Iwent through Ft. Lostinthewoods in 98, and there'twern't no such critter as a stress card then. We did have "training time outs" but I NEVER saw anyone call one. EVER! I think it would have been worse than the devil hisself if anyone ever did call one. PONY_DRIVER |
| (QCMGR). Obviously youv'e never shot an AR in the mud, sand, or immediatly after swimming. SEAL's cannot use any weapon they want. Don't believe me? Call up Spec War in Coronado. 99% of the M4's in the military are so beat to shit that they are not that accurate. Theyr'e not pristine like most of the gun's we civilian's own. I don't know where you've been for the last 8 years, but we had a president who didn't think too highly on military spending. Me know operators? If you ever get balls to get ink stop by Flesh Tattoo in Imperial Beach (right off the strand about 7 miles from the west coast SEAL base) it's owned by a Master Chief who's still an active SEAL after 20 years. I think you need to put down the pipe, I don't smoke. Oh, and stop getting your intel from Charlie Sheen and Steven Siegal. |
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Hey BEERSLAYER ... There have been many postings on this site recently of the M-4 barrels drooping from over heating . Even photos ! The one that impressed me was the one where the round exited the barrel about 3 inches past the delta ring ! It is true and is a problem after 5 30 round mags in rapid fire per Uncle Sam ! [usa] |
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JESUS H CHRIST!!!!!!! If I would have pulled some kind of "stress card" out in basic. I would have had to have emergency surgery to have it removed from arsehole! I,my mother,my father and everyone I have ever known was insulted by the Drill Sargent. You figure out after a couple of weeks that it is done to break you down and wake you up. In other words to get your attention. The military use to be serious business with serious people running it. Now the politically correct, pink fuzzy balled college twerps have poisoned it. JESUS H. CHRIST do they have nap time after lunch now too? |
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Quoted: As for the AK's. The military has them but they are rarely allowed in the field. The only people with that privelige is Delta to my knowledge. If you don't believe me check out the first photo's from Afghanistan about every Delta is carrying an AK. |
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Quoted: (QCMGR). Obviously youv'e never shot an AR in the mud, sand, or immediatly after swimming. As a mater of fact, I have, and there is no reason an M-4 would be more sensitive to dust than an M-16A2. SEAL's cannot use any weapon they want. Don't believe me? Call up Spec War in Coronado. I used to work for DLA, I know who can get what; where and when. The real question is why would they want an AK. (Bullshit war stories aside) My guess is they are not part of the regular TO&E because they are inferior to the M-4. I.e., of course they cannot get something they do not need. 99% of the M4's in the military are so beat to shit that they are not that accurate. If you say so, I have not seen evidence of this. Theyr'e not pristine like most of the gun's we civilian's own. Yes, but they are mechanically sound. I don't know where you've been for the last 8 years, but we had a president who didn't think too highly on military spending. Are you saying no money was allocated to small arms? Me know operators? If you ever get balls to get ink stop by Flesh Tattoo in Imperial Beach (right off the strand about 7 miles from the west coast SEAL base) it's owned by a Master Chief who's still an active SEAL after 20 years. Your point? I think you need to put down the pipe, I don't smoke. Oh, and stop getting your intel from Charlie Sheen and Steven Siegal. Let's see, I worked for DLA and you give GI's tattoos'. Are you like Floyd the Barber with a needle? Go back to your post and explain how they cannot get AK's and in the next paragraph they are using them. Explain, (using objective evidence and not some bullshit SF story), how the M-4,(the mechanical twin to the M-16A2), would be more susceptible to dust than the M-16A2. Don't get pissed at me, I am not some kid listenig to a bullshit story while they get inked. |
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Quoted: (QCMGR). Obviously youv'e never shot an AR in the mud, sand, or immediatly after swimming. SEAL's cannot use any weapon they want. Don't believe me? Call up Spec War in Coronado. 99% of the M4's in the military are so beat to shit that they are not that accurate. Theyr'e not pristine like most of the gun's we civilian's own. I don't know where you've been for the last 8 years, but we had a president who didn't think too highly on military spending. Me know operators? If you ever get balls to get ink stop by Flesh Tattoo in Imperial Beach (right off the strand about 7 miles from the west coast SEAL base) it's owned by a Master Chief who's still an active SEAL after 20 years. I think you need to put down the pipe, I don't smoke. Oh, and stop getting your intel from Charlie Sheen and Steven Siegal. ah! the memories!!!................ |
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are all your friends spec ops? sounds like you know a lot of them? i used to work with a guy in the army reserve,he could out shoot and kick every navy seals ass. plus when he went away 2 weeks a year it was always to help rebuild nuclear subs since he was one of the few people who could. (like this thread all BS!!) |
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Quoted: I went to boot camp in Ft Leonard Wood, MO in 1995 (one of the first co-ed boot camps). There is not now nor has there ever been any "boot camp" at Ft Leonard Wood, MO. It is "basic training" or "advanced individual training". I have never heard of boot camp in the US Army. |
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I've heard the urban legend of stress cards too, before I went in the Corps in 1995. I did my 4 and got out in the tail end of 99 and still no friggin stress cards. The first morning we went to chow several guys had left their rifles improperly secured in the squad bay... Well when we're in formation just outside of the chow hall, up comes the Senior DI SSGT Zorne with about 4 or 5 M-16s and commences to slinging them one by one across the parade deck... an not a gentle toss at all... I'd never treat one of my rifle like that. I know these rifles took one hell of a beating, and to my knowledge, no one in our platoon ever had a malfunction that a tap-rack-bang couldn't solve. The same held true throughout enlistment, which after MOS school was Yuma, AZ (I don't wanna hear no shit about the fuckin air wing either) We didn't work on the Air Station, we worked at a smaller remote compound in air defense....till our missile system "went away" anyways. But to get back to the point, I know it was every bit of 110 degrees, and sandy as a bitch. I have no recollection that I personally had to so much as the ole tap-rack-bang myself and heard little of others needing to either. If you (tattoo guy) didn't make this shit up or exaggerate alot, about the jamming M4's, someone is feeding you some BS. I'd love to see the evidence of the M4 "barrel drop" myself, as I find that extremely hard to belive...I'd think that would've been a bigger problem with the first M16 back in NAM when they were full auto. It seems to me the longer barrels would be more prone to such warpage. I too think you handguards would melt off first, let alone not being able to hold onto it... There were some heavily tattooed guys in my Boot Camp platoon, but no one with full sleeves. I'd still assume that you could get a waiver for them if not eccentric in uniform. Unless of course the recruiters got a bad impression of you. Maybe you should have worn long sleeves.... Perhaps you can keep trying, I hope you get your chance. Seems that the corpsman a few posts up thinks the Corps is getting too PC. I agree! I was ISC (computers networking) my last year or so, and it is amazing how dependant they are on their PCs (no pun intended, get it PC). I heard the Sqdrn CO come in and tell my Lt. to check his email for something important.....WTF is the Corps comming to??? but that was a real "wing" unit. But still not as bad as some Army units I've seen. I now work at the Army base I went to SAM school at, and I see those ATI students all the time... They call to their drill Sergeants like.......daddy... I even see them in the Mall saying in a sweet voice "drill sergeant!!! drill sergeant!!!" [puke] I even see Majors and Colonels in the mall wearing their cammies....WTF Well, their hearts are in the right place I guess. At least they're servin their country. |
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Q: What would make a military's M-4 barrel droop 3 inches after just 120 rounds when we can slam a betamag though one in less than a minute and get nothing but smoke and a damn hot rifle? (melted the carry strap off of the front mounting point!) A: --- a myth --- Somebody when hungry on a mission! OMG I guess that's why they teach them how to eat snakes. |
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Quoted: God this is ridiculous, the barrel droop (or whatever you wanna call it) is caused by the added weight of the M203 and not 120 rds, more like a couple thousand. Next you guy's will tell me a barrel can't melt........ I carried an M203 on an M16A1 and never had any trouble with barrel droop after full auto fire. [img]http://glen.dodgedakotas.com/john/Johnsized.jpg[/img] |