1945 - NCOs had a typewriter on their desks for doing daily reports.
2001 - Everyone has an Internet access computer, and they wonder why no
work is getting done.
1945 - We painted pictures of girls on airplanes to remind us of home.
2001 - We painted pictures of girls on airplanes but they made us take
them
off.
1945 - If you got drunk off duty your buddies would take you back to
the
barracks to sleep it off.
2001 - If you get drunk they slap you in rehab and ruin your career.
1945 - You were taught to aim at your enemy and shoot him.
2001 - You spray 500 bullets into the bush, don't hit anything, and
retreat
because you're out of ammo!
1945 - Canteens were made of steel, and you could heat coffee or hot
chocolate in them.
2001 - Canteens are made of plastic, you can't heat anything in them,
and
the water always taste like plastic.
1945 - Officers were professional soldiers first and they commanded
respect.
2001 - Officers are politicians first and beg not to be given a tough
assignment.
1945 - They collected enemy intelligence and analyzed it.
2001 - They collect your pee and analyze it.
1945 - If you didn't act right, the Sergeant Major put you in the brig
until you straightened up.
2001 - If you don't act right, they start a paper trail that follows
you
forever.
1945 - Medals were awarded to heroes who saved lives at the risk of
their
own.
2001 - Medals are awarded to people who work at headquarters.
1945 - You slept in barracks like a soldier.
2001 - You sleep in a dormitory like a college kid.
1945 - You ate in a mess hall, which was free, and you could have all
the
food you wanted.
2001 - You eat in a dining facility, every slice of bread & pat of
butter
costs, & you better not take too much.
1945 - We defeated powerful countries like Germany and Japan.
2001 - We come up short against Iraq and Yugoslavia.
1945 - If you wanted beer and conversation you went to the NCO or
Officers'
Club.
2001 - The beer will cost you $2.75, membership is forced, and someone
is
watching how much you drink.
1945 - The Exchange had bargains for soldiers who didn't make much
money.
2001 - You can get better and cheaper merchandise at Wal-Mart.
1945 - We could recognize the enemy by their Nazi helmets.
2001 - We are wearing helmets that look just like theirs.
1945 - We called the enemy names like "Krauts" and "Japs" because we
didn't
like them.
2001 - We call the enemy the "opposing force" or "aggressor" because
we
don't want to offend them.
1945 - victory was declared when the enemy was defeated and all his
things
were broken.
2001 - victory is declared when the enemy says he is sorry.
1945 - A commander would put his butt on the line to protect his
people.
2001 - A commander will put his people on the line to protect his butt.
1945 - Wars were planned and run by generals with lots of important
victories.
2001 - Wars are planned by politicians with lots of equivocating.
1945 - All you could think about was getting out and becoming a
civilian
again.
2001 - All you can think about was getting out and becoming a civilian
again.