War Junkies

[portcullisguy]

recceguy ... I was serious in my last post in this thread, I really DID stop at an accident on my way to work to render assistance. But I‘ll admit there was also some curiosity involved -- I just HAD to see how a single-vehicle accident could occur on dry roads in broad daylight involving a BMW taking out a concrete pole. Driver had not a scratch on him.

As for my recent spoutings about how great a highland regiment is... you‘re right, I should put more smiley faces in my posts, as my attempt at good-natured ribbing doesn‘t always come through in my posts.

All elements of the CF have an important role to play. No one knows this better than me, I think, as my family were all naval officers, and me, I joined the army!

No kilt yet... not until after the summer. No dashing headdress either, still stuck with the beret & cornflake. But thanks anyway for winding my neck in a bit, cheers mate.

 

[excoelis]

Good recommendation with ‘On Killing‘ combat_medic, but one can also proof-read some of the articles on Grossmans‘ website: web page
they encapsulate what is contained within the book and in some cases expand on it.

 

[Infanteer]

On of the problems with Grossman‘s book is that he bases a healthy chunk of his thesis on the research of SLA Marshal. Marshal later admitted (and this is discussed in the preface to his book) that much of the data he collected concerning non-firers was pulled out of thin air. There is another really good psychological book that concerns itself with killing, however it takes the opposite approach and shows that man has a natural killer instinct. I‘ll try and dig up the name of the book.

 

[Mike Bobbitt]

I stand corrected. Glad to see this thread pull out of an apparent nose dive.

Thanks all.

 

[Horse Gunner]

Having spent 9 yrs in the British Army, I had several tours of Northern Ireland thrown my way. Some of these tours passed without incident others unfortunately did not. Having the misfortune to be on the wrong end of incoming small arms fire on several occaisions I can tell you (paras) that it is not pleasant nor is it fun. Onnce you‘ve seen a buddy shot and killed in front of you the whole thing goes to S**t. So let me tell you, if you meet any so called war junkies they are 1) full of s**t and 2) have probably never been in a combat zone.

 

[greeves]

Well put, Horse Gunner. I think professional soldiers are "excited" or look forward to the prospect of seeing action until the day it actually happens. Then they see war differently (unless they are the 1% of the population that Combat Medic mentions) - still willing to do their duty, but with a much more realistic idea of the true face of combat. I know this was my father‘s experience. He had been a professional soldier for several years when he got sent to Korea. After several nasty patrolling actions and commanding a 3 RCR rifle platoon on Hill 187 (May2-3, 1953 - Canada‘s last major battle of the Korean war) his ideas on the "glory" inherent in combat changed. He went on to serve in other trouble spots (namely Cyprus in the late 60‘s and early 70‘s) but his experience against the Chinese army remained and he saw only his duty, not glory, in shooting at, and being shot at by other men.