[BLOG] 14 years
This month, 14 years ago I entered bootcamp for the U.S. Army. I was 17 years old.
My M.O.S. was 19kilo, Armor Crewman. I was trained on the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. I went to Fort Knox, KY for bootcamp, and that is where I stayed all 4 years of active duty.
My job during my time was to train fresh lieutenants to become tank commanders. Being a tank commander meant you knew all positions and operations of the M1 Abrams. How to be the driver, loader, gunner and finally the tank commander.
Not all of the lieutenants that I trained went overseas or to war, but many of them did. It was my job to make sure they had all the proper training for survival on an M1A1, so if deployed, they would be ready. The training lasted 6 weeks.
Occasionally, when I mention I was in the military, I am asked if I ever killed anyone. The answer is no. But when I reflect back to the military days, I can't help wonder how many of the soldiers I trained have killed, or, have been killed.
The M1A1 Abrams tank is designed to destroy just about any land and some air enemy vehicles. The only thing that could counter an M1A1 was possibly a land mine, an air-to-ground attack, or another M1A1. If you ever watch the Desert Storm attacks that the M1's did, you can easily see that the tank is serious business.
I trained new lieutenants to kill and destroy enemies using the M1A1. I never killed a human. But occasionally my mind and heart sink when I think about the possibility of one of the soldiers I trained killing. Or worse, the mother of a son at the funeral of a soldier I didn't train well enough.
This 4th of July when you are celebrating America's independence, drinking beer and shooting off fireworks, if you get a chance, remember the good times you are enjoying came at the cost of blood. And to be thankful.
Greg
My M.O.S. was 19kilo, Armor Crewman. I was trained on the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. I went to Fort Knox, KY for bootcamp, and that is where I stayed all 4 years of active duty.
My job during my time was to train fresh lieutenants to become tank commanders. Being a tank commander meant you knew all positions and operations of the M1 Abrams. How to be the driver, loader, gunner and finally the tank commander.
Not all of the lieutenants that I trained went overseas or to war, but many of them did. It was my job to make sure they had all the proper training for survival on an M1A1, so if deployed, they would be ready. The training lasted 6 weeks.
Occasionally, when I mention I was in the military, I am asked if I ever killed anyone. The answer is no. But when I reflect back to the military days, I can't help wonder how many of the soldiers I trained have killed, or, have been killed.
The M1A1 Abrams tank is designed to destroy just about any land and some air enemy vehicles. The only thing that could counter an M1A1 was possibly a land mine, an air-to-ground attack, or another M1A1. If you ever watch the Desert Storm attacks that the M1's did, you can easily see that the tank is serious business.
I trained new lieutenants to kill and destroy enemies using the M1A1. I never killed a human. But occasionally my mind and heart sink when I think about the possibility of one of the soldiers I trained killing. Or worse, the mother of a son at the funeral of a soldier I didn't train well enough.
This 4th of July when you are celebrating America's independence, drinking beer and shooting off fireworks, if you get a chance, remember the good times you are enjoying came at the cost of blood. And to be thankful.
Greg
0
Comments
Much respect to you Fatcat, thank you.