Wish I could have fought in WWII...

GoMBoS · #1 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 04:12 AM

I don't know if anybody thinks like me on this, let me start by saying I'm 16 years old and plan on enlisting for the Marines when I'm 18.

When I look back and think about WWII, all I see, the the last true war, with epic proportions, that was almost the perfect war. I mean, all forces fighting, fought in proper uniform unlike today, with terrorism, that's one of my key things right there. Also, I'm not totally digging today's technology with firearms and weapons. I love, how in WWII, there wasn't any fancy technology, with scopes, lasers, guided missiles and all that. I love the weapons of that era, I love the military's of the era, I love everything about the WWII era. It's just that, there will never, be, anything, mostly likely, close to what WWII was like, nothing.
There also wasn't all this bull*crap, today's military sees, with politics and all that *crap. Trying to send our troops to jail for shooting innocent people, how can we tell, who the enemy is and who isn't, they too cowardly to fight in uniform, so they fight in civilian clothes. I just can't stand all the restrictions, today's armed forces have, it's a load of BS, this is conflict, not, bull*crap.

If I only had one chance to go back in time, it would most definately be WWII. It's just such an amazing time, so much happened and was going on. I can only hope, somebody can make some amazing WWII simulator where you feel like you're actually there some 50 years from now. I would do anything, to see what it was like to be in the middle of such a war.

JCFalkenbergIII · #2 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 04:38 AM

You may want to read some of the first hand stories and experiences of those who served back then.

A Soldier Strips the Romance Out of Life at War

Otto · #3 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoMBoS

I would do anything, to see what it was like to be in the middle of such a war.

Good God.

I sincerely hope your wish never, ever comes true.

JCFalkenbergIII · #4 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otto

Good God.

I sincerely hope your wish never, ever comes true.

I was thinking the same thing Otto. Hence my advice to read some of the first hand experiences in my thread

. I suggest also looking and reading elsewhere.

Otto · #5 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 05:12 AM

I was thinking of linking to that same article JCF, but you beat me to it.

GoMBoS, please forgive my lack of a welcome post. Welcome aboard, I'm glad you have two years of research before you ship out.

Herr Oberst · #6 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 05:28 AM

Before you enlist listen to some USMC vets other than those in the recruiting office and ask of their experiences. Get a true picture so that you'll understand what service means. It is unfortunate that todays soldier seems to have to watch his back for the jag officers as well as face front towards the enemy.

If you understood what fighting in World War II was like then you would probably have said I wish I could have a viewing portal or crystal ball to see what really happened in WWII. But I remember when I was sixteen too

T. A. Gardner · #7 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoMBoS

I don't know if anybody thinks like me on this, let me start by saying I'm 16 years old and plan on enlisting for the Marines when I'm 18.

When I look back and think about WWII, all I see, the the last true war, with epic proportions, that was almost the perfect war. I mean, all forces fighting, fought in proper uniform unlike today, with terrorism, that's one of my key things right there. Also, I'm not totally digging today's technology with firearms and weapons. I love, how in WWII, there wasn't any fancy technology, with scopes, lasers, guided missiles and all that. I love the weapons of that era, I love the military's of the era, I love everything about the WWII era. It's just that, there will never, be, anything, mostly likely, close to what WWII was like, nothing.
There also wasn't all this bull*crap, today's military sees, with politics and all that *crap. Trying to send our troops to jail for shooting innocent people, how can we tell, who the enemy is and who isn't, they too cowardly to fight in uniform, so they fight in civilian clothes. I just can't stand all the restrictions, today's armed forces have, it's a load of BS, this is conflict, not, bull*crap.

If I only had one chance to go back in time, it would most definately be WWII. It's just such an amazing time, so much happened and was going on. I can only hope, somebody can make some amazing WWII simulator where you feel like you're actually there some 50 years from now. I would do anything, to see what it was like to be in the middle of such a war.

War is mostly very boring and very uncomfortable. You spend most of your time trying to keep warm (or survive the heat) and get something decent to eat. Actual fighting is terrifying and you are amazed you survived. The whole time you haven't got a clue what's going on beyond what you can see immediately around you.
This goes for every service in one degree or another.

Herr Oberst · #8 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 05:35 AM

See young grasshopper, your journey for knowledge has already started

Kruska · #9 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 07:02 AM

Hello GoMBoS,

don't worry there is a lot of young (16 years) guys like you, who said and believed the same as you forwarded.

You will sooner or later out grow it - hope it isn't to late by then. A good way for you to get your mind set straight is to try and contact some vets on this Forum "they are marked blue - names")

Regards
Kruska

Kai-Petri · #10 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 07:20 AM

Just watch the part of the Normandy landing of "Saving private Ryan" and you´ll see how miserable the end of military career can be for some....the other side of the coin...

Kruska · #11 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kai-Petri

Just watch the part of the Normandy landing of "Saving private Ryan" and you´ll see how miserable the end of military career can be for some....the other side of the coin...

Hello Kai-Petri,

Movies will always try to point out some heroics and glory, and if he watches the new Tarantino movie "Inglorious Bastards" he might probably want to join up the next day -

Regards
Kruska

Herr Oberst · #12 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 07:36 AM

Yes..... but the thing about movies is that there is no smell.

**SouthWestPacificVet** · #13 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 08:13 AM

GoMBoS,

It was not what you are thinking it was at all. In all reality, I would hope it will never happen again like it did.

If by chance there is an accurate simulator created in the future, you would not wish to use it a second time.

Jack

Otto · #14 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 10:25 AM

Cheers Jack. There is no better source than someone who was there.

This thread just got itself pinned.

Von Poop · #15 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 10:42 AM

This springs to mind from Owen's rather famous ditty.

Quote:

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori.

Cheers,
Adam.

texson66 · #16 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 01:31 PM

GoMBos,

I think Senator McCain said the other night that he thought a war was all about him and glory until he was in a real war. Then he understood it was about serving the nation versus glory for himself. Be ready ready to serve if called, but pray for peace.

"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity."

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969)

Listen to these wise vets on this forum. They speak from experience.

Skipper · #17 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 02:58 PM

[quote=GoMBoS;318073]
how can we tell, who the enemy is and who isn't, they too cowardly to fight in uniform, so they fight in civilian clothes. quote]

Hmm, maybe you shouldn't generalize your statement. this is what the Nazis said when they caught Partisans in Russia, our Resistants in Warshaw or the Maquis in France. I don't think those brave men who gave their lives for freedom were cowards.

PzJgr · #18 (**permalink**) September 12th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Well if you want to see what war is, go ahead and join the Marines or the Army. War is not as glorious as film makes it out to be or the video games. War is filled with death, deprevations and fear. Those who have seen combat come back different. I have seen it in my father and family have seen it in me. Bullet wounds are not clean little holes. The dead are not lying down gracefully. A simulator will never come close to the real thing. You will always walk away thinking it was a game.

I highly recommend that you do join up or you will never get rid of the glorious attitude towards war. Talk to any combat veteran about your desires and you will see them give you the look.

When I was your age, I felt the same way. We did not have the video games like today. But I still wanted to go into battle and come out a hero. Perhaps it is the age. Nonetheless, I do recommend military service. If you see combat, then you will get your wish and have to live with the consequences of your experience. If you don't see combat, you will mature and come out a better man.