Quote:
Originally Posted by stash247
They get the wisdom and experience of fighting 30-40 years ago, in the older way, for free; a bargain, in my book! Things like navigation, by the stars, and compass, rather than GPS, the difference, between cover, and concealment, regardless of body armor, the reality of the 'human element', in all things.
|
You know, Terry, for most of our history the U.S. depended on a relatively small cadre military composed mostly of older, experienced, professional soldiers. In time of war the idea was to use those troops to leven the bread, so to speak, by integrating them--especially the noncoms--into newly formed military units to steady and train the youngsters answering the call to arms. I remember from my own experience just how valuable those older guys could be. In fact, I would be the first to admit that I would likely not have survived my first 30 days "in country" had it not been for one old sergeant on his third tour. BIT teaches useful skills for sure, but it doesn't really teach a newbie how to survive in a real combat zone. Only the wisdom of experience passed on by the older guys does that . . . and as you know yourself, a good deal of luck as well.