US delivers equipment to Germany

[Newt]

I saw this on another board and thought it was fitting for this thread.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016 ... -says.html
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defens ... /82763640/

2/3rds of military not up to par

quote:
It's not that, at least not completely. It's that we spend our money and time on things like sexual assault prevention and suicide awareness classes and barracks that are fit for a king instead of training and ammunition physical fitness. A commander won't be reprimanded if his soldiers are out of shape and can't shoot but you can guarantee that if a certain percentage of his unit didn't get the don't rape people and kill yourself class his career is over.


This reply is from a poster who apparently is in the military

"There is a lot of truth to the latter. And I would agree with the barracks thing also although a pretty large % of barracks world wide are not up to requirements (the requirements being overly generous obviously) BUT if order to have a professional military you have to up the ante on things like living conditions and family issues. The old days of "if the military wanted you to have a family they'd of issued you one..." doesn't do much for retention.


I will say this....a few years back I was heavily involved with troops returning to Germany from downrange....and you never saw such a worn out bunch of young men and women in your life (not you personally...you are in the military so you saw it also). I am talking about 25 year olds who were limping around and groaning like a bunch of 50 year olds...they were WORN out....and it wasn't because they were pussies...it was because they had been put through the ringer. Their equipment wasn't in any better shape....the vehicles that returned from down range that were worn completely out and needing serious attention to be used again was staggering. You don't see this on bases as much today....I don't know about the equipment (many of the people are involved in revitalizing it) but there is a marked improvement in simple physical fitness not associated with PT but simply being able to walk and move with ease. You can't have the same people and equipment deployed downrange over and over again for extended periods of time and not expect them to be worn out eventually.

I have a friend who is a E8 and has been in the army since 1990 in 25 years he has been deployed downrange in a combat zone about 16 years...an MP...and their job ain't physically easy...and has been deployed overseas 6 of the other 9 years he has been in the army....and dude is worn out...he is 44 years old and if he lives to see 60 it will be a miracle...and he dismisses the idea that he has done enough or even his share...laments not being downrange where he belongs. That kind of dedication does not come without a physical toll and it is amazingly omni-present in career soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines....


As civilians we should be VERY mindful of what we are asking of the people in the military....if we wear people out like my friend the MP we are going to be in a world of hurt because that sort of person does not come along nearly often enough...."