army

An essential guide to all things army; explore the intricate structure of units, troops, ranks and roles that work together to keep our borders safe.

“When the Smoke Starts to Clear...”
Mission Critical SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) for besties (mejores amigos/amgias)- Code blue/Código Azul: Los amigos (o amigas). Friendship sustaining activities/chats. Ex. include: Lunch/coffee; "Recoil therapy"; and album listening parties. Code orange/naranja: *Life* sustaining chat needed (The Fray). Helpful Hint: Listen *actively* (Do NOT talk over your buddy; do ask pertinent questions; and definitely offer empathy/sympathy). Code red/Rojo: "No sh*t", this is "Real World"; NOT an "Exercise." Ex. include: SOS-"Save Our Ship" (not technically accurate); BHD- Bravo Hotel Delta (emergency "landing"), wherein QRF (Quick Reaction Force) may/may not be on standby; and/or supplies/morale critical (low on water/ammo/food). Code yellow/amarillo: Love interests are involved/desired (positive light). Ex. include: "I have dates for the two of us"; "I need a date"; and "I have a potential for you." Code white/blanco: There's finna be "a beautiful death." Bring your tools and let's team up to "hammer" this problem out. (Sidenote- Violence as an absolute LAST resort.) Code black/negro: New life. Code purple/morado: General kudos are in order. Ex. include: Graduations; initial properties; Freedom from Uncle Sam. Code green/verde: General reference to La familia. Ex. include: "The Fam's throwing something. Hope to see you there." Code sky blue/azul cielo: "We need to settle this like Grunts and roll in the grass til we have a 'mutual understanding.'" Spoiler Alert: King T'Challa never yielded. (Sidenote- Do NOT kill your bestie in "ritual combat." Make each other tougher, bond, and commit to better communication in the future. [Side, Sidenote: General guidelines to follow at another time. For now, NO ankle locks.]) If either party is unable/unwilling to physically fight, prudent alternatives are acceptable; preferably Chess (the only game that really matters). Code brown/marrón: "We've been sh*t on" and/or "It's time to serve some knuckle sandwiches." (Same sidenote as Code White/blanco.) Code pink/rosa: Variable/Audible/Contingency plan #1 (Plan Bravo/B). Ex. include: "Pop smoke! It's too many of them." Or, "Our position is compromised! Back to Rally Point #4!" Code gray/gris: Variable #2 (like Code Pink, though less cool).
By Nefarious Darrius7 years ago in Serve
A Soldier Who Flew Higher...
As I walked through the already opened door, I felt that my tears were hotter than the rest of my body. I looked down to see one ladybug jumping from person to person as they entered the room. Right away everyone wanted to flick and squish it, but I felt like it was so odd that it stayed for a few seconds and was on to the next. As I lightly placed it back on the plant so it could continue to greet others, I realized each step was getting heavier but so much lighter as I went on.
By Savannah Wheeler7 years ago in Serve
Anxiety and Depression = 22
22, that's the number on average a day veterans take their lives. While we are inundated with that number whenever we have an event, or get ready to deploy, for some that number is just that, a number. Unless you have been through it, or know of someone that is has happened to, you feel for those in that situation. Like many other things in life, if it really isn't directly affecting you, its just another after thought. I know, I was one of those who felt the same way.
By Sean Romero8 years ago in Serve
The Nest
To feel the cold wind across my cheeks would tend to be a pleasurable experience in most cases, but not in this one. The wind only makes the reminder of where I am and where I have been for the past week a bitter one. The cold gives me chills that have been all too familiar during the time I have spent in this nest. This nest has become a prison of my own advantage.
By Randy Sinclair8 years ago in Serve
Sniper
Days are long, nights are cold. At times I find myself numb from the chill, all but my fingers and toes which ache and burn, try as I may to warm my frozen blood. I can’t shake, no matter how hard the wind blows. I can’t shiver, no matter how far the temperature drops. I must stay still. If I move, people will die.
By Hannah Shull8 years ago in Serve
How To Prepare for Joining the Army
Being a military member is not an easy decision to make—or rather, it shouldn't be one. If you want to join the military police force, or just become an Army doctor, then it's assumed that you have put a lot of thought into that decision.
By Buddy Brown8 years ago in Serve
Soft Orders
Soon we will discover how drastically or minimally our lives will change, depending on where they decide to send you. To be honest, it's not like our every wish and need will be met at our convenience. But there is a small hope within me that somehow, even if I could pack a toothbrush and make a weekend trip to be with you, then it would be a literal dream. Yet in the midst of the chaos that we have surfed through since we had a talk about your decision, there is no denying that we have gained strength through the wait and hope through the silence. Months without contact besides the words scrawled quickly on a piece of flip notebook paper undeniably catalyzes the appreciation I have for your affection, even when you are forced to fit within some shell of existence they make for you while you are there. Ironically, I believe this kind of emotional turmoil I have experienced along the way has beautifully wrecked all of my expectations of what our lives would look like and has been replaced with an entire world map of possibilities.
By Fayth Stewart8 years ago in Serve
This Army Life Is Crazy Part 1
September 12th was the day my life changed forever. I got on a plane to St. Louis, Missouri to start my army career...and let me tell you it was interesting. As soon as I boarded my flight I was nervous but a good kind of nervous because this was something I had been looking forward to for the past few months. When I got off my plane in Missouri, I met a couple people that were on their way to Fort Leonard Wood as well, we became instant friends. We had a couple minutes to grab something to eat and get our bags outside to load the bus to go to reception. Reception. It was a two hour bus ride from St. Louis to Fort Leonard Wood so we all got advised to sleep because we definitely needed it for what we were about to go through. When we pulled up to reception we immediately saw a drill sergeant and thought what the heck, we’re not even at basic yet and there’s already drill sergeants swarming us. They yelled at us to get inside and dump our bags to get whatever contraband out that we had. That was the longest night of my life we didn’t go to bed until two and wake up was at 3:30. Reception was the worst, all we did was stand around and we couldn’t talk at all to anyone but the day we got fitted for our uniforms was the best day ever. Let me tell you when you first put on that uniform it’s the best feeling in the world and you feel so motivated and that you can take on whatever is going to happen. Everyone in that room had the biggest grin ever. We were in reception for about six days then shipping day came along. The most nerve-wracking day of my life. We woke up, ate breakfast, and around noon we got in formation with all our bags lined up. I don’t think there was a single person in that formation that wasn't sweating like crazy from being so nervous. Then from the corner of my eye I saw the drill sergeants that we were going to be spending the next ten weeks with. They came up to us not saying a single word, just looking at all of us, then all of a sudden they said load the bus. Then our journey began. We were on the bus for a good five minutes, I was sitting next to the girl I was bunkmates with in reception, when the bus stopped we just looked at each other because we knew this was the worst part of basic training. Shark Attack day zero. The door busted open and you hear, “Get the f*ck off the bus!” Everyone, I mean everyone, took off, we looked like a bunch of chickens running around with our heads cut off. There were people falling, crying, and screaming, it was a mess. We got inside and they made us line up our bags...again and said, “Lift your bags above your head” so we did and that was so hard. We had to squat with our bags too and run just about every exercise you can think of. I've never sweated so much in my life. After all that we finally got to go to our company and then we all thought to ourselves, man what have we gotten into. Day zero out of 70 complete. Here’s to new adventures.
By Katie8 years ago in Serve
Items for Every Army Basic Training Packing List
You're in the Army, now! Chances are you're unsure of what to pack before heading off to basic training, and that's not a bad thing. Not every recruit will be as prepared as the next one, and even fewer are mentally ready for the hardships awaiting them. Even after you have checked and rechecked your various necessity lists, undergoing a strict look at your packed belongings is key to maintaining the correct packing list when headed to boot camp. It's nothing to fear, basic training is a great way to learn about yourself both in a mental and physical connotation, so you have nothing to worry about.
By Donald Gray8 years ago in Serve
Career Opportunities in the Army
Joining the Army or the Marine Corps often tends to bring up a certain image in peoples' minds. Most of the time, people tend to think that Army enrollees always spend their work lives carrying around guns and fighting.
By Iggy Paulsen8 years ago in Serve
Ways the Army Should Change Up Its Grooming Regulations. Top Story - February 2018.
These are the top ten ways the Army should change up its grooming regulations, though mostly spoken from a dreamer's state of mind. The regulations are tough to fight, and will often never be altered, but a solider can dream, can't he?
By Adrian Scott8 years ago in Serve
Military Sexual Trauma
I was raped in the US Army. I was discharged after being coerced into a statement saying my claim of rape was incorrect. I was charged with adultery and sodomy. One of my rapists was married. The other forced me to perform oral sex on him. In the Army, you could only have sex in the missionary position and with someone that was not married to someone else. My rapists walked free, after failing lie detector tests and admitting to having “relations” with me.
By Melanie Banar8 years ago in Serve