Ignorance of civvies...

[Conquistador]

Man i can't wait to get out into the feild,and get some trigger time in...

I was unaware that army cadets get "trigger time" in the field...

 

[Haggis]

Last December I went out to do some Christmas shopping.  I stopped by a little store in my hometown to pick up a gift for my wife.  While the shopkeeper was wrapping it, she began to talk about her husband and his daily commute.  I mentioned my daily commute to Ottawa and she asked if I worked for the government.  I answered, "Sort of.  Army actually."

She said that I should've told her that up front.  I asked "why" and she said "Because soldiers get 15% off in my store.  It's the least I can do."

Don't think the Canadian public doesn't appreciate us.  It's just that they're generally not very good at showing it.

 

[TMM]

Don't think the Canadian public doesn't appreciate us.  It's just that they're generally not very good at showing it.

We are quiet about it, but that's how we are about everything, except the playoffs. When the CF ordered our software and the credit card had already been charged by an employee, I reversed the charge, called up the buyer and gave a discount. She was surprised and very appreciative. That by the way is the only branch of the Feds I give a discount too!

As Canadians, in general, we are laid back, wearing our hearts under our sleeves whilst you lot wear the flag on yours. We are not rah rah people but it doesn't bely the deep and quiet appreciation that exists.

Yes, you will always have the yahoos and anti-everythings(being a leftie myself I've met more than a few) but remember their loudness does not discount all the rest.

 

[zipperhead_cop]

Oh man... you have got to be kidding me. Do you even comprehend the seriousness of using a firearm? You have the ability to KILL someone. I'm interested in the Air Force.. but I can assume with almost 100% certainty the Army does NOT want trigger happy video game kids joining up.

Working as a student customs officer.. and hearing the new legislation in place to arm customs officers ( the chances of arming students is nil anyway) I still contemplated how I would feel with a sidearm attached to my hip, taking a more prominent role than the current baton and pepper spray we have now. It was very sobering, to realise that if I did not do my job with the utmost professionalism and tact, and even if I did so.. that in a brief few seconds I could have destroyed a life and untold other peoples lives in the process.

Sorry for the rant, but that sort of immature viewing of the Army, and the CF as a whole just pisses me off.

Lighten up, Francis.  If the customer asks for it, the customer gets it.  Sorting people out isn't that complicated. 

 

[the 48th regulator]

Lighten up, Francis.  If the customer asks for it, the customer gets it.  Sorting people out isn't that complicated. 

Uhmm Zip,

I think the paddy canuck was kinda of bang on in his rant to this Francis,

Man i can't wait to get out into the feild,and get some trigger time in.... :warstory: :threat:

Laing, the only trigger time you will get in the field is with the remote on the chesterfield....

dileas

tess

 

[zipperhead_cop]

Uhmm Zip,

I think the paddy canuck was kinda of bang on in his rant to this Francis,

Oh, I'm all for taking firearms seriously.  It just seemed like I.C. was getting all goose-bumpy thinking about the implications of deploying his baton or pepper spray.  No doubt he is a fine lad, however the Customs student program is a ill thought, out dated donkey show as a whole.  I stand to be corrected. 

 

[cobbler]

I'm in Vancouver at the moment, if you've read my posts you'll know i'm hoping/waiting for exchange with RCD. But i've found that Canadians are really good about people in the Forces, back home people are a lot more reserved, I've never got the whole "Thanks for serving" back home but we do get a few pats on the back at various times. Anyway, since i've been here i've introduced as being in the Australian army by the people i've been staying with and its only got good responses. I had my first hand shake and "Thank you for serving" last week, which really embarrased me. Ah well, i just thought i'd mention that one as well, Canadians (maybe because of the toll in Afghanistan) seem a lot more interested in people who are serving then Australians are back home. But thats just me

Where abouts in Australia areyou from.

Because I find in Melbourne there is a general dis-interest in the ADF other than on Anzac day and when it comes time to hand out a new shipbuilding contract. I guessthat this ties in with Melbourne's leftist, socialist, and isolationist leanings.

Whereas I find in other places, particuarly Tassie and Queensland there is more of an appreciation of military personnel.

 

[IrishCanuck]

Oh, I'm all for taking firearms seriously.  It just seemed like I.C. was getting all goose-bumpy thinking about the implications of deploying his baton or pepper spray.  No doubt he is a fine lad, however the Customs student program is a ill thought, out dated donkey show as a whole.  I stand to be corrected. 

My consideration was regarding the use of deadly force in form of a sidearm. After thinking about it, I thought if one day I was in that situation ( as a full time police or customs officer) that I would be able to pull the trigger, my whole point was that it is not a game, not something to be taken off-handedly. It has real implications.

Sorry if my rant rubbed you the wrong way

 

[Trooper Hale]

Yeah, i'm actually in Melbourne and i reckon your right about the disinterest about us. I like disinterest though, getting told "Thank you for serving" i find to be a bit embarrasing and its never aggressive. Although i am a proud Melbournian and a closet lefty whats the stuff about the isolationist? We'r as isolationist as any other city in Australia. Tasmania would be isolationist, they've got a lot of water to prove it!

 

[cobbler]

Disinterest is fine, but it's when people have the mentality of "whats the point" or "the ADF does nothing" that I have a problem with. Luckily such thinkers are few and far between, even down here in sunny Melbourne  .

 

[1feral1]

Man i can't wait to get out into the feild,and get some trigger time in.... :warstory: :threat:

After a very LONG day at work (I am on yet another course, much a repeat of a previous LAV related one - hence our bordem), this comment 'above' made my day. Thanks for the laugh mate, but sorry its at your own expense. I am laughing at you, not with you. Want some trigger time? Go to the video arcade.

I feel a burst from a LMG or C7 for that matter, would make you crap your pants.

Cheers,

Wes

 

[Lost_Warrior]

Man i can't wait to get out into the feild,and get some trigger time in....

...wins "Most quoted phrase in such a short time" award  ;D

 

[Centurian1985]

Man i can't wait to get out into the feild,and get some trigger time in.... :warstory: :threat:

Blasts have already been directed your way, so I wont comment further on that part.

I will point out that this is not an uncommon statement from people who seldom, or have never, shot a weapon before.  Is there a 'rush' in blasting off a hundred rounds from a weapon when you first get ahold of one? Yes.  Do young soldiers look forward to firing live ammunition?  Yes.  However, this is exactly why young soldiers go through training and work with experienced soldiers before deploying overseas - so that the 'rush' is lost by acclimation, they realize the immense responsibility of operating weapons, and what happens if you use a weapon inappropriately.  In they end they may join the experienced ranks of those who own weapons and take up hunting, not for meat and clothing, but for the pleasure of firing weapons, demonstrating their skill and expertise, and hanging out with others who share the same interests. 

 

[Bobbyoreo]

That and they realise the time spent clean ain't worth the trigger time!!! lol ;D

 

[Lost_Warrior]

That and they realise the time spent clean ain't worth the trigger time!!! lol Grin

So true.  At the begining of basic, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a C7.  By the end of basic, I coudn't wait to hand it back in.  Just another piece of kit to carry around and clean  ;D

 

[Thompson_JM]

So true.  At the begining of basic, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a C7.   By the end of basic, I coudn't wait to hand it back in.   Just another piece of kit to carry around and clean  ;D

Yup.... Last Brigade Ex my philosophy was if i could avoid fireing it I would....

Not get me wrong... im all for practicing Fire and movement and all that Jazz, but when i get 10 rounds for an entire weekend, i know im not gonna be in too many firefights... plus we were only there to support the Infantry for Troop lifts and the like...

and lastly, I had an Uber-Keener Pte who was more then happy to shoot for me... So I gave him some of my ammo....

Live Fire on the other hand.... Im all for mucking up my weapon with carbon and dirt.... since at that point im getting alot more out of it, training wise...

 

[Lost_Warrior]

but when i get 10 rounds for an entire weekend

Thats when you dip into the infinite supply of Militia Rounds  :

 

[GO!!!]

Live Fire on the other hand.... Im all for mucking up my weapon with carbon and dirt.... since at that point im getting alot more out of it, training wise...

Well, is'nt that a great attitude towards training!

Imagine if the whole military ran that way!

Pilot: Simulator? F*** that - I only do real aircraft - let the new guy do it.

Medic: Practice needles/stitches? Forget it - I don't want to get bloody unless I'm in the $hit.

Jumper: Para refreshers? Nope - I'm not getting sweaty without an airplane to jump from!

As the saying goes - a gallon of sweat will save a pint of blood. If you are not taking your opportunities to train (even with the restricted budgets that all units have) then you should just quit. Your age, component and trade soundly preclude you from the "been there done that" demographic, so you saying that you are too lazy to clean a weapon fired with blanks, but live fire is OK, is pretty weak.

The rest of the army fires blanks before live - what makes you different?

 

[Trooper Hale]

Aint nothing like a good blank "Yippee" shoot! Especially with a Minimi (C9) or a MAG 58(C6). You just lie there, dig it into your shoulder and enjoy it as much as possible. Theres no pressure to shoot a certain grouping or to pass anything, you just take your position and attack the "enemy", trying to prove that you know your job. Sure you've got to clean the gear and it takes ages but having a good ambush, whether your being "shot" at or your doing the shooting makes up for it in spades. Plus its not like cleaning is the worst chore in the world, you just switch to "auto pilot" and do it like you've done it countless times before.

I mean where else can you have bad guys shooting at you, you doing your job AND with no chance of actually dying? We could discuss it with the Afghans but i'm pretty they'll stick with their live rounds. Blank shooting is usually a blast, its great training and good fun. And anyway, its not as if your not going to clean your weapon anyway!

 

[paracowboy]

Aint nothing like a good blank "Yippee" shoot! Especially with a Minimi (C9) or a MAG 58(C6). You just lie there, dig it into your shoulder and enjoy it as much as possible. Theres no pressure to shoot a certain grouping or to pass anything, you just take your position and attack the "enemy", trying to prove that you know your job. Sure you've got to clean the gear and it takes ages but having a good ambush, whether your being "shot" at or your doing the shooting makes up for it in spades. Plus its not like cleaning is the worst chore in the world, you just switch to "auto pilot" and do it like you've done it countless times before.

I mean where else can you have bad guys shooting at you, you doing your job AND with no chance of actually dying? We could discuss it with the Afghans but i'm pretty they'll stick with their live rounds. Blank shooting is usually a blast, its great training and good fun. And anyway, its not as if your not going to clean your weapon anyway!

what he said, but without the accent, and with more cussin'.