Complaint Review: Forsakethetroops.com - Online Internet

I came out of boot camp with two cracked and one broken rib. It was only because my DI's had realized the day before graduation that I'd not been thumped. I could have raised three kinds of darn over it, but are you kidding? I take great pride (tongue in cheek) that no one mistreats recruits like the Marines. It's supposed to be a taste of what being captured could be and probably would be like. All my DI's were from Nam and all three had been POW's - they knew and you want to know what - I'm glad they were so hard and mean to us. Those that didn't make it, wouldn't have had they become POW's and so the DI's did them a favor and saved them a whole lot of heartache. For me, my 10 years was not a bed of roses, but I sure tried to make it so. I was an Embassy Marine and that was the best time of my life (got to see Timbuktou and yes it's a real place in the country of Mali in west Africa). Your high horse isn't nearly as tall as a gnome's, but it is more interesting. My 6 cents worth (2 cents adjusted for inflation and the price of crude).

Not as lean, not as mean, but still Marine.

Thundernuts couldn't hack Air Force basic? Good heavens! What do they do in basic? They eat in a restaurant, sleep in hotel rooms, walk around in uniforms that are sent out for dry cleaning/pressing, and sit in an air conditioned room all day. You couldn't handle that?! For Thomas...Once a Marine, always a MArine only applies to those of us who got out Honorably. The BCD/DD/COG recipients aren't part of the club anymore. Thundernuts was tossed from the Air Force on a COG(Convenience of the Government). That means he was just going to waste the taxpayers time and money. I don't think I'd have known what to do at PI, if the Drill Instructors were friendly and accomodating. I cannot even remember a single day we didn't get to visit the "Rose Garden". We changed clothes at least twice/day due to being filthy. Yelling? You bet. I still yell. It's amazing how people can hear what you actually say when you say it loud enough. Stand erect? Yep. In shape? You betcha. I make the other poor dumb bastards at the VA look like cripples. I still walk the walk, and talk the talk. Proper haircut/attire? Always. Wherever I go, I command attention. People don't even ask if I am/was a Marine. They KNOW it without asking. An Air Force drop out? They know those guys too. They're the ones whining about how mean the guy was in basic. "WAAAAH! He made me clean my own room." "I couldn't get 3rds of the blueberry cobler." "My uniform had too much starch." "WAAAH!" Grow up Todd. You're the same age as my oldest boy, and he doesn't whine about his boss yelling at him. His 11 yr old brother doesn't cry as much as you. In fact, he doesn't cry at all. Try and at least be equal to an 11 yr old.

I know the 3 gentlemen who responded to your report from this site and I think you've assumed they don't like you, reading more into their rebuttals than is really there. They told their stories and gave you their opinion, but I didn't read their words as intentionally written to cause you pain or distress. Could I join the military and make it? No, I could not and I'm open about that. You said it well, it's not for everyone. It was great for these men that replied to you and my hat will always be off to them for their service to our great country. I am sure you will find your place and settle into that job, whatever it may be and feel just as strongly about it as they do about their military service. Everyone is different and that's a good thing! We'd all be so boring if we were the same.

I know there are plenty of good MTIs, I was referring to the similarity in station across the branches not in personality. My experience was not the norm. I know Marines go through hell in boot camp. The military is not for me. I just hate the thought of someone soldier bashing on a site like ****************.com. I was trying to illustrate how still respecting the military after separation is important and that respect needs to be maintained for our soldiers. I am just saying that even with a legitimate reason to hate the military I don't so what gives some a^shole with a website any right to. Look, in basic, I was the only guy in my flight with a college degree (or who would admit to having one after the MTI was finished). I did not say I was the only guy witha college degree in the military. Contrary, I know even some officers and ex-officers in the military who just weren't sure if it was their best choice. was also somewhat happy to be leaving so I didn't fight to stay. There was nothing appealing to me (and only me) about the prospect of staying. Would you people kindly stop putting words in my mouth, it is bullsh^t.

Well, to some extent you are right. Like I said I respect the USAF and its people. I didn't eat right and overexercised before I joined. A lot of orders I couldn't understand as a result of sleep deprevation and being singled out for having a degree got me a lot of unwanted attention. I know how the military works and I know many veterans who reviewed my case. They all attested that it wasn't how Basic was supposed to be. Congratulations on your accomplishment. I will also say that the military is not for everyone. The Air Force puts out a lot of propaganda about being a great opportunity. The truth is that for the right people it is. A lot of people come in with some military background. I did not, and had I been better informed I probably wouldn't have joined, though I am glad I had the experience (terrible though it was). I just love the bullsh^t about not hacking it. Well whatever, I doubt you would've hacked it either under the same conditions, officially characterized as maltraining. After I realized I was being screwed I quickly became a discipline problem. MTIs have a great deal of discretion on who makes it and who doesn't as I'm sure a veteran would be aware. Either way I'm not you so I simply don't care, I respond to you for the sake of others. I'm just saying its not all roses as I'm sure you're aware that this probably isn't a good fit after a certain point in human brain development, unless you really have a strong desire to to be a soldier or airman. On day 3 with no sleep I still finished 7th out of about 120 people on the track. I did find the organizational aspect absolutely maddening and this bit me in the a**. I thought we were here to fight not fold socks, either way I found myself unable to concentate on such tasks and after a while all the screaming mixed w/ no sleep started to blur together into incoherency. After a while, I just stopped caring... My friend stationed in Milwakee (Gen. Mitch) deals with a lot of wounded and insane coming back from Iraq. I really do hope you are not one of them. What I said must've really struck a nerve with you anyhow and I'm not really sure why. Maybe you are an MTI, if so I'm actually helping you out. People come in with unrealistic views and expectations and you need people you can mold. I was one of those who was mentally unprepared for military reality, far different from civilian reality. I thought this would be a good chance to build inner discipline (true discipline, not juvenile bullsh^t but I was wrong). Yes, I saw discipline there but experienced quite the opposite. So I'm sorry but I don't agree with you and think that you are just trying to bash me for leaving, maybe it's something you wish you did. On my way out I had MTIs (fully grown men and women) trying to pick fights calling me a spy, a terrorist, a criminal, and whatever other childish sh^t they could think of. I commend the persons who put up with this type of crap and served in Iraq, you've put up with more than most. Look, like I said you can write 50 posts after this one. It will be the only rebuttal I write, knowing how idiots think, I will pre-empt any additional rebuttals here and now: -You are a coward. -No, you are a dumba**. Cowards get kicked out for reasons like pre-empted bedwetting and false homosexuality. At the time I thought I really wanted to serve but God protected me in this matter and put good people around me who got me out safely and helped me get back my sanity. -Military treated me good. -As it does a lot of people. Look, I'm the exception not the rule. I'm just saying when sh^t goes south it goes bad. I'm also trying to encourage people to let them know not to hate the military when they get kicked out and to help put an end to this ****************.com bullsh^t. Attacking me is just furthering the author of this debased website's cause. -Maltraining, sounds like bullsh^t. -Ah, but then again it's real and tell that to the kid whose MTI went apesh^t, broke every bone in his hand and proceeded to beat the piss out of him. He now gets E-6 pay the rest of his life and a $6 million settlement. P.S. a growing # of people have gotten killed in Marine basic. MTIs, DIs, DSs need more accountibility. Saying that trainings gotten easier and putting people who are suffering mentally in charge doesn't solve the problem. These guys are overworked and underpaid and I can see how increased accountibility should be worth more than a s**+^ty $300 per month. -You can't hack it. -This is a typical response from someone who is quite full of themselves and who can't read since I've already addressed this. Rest assured, other than being able to outperform you in every other area except sock folding and bed making you are right. Other than training in martial arts, being a fairly decent shot and running a minimum of 10 miles a day (before Basic- I have cut back, too much running can lead to serious bone problems and tissue deterioration, I also realized the Air Force did a lot less physically than I did- the Air Force physical training isn't exactly a cakewalk but it's not as hard as other branches), I also have a degree. You obviously don't because you can't read. That's why I have a far better job now. If you are in the military get a degree, they pay for it (at least part of it) and its worth it. -You are a terrorist, spy, j*****f, etc. -Wow, OK so you're crazy, definately not the first crazy I've dealt with, and most likely not the last. Look, why don't you just go on a homicidal rampage and prove everything this **************** a**h^le has to say 100% correct. Or even better waste your time with slander, bullsh^t and propaganda. Prove him 110% right, you're even crazier than he thinks. Way to think before you write. Well, I'm sorry to steal your thunder post away.

Jim posted "I've been told once that as a Marine I was an extremist and you know, ...." Should be I've been told once that as a Marine I AM an extremist and you know, ...." I don't think 'past tense' is ever applied to Marines....is it?

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire, if people were making a blood bath of the showers at the USAF basic training, good thing you or they didn't enlist in the Marines - holy moly! Without dissing the Air Force - it has been a common thing to recognize the USAF basic training as little more then a boy scout outing - of course former and successful USAF recruits may disagree with this - but alas - it is what permeates throughout the rest of the services. Then you have the Navy - just don't drop the soap! LOL However, the Seals are pretty good. The Army gets a little tougher and they do have some great after boot camp choices like Special Forces and the Rangers. Then you have the Marines. I've been told once that as a Marine I was an extremist and you know, they are/were probably right. I was extremely trained, an extremely good shot, extremely proud. However, I do hold my brothers and sisters in the other services in very high regard we've all made the choices to put ourselves into harms way. After 10 years in the Marines my view is a wee bit slanted and please pardon me for that. However, even when I went to boot camp in the 70's, we had college educated people and as old as 26 who made it just fine. Of course, we started out with 108 recruits and graduated with only 36. Just my 6 cents worth (2 cents adjusted for inflation and the cost of crude).

Vandernuts, I just don't know where to start here regarding your experience with USAF Basic Training. I enlisted in the USAF in 1984 when I was 22 and went to Lackland AFB for basic training in 1985. I too had a very high ASVAB score that got me a highly technical job in aircraft maintenence. The only thing you are correct about in the age difference over the 17-18 yr olds is the maturity level you should offer and the life experience you should have had to offer. I served 9 years active duty consisting of 2 four year enlistments and a one year extension. I got out honorably with a re-entry code, although I only got out because of Clinton's drawdowns. In 2004 I went in the Army after being out almost 11 years and entered ARMY BASIC TRAINING at age 41. I made it to the last 10 days and got injured in a training accident. I fought to stay in and finish for 3 more months after physical therapy and medical treatment. Even though I wanted to stay in and complete training and go to Iraq, I was forced out on a medical separation. Guess what? I have a re-entry code once again that will allow me to go back in if I can later overcome my disability. I am now a 30% disabled veteran, and would go back in a minute if I could do it. What I'm saying here, is that USAF basic training is nothing!! You sound like you could not deal with discipline. Do you know the reason for sleep deprivation, etc..? It is to see who will break in combat. You see, during service in combat you get very little sleep and your adrenaline is running your entire body and mind. Furthermore,the orders you are given are to be followed for a reason. It is called rank and chain of command. If you stop and think about the order you are given, chances are good that you and your team will die. Split second orders just ned to be followed. No discussion. No debates. No explanations. Just do it. Basic training is a weeding out process and you could not make it. That's all there is to it. You were not USAF material. And one more thing, All training instructors are NOT the same. Go through Parris Island or Fort Knox and come tell me that.