I am a former US Marine and since then I have become a huge military buff. I love WWII stuff, but also have read and studied about Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq... I also read about military forces from other countries, mostly Russia and China (China is building a new aircraft carrier?)....

One of the best books I have ever read about our military is "The Long Gray Line". It's about a group of men who went West Point and then Vietnam in the mid to late 1960s, and then how it effected them all afterwards. In the late 1960s and 1970s our military was in a bad way, with officers afraid to enter enlisted barracks because they would be hurt.

I went through the Marines for four years in the late 1980s, just before the Gulf War. When I look at the Marine Corps comparing 1986 to 1991 and then even 2001, it seems to me like a huge difference. It's almost like when we went to war our government forces was issues "real equipment" - Simple things like glasses and gloves.

Anyone else ever think about these things?

Same here buddy.  One of my favorite books I've read is "Breakout: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea 1950."  Both of my Grandfathers served in Korea, one in the Army and one in the Marines at Inchon.  It's pretty crazy to see what troops will endure and what they sacrifice to save each other.

I know today's Marine Corps is being forced by the Sec. of Navy and Sec. of Defense towards a more garrison and "PC" environment.  I know most service members that I've encountered over the years from several branches which have served in times of conflict are not liking the significant changes being made.  It's ruining unit cohesiveness, readiness and morale.  Thank you budget cuts and modern Society.  :-/

I'm sure in the Marines you've dealt with being issued what we call "new" equipment which are hand-me-downs from other branches and their defense budget.  From 2008-2013, I was soldering and repairing radio and satellite systems which had been in service since the 60's. Yet, mess halls have like 10 huge flat screen tv's.  This was also the same even on the main base Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan.  The best thing I was ever issued was my Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem of the Marine Corps when I graduated Boot Camp.  Everything since then was improvising and adapting. :D

Think of services like ours lol - everywhere our troops go they have the worst equipment (with the exception of the SAS).

I hung out with a few if Afghanny land Spank.  Really cool guys.  Didn't know how I felt about being called Love though :P

Operation "Paper Clip". That explains many advancements in technology after WW2. Some have even speculated this advanced tech. comes from the "fallen ones" - the "Watchers" of the previous age of our planet.

http://www.operationpaperclip.info/

Now, if they could just spend a little money on the "simple" things to make our soldiers more comfortable, including clearly defining the "enemy", providing the best medical care on the planet in breakneck speed, that would go a long way in boosting a very low moral.   

I volunteered for the Corps in 1959, Boot camp was 2 weeks processing then 12 weeks of the most physical, mentally demanding training. 80 some men started with 20 or so not making the grade, being discharged from the corps before graduation. While in boot we spent 4 weeks training on the rifle range.  From there we were shipped to the 1st Marine division, Camp Pendelton for Advance combat training for 6 weeks, training with every weapon in the Marines basic arsenal, Machine guns, mortars, flame throwers, 3.5 launchers to recoilless rifles, mines, setting booby traps,
Hand to hand combat with bayonet , knives, judo, etc. and all phases of maps and aerial photography for calling in artillery
and close air support. This training was basic and required for all young Marines.
After this training they were shipped to there permanent duty station that coincide with there MOS assign  identification code. ( Military Occupation Specialty )
Warfare has been expanded from large deployment of division etc. to small specialized unit being inserted.
Weaponry has changed requiring some very special training. Marine training has been expanded as there duties
have been expanded since the Korean war.

Make no mistake,...A Basic United States Marine with his rifle is still the deadliest, best trained fighting man on the planet.

                                                     KEEP THE FAITH MARINES     
   

I am sorry that I didn't serve in the Armed Service. I had an Uncle who was a Lt.Col in the Air Force. I remember when they grounded him due to some eye problems. He was never the same man. I guess its like when a man grows old, and they take the keys of his car away, and he has to been driven everywhere. Takes a good part of the man out.

My young brother was a Green Beret back in the 70s. I can't tell you what he did, because he refuses to talk about his service. He got out with the rank of Sgt. or better. I know he came home in uniform once, and he had a row of ribbons. He refuses to this day to tell us what they are or how he got them.

Being an old hippie, I never liked war. But I always had the greatest admiration for those who serve. And to my Marine friends here, Semper Fi

I have found atleast from the friends that I served with in the military that those who were really in the grit of the fights and actually killed someone, usually won't talk about it, its something they had to do, but are not that proud of having done  it, I served 24 years in the Army and Airforce, served two tours in Iraq 2003-2005 (Army) and 6 months (AirForce) we went through a lot of mortar attacks, rockets and VIED's but I never had to shoot someone was luck. it is a rush, but I'm sure if I had shot someone the rush would have gone away.  and in all the action I did see, I NEVER ONCE SAW SOMEONE JUMP AND SHOOT at the same time and JUMP PERIOD. I'm just saying

and in all the action I did see, I NEVER ONCE SAW SOMEONE JUMP AND SHOOT at the same time and JUMP PERIOD. I'm just saying

Obviously, video games operate on different rules and situations than real life. Thus, different techniques are used.

I think we are drifting off the subject a little.
Correct if I am wrong, thought we were talking about how the military has evolved to the present.

Operation "Paper Clip". That explains many advancements in technology after WW2. Some have even speculated this advanced tech. comes from the "fallen ones" - the "Watchers" of the previous age of our planet.

http://www.operationpaperclip.info/

Now, if they could just spend a little money on the "simple" things to make our soldiers more comfortable, including clearly defining the "enemy", providing the best medical care on the planet in breakneck speed, that would go a long way in boosting a very low moral.   

That is pretty much how we were able to get to the moon....

I am a former US Marine and since then I have become a huge military buff. I love WWII stuff, but also have read and studied about Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq... I also read about military forces from other countries, mostly Russia and China (China is building a new aircraft carrier?)....

One of the best books I have ever read about our military is "The Long Gray Line". It's about a group of men who went West Point and then Vietnam in the mid to late 1960s, and then how it effected them all afterwards. In the late 1960s and 1970s our military was in a bad way, with officers afraid to enter enlisted barracks because they would be hurt.

I went through the Marines for four years in the late 1980s, just before the Gulf War. When I look at the Marine Corps comparing 1986 to 1991 and then even 2001, it seems to me like a huge difference. It's almost like when we went to war our government forces was issues "real equipment" - Simple things like glasses and gloves.

Anyone else ever think about these things?

Read about the Estonian in Iraq during Iraqi Freedom