ZJJ Posted September 30, 2005 Share Posted September 30, 2005 From: Lat:33.601991 Lon:-111.813977 I love it! Sorry, folks, no more off topic posts for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteKnight77 Posted September 30, 2005 Share Posted September 30, 2005 In other cases 35 lbs would be 77kilograms and the poor soon to be army, navy or marines would be on their knees ← ← Let me translate for you. Whisper said that 1 lb = 2.2 kilos, which is incorrect (close but more like the other way around). Snowfella was saying that if you used this formula than the people wouldn't be able to carry it. So if you want to get technical, whisper's post was 50% right while Snowfella's post was 100% right... you just need to know how to read it. ← Care to explain how 35 pounds which equals 15.9 kilos ends up being 77 kilos with Snowfella? SnowFella's 77 kilo's translate to almost 170 pounds not 35. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZJJ Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 In other cases 35 lbs would be 77kilograms and the poor soon to be army, navy or marines would be on their knees ← ← Let me translate for you. Whisper said that 1 lb = 2.2 kilos, which is incorrect (close but more like the other way around). Snowfella was saying that if you used this formula than the people wouldn't be able to carry it. So if you want to get technical, whisper's post was 50% right while Snowfella's post was 100% right... you just need to know how to read it. ← Care to explain how 35 pounds which equals 15.9 kilos ends up being 77 kilos with Snowfella? SnowFella's 77 kilo's translate to almost 170 pounds not 35. ← Exactly! SnowFella was saying that if you use the conversion that whisper gave of 1 lb = 2.2 kilos that it would injure whomever was carrying it. He was pointing out how it couldn't be possible (which is correct - it would injure someone). It has nothing to do with 35 pounds ACTUALLY being 77 kilos.... it was hypothetical based on the information given by Whisper. Why do I feel like I am ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabellum Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Almost forgot, one of, if not the most important key to PT... hydration. drink drink drink. make sure you maintain a good level of electrolytes though, no point in being hydrated if you have no energy. this is serious, we had 2 guys nearly die in the 12 mile, one had a core temp of 108.9. over the summer at ITB(Infantry Training Bat) several kids died because they werent hydrated. as far as pullup, do spotted pullups, swing your leg up behind you and have someone help you lift up. i was never any good at pullups myself, but doing them everyday helps. ← Very good advice, even if one is not going into the military. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pz3 Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 especially in florida. Side note... google is a big calculator http://www.google.com/help/features.html#calculator just type like 35lbs to kilos in there search engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickie Posted October 4, 2005 Share Posted October 4, 2005 Another question for anyone knowledgeable about things in the UK forces (sorry guys, my interview is on Friday so there shouldn't be any more after then ): I was reading through info on Commisions within the Navy, and some people seem to be able to switch services between the Navy and Marines? Does it depend on specialisations and such? I'm not exactly planning on this, but I was just curious as to how it works. Another thing I've come across mainly on US boards (not slagging them off or anything, but thats where I found it) about a distrust of Officers, particulary young Lt's, and how they are generally regarded as fairly useless. Is there a similar problem within the UK forces, or is it more a case of a minority giving the rest a bad name? Ta again, Dickie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[SF]SrA_Jon80 Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 Just wanted to say to all that this is an awesome post for everyone to read...not just those who want to serve. Dickie, Sorry to say it, but no matter what service, wherever you are, Lt's are usually seen that way. The one I always loved was "You can't spell LOST without LT!". Being prior service enlisted, it always brings a smile to my face. The fact of the matter is that Lt's are fresh... usually little to no real world experience, much less combat experience (same goes for junior enlisted), and they're thrown into situations where they have to make decisions that can impact their fellow troops. It's all part of the learning process though. One day you'll be saying the same thing about some poor LT with no idea what he's doing! Oh yeah, and a commission pays better too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeXaN Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 Found this article today http://www.armytimes.com/print.php?f=0-ARMYPAPER-1115401.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcinko Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 it all depends on how the LT got his rank, if hes fresh in the military, as a LT, then you might look at it as the "private" of the commsioned ranks. now, we've had people go from e-5/e-6 go to get their commision, they know what the hell they are going. Marines is a department of the navy, which is why you hear of the switching of forces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APEX Posted October 11, 2005 Share Posted October 11, 2005 (edited) Hi, I'm currently studying A Levels in the UK and am thinking of trying to get a commision in the Royal Marines after uni. I've read through most of what you guys have said - although not a lot seems to come from people in the UK forces - and have a few questions. Mainly what worries me is a comment someone made about Lt's being fairly useless, after reading somewhere else that US officers get 90 days training and then being told by my Royal Navy careers bloke that in the RM I'd have to complete 42 weeks basic training (inc. the all arms commando course) followed by around 12 months Advanced and Leadership training including a posting as a troop leader under supervision before I'd be left on my own as a qualified officer I was wondering if the same lack of faith in junior officers is the same within the UK forces? I'm also curious about how hard the commando course is, all the literature states it's meant to be incredibly hard so as to make it a true test of determination, and about completeing the final 30 mile march within 8 hours (7 for officers) on blisters from all the running and other things, I certainly don't expect it to be easy, which I think is a good thing as I really want to test myself, and see how far I can push myself, but I am curious as to what it actually involves. Also any information and advice on generally what to expect either from the Marines and the UK Forces in general. And as for whether I really want to do it, after meeting a few serving Marines, who seemed to be the most down to earth, confident and level headed people I've met, and reading and hearing about some of the things the've accomplished, I'd say a challenge like that is certainly what I'm looking for, and after reading a quote "No matter what the odds, a Royal Marine is always expected to achieve the impossible." makes me what to join them even more. Thanks ← one thing that officers and enlisted men share is the green beret, your going to bleed hard to earn it but know if you get through the commando training center at lympstone and "useless" wont make it through the gate you will be the equal of all who have completed the course, respect is a very mutual thing in the royal marines as a man you must earn the respect of the men you will lead whatever your rank, if you complete training you will be just begining a journey possibaly a short one , the life expectancy of a bootneck in combat is 8 minites so be under no illusions there is no rank in death so learn well to cheat expectancy and if you have 7 hours to complete the 30 miler try for 6 3\4 so you have time to make a cuppa tea for your men as for having faith in our officers, without doubt there are none finer. ps for getting fit: fill a bergan with rocks and carry it everywhere you go it will help lessen the shock when you get fully kitted up or strap a fridge to your back :yes good luck 99.9% need not apply APE X RM Retired Edited October 11, 2005 by =SEALZ= APE X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickie Posted October 11, 2005 Share Posted October 11, 2005 Yeah, following my intital interview I've changed my mind (I think) about the RM. My main reason for choosing the RM was to see if I could do it, and if I did pass I could end up doing a job for 6 years which perhaps wasn't exactly what I wanted to do (plus I'm only 5"8 and 55kgs! So doubts have already been raised over whether it would be such a good idea, and if you fail, I don't think you can reapply, even to another branch of the service), so after talking to the AFCO have decided that going into the Navy and trying to get into surveying and hopefully some Antarctic work (which is what I really want to do, it also fits in with doing Oceanography at Uni), I could still do the diving course and work with the ships dive team so I am told by other exNavy people. If I wanted to test myself, from what I've read, I could still try SBS selection and if (very big 'if') I could pass that do 3 years there, which wouldn't be so bad I think seeing as from what I've seen, read, and heard from people it's really interesting work (emphasis on the 'think'). Thanks for the help though, I've been told to go back in Jan so I think thats a good sign! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APEX Posted October 12, 2005 Share Posted October 12, 2005 best to find out now that its not for you as for sbs no chance my friend no green beret no sbs sorry APE X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickie Posted October 12, 2005 Share Posted October 12, 2005 Damn. Well, that screws things a bit lol! Someone on mfat.co.uk said that it would be possible, but why would they want a WO? Ah well, lifes a ######, eh? Ta again Dickie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pz3 Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 (edited) whats up... i tell some of my buds that i want to join or some of my family, and they looked at you with that look on their face... like ######... your crazy your going to go over to iraq and die. I dont think they understand. Edited October 17, 2005 by Prozac360 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickie Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 Yeah, I got a load of trouble when I went for the interview (it was very scary BTW). I took the morning off college to go and turned up for my lesson still in my suit, as there wasn't time to change. Some girl asked where I had been and I told her for an interview with the Royal Navy. She asked what I wanted to do and I said I was looking at Submarines or Royal Marines and she flipped, calling me for everything because I "want to join up and kill people", which isn't the case, really. Since then she's treated me different, but I think after I explained and gave a more general picture she's coming round. That said my mother still takes the same attitude. But, I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pz3 Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 i guess, i think the "unknown" scares them. All they see is whats on the news. I actually started telling more people. I like watching them get all startled and funny looking. my cousin thinks its a good idea, my dad old marine thinks its a great idea... everyone else is like whoa your nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whisper_44 Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 IMHO - I think it's a decision to be respected, the fact that you seek out information(like this thread) before making such a life changing decision says a lot about who you are. If you go, you still have my same respect as if you don't, you made your own choice, a calculated one, not because of a perceived popular opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeXaN Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 i guess, i think the "unknown" scares them. All they see is whats on the news. I actually started telling more people. I like watching them get all startled and funny looking. my cousin thinks its a good idea, my dad old marine thinks its a great idea... everyone else is like whoa your nuts. ← Luckily for me no one has said that to me except one person was asking me do i have death wish or something . Alot of my family has servered either in the Navy or Marines and one of my cousin's is in the Guard . When i went up to Dallas a few weeks back we went and saw my uncle and one of the first things he said to me was " So when are you going to Join up " .When i was 6 all i talked about how i was going to be a soldier when i get older ,so everyone that has known me pretty much knows what im going to do Now that im older and getting close to be able to sign up and with whats going on in Iraq and Afghasnistan it makes me want to join even more . Only thing i havnt really decided on is what i want to do but i have a good idea of what i want to do . The biggest hurdle for me is getting myself into shape enough to the point where i say i'm ready to sign up and i see that coming within the next 2 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babydave Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 students are the worst i think, i am one, but all the others i know dont understand why id want to join the armed forces and i guess they just see me as a little helper to blair and bush Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtheHammer Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 hehe, I'm in NROTC and I get questioning looks from other ROTC peeps on campus like "are you not right in the head" when they find out that I am interested in putting in a packet to go to BUD/S after commissioning. C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xG5kdo Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 You guys should take it slower . Dickie is already making plans about trying out for the SBS (I don't know if that's possible without an RM background....but if a non-combat branch serviceman in the Army can try for the Regiment, why shouldn't the situation be likely the same?...who knows). Cthehammer is putting in a package for BUD/S, so on and so forth. Thing is, when you join up, don't get your hopes up! Marcinko there got through RIP. Ask him how many failed. And don't plan too far ahead. Yes, there are 'higher speed' branches of the military, but they all need work to get into. I mean, the 18x program might sound wonderful, because you can get off the street into the groups.....if you made it. Here, it's that way. The SF recruits direct, and I was one of those directly recruited. After awhile, personally, there are plusses and minuses to this. The minus part is that I had no experience, and had to learn to be on par with the best. The plus, I didn't have to put up with alot of green army bullcrap (like painting stones and grass for an official's visit). But I would be willing to give up the latter for the former. Really I would. It's ok to dream guys, but go smaller. Basic first. Get through that ok? Then Advanced Training. And so on and so forth. And don't be too disappointed if you don't get the posting you want. We all serve anyway. Out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babydave Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 from what i read on another forum the SBS comes under the tri service special forces thing so in theory anyone can go for selection but the fact is its so hard that people who have already served with the paras or royal marines are best placed to pass the tests, if you cant pass RM training at lympstone then the SBS is a way off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickie Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Yeah, it was just something I've always wanted to try - and hey, you've got to have some sort of long distance goal, right? I'm looking more now to RM selection, as like you say, if you can't do that theres no hope of anything further! But ta anyway for the input! I've got to see what my AFCO say first though, as they won't put me up for selection unless they think I can do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcinko Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Heh, how many failed RIP, or how many failed before RIP. we took a PT test(70% to go to RIP, 60% to stay, do ######ty details for a week or two, and get a retest), 120 people, 50 passed. there were already 10 others waiting to go, so they went with us too. ended up picking up 4 more, that makes 64, we graduated 30. 34 people couldnt hack it, why, is beyond me, nothing life threatining, impossible, was asked of them, like i said before, the thing that got most people was the 12 miler, we had never done one like that before, just the moderate rucks in basic. lost some 20 people there, they retested, and we ended up losing 12 permanently.(one kid who would have been repeating RIP for the third time). another thing that got people was CWST(Combat Water Survival Test), a fairly simple swim test, people just werent prepared to swim, dropping there rifles, unable to stay afloat. i every event you get a retest, so keep that in mind, but dont let it be an excuse to fail, i never retested once, never felt like jumping in that cold ass water more than once, or killing my feet the day before Cole Range(48 hours of hell). a lot of guys ended up quitting before they even got to RIP, they wanted to go home, they missed their families, they took the easy way out. i will see my family more than them because they are deployed every other year for a year. so if you do sign up, stick it out, because you will be sucking if you dont. in my opinion, 18x pipleline isnt impossible, just very difficult if your young. personally, i would go to Ranger Regiment first, get your tab, go on a couple deployments, then go to SFAS, besides, with all the experience you will have gotten after that, SFAS will be a breeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchetforce Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Absolutely great advice Marcinko. Guys, stick it out. It will be worth it in the long run. Remember the remark from Sean Connery in the Rock about losers whining about doing their best and winners going home and ######ing the prom queen? The choice deployments, great treatment, control over operations, latitude in a great many things, OTS equipment, and a vastly improved chance at coming home vertical are just part of the prom queen. You will get to do the things that other people, including regular military only see in the movies or at best, watch load up across the fence in a resticted area. Many guys that pass tests for more elite units do so not because they are superior in a physical sense. That does happen in certain instances. But more often it is because they just will not quit. I guess we are thinking about something else or just too dumb. There was no 18X program when I came in. We were called SF babies and we were just tossed in to sink or swim. Most sank. Out of a 475 SF babies that showed up in a quarter, only 13 of us went on to graduate in 1983. 18X has shown better numbers but they are still low. 18X is a difficult path. Marcinko's advice is bang on. Even if you make it through the 18X program, your adjustment factor is longer. You see once you show up to a Team from 18X and you are all proud of your accomplishments, it is right back to the lowest rung on the pecking order for you. But if you come from a combat unit with some experience under your belt - such as the Rangers, it is more of an ease of transition and you come to the unit with some credit under your cap already and you become an equal a lot faster if not instantly. You can say, "Well I'll prove myself." Most do. Just be prepared because most likely the first time you get to prove yourself you wil be in a lead swapping contest in the middle of some little sandy ######hole and it will just be a few of you. Your decisions could kill the entire team. There won't be the guidance you will get in a larger combat unit so you can cut your teeth more slowly. I don't like a fair fight and neither does Mohammed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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