Thread: Going to Afghanistan

The closest I've been to going there thus far was a few care packages headed that way for the 82nd, and trading a Dynecorp Employee a box of Crest White Strips for an Afghan War Rug.

HAVE A NICE TRIP, POOPY-HEAD.

Sorry; got a bit jealous, there. Seriously, good luck. Where will you be?

Originally Posted by Jedi_Iatros

Anybody here been there?

Nope, but damned good luck to ya bro.

Blast a haji or two for me.

Originally Posted by M21Sniper

Blast a haji or two for me.

I second that request.

I rather treat than kill anyday, but yeah...11 Bravo is a soldier's first MOS, eh?

Originally Posted by Bluesman

HAVE A NICE TRIP, POOPY-HEAD.

Sorry; got a bit jealous, there. Seriously, good luck. Where will you be?

Man, I have no freaking idea! I'm just been told a majority of soldiers in my unit are going and more than likely I'll be going.

its cold - or hot.

and dusty.

and rocky.

and you won't get laid.

not sure what you get issued, but a decent pair of commercial ski goggles is a good investment, as are shamagh to keep the dust out and the warmth in. high quality boots are a must, if you wouldn't wear your issued boots for a strenuous walking holiday in the Rockies then get some decent civilian ones.
merino wool baselayers work very well, they are both cool and warm and can be worn continuously for about two weeks before they need a rinse. don't go for anything thicker than a 200 weight weave.

a decent Afghanistan guidebook is a must, as is a smattering of the local lingo: please, thank you, hello, good-bye - that kind of thing, as well as cultural stuff like who to talk to in a group, avoiding speaking to, or looking at, women.

water will allways be in short supply, and with the air being quite dry you'll need to keep well hydrated with a camelback/platypus job with a few spare bottles in your rucksac. traditional beltkit is a pain in the **** - mainly because of getting in and out of vehicles - go for a decent chestrigg or assault vest - they are also better when carrying the enormous rucksac that infantry operations in A'stan neccesitate.

edited to ad: you will hear that you shouldn't take 'gucci' gear because if it breaks it'll be replaced with the standard 'cheapest bid' item, however you'll have regular internet and phone access so if you need a replacement item you can order it and it will arrive surprisingly quickly - 3 to 4 days not being unusual. the idea would hold merit if you were going to the far side of the moon for two years - but you aren't, you'll be unlikely to be away from your base for more than three weeks and anything you want can be Fed-Ex'd in three days from home. any walking/mountaineering boot that can't handle at least five months of Afghan rock shouldn't be allowed near your feet anyway.

leave some intructions with your friends and family - like what size/make/model boots you are taking - so they can get stuff for you if you don't have time to order it yourself.

it will be an education, both in military terms and in personal experience. enjoy it.

Originally Posted by dave angel

its cold - or hot.

and dusty.

and rocky.

and you won't get laid.

not sure what you get issued, but a decent pair of commercial ski goggles is a good investment, as are shamagh to keep the dust out and the warmth in. high quality boots are a must, if you wouldn't wear your issued boots for a strenuous walking holiday in the Rockies then get some decent civilian ones.
merino wool baselayers work very well, they are both cool and warm and can be worn continuously for about two weeks before they need a rinse. don't go for anything thicker than a 200 weight weave.

a decent Afghanistan guidebook is a must, as is a smattering of the local lingo: please, thank you, hello, good-bye - that kind of thing, as well as cultural stuff like who to talk to in a group, avoiding speaking to, or looking at, women.

water will allways be in short supply, and with the air being quite dry you'll need to keep well hydrated with a camelback/platypus job with a few spare bottles in your rucksac. traditional beltkit is a pain in the **** - mainly because of getting in and out of vehicles - go for a decent chestrigg or assault vest - they are also better when carrying the enormous rucksac that infantry operations in A'stan neccesitate.

edited to ad: you will hear that you shouldn't take 'gucci' gear because if it breaks it'll be replaced with the standard 'cheapest bid' item, however you'll have regular internet and phone access so if you need a replacement item you can order it and it will arrive surprisingly quickly - 3 to 4 days not being unusual. the idea would hold merit if you were going to the far side of the moon for two years - but you aren't, you'll be unlikely to be away from your base for more than three weeks and anything you want can be Fed-Ex'd in three days from home. any walking/mountaineering boot that can't handle at least five months of Afghan rock shouldn't be allowed near your feet anyway.

leave some intructions with your friends and family - like what size/make/model boots you are taking - so they can get stuff for you if you don't have time to order it yourself.

it will be an education, both in military terms and in personal experience. enjoy it.

I won't get laid....yeah, you just had to mention that. But thanks in general for the info, I'm glad soldiers can order essential items.

Originally Posted by Jedi_Iatros

I won't get laid....yeah, you just had to mention that.

The Captain is being coyed. Alot of pretty boys would give love to give you the chance.

a handy household tip is to grow the biggest FO moustache you have ever seen - bushy bandito jobs are the best.

there is a significant culture of 'women are for breeding, men are for fun', and your smooth cheeked squaddie says - in cultural terms - 'i like it in the botty'. obviously this is a pain in the backside socially with Abdul coming on strong in the company bar, but more importantly despite your big gun - oh err missus - helmet, uniform and rucksac, if you're cleanshaven you'll be treated by the local headboy as a woman - that is with indifference bordering on contempt.

hence the moustache, its a cultural sign of masculinity, virility and credibility.

bizaare, but there you go.

your unit will throw an eppy-scoppy, but after your CSM gets his bottom felt for the tenth time by some bearded fruity the rules will strangely relax....

Originally Posted by Jedi_Iatros

Going to Afghanistan Anybody here been there?

You're going nowhere....nice work sneaking back in under my radar...Anthony Chase.

Originally Posted by Jedi_Iatros

I rather treat than kill anyday, but yeah...11 Bravo is a soldier's first MOS, eh?

Whoops, I meant Warrior Medic...you're back to being a medic now?

Or are you an "11 Bravo"....an MOS which doesn't quite exist anymore, at least not in that exact designator...


Kid, you are one pathetic loser.

Originally Posted by TopHatter

Or are you an "11 Bravo"....an MOS which doesn't quite exist anymore, at least not in that exact designator...

TH,

Sorry - I think I hosed you up a while back because I thought that 11B and 11M fused together to be 11X and had posted as such.

What actually has happened is that 11B and 11M are now one and the same as 11B, while 11X is the enlistment option that means the Army will end up choosing whether you'll be a 11B or 11C.

Anyways, your radar screen must be high tech to catch Warrior Medic coming backing using smarter stealth than most, who come back ASAP after getting the boot.

Originally Posted by shek

TH,

Sorry - I think I hosed you up a while back because I thought that 11B and 11M fused together to be 11X and had posted as such.

What actually has happened is that 11B and 11M are now one and the same as 11B, while 11X is the enlistment option that means the Army will end up choosing whether you'll be a 11B or 11C.

Anyways, your radar screen must be high tech to catch Warrior Medic coming backing using smarter stealth than most, who come back ASAP after getting the boot.

No worries at all Cap.

That was only 1 of about half a dozen reasons I knew it was him.

I will say that Anthony Chase/Warrior Medic managed to do pretty well this time....27 posts. I need to browse the board more often.

OFFS!

why oh why do these freaks still breathe?

i bet he's a pasty faced ginger c*ck who smells of foxes p1ss and twiglets.

TH, you really need to get a grip on this tozzer, i'm giving out serious OPSEC sensitive stuff here - FOGB moustaches are a vital part of OP HERRICK.

F*cking *******, why can't he just be himself - it'll be embarrasing obviously - but if he shaves his gingery 'brillo-pad' hair down to the wood and scrubbs with bleach to get rid of the ammonia smell then i'm sure that in time he could almost be treated like any third-class window licker...