Military Service ( I need USArmy men)

[Divinus Arma]

The only cutting ninjas I know of is the Shogun cut scenes.

I just find it interesting that in a modern millitary swords still have status... its rather cute.

CUTE?!

Nah.. it is not for fun or "show".

It is a weapon with great history. It has simply evolved from a weapon to a symbol. It is respected. Carrying a sword officially for one's nation is a great honor.

[Al Khalifah]

British Marines were always some of my Favorite blokes to go bar hopping with overseas. Marines stick together no matter where they are or when they have served.

Britsh Marines are the best. Their training and levels of fitness are obscene, always good to have around when things get wired. I always wish I'd joined the marines instead of the army when I was a lad, but I thought I wouldn't be able to slog it. Oh well.

Anyway, to answer the original question... JOIN THE ARMY/MARINES/NAVY! It needs you, but more importantly YOU need it.

[Taffy_is_a_Taff]

Del Arroyo:
In Iraq (last year I think) some British soldiers conducted the most recent bayonet charge in history and they emerged victorious. I don't think there were any British casualties. I'll try to find a link to some news stories or something, just to make sure it wasn't just a cute story I heard.

I was speaking to an ex-Gordon Highlander (he was in during the late 70s/early 80s) whom I used to work with, he had stories about bayonet training and he made it sound like a butchery course (cutting side up on the bayonet, put it under their breast bone and lift).

[Al Khalifah]

It's definately not a little story, it is true.

The Scotsman: Argylls fight hand to hand in Iraq

OUTNUMBERED British soldiers killed 35 Iraqi attackers in the Army’s first bayonet charge since the Falklands War 22 years ago. The fearless Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders stormed rebel positions after being ambushed and pinned down. Despite being outnumbered five to one, they suffered only three minor wounds in the hand-to-hand fighting near the city of Amara. The battle erupted after Land Rovers carrying 20 Argylls came under attack on a highway. After radioing for back-up, they fixed bayonets and charged at 100 rebels using tactics learned in drills. When the fighting ended bodies lay all over the highway — and more were floating in a nearby river. Nine rebels were captured.

That's why the British Army trains for the bayonet charge.

[bmolsson]

It's definately not a little story, it is true.

The Scotsman: Argylls fight hand to hand in Iraq

OUTNUMBERED British soldiers killed 35 Iraqi attackers in the Army’s first bayonet charge since the Falklands War 22 years ago. The fearless Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders stormed rebel positions after being ambushed and pinned down. Despite being outnumbered five to one, they suffered only three minor wounds in the hand-to-hand fighting near the city of Amara. The battle erupted after Land Rovers carrying 20 Argylls came under attack on a highway. After radioing for back-up, they fixed bayonets and charged at 100 rebels using tactics learned in drills. When the fighting ended bodies lay all over the highway — and more were floating in a nearby river. Nine rebels were captured.

That's why the British Army trains for the bayonet charge.

Impressive....

Even though as a balance it should be mentioned that it did not work that way in Gallipoli.....

[Aenlic]

The Scottish regiments have a rich tradition and all; but I can never again think of them without seeing the Monty Python sketch about the Scottish suicide commandos.

And consider joining the Navy, Shottie. You'll eat better. As far as I know crypto and nuclear power are still critical ratings which will earn you faster promotions and nice bonuses. And you don't have to wear green unless you go for UDT/Seal training. You would miss out on carrying a pretty sword and marching about chanting clever ditties or sitting in a bug infested tent eating MREs; but it's a tradeoff.

[Devastatin Dave]

6 weeks, United States Air Force "boot camp"!!! As we say in the great Chair Force...

Simply Fi!!!

[KafirChobee]

Don't get caught up in the hype!

Weigh your options, find the course of study with the best opportunity (to be applied after you return to civilian life) and go with it.

Marines always get teary eyed reminiscing about boot, and sloggying thru the muck. Don't buy into the crap that their more elite than a soldier - they just have bigger heads. It's all that propagandic Semper Fi (always faithful) soup that was poured down their gullet in training. Good troops, but no better trained than the general infantry - and not nearly as well equpped (Navy likes to keep them poor). Their primary tactic remains "Hey diddle diddle straight up the middle".

J/K, btw. Stirs the pot.

[Ja'chyra]

It's definately not a little story, it is true.

The Scotsman: Argylls fight hand to hand in Iraq

OUTNUMBERED British soldiers killed 35 Iraqi attackers in the Army’s first bayonet charge since the Falklands War 22 years ago. The fearless Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders stormed rebel positions after being ambushed and pinned down. Despite being outnumbered five to one, they suffered only three minor wounds in the hand-to-hand fighting near the city of Amara. The battle erupted after Land Rovers carrying 20 Argylls came under attack on a highway. After radioing for back-up, they fixed bayonets and charged at 100 rebels using tactics learned in drills. When the fighting ended bodies lay all over the highway — and more were floating in a nearby river. Nine rebels were captured.

That's why the British Army trains for the bayonet charge.

Unfortunately the days of the bayonet are numbered as most of the soldiers in a fire team can't even fit them to their weapons. The juries still out on what will replace them but the odds are the fighting knife.

[Al Khalifah]

The days of the bayonet in practical combat are indeed limitted, but it will certainly remain a part of training procedures indefinately.