WW2 or the end of 19th century (1 Viewer)

[larso]

"No room for patriotism, tradition or the ideal of service in your view Larso?" Jack

Thinking more on this, I had a long interest in the military and pride in Australian feats of arms but my primary reason for joining was because YOU talked me into it. Perhaps you could share your own motivations??

 

[larso]

"No, we are still there, you are badly misinformed if you think Australia has left Afghanistan.
Wayne."

Yes, we have about 1500 troops deployed in Afghanistan or nearby assisting. These comprise the 900 man 8/9th RAR, a light infantrey battalion, as well as a Sqn Plus of SAS & Commandoes. There's also a Sqn of armored vehicles but I forget which unit, as well as reconstruction and a helicopter detachment.

You'd be forgiven for thinking we're not there anymore though. Our government does everything in its power to downplay it. Reportage of combat is almost non-existent. The govt has also announced we're leaving, though I think the next rotation of our forces, due shortly, will keep us there till mid way through 2013. After that, the SAS force will continue being on hand in come way for several years.

 

[Jack]

"No room for patriotism, tradition or the ideal of service in your view Larso?" Jack

Thinking more on this, I had a long interest in the military and pride in Australian feats of arms but my primary reason for joining was because YOU talked me into it. Perhaps you could share your own motivations??

I'm a glory hound! But as Elvis sand 'You don't get the Purple Heart for fallen arches'.

 

[TomNT]

There's also a Sqn of armored vehicles but I forget which unit, as well as reconstruction and a helicopter detachment.

Larso

I believe the armoured vehicles (bushmasters) in Afghanistan are from the 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment which is based in Townsville Queensland Australia.

Tom

 

[larso]

"I believe the armoured vehicles (bushmasters) in Afghanistan are from the 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment which is based in Townsville Queensland Australia."

I think you're right Tom. I did a bit more research and it looks like the 8/9th only did a 5 month tour, being replaced by 3 RAR which is also now based in Townsville. So yes, they would deploy with the mechanised unit they'd trained with. Sadly I see today that another 3 of these young men were killed by a turncoat local.

 

[TomNT]

"I believe the armoured vehicles (bushmasters) in Afghanistan are from the 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment which is based in Townsville Queensland Australia."

I think you're right Tom. I did a bit more research and it looks like the 8/9th only did a 5 month tour, being replaced by 3 RAR which is also now based in Townsville. So yes, they would deploy with the mechanised unit they'd trained with. Sadly I see today that another 3 of these young men were killed by a turncoat local.

Yes it is a sad day for our diggers and i cannot see any way our troops or any other troops from different countries can protect themselves from these sort of attacks.

Tom

 

[larso]

Yes, it is just so insidious. If both forces operated separately, there might be fewer such instances but intergration and joint operations help a lot towards training the new Afghan army and hurting the insurgents. I can't see an answer. It must be hellish over there not knowing who you can trust. Another two guys died in a helicopter crash today as well. Five dead in one day is a lot for our modest force.

 

[Poppo]

Yes, it is just so insidious. If both forces operated separately, there might be fewer such instances but intergration and joint operations help a lot towards training the new Afghan army and hurting the insurgents. I can't see an answer. It must be hellish over there not knowing who you can trust. Another two guys died in a helicopter crash today as well. Five dead in one day is a lot for our modest force.

I think all western armies should leave Afghanistan as soon as possible to avoid new deads and a HUGE cost for the citizens in nations which suffer harder and harder economic crise {sm2}.....But there must be huge economic interests behind this operation, like supplying given by multinational companies...Always the same story ..

 

[Mitch]

This thread has about five minutes of life left with the way the conversation has turned. Roll up roll up bizarre comment requested!!!!!
Mitch

I think all western armies should leave Afghanistan as soon as possible to avoid new deads and a HUGE cost for the citizens in nations which suffer harder and harder economic crise {sm2}.....But there must be huge economic interests behind this operation, like supplying given by multinational companies...Always the same story ..

 

[Scott]

This thread has about five minutes of life left with the way the conversation has turned. Roll up roll up bizarre comment requested!!!!!
Mitch

I don't think that Poppo realizes that we more patriotic countries need to keep our special forces units in trim. ( Big Old Winkie)

 

[larso]

I don't think there's any economic advantage to be had from Afghanistan. Sure it's a 'gateway' to various places and there's a pipeline or two but these things are small beer. Australia is there to support the US alliance. I support this and personally I think there is a benefit in exposing our troops to combat, though there is a high price to be paid for that at times. It's a pretty messed up place after 30 plus years of war. Some of the cultural practices are virtually alien and I doubt that the place is capable of growing out of the Middle Ages as things stand. I sometimes think that the best way to counter the worst of the Taliban is to arm Afghan women. They're the ones with the most to lose if it all falls over, again.

 

[marco55]

My friend just returned from Georgia where he saw his son graduate from boot camp.He showed me a video of it and you never saw such a proud group of young men and women and their families.Yes a lot of young people go into service for economic reasons.By entering the military they get a chance to get the best training possible and to further their education.Alot of them are from poorer sections of our society and this gives them a better chance in the job market.Are they patriotic?YES they are!Even though many of them were children they have not forgotten 9/11.
Mark

 

[Scott]

"Pandora"



No "Unobtainium" but........


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Afghanistan

"....In 2010, Pentagon officials and American geologists discovered about $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan...."

 

[Currahee Chris]

Yes a lot of young people go into service for economic reasons.By entering the military they get a chance to get the best training possible and to further their education.Alot of them are from poorer sections of our society and this gives them a better chance in the job market.Are they patriotic?YES they are!Even though many of them were children they have not forgotten 9/11.
Mark

I think this has been the case for awhile though as well. I know if it werent for the US Army, I wouldnt be where I am today (part of the over 40 club {sm4}{sm2}) General Franks discusses this a few times in his book he put out a couple years ago. There were a lot of studies done, and many people on this board have "been there done that", where young enlisted soldiers in the US Army with families have to go on public assistance to make ends meet. Terrible travesty in our country.Admittedly, not sure if that is still the case.

The notion that American servicepeople are mercenaries is just ludicrous. They are people that are taking advantage of the benefits offered them (20 year retirement, free medical care, GI Bill) just like any other working stiff would at their normal job.

 

[DMNamiot]

I think this has been the case for awhile though as well. I know if it werent for the US Army, I wouldnt be where I am today (part of the over 40 club {sm4}{sm2}) General Franks discusses this a few times in his book he put out a couple years ago. There were a lot of studies done, and many people on this board have "been there done that", where young enlisted soldiers in the US Army with families have to go on public assistance to make ends meet. Terrible travesty in our country.Admittedly, not sure if that is still the case.

The notion that American servicepeople are mercenaries is just ludicrous. They are people that are taking advantage of the benefits offered them (20 year retirement, free medical care, GI Bill) just like any other working stiff would at their normal job.

Great post Chris! I will confirm that there are still many soldiers and their families that are on food stamps. I see it all the time at the Comissary. You are right of course that this is a travesty. Maybe someday Congress will fix this and pay our soldiers a better wage. As far as seeking a better life it was the same story over and over again when ever I discussed why they were in the Army. Economics always has played a big role in the filling the ranks of the Army this doesnt make them Mercenaries.

Dave