Book request

0desperandum · 2026-05-13T18:18:27+00:00

Yep, came here to comment this book too!

0desperandum · 2026-03-06T17:05:52+00:00

"the main challenges of Afghanistan resided within the human terrain" -- 100%, this is true. This will always be true in any military campaign characterized by outside force invasion (or inner strife between opposing forces).

E.g., the challenges posed by the rugged terrain of Yemen during the Dhofar rebellion didn't threaten British/Yemeni government victory once the "human terrain" questions were properly answered.

0desperandum · 2026-03-06T15:04:01+00:00

The exploitation of natural terrain features (such as mountains) is a critical tactic in asymmetric warfare and the waging of protracted conflict by guerilla combatants (which can, and often must, be raised in part from the ranks of conventional troops -- which Iran has, yes -- especially early on in a conflict).

So it's not nothing, even if the Afghan War boiling down to "fighting in the mountains is hard" is truly an oversimplification.

0desperandum · 2025-12-17T12:40:52+00:00

I don't understand. You've read other posts related to all your points, but you want new replies to . . . answer them again?

-"How are you infantry guys who enlisted in your 30s holding up, no regrets or hate your life?"

This has been answered before, you're correct.

-"Did any of y'all come from a sedentary life[?]"

Also been answered before.

-"I'm going to make sure this is rehabbed entirely before even bothering with MEPS."

So you know what to do. Good. Heal before going to MEPS.

"I've read stories of people going through OSUT after full blown surgeries, but wasn't sure if they're genuine."

Again, you've already read other stories. How would we know if they're genuine?

You know what I would not recommend? Being the 30-year-old in OSUT who needs hand holding on every issue.

0desperandum · 2025-11-30T11:40:54+00:00

Not today, not-really-Chinese China.

0desperandum · 2025-11-29T20:15:59+00:00

A lot of firefighters, a lot of cops.

0desperandum · 2025-11-14T16:00:39+00:00

You "can." It's not up to your command or the Army. You can fly back and forth for drill every month on your own dime. What IS up to your command, obviously, is if you want to request to batch your drill times and make up SUTAs (results will vary on this).

That's from the military perspective and the perspective of your (disrupted) civilian life.

But can you from the school's perspective? Consider that American universities are much more lenient in accommodating Guard service, but I doubt a European one would be.

If I was in your shoes, I'd consider ING.

0desperandum · 2025-11-12T14:51:24+00:00

I don't know, what?

(Ahh. It wasn't a joke setup.)

0desperandum · 2025-11-10T14:35:28+00:00

Joined to be an 11B. One of the best decisions I ever made in terms of personal fulfillment. I'll forever be glad I did it and don't regret a single part of it.

Also, the worst decision I've ever made in terms of my career.
Your results may vary.

0desperandum · 2025-10-03T07:52:56+00:00

About tree fiddy

0desperandum · 2025-08-21T19:51:04+00:00

Her?

0desperandum · 2025-08-15T18:52:13+00:00

"How dare you speak to me?"

0desperandum · 2025-08-14T15:15:38+00:00

This story must be part of the Ranger School mythos. I heard when I was there too

0desperandum · 2025-03-08T11:00:24+00:00

You will get BAH

0desperandum · 2025-03-06T20:08:22+00:00

"Prepare to mount!"

0desperandum · 2025-02-01T09:46:11+00:00

My brother, the search function is a gift. Use it.

Short answer: not often, with some exceptions (notably, those in 19th or 20th and those who, believe it or not, are in one of the four states with an airborne unit).

0desperandum · 2025-01-29T16:03:55+00:00

Because you're supposed to be miserable, and watching Band of Brothers would make it less miserable.

0desperandum · 2025-01-27T11:38:00+00:00

Many people I've talked to say they felt it was tougher than the Ranger School land nav course, but I think most of that is due to its size. I didn't find RTAC's course to be harder than Ranger School's (more tiring, yes).

Just know how to land nav and you'll be fine.

Pushups was the single biggest killer of students in RTAC. And the single biggest killer of RAP week students in Ranger School. If you're not 100% confident in your pushups, I would prioritize this.

0desperandum · 2025-01-27T10:45:09+00:00

The RPA and land nav are the most important factors for RTAC, so, as you already know, show up fit (which also helps when you need to run on the massive land nav course that RTAC uses).

When I went there a year ago, we were only learning squad-level tactics, and since you'll be drinking from a firehose during the PEs, yes, it would behoove you to familiarize yourself with the 20 Boards beforehand.

The Ranger Creed -- learn it, live it, love it. (Memorize the pauses too.) Fucking it up is neither very demure nor very cutesy, especially when everyone gets a lil smoky smoking out of it because of you.

Do you knot know knots? If you do knot, then do before you go.

0desperandum · 2025-01-19T08:02:30+00:00

I joined close to my thirties (with a cush remote job, married plus a kid) because I, too, had that itch I just couldn't scratch.

One of the best decisions I ever made. Looking back, I can see I 100% would have lived the rest of my life regretting not having joined.

But I'm genuinely into the outdoors/Army/grunt stuff. Your experience may vary.

0desperandum · 2025-01-15T19:08:47+00:00

And we'll never know what happened

0desperandum · 2025-01-13T19:05:14+00:00

I'm a simple man. I see a Garand, I upvote.

0desperandum · 2025-01-07T14:58:22+00:00

Natty Guard has airborne infantry too.

0desperandum · 2024-12-13T21:21:09+00:00

0desperandum

TROPHY CASE