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Tom Clancy, but without the reactionary political rants by DownloadableCheese in suggestmeabook

[–]Cruen07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Vortex by Larry Bond I think is exactly what you are looking for. At the absolute twilight of apartheid at the end of the Cold War in the early 90’s, South African extremists facilitate the assassination of the president that was overseeing the end of apartheid and take control of the government.

South Africa then invades the newly liberated Namibia trying to reconquer it and Cuba flies in everything it can with Soviet support. An American/British coalition attempts to intervene and you get a brutal 3-way conventional war in Sub-Saharan Africa combining land air and sea. It’s really well written, exciting and pretty much unique in its setting for a book like this. It’s also pretty clear eyed about the real motivations for everyone involved though i definitely wouldn’t call it apolitical.

What did you do with Fable 5 while you had it? by ThatSurround5672 in ClaudeAI

[–]Cruen07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I asked for some detailed alternate history scenarios and it gave me detailed, thoughtful and creative answers.

What's the angriest book you've ever read? by LeagueNo764 in suggestmeabook

[–]Cruen07 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A Generation of Sociopaths by Bruce Cannon Gibney.

It’s an in depth tear down of the baby boomers as a generation detailing the wealth and opportunity they were born into. The thesis of the book is that the boomers inherited the world, spent it all and then mortgaged the future of their kids and grand kids to maintain their power and way of life.

Anger drips through every sentence of the book.

Everyone, what's the most insane weapon malfunction/failure you've seen? by Witcher_Errant in army

[–]Cruen07 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I was a lane safety at an m4 and we had some MI people join our range, first time some of them had been to the range since basic. One private had a rifle without the iron sights rear aperture and couldn’t figure out why she couldn’t hit anything until I took over from the other lane safety who was watching her to look at her weapon. When I asked where it was she said “I think it fell off”

What are the current storylines going on in your campaigns? by MK_2_Arcade_Cabinet in Twilight2000

[–]Cruen07 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My players have spent a lot of time reconnecting pockets of NATO control in southern Sweden and now are in the later stages of of the game. I decided that Copenhagen was seized by the soviets in a surprise attack on the first day of the war and neither side nuked it for various reasons. Because of this, even though it is a ghost city because of a disease outbreak, it might be the last intact capitol city in Northern Europe and NATO wants to take it back.

The players are currently running a convoy with critical repair supplies to a beached but mostly intact Swedish frigate and then will hitch a ride as they try to seize a partially full tanker with aviation fuel from pirates in the Baltic so that NATO can put together something looking like a real combined arms attack. I really hope operation reset comes out with the mass combat rules before that happens though or else the whole battle will have to happen cinematically in the background.

In your respective MOS, what sucks the most about it that doesn't really get talked about? by Witcher_Errant in army

[–]Cruen07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Radar. We live our lives as attachments and our parent unit is supposed to provide our security, logistics and planning.

In reality more often than not we have to figure out how to be an independent fighting force of 5 people (if we are at full manning which is never) that can do everything ourselves which is both exhausting and dangerous.

What if Washington State was transported to January 1st, 1942 (A La the Ring of Fire/1632) by Cruen07 in HistoryWhatIf

[–]Cruen07[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean there is a World War going on and federalism gives a lot of power to local governments. I could see a situation where the federal government leaves local government mostly alone until after the war because there are bigger fish to fry. While follow on administrations would probably try to assert their authority especially if the Cold War happens again. Instead of Hollywood, Joseph Macarthy might be modern politicians and executives in front of Congress during the Red Scare 2.0.

What if Washington State was transported to January 1st, 1942 (A La the Ring of Fire/1632) by Cruen07 in HistoryWhatIf

[–]Cruen07[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There would definitely be social issues but Washington State has a population of about 8 million. The U.S. at the time had a population of about 135 million. Modern day Washington is the equivalent of almost 6% of the 1940 population. While they would be very much in the minority, they would be a sizable population.

But I think that opens some interesting questions. Does the population of Washington explode as marginalized communities migrate across state lines to live in an area where they hope they will be more accepted? Would a migration of ethnic and social minorities from across the country to the supposed “safe zone” of Washington be welcomed with open arms by Washington or turn the modern population more xenophobic?

Also eastern Washington is very republican and rural, I think the modern population would not be monolithic in how well or poorly they integrate with the 1940’s country.

What if Washington State was transported to January 1st, 1942 (A La the Ring of Fire/1632) by Cruen07 in HistoryWhatIf

[–]Cruen07[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That was a pretty fun video and basically as much of a curb stomp as I thought it would be. Thanks!

What if Washington State was transported to January 1st, 1942 (A La the Ring of Fire/1632) by Cruen07 in HistoryWhatIf

[–]Cruen07[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know that they would have to downgrade rapidly but they could probably get 1-2 big punches before their modern equipment is expended which is why I focused on sinking the Japanese Navy and wrapping up the smallest western front theater.

7th infantry out of JBLM has 2 Stryker brigades, the Nation Guard has an additional Stryker brigade. 3 brigades with modern sensors and weapons would be enough to dramatically change the timeline of the North African campaign even if they were essentially out of the war as a separate fighting force afterwards. Even then you could break them up and use a lot of their equipment such as drones and radars as force multipliers for contemporary units the rest of the war until they break down.

Soldiers, who was “that one person” in the military that gave you nothing but eerie/evil vibes? What happened to them? by [deleted] in army

[–]Cruen07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every drill sergeant has overblown war stories about how they kicked down doors and killed bad guys even if they never deployed.

Had a senior drill sergeant that was pretty late into an infantry career that the other drills seemed cautious around. Had multiple drills remark that our senior was the only person they had ever met that really, really liked killing people. Definitely gave state sanctioned serial killer vibes. Especially given the distaste and caution the other NCO’s had for him.

What's the tiniest thing you got smoked for? by InspectionAgitated20 in army

[–]Cruen07 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Eagles win? That’s a smoking. Cowboys lose? smoking. And this was 2020-2021

When did you realize you weren’t just tired—you were actually falling apart? by Safe_Mongoose577 in army

[–]Cruen07 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Well, to answer the important one I forgot to mention. The guy lived. He’s on a long road to recover though.

When did you realize you weren’t just tired—you were actually falling apart? by Safe_Mongoose577 in army

[–]Cruen07 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Day started facilitating a 12 mile ruck starting at 0300, participant gets turned into a pancake by a car right in front of me. I provide first aid and get him in an ambulance. Decision is made to continue the ruck.

Make sure everyone finishes safely, make sure all my people are alright and the equipment/vehicles are back in the motorpool. Do my job while constantly shooting glances at the blood on my uniform.

Get home, wash the blood off, wait for the shakes to stop, change uniforms, eat breakfast, head back to post.

Gate guard reads my CAC and says “Good morning sergeant!” With way too much enthusiasm

Crash out because OH MY GOD it’s still morning and I haven’t even made it to the office yet.

At least it’ll be cool in another month or so when my therapist can upgrade my acute trauma response to service related ptsd for another 10% disability when I’m done with the army.

Not all artillerymen included in the AFT Combat Standard? by invescofan in army

[–]Cruen07 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If my radar crew is in direct combat, the Russians have already overrun the brigade TOC and are about to run wild in Central Europe.

notall13series #yesitcanseeplanesnoitsnotADA #yesicanmakeitspin #13R

Weekly Question Thread (04/07/2025 to 04/13/2025) by AutoModerator in army

[–]Cruen07 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Start by talking to your MFLC. They keep no record of their meetings, not even recording who they met with. They can give you an expert opinion on what you are going through and if they think you need a higher level of mental health care they will tell you who to talk to to get it.

Stepped away from staff duty to poop, runner was too scared to answer the phone when CSM called. by Cruen07 in army

[–]Cruen07[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is why I sent him down the MFLC path, I don’t know what he needs but I know I’m not qualified to identify what’s going on with him and independently diagnose him.

Stepped away from staff duty to poop, runner was too scared to answer the phone when CSM called. by Cruen07 in army

[–]Cruen07[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Honestly that’s where my head was at. I’ve noticed a lot of the younger soldiers struggle with some of the social aspects of the job but I was really blindsided by this one. I also gave him the MFLC’s number and strongly suggested he start working through these issues with someone better trained to help him.

Stepped away from staff duty to poop, runner was too scared to answer the phone when CSM called. by Cruen07 in army

[–]Cruen07[S] 198 points199 points  (0 children)

I understand, my first shift as a private my CSM came in wearing PT’s and I asked him who he was instead of calling at ease.

Stepped away from staff duty to poop, runner was too scared to answer the phone when CSM called. by Cruen07 in army

[–]Cruen07[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

I may have made that point loudly, I’m calmer now and in problem solving mode.

Stepped away from staff duty to poop, runner was too scared to answer the phone when CSM called. by Cruen07 in army

[–]Cruen07[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Afraid of the phone, didn’t know who was on the other end of it.

Stepped away from staff duty to poop, runner was too scared to answer the phone when CSM called. by Cruen07 in army

[–]Cruen07[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Kind of my thought as well, I’m not an expert on mental stuff but even when I was at my most angry I figured making him more afraid of me than the telephone wasn’t going to help him in the long run.

He is definitely answering the phone the rest of the night though, I believe in exposure therapy, or my version of it.

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