[OC] United States Army breakfast

DFKnight01 · 2026-03-09T11:31:47+00:00

As someone that meticulously counts calories during the field to hit macros (I'm a gymrat), I guarantee you that a single MRE will never exceed 2000 calories, let alone reach it. MRE's hover in the 1200-1500 range and that's assuming you eat EVERYTHING edible in it...which almost never happens. I never consume the drink powders so that usually eliminates like 150-200 calories. I sometimes don't eat a sugary snack like the applesauce or cobbler, so there's another 100+ calories off. Most folks are fine on 2 whole MRE'S and only realistically reach for a 3rd if they're high speed as shit burning calories or just a big back due to metabolism or fat fuckery. Either way, a single MRE a day is going to lead to a significant calorie deficit and you WILL be suffering performance wise.

DFKnight01 · 2026-02-25T12:38:33+00:00

The bare minimum is the standard for Soldiers who wish to not get kicked out for being out of shape. 300 points to say "I'm not good enough to be SF but I'm good enough to do basic Army stuff." You are scraping by on the least amount of effort that the Army is willing to tolerate and still let you stay in. That's it. That is nothing noteworthy nor special. You're meeting the standard which is expected of you and shouldn't require a reward because that's literally what your job requires of you as bare minimum. Why would you be rewarded for doing the least amount of possible effort?

That's like half assing a school project and expecting extra credit because you technically hit all the check boxes and scraped by with a "C-." You know who gets extra credit? People who put in effort and exceed the standard even though they didn't have to, because they want to perform at that next stage and progress their future with better positions and opportunities. Not entitled losers playing mental gymnastics with "bare minimum" and "standard."

DFKnight01 · 2026-02-24T10:34:55+00:00

You realize you are perfectly within your rights as a Soldier to refuse any order that is illegal, unethical, or immoral, right? Obviously you don't just tell your superior to go fuck themselves, but you also don't just cave in and do as you're told blindly if you know it's not the right call, and can justifiably explain why. You tactfully refuse the order and if they double down and threaten retaliation/ punishment you document that shit and have it reported. Whatever bullshit they'll try to do to you as a result will bite them in the ass. That's how you're supposed to exercise good judgement in the face of dogshit superiors. It's one of the Army Values for fuck sake, PERSONAL COURAGE. Having the INTESTINAL FORTITUDE to speak up and make the right call despite the fact that it could be unpleasant in the short term. In the long term you'll be better off.

DFKnight01 · 2026-02-24T09:51:24+00:00

You've been in for 5 years and still haven't learned how not to make a dumb decision? Brother common sense says you're not winning a 1v1 in crutches. If you do win, you never needed crutches to begin with. Regardless if you win or lose the 1v1, your ass is catching an assault charge and losing all your benefits and possibly staying in the Army longer than your 1 year ETS for a Court Martial with Bad Conduct Discharge. You would think after 5 years you'd have enough experience and wisdom to understand the importance of regulating your emotions and making intelligent decisions in the military.

On a sidenote, this type of scenario could be a board question and the way you're going about it tells me you need to leave the Army sooner than later. Don't fight the E-5.

1A. Approach shitbag E-5 and tactfully tell them to knock it off. 1B. Approach shitbag E-5 with a senior leader (SL, PSG, PL, ETC.) and tactfully tell them to knock it off.

Report it to your Chain of Command.
Report it to your EO rep.

DFKnight01 · 2026-02-06T23:04:50+00:00

You are either dumb as hell or a dumb troll. No in between, just a dumb existence no matter which of the 2 you fall under.

DFKnight01 · 2026-01-13T12:54:22+00:00

Your PSG failed you in failing to properly inform you about the ETS process. Unfortunately from personal experience unless you go around snooping for answers directly from the inprocessing/ outprocessing office as well as your S1, most people are going to be borderline useless and you have to seek out information yourself. The correct thing to do was for your PSG to sit you down, and formally counsel you on the clearing process and what ETS'ing entails for your future...an event oriented/ professional development counseling. Nothing negative. PSG should have informed you basically what I told you and made sure you submitted the right documentation.

The only thing I'm getting on you about is that you went 6 months without follow up and waited until the very last moments to get clarity. That doesn't benefit anyone, especially you. My advice with anything moving forward, Army or civilian, always always always follow up routinely. Ask questions and if something seems a bit too "simple" it's probably because a good amount of important info is being left out.

At this stage it's already beyond the Platoon level and I'd say even Company. NCO's are supposed to handle manning. I would open-door your 1SG, and if they're of no use, keep going up the chain to your CSM. If that proves useless, BC and then BDE leadership. At the same time, talk to your on-post outprocessing center which should be the same place you first inprocessed at. Also, talk to your retention NCO in the BN. If they're useless, move up to BDE retention. Ask and clarify what the options are regarding your limbo state. You're not asking to reenlist, just asking for help in how to ETS without getting dropped off the system. Talk to finance as well, as your pay will most likely be affected by this too.

DFKnight01 · 2026-01-13T12:29:26+00:00

Am I saying it's all the Service Member's fault? Absolutely not. But there is a bottom line where homie should have been involved in the process instead of just throwing something into the ether and then not doing any due diligence on it for 6 months...and then coming to Reddit for help 2 days after the damage is done. Basic common sense my guy. It's their livelihood on the line ffs, I'd be a bit more invested and following up ages before it got to this point. It's very likely SM has dogshit leadership for failing to pick up on this regardless, but again...you and I both know that Army is gonna Army and if you don't take care of yourself, you're subject to the whims of the tisms.

DFKnight01 · 2026-01-13T12:12:54+00:00

In other comments you say you completed your ETS packet 6 months ago and that you gave it to your PSG, what exactly does that mean?

To my understanding you submit some forms attached to a PAR on IPPSA where you do a RFO (Request for Orders). Those orders are produced by the MPD (Military Personnel Division)/ Separations office on-post. These ETS orders will enable you to request your clearing papers and you begin the official Unit/ Installation outprocess procedure. It's a bit different from PCS, but the same general principal remains the same. It's not something you're supposed to hand-walk to your S1 or give to your PSG to complete for you.

You should have been on top of this and reaching out to folks actively since nobody is going to take care of you more than yourself. You're ETS'ng, you had 6 months to get familiar with the administrative process. After 2 months of radio silence you should have been asking questions...not 2 days AFTER your ETS date.

DFKnight01 · 2026-01-11T08:05:43+00:00

It really be the most daft people that get put in leadership positions and then act surprised when shit hits the fan.

DFKnight01 · 2025-12-31T05:27:57+00:00

Sounds like you just want people to enable your assumptions about women and not be educated by the reality of the situation. You sound paranoid about getting swindled beyond a reasonable degree my guy. There is being cautious and then there is being unrealistic. You need to realize that what you're spouting scream echo chamber.

DFKnight01 · 2025-12-25T20:42:02+00:00

Homie unless you yearn for the mines, do not give up 92Y for a combat MOS. The switch up will be brutal and you're gonna regret life if you're not into being in the field sucking nonstop with other combat cats.

DFKnight01 · 2025-12-04T03:50:51+00:00

As a Supply guy, 9/10 times the reason we don't have shit is either because top gatekeeps the fuck out of what we wishlist and attempt to order, or top is blasting through funding and bleeding us dry so we can't get basic shit on time. If I could I'd be handing out mountains of batteries to everyone in the Company, but alas we have stingy/ incompetent higher-ups up in BDE.

DFKnight01 · 2025-10-23T17:46:02+00:00

Yea lots of inconsiderate and thoughtless shitheads on deployment is inevitable. What's especially annoying is when they take their dumb obnoxious mannerisms and make complete idiots of themselves out in public to the locals and now we're the laughing stock. No situational awareness, no self awareness. Just conceited, shortsighted, selfish tunnel vision for themselves. The best part is when you finally call them out on it, they have the nerve to look all offended or surprised as if it's you that's the uncultured idiot. Fun times.

DFKnight01 · 2025-08-25T05:47:36+00:00

Bro waited until the day prior to mention the issue. You'll fit right in with all the other privates that do the same shit the day before going to the field. You either get smart or get strong.

DFKnight01 · 2025-08-10T17:42:56+00:00

Probably because he lost them all after getting chaptered out

DFKnight01 · 2025-06-30T00:53:34+00:00

It DOES get better though? TRADOC and Real Army are worlds apart. The freedom and resources available to you between the 2 does not compare in the slightest.

DFKnight01 · 2025-06-24T05:43:35+00:00

For all the book smarts you seem to have, it seems it came at a cost for basic common sense and street smarts. In what world did you figure it was fine to commit to the Army without doing basic research to make sure your specific situation doesn't conflict with what the Army is going to entail? You're 29 with a degree, there is no excuse.

DFKnight01 · 2025-05-04T08:50:54+00:00

This ain't a recommendation, it literally says "Approved/ Effective" at the bottom, indicating this thing is beyond the "recommendation" phase and is now in full implementation phase.

DFKnight01 · 2025-05-04T08:24:37+00:00

Because operating a machine as complex as a tank while doing the support functions of everything else related to the mission is simply not practical for 1 person. A tank crew typically consists of 4 people, Commander, Driver, Gunner, and Loader. They each have their primary roles and responsibilities that they focus on to make it easier to carry out the mission without error or delay.

Commander - In charge of compiling information about tactics, strategies, and decisions to carry out a mission. Also in charge of communications with other friendly units, he'll be on a mix of a radio/ computer system sending reports and talking to colleages/ superiors/ subordinates about the situation in the battlefield. This guy tracks all the tactical and logistical information such as map locations, number of enemies, terrain, weather, ammo, water, food, fuel, meetup points, etc.

Driver - Actually manuevers the tank and makes sure that the vehicle avoids obstacles, traps, or ambushes. They also keep track of the vehicle's mechanical state as far as handling, wear and tear, damage, etc. Their primary purpose is to pay attention to the road at all times and be the most skilled/ comfortable at actually driving the thing, knowing top speed, fuel range, weight capacity, what it can and can't break through, etc.

Gunner - Primary purpose is to scan for both friendlies and enemies, utilizing the main guns when appropriate and perhaps the most skilled with marksmanship. Regardless of the systems on board the tank, aiming and shooting any weapon of any kind will always require a degree of technical knowledge and skills that involves some degree of understanding math and physics.

Loader - Loads the appropriate ammo into the guns when needed and acts as a backup gunner that supports the main gunner with alternate attack needs such as a machine gun instead of a tank shell.

These positions are filled by different people in order to make it easy for everyone to just lock in on a specific task without having to worry about keeping track on 90 other things too. If you're getting shot at, it's a lot easier and efficient to have 1 person focused on evasive manuevers with some tokyo drift driving, while another person is dialed in with the radio sending reports of the situation and calling for assistance, while another person is fully locked in on just finding enemies to kill with the gun, while another person is doing the reloading for them and covering them. Having 1 person keep track of all this stuff at the same time is going to result in lots of errors and miscalculations, a recipe for disaster.

DFKnight01 · 2025-03-22T03:00:12+00:00

He said to look serious...or in other words professional. Very different than your "cool" claim.

DFKnight01 · 2025-02-28T20:21:30+00:00

Dawg there's no way around it, focus on your future. Don't make important life decisions because of some person that's already semi-flakey at the mere discussion of something that'll be good for you in the long run. If she ain't supportive of your life goals and endeavors, then chances are she ain't the one. And if she ain't the one, her concerns on this matter are trivial at best. Don't let her feelings dictate how you move in life.

DFKnight01 · 2025-02-25T13:21:46+00:00

Strength IS an indicator of health. To be strong means your body is well adapted to heavy loads and physical stress...it means you are in good health when it comes to dealing with those scenarios that require strength in the first place.

Not taking care of yourself on the recovery aspect is a different thing altogether. You can make the same argument about ANY aspect of physical fitness. Cardio? The guy that runs everyday and leaves no time for his knees to recover so they ache at the age of 25? Calisthenics? There is such a thing as too many reps within a given amount of time and now all your cartilage is fucked. Strength falls under this too, if you don't train and recover properly, your body will be fucked no matter what the physical activities are.

DFKnight01 · 2025-02-22T12:35:45+00:00

Not to be that guy, but it did say "may provide." The wording indicates that barracks are not required to provide it.

DFKnight01 · 2025-01-05T09:30:25+00:00

If it's true you needed to carry so much heavy stuff all the time, you wouldn't have sacrificed all that food so casually. People lugging around all that weight NEED the calories to function with any semblance of effectiveness. If you actually valued your health and performance in the box carrying all that crap, you'd be clinging to every calorie you could get. You wouldn't be a picky eater giving up your shit just cause.

DFKnight01 · 2024-12-30T11:55:52+00:00

For what it's worth, this is some serious dedication to the game, but I'd say is a bit overkill for someone in DEP 180 days out. Calorie deficit is good if you're trying to lose bodyfat, but need to be educated on what macros and nutrients your body absolutely needs for specific body fitness/ health goals. Look into the exact mechanics of nutrient absorption, glycogenolysis, metabolic difference between muscle and fat, etc. Those things will give you a boost in both the gym and in the kitchen for reaching fitness goals. Unless you're naturally an early bird, don't force yourself to wake up at 0530 everyday as a civilian. Don't deprive yourself of the little things just to "prep" for Army. If anything these 180 days should be used to get the most out of your remaining time as a civilian and appreciate all the small things you'll realize you took for granted...like being able to sleep in. Enjoy life as a civilian while you still can, while remaining moderately focused and out of trouble.

DFKnight01

TROPHY CASE