The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Solus on October 20, 2015, 09:26:05 AM

Title: What a French Soldier thinks of American Troops
Post by: Solus on October 20, 2015, 09:26:05 AM

Long article and one section is repeated in an editing oversight, but worth a read.  Makes me Proud.


A French Soldier's View of US Soldiers

What follows is an account from a French ISAF soldier that was stationed with American Warfighters in Afghanistan sometime in the past 6 years. This was copied and translated from an editorial French newspaper.  Grammatical errors have been kept in-tact to preserve authenticity.




http://www.scout.com/military/warrior-lodge/story/1557834-a-french-soldier-s-view-of-us-soldiers#.ViSM6rKX55I.facebook

Title: Re: What a French Soldier thinks of American Troops
Post by: tombogan03884 on October 20, 2015, 11:23:34 AM

That's why the US military hasn't lost a war on the battlefield, only in Washington while the French have not even been able to defend France for 200 years.

Title: Re: What a French Soldier thinks of American Troops
Post by: Magoo541 on October 20, 2015, 02:00:27 PM

Having worked with German soldiers for a couple of years, I can say they never heard us bitch or complain about anything.  But we did amongst ourselves  ;)

Posted to FB, thanks Solus for putting this up  ;)

Title: Re: What a French Soldier thinks of American Troops
Post by: Solus on October 20, 2015, 02:28:44 PM

I remember in Boot Camp, way back in Jun of '65, we were taught that any enlisted rank should be prepared to lead should there be a loss of command.

We were also taught if things went South not to sit still, but to DO SOMETHING. 

The expectation to assume command was presented to us as one of our major advantages over our enemies of the time.  It appears it is still a great advantage over our enemies and over our allies as well.

Title: Re: What a French Soldier thinks of American Troops
Post by: tombogan03884 on October 20, 2015, 02:40:24 PM

Same in the Marines, During WWII there were cases in the Pacific where the Company commander was a sergeant. Senior man takes charge, whether he's a General, or a PFC.
In defense of Kipling however I will point out that "Take open order and await your supports" was the standard procedure and probably exactly what the officer would have order had a 5 rupee jezail not erased L2,000 worth of education. (It's an obscure reference to another Kipling line. Sorry for those who don't get it.)

Title: Re: What a French Soldier thinks of American Troops
Post by: PegLeg45 on October 21, 2015, 04:40:55 PM

Quote from: tombogan03884 on October 20, 2015, 02:40:24 PM

In defense of Kipling however I will point out that "Take open order and await your supports" was the standard procedure and probably exactly what the officer would have order had a 5 rupee jezail not erased L2,000 worth of education. (It's an obscure reference to another Kipling line. Sorry for those who don't get it.)

 ;D