Swearing

[Catfish]

Originally Posted by Wolferz

Tell me about it. I used to be one of them. And a lot of them I would call idiots.

Been there, done that. But i admit i find the US drill sergeant's hats like in Platoon utterly ridiculous. I guess you will not laugh as a recruit, but it's like putting someone in a clown's costume and allow him to torture you

Originally Posted by Catfish

Been there, done that. But i admit i find the US drill sergeant's hats like in Platoon utterly ridiculous. I guess you will not laugh as a recruit, but it's like putting someone in a clown's costume and allow him to torture you

As a former DI in the German army, I agree.
Different doctrines, I guess...

[slipf18]

I am fairly new here. Couple months.

I appreciate the "cleanliness" of this forum.

Also appreciate that disagreements don't quickly turn into mud slinging personal attacks.

[Sailor Steve]

You really are new here. Old-timers will tell you that we have had many, many occasions of hostile personal attacks, mud-slinging, name-calling, diatribe and a lot more. We do our best to keep it in check, but you never know when the next one will be.

I'm not trying to scare you, I just don't want you to be surprised when the next outbreak happens.

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by slipf18

I am fairly new here. Couple months.

I appreciate the "cleanliness" of this forum.

Also appreciate that disagreements don't quickly turn into mud slinging personal attacks.

Welcome aboard. If a mud slinging personal attack breaks out, just hit the Report Bad Post button and watch how fast it is stopped.

[Eichhörnchen]

Welcome to the forum, slipf18

It is normally a pretty kindly, civilized place...

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Catfish

Been there, done that. But i admit i find the US drill sergeant's hats like in Platoon utterly ridiculous. I guess you will not laugh as a recruit, but it's like putting someone in a clown's costume and allow him to torture you

One guy makes his living at it!

F. Lee Ermey was cast in his first film while attending the University of Manila in the Philippines, using his G.I. Bill benefits. He played a First Air Cavalry chopper pilot in Apocalypse Now doubling as a technical advisor to director Francis Ford Coppola. Ermey then was cast as a Marine Drill Instructor in Sidney Fury's "Boys In Company C." For the next few years, Ermey played a series of minor film roles until 1987 when he was cast as drill instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket. https://www.quora.com/Do-real-life-military-drill-instructors-bear-any-resemblance-to-the-Gunny-character-from-the-movie-Full-Metal-Jacket
Initially he was intended to be only the technical advisor. Kubrick changed his mind after Ermey put together an instructional tape, in which he went on an extended tirade towards several extras, convincing Kubrick he was the right man for the role. Seeking absolute military authenticity for the film, Kubrick allowed Ermey to write or edit his own dialogue and improvise on the set, a notable rarity in a Kubrick film. Kubrick later indicated that Ermey was an excellent performer, often needing just two or three takes per scene, also unusual for a Kubrick film.

Federal guards receive their periodic 40 hours new-contract training and range qualification from contracted Marine drill instructors...so I have a greater appreciation of the 'art form' They are excellent leaders and truthfully I never heard one actually swear. Class room discipline was tough and full attention mandatory or you were stood at your desk. @ Catfish I work occasionally alongside US Park Rangers who also wear the same (Smokey) hat...they are not ridiculous! Merely a matter of bad taste! en masse>

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

[OT]The spike actually had a purpose and wasn't just "decoration". The helmet was designed at a time when cavalry charges where still practiced on the battlefield and the spike made sure that a rider couldn't hit the infantry man's helmet dead center from above with his sabre where it would have been most likely to be breached. The spike deflected the blow on the sloped parts of the helmet which would either deflect the blow further or be able to withstand it. So while looking kinda silly today it was not made like that just for fashion reasons.[/OT]

[fumo30]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

[OT]The spike actually had a purpose and wasn't just "decoration". The helmet was designed at a time when cavalry charges where still practiced on the battlefield and the spike made sure that a rider couldn't hit the infantry man's helmet dead center from above with his sabre where it would have been most likely to be breached. The spike deflected the blow on the sloped parts of the helmet which would either deflect the blow further or be able to withstand it. So while looking kinda silly today it was not made like that just for fashion reasons.[/OT]

I've been thinkin the purpose of the spike and always been satisfied that Germans don't make anything without calcullated purpose. Thanks for the info.

BTW, the spike also looks very cool.

[August]

I always thought it was some kind of head mounted pike. When all else fails put your head down and CHARGE!

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by August

I always thought it was some kind of head mounted pike. When all else fails put your head down and CHARGE!

Precisely why the US marines wore it too! @ Schroeder: I can see where the Prussian police wore it also: those cavalry sabre strikes on the ol' pickelhaube were a real problem while monitoring traffic on the Friedrichstrasse of ol' Berlin<Prussian Police Pickelhauben

[August]

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

@Schroeder: I can see where the Prussian police wore it also: those cavalry sabre strikes on the ol' pickelhaube were a real problem while monitoring traffic on the Friedrichstrasse of ol' Berlin

Road rage isn't a new invention and back then people rode. Imagine being hit by the sun shade of a feisty lady that was pulled over for riding too fast.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by August

I always thought it was some kind of head mounted pike. When all else fails put your head down and CHARGE!

Evidently you are not alone in this.

I doubt this was ever seriously considered though.

[Armistead]

Most of the nasty is in the Bilge Rats thread........we don't bath there..