Why do people bash the US Army, can someone tell me why the US Army has a bad reputation?

Question

So I was talking to my dad the other day and he was telling me that he was in the Navy exchange and he saw an Army guy with a Bluetooth in. My father is a Master Chief in the Navy (E9) and actually gives a zhit about his job, my dad has served on sub's as a Nuke for almost 20 years. The Army guy in question saw my dad pull into the E9 spot and when my dad started to walk in he was waiting for the guy to take his ear piece out, he didn't. My dad told him that he needed to take that Bluetooth ear piece out because it is against uniform regs, the Army guy turned around and said WHAT! My dad said do you see my uniform collar, the army guy said yes, my dad said do you know what it means, the army guy said I think so, my dad said it means E9 he said I don't know what that is in the army but you need to respect the rank. The Army guy took the ear piece out and they went on their way. The reason why i told everyone this was because I am going to enlist in the Army with a Ranger contract after college, my dad thinks that the Army are just a bunch of dumbazzez and that they suck. My dad is under the impression that the Marine's are the only ones that are doing anything right now in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that the Army just hold's ground and that they don't take it. What should I tell him?

Answer 1

ALL the services trash each other all the time. Get used to it. Once you're in the Army you can make all the old wisecracks about the Navy having their names stitched on their backsides.



I wouldn't let you Dad's attitude worry you overly much. The media may give the impression that the Marines are doing more than the Army in Afghanistan, but the fact is there's a lot more Army guys on the ground (them being the larger branch of the military) and really the Army and Marines aren't operating terribly differently. The Marines seem to get more media and public attention. Part of it is their really good Public Relations department.



But regardless, the Army is getting its job done. And doesn't particularly care whether anyone is paying any attention to that fact. As my Dad's old unit motto ran, "DEEDS ABOVE WORDS."

Answer 2

Well depending on that soldiers duty position, having a bluetooth in could be authorized. Just because the Navy doesn't allow it does not mean the Army doesn't. I bet your dad can't even name the Army reg for wear and appearance. Not knocking on the Navy by any means but we do all have different regulations for this sort of thing. And your dad has been a high ranking Seaman since likely before the war started, which means unless he was a SEAL or EOD, he has never left the wire to actually see what the Army is doing or accomplishing. Most Senior Army NCO's don't even do that.

Answer 3

I have some experience to make a comparison here because I was in Army JROTC in HS and I ended up joining the Navy. During my time in the Navy, I worked in special warfare and had the chance to work with Army personnel many times.



It is the general consensus that Navy personnel (this includes the Marine Corps), on the whole, are treated better than Army personnel. I take this not only from what I saw in person, but also from the testimony of soldiers at Fort Ord, and those that I worked with on joint ops. Navy people generally eat better food, sleep in better quarters, and seem to be treated with more dignity. That being said, regardless of which branch you join, there are always going to be people who are anxious to throw their weight around and remind you that they have a higher rank than you, just like your dad did to that Army guy at the exchange. That, by the way, is a big reason that a lot of people get out after their first tour. They get sick of being pushed around by people just because of a difference in rank.



No matter what you do, here are some things that I can guarantee you:



If you join the Navy, you will be able to negotiate for your orders. Of course the needs of the Navy always come first, but you do get to negotiate with a detailer in Washington who will give you some choices. My understanding is that, in the Army, you turn in a wish list and hope that they pay attention to it.



If you join the Navy you will get a broader base of training than in the Army. This is obvious, based on the fact that the Army has so many more job titles. I worked in communications when I was in the Navy, and I would operate HF, UHF, VHF, and Satellite communications when I was in the field. The Army equivalent to what I was doing was four separate people (one for each frequency band), each with a different job title. Of course, in the long run this also meant a lighter workload for those Army personnel.



If you join the Navy (or the Marine Corps) you can bet that you will end up spending some time floating around on a ship with nothing to do. This is not always the case, but usually happens. This will probably happen in the Army as well, but at least you would be based on land with some chance at getting liberty during that down time in the Army.



My advice is to talk to recruiters from all four branches and see what jobs they are offering you, based on your ASVAB score. Think about the future you might want to have after the military, and see how well that training might suit that future. Also consider college options and, if you are thinking about college, see if you can get some sort of college fund above and beyond the GI Bill.



Hope this helps.

Answer 4

First off your Dad has the respect of every military person for the service he has given his country and the hard work that has taken him the E9 level. But, what should have occurred was your father advising the man the bluetooth was not acceptable on the installation. I do not know of any regulation that prohibits a person not in duty status from wearing the blue tooth but the many installations prohibit the earphones and similar items when on station due to safety concerns; distractions that may result in an accident. From the explanation of your dad's service it sounds like he has not been in Iraq or Afghanistan - he does not seem to be giving credit where credit is due. I spent 27 1/2 years with the military; my active duty time with the U S Air Force, reserve time with the National Guard and Army Reserve. In addition to that I was as a Civilian Criminal Investigator for the Navy investigating criminal activity by sailors, marines and coast guard personnel. Every branch has their own unique missions and way of doing business. All, in my estimation, are outstanding organizations with mostly outstanding officers and enlisted personnel. Join the Rangers and be proud of it - your father will decide if the Rangers are good or bad by how well you serve.

Answer 5

Sees more combat? The Army pretty much does 12 months or more during a deployment and gets typically a year at home before doing it all over again. Fun stuff. If you want to be a sniper research each branch at a recruiting office. Don't make your decision based of off Yahoo! Answers dude.

Answer 6

This question brings some concern as to the integrity of the E9 and/or the station he is assigned to. OPNAV Regulations prohibit designating reserved parking spaces for other than handicapped or sailor of the month/quarter. The instruction does not allow for designated parking for E9 personnel, above or below, enlisted or officer.

Answer 7

Have you ever read anything about the Army's 7th Cavalry they are so proud of? Sitting Bull defeated them at Custer's last stand.



The Movie "We Were Soldiers" is the story of the 7th Cav under Hal Moore. Mel Gibson played Hal Moore. This was a movie that showed the courage of the individual soldiers and another defeat of the 7th cavalry. This was their contribution to the Vietnam War.



During Korea, the 7th Cavalry were among those who defended the Pusan Peninsula. Some accounts say the "Marines managed a counter attack." The Marines landed on Sept 15, the only day of the year that the tides were right to make a landing. It was called MacArthur's 10,000 to one shot and the Marines made it happen. Later, MacArthur said, "If I had another division like the Marine 1st Division, I could win this war." The Marines went from Inchon to Seoul and secured it in 3 days and broke the backs of the North Koreans, allowing the Army's elite forces at Pusan to escape being driven into the sea.



More than one website claims the 7th Cavalry was involved in Grenada. Norman Swartzkopf admits in his biography that the Army couldn't get its helicopters ashore because of mechanical problems. He went over the head of the Marine commander to get Marine helicopters for his troops. I'm not sure if the 7th Cavalry was there. If you read about Grenada, you'll find the Army Rangers were a dismal failure while the U.S. Marines accomplished their missions while providing support for the Rangers.



The references you see to Garry Owen is to the 7th Cav. If that's what they have to be proud of, what is it they are ashamed of?

Answer 8

unfortunately, the last part there is more or less true. In Afghanistan, its the primary duty of the Marines to take an area held by enemy forces, and the Army will hold it and maintain security, performing ops in their area of course, but its the marines who actually establish the U.S. foothold in a given area.



Thats not to say that the Marines are superior to the Army, its just that the two have different primary purposes. Both will perform the same functions in many cases.



As for Rangers, they're more for specialized and strategic assault tasks that regular Army or Marines aren't trained specifically for.



And for the dumbass presumption, thats actually a more prevalent stereotype for marines, but its still just a stereotype. I know lots of brilliant and educated soldiers and marines, as well as lots of senseless idiots in both branches.

Answer 9

In 1940"s judges could give criminals the choice of going to jail or going in the Army. Hollywood hasn't help either. You always saw Army privates as dumb and poor. Most of them were sitting in the back of the Mess Hall peeling potatoes. In boot camp they ended up serving extra duty. During Vietnam. the public bitterly blamed them for the war. Where as Hollywood made heroes of all the Marines. Even as recently as six months ago.it was the Marines not the Army that the news camera choose to follow around to report updates on the war. Yet, the Army has produced many fine leaders.

Answer 10

First yes your pop is an e9 in the Navy...great achievements for him, but so the soldier has a blue tooth in his ear, at least he doesn't drive his automobile using his cellular phone like I see on the navy base by my home by so many sailors and marines



I am a military veteran and have corrected many of a person out of uniform, such as no cover "hat" on outside or blowers coming out..but a blue tooth come on...you dad probably should have left that alone... The US Army is doing a hell of a job

in both wars, they have the most KIA of all the military so your dad needs to get his facts straight or zip it...Your dad is out of line . Has he been to Iraq? I didn't think so... Marines do their part, but based on their "small" size they do a small part of what the US army does and can do...Ask a marine where he gets most of his training, I know it's the US Army..

Answer 11

Your dad...correctly so...used his general military authority to correct a violation of uniform policy and he was well in his right to do so, Using his logic, I should think that all Sailors are a bunch of fat lazy slobs who don't know basic military courtesy..because based on my experience....I constantly had to remind them to salute Officers at Fort Leonard Wood...they would just walk on by and ignore Officers. I don't think that for a minute....I know the Navy has it's own traditions and customs and I respect that.



The Army makes up about 80% of all forces deployed to Iraq and A-stan...if that is what he thinks...not only is he ignorant...he is very ignorant for an E-9 in any branch.

Answer 12

The Army has a bad reputation because of all the people enlisting for collage money! Also, the recruiters make it look bad to by actually trying to lie to the MEPS station to get you in. I was about to join the Army (I still might enlist) but I have my mind set on the Marines right now.

Answer 13

Do you really think you can change a Master Chief's mind? Make your own decision, but pick your battles.



EDIT: I'd like to point out that going to A-stan has nothing to do with correcting military uniform regulations

Answer 14

I hope you never did join any branch of the military. I have been in for 10 years and unless you suck dick you wont get anywhere

Answer 15

It doesn't have a bad reputation. Some services just look differently upon others, right or wrong. You can't base an entire military branch solely off of one kid. As far as the Marines taking all the ground - tell that to the guys in Special Forces.

Answer 16

Well the Army has the reputation of accepting anyone, but everyone doesn't bash the Army.



You want to be a ranger, but you don't know what E-9 is? You should start studying.



But anyways kid



This is YOUR life NOT your dad's

This is YOUR choice NOT your dad's



If YOU want to be an Airborne Ranger then YOU make that decision then YOU go after that goal.



Don't let daddy change your mind.



Also don't listen to drgreen2006. She is just a Marine's "girl" she doesn't know sh*t.

Answer 17

A lot of inter-service razzing goes on in garrison. You know what soldiers say about bubbleheads, right? Forty men go down, twenty couples come back. In any case, I wouldn't put a lot of stock in a submariner's opinion on land warfare, any more than he would put stock in my opinions on naval warfare. Good luck at RASP.

Answer 18

why the **** cant we all realize that were serving our country



without all of our brothers, we'd probabaly be worse then haiti and they got HIT by an EARTHQUAKE

Answer 19

Because the Army is most prone to go into Iraq first, they treat you like sh**, believe me.. im a military brat, grew up in that stuff, if anything it's either AIR FORCE (Which is the brains behind the war, and they treat you very good) or Marines ( which isn't a bad choice either, its a very good branch)! But the Army should be your last option, for sure!

Answer 20

Army are the Brains Marines are the Expendables

Answer 21

your dad is right! army has shitty training and dont take there job seriousely