American troops talking about themselves in the third person

[herewego]

I heard on the news new American recruits all taking about themselves as though they were somebody else. Can anybody explain this?

[V88Dicky]

Only ever heard US Marines talking about themselves in the third person before. Things like "this recruit is looking forward to kicking Taliban ass" etc etc. IIRC it is part of the training to remove your civilian self from your military self. If that make sense.

[Digga]

V88Dicky said:

Only ever heard US Marines talking about themselves in the third person before. Things like "this recruit is looking forward to kicking Taliban ass" etc etc. IIRC it is part of the training to remove your civilian self from your military self. If that make sense.

So then when they give you the 'mental' drug in the battlezone, you are fully dehumanised and ready for massacre?

[V88Dicky]

Digga said:

V88Dicky said:

Only ever heard US Marines talking about themselves in the third person before. Things like "this recruit is looking forward to kicking Taliban ass" etc etc. IIRC it is part of the training to remove your civilian self from your military self. If that make sense.

So then when they give you the 'mental' drug in the battlezone, you are fully dehumanised and ready for to massacre?

Bluntly.......yes

EFA

[herewego]

I suppose if it's effective the Brits will have to adopt this technique too. I just hope it doesn't happen.

[Digga]

herewego said:

I suppose if it's effective the Brits will have to adopt this technique too. I just hope it doesn't happen.

No need, just enlist the 'right' elements of the youth and ply with copious amounts of Stella. Then stand well back.

[drivin_me_nuts]

It's a simple approach.

You are part of a unit a separate entity. Take away your humanity, your identity and sense of self and you become easier to manipulate, manage and control.. and also you are more likely to think of your fellow soldiers as brothers/fanily etc.

An interesting approach that can cause huge problems when leaving the servicess. Think 'institutionalised'.

[Nick_F]

herewego said:

I suppose if it's effective the Brits will have to adopt this technique too. I just hope it doesn't happen.

It's nothing new, and there's nothing to suggest it's any more effective than the British way of doing things.

Of course, a lot of the 'British way of doing things' is part-and-parcel of the regimental system, which is being steadily eroded.

[Disco_Dale]

herewego said:

Can anybody explain this?

They're Americans.

HTH.

[Ayahuasca]

And while we're at it, why do they go 'HOO-AAH' instead of a simple 'Yes, Sir' ?

[Skywalker]

They would say "Ooo Rah" but that is more of a USMC thang.

[Conian]

Disco Stu says Disco Stu talks in 3rd person.

[Jimbeaux]

Disco_Dale said:

herewego said:

Can anybody explain this?

They're Americans.

HTH.

You're so sweet.

[RDE]

Skywalker said:

They would say "Ooo Rah" but that is more of a USMC thang.

On Black Hawk Down the rangers all seem to say "Hu-er" or something. Is this the same salutation, or a different sort of grunt altogether?

[groucho]

herewego said:

I heard on the news new American recruits all taking about themselves as though they were somebody else. Can anybody explain this?

How do you mean?

OK, read it now and understand. We myselves apologise.

Edited by groucho on Friday 4th December 23:22

[s3fella]

"This recruit" is how they are brainwashed, sorry trained to refer to themselves, IIRC.

[RizzoTheRat]

herewego said:

I suppose if it's effective the Brits will have to adopt this technique too. I just hope it doesn't happen.

There does appear to be a a fundamental difference in the way the US and UK military operate, in that the US are a lot more in to following orders, while the UK are more in to thinking. Don't mean that in a disparaging way, but the sheer number of poeople and systems involved in the US military means individual soldiers responding unquestioningly to orders from thier commanders is an efficient way to work. The UK military, being plagued by personel and equipment shortages, have to be more adaptable, and allow command at at a much lower level, eg it's standard UK infantry doctrine you can do the job of the level above you, and have an understanding of the level above that. I think this difference should prevent them ever becomming the unthinking drones the US forces are sometimes portrayed as.

[Ayahuasca]

RDE said:

Skywalker said:

They would say "Ooo Rah" but that is more of a USMC thang.

On Black Hawk Down the rangers all seem to say "Hu-er" or something. Is this the same salutation, or a different sort of grunt altogether?

Sounds like the kind of thing you would say if you took a bullet in the belly.

Makes sense, then.

[rypt]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooah

[Jimbeaux]

RizzoTheRat said:

herewego said:

I suppose if it's effective the Brits will have to adopt this technique too. I just hope it doesn't happen.

There does appear to be a a fundamental difference in the way the US and UK military operate, in that the US are a lot more in to following orders, while the UK are more in to thinking. Don't mean that in a disparaging way, but the sheer number of poeople and systems involved in the US military means individual soldiers responding unquestioningly to orders from thier commanders is an efficient way to work. The UK military, being plagued by personel and equipment shortages, have to be more adaptable, and allow command at at a much lower level, eg it's standard UK infantry doctrine you can do the job of the level above you, and have an understanding of the level above that. I think this difference should prevent them ever becomming the unthinking drones the US forces are sometimes portrayed as.

I can see your logic here, however, I must respectfully disagree. Having been a soldier for 26 years, I can attest to the fact that self reliance, leadership skills, and taking the initiative, are strong training points of US soldiers. That is what seperated us from the Soviets; they would only allow officiers to learn land navigation, etc. in order to maintain control. Our soldiers are encouraged to be the opposite.
Now, the Marines, being a much smaller force and designed for initial invasion purposes do have to be more "drone-like" as they carry out more single-minded missions than do the other service branches. Hollywood may also add to your perception of "droneness".