My 2¢ (not directed at anybody in particular) … I didn’t watch the video assuming it would be a waste of time. It’s fun to poke fun at other services and their training. But like Skid said, the AF doesn’t recruit “meatheads”; they need “geeks” (not literally – the AF has meatheads too, try talking to one of those fellas that come after you for crossing the “red line”). It’s all about the services mission. I can recall many times back when I was enlisted, departing the LPD in MED for 2-3 week exercises in the field that I wished I had joined the Navy and was getting to stay on ship (and getting libo). Back on ship, during times like GQ, I was happy to be a Marine. As a pilot, if I can’t go into a civilian field, I try to hit an AF field … why? Compare the facilities at D-M to Yuma, Hickam to K-Bay, Kadena to Iwakuni. Why would somebody interested in a technology field be interested at getting thrashed at Marine Corps boot camp or OCS when they could join the AF, which is, as was previously stated, run similar to a corporation?
As for the “Old days” in the Corps, bah. People’s memories fad with time and what they remember is usually embellished. I went through Parris Island in ’91, not much has changed today except they are training smarter, especially physically. Except for the Crucible, even the training schedule is similar. Listening to my Pops describe P.I. from his time there in ’71, not much has changed except the recruits today are smarter and the majority have a high school diploma. Those who went through before the Ribbon Creek incident are truly the “Old School” Marines - no Officer supervision, LCPL D.I.’s who had just graduated boot camp themselves, and discipline being taught via physical contact.
Chuck … I’d say calling that the AF guy sitting in chair in Nevada driving a UAV, or sitting in a missile silo in Wyoming, or the vast majority of other AF jobs, a “Warrior” is stretching it.
off my soapbox … back to bashing the AF, and throw in some squid & Army “strong” bashing for good measure.
S/F