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Shareware Supreme Volume 6 #1
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010
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SAYINGS.ZIP
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SAYINGS.TXT
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1992-02-05
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Nam's most famous saying???
By Jim Hildwine
NamVet's Federal Benefits Section Editor
VETLink #4 - Shady Side, MD
(301) 261-5644
I asked a question on the net on what was the most famous
saying in Nam. Well I would say "It Don't Mean Nothing" or
"B.F.D", but for the most-used word... I'd agree with " S H O R T"
The short-timer in Nam was indeed a funny breed. During his
last 30, he was a real trip. The short-timer in an Infantry
outfit was, by all practical purposes, offline by his last 30, and
running some sort of job, ie supply, mess hall, etc.
The last 30 days, you could bet with any reassurance that he
would let you know down to the minute, hours, and seconds on what
time his "Freedom" bird was outbound.
Some of the things I noticed in two tours were as follows (I
did some of em too):
1. The short-timer seemed to gain a great disrespect for anything
above his rank.
2. He tended to sleep in, and was a real trip to get up in the
morning. (Lotta party the night before)
3. The only thing that would motivate him was the threat of
putting him back "On Line" 'Yea, Sarge Go Ahead, try it...'
4. He would duck a detail faster than Chicken Man could make up a
story for Ms. Hellfinger.
5. The short-timer during "Incoming" was "ALWAYS" the first one
into the bunker with no exceptions. None!
6. All the short-timer did was talk about what he was gonna do
when he hit the "World"... He never shut up, "I'm gonna this,
I'm gonna that, I'm gonna.." That's all you heard.
7. He would do anything to get out of traveling on the roads. No
way was he going to step foot out of the compound. No way! He
has figured out every possible place or way he can get killed,
and he avoids every thing and every body.
8. The short-timer was always letting the FNG's know how many
hours, days and minutes he had left.
9. He could be counted on being stoned or drunk just about the
entire last thirty days.
10. The short-timer became obsessed with making out of Nam in one
piece.
11. He starts buying and ordering everything in the Pacex catalog.
12. He starts giving away everything he has gathered during his
tour 365.
13. He starts to hit sick call every other day to make sure he's
clean as whistle when going home. (Note: In Nam there were
some personal type bugs (picked up from local ladies) that
there was no cure for...)
14. He informs each of his girlfriends that the date he is coming
home is their day. No two girls have the same arrival date of
the short timer. (Gee I wonder why.???????)
15. The short-timer, upon arrival in Conus, takes his shower,
drops his bonnie boots, showers off (in real hot water) one
years worth of dirt and grime, chucks down his "Army Issue"
Welcome home steak dinner. Sits thru a boring briefing by
some NCO who has somehow seemed to dodge going to Nam. He
puts on his new "Greens" jumps on a bus and heads to the
airport where, awaiting the flight out, gets crocked in the
Airport Bar. He makes a pass at everything in sight, and can
not wait to get home. Once airborne, he still drinks like a
fish, makes time with the stewardess, and counts the hours,
minutes and seconds till he's home. Upon arrival at his Home
Town AO, goes hog wild in his home town, and tries to retake
his home town with all the adventure and gusto known to man.
16. FINAL Epilog: The Returning Vietnam Vet takes very little
time to readjust and get back into the mainstream of being
home and taking care of business...
Note: A lot can be added, good, and bad. The soldiers returning
from Vietnam was and is going to go thru some changes. It takes
along time to readjust. Some returning Short-Timers have never
recovered from their trip back home to the World. Tho the topic
is meant to be funny and the wording, it is known that many of our
Brothers didn't make it upon their return home to the "World"...
Later, much later, we were to hear of PTSD.
-- Jim --