Israel, Hamas & the Gaza Strip

[Cosmic Eagle]

So Israel's apparently testing DIME bombs and white phosphorous in their offensive. Not surprising really.

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Thingle

If anything, the death count should be lauded. That's a great indicator of how a modern army can be combat-effective while minimizing casualties on its side, while maximizing deaths on the other.

Gulf war, This one... both excellent.

Nah, Grozny is a better example of that. Seriously. Terrorists in an urban district? Don't bother wasting precious men on them. Just drop an FAE and be done with it.

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

to be fair
the IAF can take out just about anyone in gaza provided they can find him
and spending your life in a secret bunker (they have bunker busters) isnt a very good way to be a leader

@Vexx
no
i mean really scared shit-less
they dropped their weapons and ran for it
not gurrila tactics
plain ran away and didnt come back

http://dotsub.com/view/80f72f12-a701...5-d96e2d9d4808

Says it all really. Don't mess with trained professional soldiers.

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

i hear you there
but if he didnt sing that tune
why would people follow him

I don't know why they can't follow Fatah and aim to improve Palestinian lives instead of waging a meaningless and wasteful war they have no hope of winning.

[bladeofdarkness]

white phosphorous is not being used ilegally (according to the red cross)
and we have nothing to suggest the DIME bombs you mentioned save for palesitnian sources
and considering they have a tendency to blame isarel for just about every war crime known to man (and almost always without basis)
it wouldnt put too much stock into it

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

white phosphorous is not being used ilegally (according to the red cross)
and we have nothing to suggest the DIME bombs you mentioned save for palesitnian sources
and considering they have a tendency to blame isarel for just about every war crime known to man (and almost always without basis)
it wouldnt put too much stock into it

To be honest, even if you guys really ARE using it, there is nothing different from other nations because face it, who won't in combat?

BTW, you are going to be conscripted (if you aren't yet) right?

[bladeofdarkness]

i'm 24
been there and done that
and i didnt get called for reserves for this one

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

i'm 24
been there and done that
and i didnt get called for reserves for this one

How was it? I get drafted next year sucks really but you can't escape it.

[bladeofdarkness]

it makes you an adult
for all that it sucks and it takes forever to finish
its something i wouldnt have given up
not just out of national duty, but out of what it gave to me personally
it teaches you about resposibility (which in the army, is another word for "blame")
and it gives you a chance to expiriance things you dont ever get to see anywhere else
where else in the world could a 18 year old say that he can drive a tank, or take a one apart, and then put it back together again
or learn how to take an entire company of soldiers (some of whom only a few months younger then you) and make them view you as some kind of father figure by leadership and skill
you dont feel the change while in service
but you dont come out the way you went in

i know people whom i have known my whole life since we were kids and who didnt do their time
the difference between me and them in terms of maturety is considerable
some of them are still kids mentally

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

it makes you an adult
for all that it sucks and it takes forever to finish
its something i wouldnt have given up
not just out of national duty, but out of what it gave to me personally
it teaches you about resposibility (which in the army, is another word for "blame")
and it gives you a chance to expiriance things you dont ever get to see anywhere else
where else in the world could a 18 year old say that he can drive a tank, or take a one apart, and then put it back together again
or learn how to take an entire company of soldiers (some of whom only a few months younger then you) and make them view you as some kind of father figure by leadership and skill
you dont feel the change while in service
but you dont come out the way you went in

i know people whom i have known my whole life since we were kids and who didnt do their time
the difference between me and them in terms of maturety is considerable
some of them are still kids mentally

True true. if I don't get into navy, I hope I end up in the artillery. Just don't make me an infantry grunt.

[bladeofdarkness]

i wish you the best
but as a rule, dont look down on infentry
the vid you posted shows what you could end up becoming
which is badass to say the least (then again, these are golani, so not exactly normal infentry)

[Ascaloth]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

it makes you an adult
for all that it sucks and it takes forever to finish
its something i wouldnt have given up
not just out of national duty, but out of what it gave to me personally
it teaches you about resposibility (which in the army, is another word for "blame")
and it gives you a chance to expiriance things you dont ever get to see anywhere else
where else in the world could a 18 year old say that he can drive a tank, or take a one apart, and then put it back together again
or learn how to take an entire company of soldiers (some of whom only a few months younger then you) and make them view you as some kind of father figure by leadership and skill
you dont feel the change while in service
but you dont come out the way you went in

i know people whom i have known my whole life since we were kids and who didnt do their time
the difference between me and them in terms of maturety is considerable
some of them are still kids mentally

Singapore.

That said, seems like the results of having done military service on an individual is pretty much the same anywhere.

[bladeofdarkness]

i meant only in the ARMY
any army (provided that it HAS tanks)

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

i wish you the best
but as a rule, dont look down on infentry
the vid you posted shows what you could end up becoming
which is badass to say the least (then again, these are golani, so not exactly normal infentry)

Not looking down on them at all. Just that theirs is potentially the most hazardous job and I obviously do not wish to be in that situation. Thanks BTW.

[Thingle]

Originally Posted by Cosmic Eagle

So Israel's apparently testing DIME bombs and white phosphorous in their offensive. Not surprising really.

First, the world whined about collateral damage. Now, when Israel used weapons designed for precision (DIME bombs), they whined some more.

Do the math. It seems they want Israel to just sit there while the UN quacks its way to nowhere.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by Cosmic Eagle

True true. if I don't get into navy, I hope I end up in the artillery. Just don't make me an infantry grunt.

There are two ways to approach National Service: either you go gung-ho and aim to get into OCS (Officer Cadet School), or you keng (Hokkien for "cop out") all the way and get yourself medically downgraded, in which case you become a clerk.

A positive NS experience, or an absolute waste of two years? Your choice.

I chose the former, and now curse my youthful stupidity — my reservist liability lasts till I'm 50 years old. All other ranks serve only till 40.

[Thingle]

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

There are two ways to approach National Service: either you go gung-ho and aim to get into OCS (Officer Cadet School), or you keng (Hokkien for "cop out") all the way and get yourself medically downgraded, in which case you become a clerk.

A positive NS experience, or an absolute waste of two years? Your choice.

I chose the former, and now curse my youthful stupidity — my reservist liability lasts till I'm 50 years old. All other ranks serve only till 40.

I think conscription is all slavery by the state.... and a very good tool to re-educate the people with the ideas of the ruling class.

[bladeofdarkness]

i wouldnt go so far as to call it that
after all the "ruling class" are usually ex-army people as well (at least in israel)
very few politicions get to office without a millitery background

[MakubeX2]

Originally Posted by Thingle

I think conscription is all slavery by the state.... and a very good tool to re-educate the people with the ideas of the ruling class.

Can't afford a professional army there. And besides, the Army is a joke when you been through it. There's a popular saying inside that goes "Serve And Fuck off" and it's not there without a reason.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by Thingle

I think conscription is all slavery by the state.... and a very good tool to re-educate the people with the ideas of the ruling class.

Spoken like a true individual who never has to face the need to defend your country — with your blood.

Sure, it's national education in disguise. You can choose to be cynical about it, or see it for what's worth. It'll be a waste of my time, and not to mention completely irrelevant to this thread, to tell you what Singaporeans can potentially learn from military service, if they approach it with a positive attitude.