Real Tough Guys

I have been privileged over the years to work with SWAT team officers, fighter pilots, disabled war heroes, and, most recently, a group of bomb disposal technicians who do work in Iraq and Afghanistan. All were incredibly tough guys, and they all had one thing in common: they never EVER talked about how tough they were.

Seems the tougher a person truly is, the less they talk--or post--about it.

[M.D. Holloway]

True dat. I am one of the biggest pussys in the world and its true! I was built for pleasure not pain. My best weapon is not my fists or a gun, its my speed dial to my lawyer to see if I can sue for damages!

I will take you boat in exchange for a bloody lip anyday. I quit being a tough guy in Jr HS. It doesn't pay as well.

[vash]

my money is on Sniper! he seems really tough and scary.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

I have been privileged over the years to work with SWAT team officers, fighter pilots, disabled war heroes, and, most recently, a group of bomb disposal technicians who do work in Iraq and Afghanistan. All were incredibly tough guys, and they all had one thing in common: they never EVER talked about how tough they were.

Seems the tougher a person truly is, the less they talk--or post--about it.

This is the exact opposite of my experience in the Infantry, where the larger than life NCO's would constantly remind we troops of how high speed low drag they were in the most colorful terms possible.

Ever heard of Bull Simmons (founder of the US special forces)? The term quiet does not apply to him (i've read some books wherein he is described as being very gung ho and larger than life in personality and demeanor).

A quiet fighter pilot who isn't cocky? That'll be the day. I run a forum that is full of USAF attack pilots. They talk plenty of smack too, especially when it comes to insulting F-16's and their pilots.

During the thunder run into Baghdad one of the Abrams units lost their larger than life boisterous first sergeant, a Sgt Booker, and it cast a pall on his entire company, that a larger than life personality like that could be killed. He died screaming "Get some, get some, you don't want none of this!" from the hatch of his M-1 as he engaged enemy Fedayeen with a rifle.

I find that this "quiet professional" stuff may apply to some, but it sure as fk does not apply universally to the Combat Arms branches. Being Gung Ho is not at all looked down upon in the Infantry or Armor branches.

I am sure yours and Vashes first hand experiences in the US Army Infantry are different than mine though. Anyone who has actually ever been in the infantry would know that there are a LOT of very macho, very loud, very larger than life gung ho type individuals in military service today.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

I have been privileged over the years to work with SWAT team officers, fighter pilots, disabled war heroes, and, most recently, a group of bomb disposal technicians who do work in Iraq and Afghanistan. All were incredibly tough guys, and they all had one thing in common: they never EVER talked about how tough they were.

Seems the tougher a person truly is, the less they talk--or post--about it.

I wonder if this also holds true in regards to those that boast of their life experience and/or professional/academic accomplishments?

[Heel n Toe]

The real tough guys use cute puppydog references in their screen names.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

I have been privileged over the years to work with SWAT team officers, fighter pilots, disabled war heroes, and, most recently, a group of bomb disposal technicians who do work in Iraq and Afghanistan. All were incredibly tough guys, and they all had one thing in common: they never EVER talked about how tough they were.

Seems the tougher a person truly is, the less they talk--or post--about it.

That is because of 2 things....

1. The horror of they saw and did...there is no glory in war, just the smell of shyte and death and destruction

2. They don't want to admit that the smell of shyte was coming from their pants.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

...Seems the tougher a person truly is, the less they talk--or post--about it.

Got to PARF if ya wanna play, uhh,...sniper... an' ya can fer sure pick off a poseur or two (won't mention no monikers).

[m21sniper]

How does someone with Madcorgi's claimed background get to work with fighter pilots, swat cops, disabled war heros and bomb disposal techs anyway?

He said he was in insurance, and worked for Boeing.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

I wonder if this also holds true in regards to those that boast of their life experience and/or professional/academic accomplishments?

I think it holds true for boastful people in general.

[m21sniper]

Clearly, all braggadocios individuals are full of crap and have no skill or talent.

Like Mohammad Ali, for instance.
Or Ricky Watters (3 touchdowns in one Superbowl, IIRC #10 all time leading rusher)
Or Terrell Owens (over 100 yds receiving in a Superbowl despite playing on a broken leg)

Or ...oh, hell, i could name about a thousand loud mouthed athletes that can play their butts off.

Some people are just very extroverted.

[Embraer]

Several of my buddies are SF. Been to Iraq and Afghanistan on many short deployments.

They are the epitome of quiet professionals

[Gogar]

Snipe, I can't believe you fell for it.

[myamoto1]

Good at sports and tough don't necessarily go hand in hand. I guess it also depends on your definition of tough. To throw it back in Snipes court...

Carlos Hathcock.

Probably one of the toughest guys on the planet, yet very soft spoken. And he admits the poo in his pants is his....

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Clearly, all braggadocios individuals are full of crap and have no skill or talent...Some people are just very extroverted.

Braggadocio has two definitions:

a. Empty or pretentious bragging.
b. A swaggering, cocky manner.

In general, I think a. describes the majority of those to whom b. applies.

Accomplished people come in modest as well as extroverted versions - and extroversion isn't necessarily synonymous with braggadocio.

I think most people consider swaggering, cocky people to be pains in the ass - whether they are accomplished or not.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by myamoto1

Good at sports and tough don't necessarily go hand in hand. I guess it also depends on your definition of tough. To throw it back in Snipes court...

Carlos Hathcock.

Probably one of the toughest guys on the planet, yet very soft spoken. And he admits the poo in his pants is his....

And yet he gave the series of interviews that formed the basis of several books all boasting about how great a Marine he was (which he was, unquestionably).

Would not a "quiet professional" have said, "Gee i'm just not comfortable with talking about these things?"

And if you read those books, which i have, the Gunny was VERY gung ho and extroverted in his younger days as an enlisted Marine. Which, in my experience, is quite common in the combat arms. I would even go so far as to say that it's encouraged.

Originally Posted by Gogar

Snipe, I can't believe you fell for it.

I simply disagree with the premise, i don't see this as being about me, i'm just commenting on the premise. There are many soldiers that are quiet, and many that are not at all quiet.

Some people are extroverts, some are introverts. It's just how it is.

Originally Posted by DARISC

I think most people consider swaggering, cocky people to be pains in the ass - whether they are accomplished or not.

I do not disagree with that assessment.

Take a Pappy Boington (spelling?) of "Baba black sheep" for instance.

Very extroverted, mean, a drunk, and a general malcontent. But one hell of a fighter pilot, so he was tolerated, and when the bullets started flying, he was at his best.

[Gogar]

He should've written "Hey Sniper" in the title!

[Burnin' oil]

My shoulder hurts really bad. But if it didn't, then, then I'd be tough. Well, my lower back kind of hurts ,too, which is a problem, but, without those problems, then I'd be tough. Does being tough take much energy? 'Cause that could be a problem, too.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Gogar

He should've written "Hey Sniper" in the title!

Let's put this in your terms.

Ted Nugent is a loud mouthed rock and roll bad boy, and a tough guy.

Right?

[legion]

Is thread about those little yippee dogs that will bark up a storm and stand their ground against larger dogs...until they get too close, at which point they go running?