War criminals should be ready to do "great violence", regular soldiers shouldn't. War isn't only about shooting to kill, only LARPers think that. In fact, deadly casualties in modern combat have gone down and down.
@@haramaschabrasir8662 I'm sorry you feel that way. Politics and politicians attempt to limit the possibilities and thereby the casualties of war. Sometimes they are successful and sometimes not. The simple, and perhaps sad truth however; is soldiers have one task in war....bring overwwhelming and devastating violence such that the enemy has no stomach for war. War, and by extension warriors, are violent and deadly. The casualty reduction you speak of is for our own forces and "non-combatants." Anyone who raises a weapon to fight must be met with horrible and deadly violence. There is no other answer in war...sorry you don't see or perhaps don't understand that.
@@haramaschabrasir8662 , war criminals do "great violence" outside the boundaries of moral obligations of duty and legal limitations, soldiers do "great violence" within those boundaries and limitations. A soldier's job, ultimately, is to defeat the enemy and remove the threat. Generally, that means meeting that threat with overwhelming force and great violence, or perhaps depending on your job within the military, providing supplies, collecting intel or planning missions to bring great violence to the enemy. A soldier unwilling to to do this puts his brothers at great risk. A soldier's responsibility is to follow orders and kill the enemy when instructed as violently and energetically as possible, within the rules of engagement and rules of war, to limit the risk of defeat for himself and his fellow soldiers. It is his duty, not his choice. A soldier's hope and trust, since he has relinquished much of his right to make individual moral and ethical choices about killing, is that his country and command structure is in fact making those moral and ethical decisions wisely. In this way a soldier is relieved of any individual guilt and is not a "war criminal" when doing his duty and upholding his obligation to bring great violence to the enemy.
@@haramaschabrasir8662 great violence is is the same at any point and for any reason. Justified or not, killing for terrorism and killing for self defense is still a kill. So I believe that regular soldiers need to know how to do great violence against enemies. Not necessarily all the time but they need to know for when the time comes when it's necessary.
Love what you be done here. Retired 11B and I can tell you that I hate civilian life because after you come home you realize there's no structure anywhere. No brother hood and no concern for the person next to you. That's what's wrong with America now days. Keep preaching brother. God Bless you and yours.
@@stevenly4085so recently enough to know what's currently going on then. It was stupid when I got out in 2010 I imagine it's only gotten much worse. If you don't mind me picking your brain, can you give some examples of what's going on in the army?
WOW!!! 4 years in 3/75, lower enlisted. 4.5 years in Iraq and Afghanistan as a contractor: Real simple folks: #1 Lead how you would want to be led. #2 Follow how you would want to be followed. #3 Treat everyone, to include your enemy, how you would want to be treated. #4 Don't leave anyone behind in anything you do. #5 Never lose a fight. #6 Be on time and on target 110 percent of the time. That pretty much covers it.
@@redjupiter2236 true but at least it builds character and discipline, welcome to the school of hard knocks win some lose some live to fight another day
@@WarriorPoetSociety wondering if you happen to know Stackploe or Fader.... if you have met either you will know exactly who I'm referring too. Probably the best leaders I ever had, archetypes of leadership.
John: "am I saying that it's fun to haze Privates? ..yeah, it's pretty fun to haze Privates" Me: There's way too much thin skin walking around today, pretending to be tough because they let their feelings control them.
I often explain to younger guys that THE SINGLEMOST valuable benefit of military service is the social-paternity; what I mean is that you have several peers who bring expertise in given areas of life and they transfer that knowledge or skill, in the same way a father/mother does to a child, with their team. This also touches on the accountability/responsibility John was mentioning "Joe responsible for John." I learned so many things from my superiors, peers, and even my own troops. Sometimes I never asked for these gifts of knowledge and sometimes it was given freely--just for the asking. YOU NEVER KNOW what somebody can teach you--this is why every human being on this planet is a potential treasure chest and also a potential pandora's box. Not all sealed containers possess treasure--some possess nasty things that are best kept under lock and key. I miss that tho. I separated in '07 and I hope that aspect of the culture never changes. In fact, the few remaining friends I do have are the people who are cut from that exact cloth--they continue to invest and pour into me and I return the favor. Iron sharpens iron.
My son is a Sgt. in the Marines. He's been a DM in Security Forces and now as he's winding down 5 years, he is training jr. Marines for future deployment. I've told him that God has given him teh opportunity to be the kinds of leader he wish he had had. He is the kind of man that epitomizes the spirit of the Marines. He exemplifies honor, courage and commitment. I frequently send links from your videos to him for encouragement and continued learning. I'm gonna send him this one too.
Nice (Ranger-) green shirt! Ultimately, the 'breakdown' phase isn't about destroying or stunting personality; it's about demolishing mental limitations and reservations to discover how people handle stress, failure, and social/emotional rejection. There's a lot that one does not need or want operative in a survival or mission-critical situation. Just as you said: "Part of a person doesn't go to to war, the whole person goes to war."
Agreed, someone somewhere needs to push our boys. Teach them that when they are beat down and wanna quit... They can keep going. That people ARE mare from harder stuff than we think. Its like unless you have been PT-ed till you puke and then forced to keep going, you can't truly know.
I've been doing that with my nephew, taking him to the gym, going running, doing pushups as a pause while running. It's hilarious because he's not so strong with the pushups so I tell him with other joggers around "this isn't a gay porno son, put your ass down and fuck that ground". He's 14.
Good for you. Seriously. Someone needs to step up and teach our boys. Otherwise will will raise a helpless generation. And it builds confidence and teaches kids that failure is a lesson for learning not a reason to quit.
Same +john lovell I talk to a lot of people about this but I feel so good that someone else like you understand and are intrigued in talking about this.
John Lovell I think we haven't become weak but they were weak to begin with. Now the break down stage is important but people today long before 5 are so weak and some are just weak minded people period. I think we are both the end of the or generation that were brought up to be tough. But some just can't be tough and I could see it in my generation. They had parents that would ride them but they never hardened. I think it starts at such a young age that we may not realize. The who safety equipment mom mentality and I know it sounds harsh but I think PC isn't what makes us weak but a lack of durability to pain, hardwork and drive but you see it at younger ages. Maybe it starts at 3 years of age but kids need bumps and bruises and scrapes and fights not cause we don't care but cause we do. If we don't let kids experience life it's like putting them in a bubble and away from germs. Weak are weaken before we realize it.
One of my close friends went to Ranger School. Became part of 2/75th. Then served in Mountain Division. Retired not long ago as a CSM. Very proud of him and his accomplishments.
Warrior Poet you hit the nail on the head in your description of being in Special operations, you just can't want to be the best, you must be the best and truly lead from the front among your peers, no questions, Ranger and SF school was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life besides raising Sons and Daughters And human relationships. I absolutely love your philosophy of everything. True story when I first started watching your videos I couldn't stand you, but couldn't stop watching, I realized we are much in the same and sometimes in human nature to not like someone that is in similar form as yourself, God Bless!
And hopefully one day humanity will outgrow the need to go to war because we will all continue to mentally and emotionally evolve, HOWEVER, right now and since the beginning of time, evil exists in the world in many forms and it is the most pressing threat to world peace that there is. Having men and women that are prepared to face that evil on behalf of the innocent is not only necessary but right and honorable. Think about it.
John, this was so enlightening for me. I’m a newly promoted SGT, coming from forcecom to MEDCOM unit. My soldiers have a lot of problems with attention to detail, and keeping their military bearing. Thank you for some wonderful insight on how to best fix these junior enlisted of mine!
You must've been my Mini Me except I was in Tanks in Germany in the late 70's to early 80's. As a young NCO I had a young private that made it his life's mission to skate and hide and screw off. I, OTOH, made it MY life's mission to turn him into a SQUARED AWAY TROOPER, but that Boi sure had a big Chip on his shoulder. Luckily for him and sad for me, I ETS's back to The World before my work with him was done so I don't know if he ever became anything other than a POS or finally straightened up and made something of himself. Good video and brought back so excellent memories, Brother.
Just found your channel Mr. Lovell and all I can say is fantastic job. Every single piece of info and wisdom you pass on is nothing but purpose built quality and guidance. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do in order to help others reach their best
One thing I noticed culturally about Ranger Regiment, was that coaching, mentoring, and developing subordinates was something they took very seriously. No other units in the regular Army even came close to focusing on the human factor like they did in Battalion.
Sound advice for those contemplating joining a team/ brotherhood. It is a process, and the idea is always that the process will outlive you, so you need to be humble and respect the process and maintain the integrity. Thanks for sharing your experience John.
I wish I would have seen this before enlisting back in the day. Would have saved me a lot of confusion. "why does my team leader and squad leader hate me" I'd ask myself every day as a private. lol. Good stuff brother.
haha - yep. But keep in mind, it may have been because they just flat out hated you (and so it was with my team leader but not squad leader). Thanks bro
I still keep in touch with my team leader whom was a soul stealing ginger like myself. But we all were much better after my stupid private phase was over lol.
I love that quote from the bar story lol "And I realized they were protecting me. I could kill em all, so I don't know why they were protecting me. I'm teasing, but I'm not really teasing."
Love the videos man, this happened to me when i first arrived as a private at 10th mtn div as an infantryman. I think they were so hard on me though because we were deploying in 2 months.
It’s crazy how you’re saying all of these factors, and my first Squad Leader was Just like you! 😂 I was feared to even talk to him at first! But after deployment together and becoming a great team we would end up on a huge level of friendship and brotherhood! That’s awesome.
So good. I'm 3 years in on my contract with my Air Guard unit (full time) Security Forces. Most of the guys in the unit are prior service Army and they certainly run the unit like Army. It wasn't until recently that I started getting treated like a human being by my supervisors and treated like a more experienced individual with leadership responsibilities. Maybe they enjoyed hazing me longer because new people don't come in as often or maybe I'm just a stubborn mule, but this weekend doing force on force and being put in charge of newer people for small unit tactics really felt like an accomplishment. Thanks for the upload, this will help me as I progress. God Bless
Nicely done. I was a bastard to Christmas (3-4 months), a coach to Easter and by September we were equals on a team with each a job to do. Mine was to command, no more no less important or big a job as theirs. A brotherhood. Probably the biggest thing any veteran misses. Cheers, wise words, good memories.
Nothing is better than when a cocky know it all Private has to go to supply to get a box of grid squares, or to the motor pool Sgt for a replacement back up light for HMMWV, or Squelch Oil for the SINCGARS. Classic! (That know it all was me once, before I sent others for those shananigans.)
So true. After leaving Uni in 1970, I emigrated to Rhodesia which was in a terrorist war: not realising I was eligible for military conscription. Training, and time passed, and I was promoted through to Sgt. The environment taught me much, as you have stated. Upon returning to the U.K. I could not understand how few were prepared to think, plan, organise and take responsibility. Initially I resented my enlistment, later I realised how it had improved my existence. I can only offer my grateful thanks to all who invested in me.
John I am glad you said that there is a purpose to the hazing. As I learned as a fraternity member in college this was something that was often missed by many of the members...and what often caused someone to die. As a slightly older private with college under my belt when I arrived at 1st Battalion, my team leader proceeded to put me through exactly what you described. While doing pushups on the wall locker he explained to me exactly why he was doing this to me (he probably did not do this for all his privates), and how he thought every leader should work their way up from the bottom before they took the rains: a team leader, a squad leader, and then determine if they wanted to be a platoon sergeant or platoon leader. I respected him for this.
The way I see it, if there’s a purpose to the act then it’s not hazing. That’s the difference between smoking and hazing, but the line is pretty thin. Smoking (or “corrective training,” lol) has its purpose. Smoking: Fuck up on the range? Okay, PT. Ate up? Okay, PT. Being a smartass? Okay, PT. Doing dumb Private shit? Okay, PT. Hazing is punishment for the sake of punishment. Cruel shit that frats usually do I consider hazing, like force feeding a new guy (not sure of the term in fraternities) alcohol until he dies. There’s no purpose to that.
John, discovered and been following your channel about a month or so ago. Just came across this particular video. Had not realized you were Ranger ( a full time Battalion Ranger) I was 2/75 from 93 - 96 myself. Still carry a copy of the creed in my walket and framed copy hangs in my office. Keep at it.
And think big. When I left the NCO side and became an officer, I learned how to make the medical system work for dependents. That was one thing I knew my sergeants could not do as well as I could. One of my troops had a kid with a medical issue and I got the kid the care she needed. When they all knew I had their back at that level I had no problems
it's awesome how your personal experiences, in way further proves Steven Pressfield's idea that the opposite of fear is love. the more I pay attention to that the more I believe in it to.
Complete different MOS as you John but when I came into the army a short time ago in 2013 as a 19K (abrams tanker) i got the breakdown and smoking daily for about 9 months. It's crazy to watch new privates come in now and they can't really be brought up the same way i was and that was only 4 years ago. Makes me wonder how the army will be in the next 4 years.
Your hair was so well coiffed that I was ready to dismiss anything you might have to say. haha. But, as you are likely aware, you demonstrated an enviable level of understanding of human nature and skill in melding individuals into something more important than they could dream of being as individuals. In short, if this was a ride at Knots Berry farm, I wouldn't be asking for a refund, but i would be leaving a tip. lol I'm now a huge fan.
I was an Army Reserve Drill Sgt. during the 1990s into early 2000s. You are sooooo right. The pussification of the Army is very disheartening. I can only imagine how bad it has gotten now.
I want to thank you for making this video. I am a FTO at my department, and this is so true even with what I do. I will take information learned from this and use it with my recruits.
If I had have heard a clink from a firing pin on a mission, that private would have been RFS as soon a we got back. That type of failure to properly prepare for a mission only to find out while you are on the mission is unacceptable. Excellent job on the video. Lead the way!
It's fascinating that all the things you've said is what I love the most of working on a team. I couldn't make it to the Airforce due to a hereditary cardiovascular disease, but I always wanted to serve.
Wow what great insight and commentary on the political correctness nonsense of our country's present state. Yes, learning from your own mistakes = knowledge among other things...learning from someone else's mistakes = wisdom! Great video John! I've recently discovered your channel and am playing catchup with all your awesome training and philosophy. Keep up the good fight!
I would like to communicate with you (and anyone else interested) about character traits needed to become a special operations team member. I am in psychiatry, interned at a VA hospital, and am intrigued by "what makes the man." My hypothesis is that it is some type of genetic ability to dissociate. I'm not sure how else to pass messages via RU-vid. I enjoy your channel; tactical training amongst Christian values. Thanks for being a stand out RU-vidr.
I know this is a weird example but ive felt what he was talking about when playing games like rb6 but only once or twice with randoms were we just knew what we were doing and executed it flawlessly it was a thing of beauty
One of the things he didn't cover, but which is important for any leader (and especially so around Rangers), is that you lead by example. Everyone has heard this before, it seems like a no brainer, but it's actually much less intuitive. You need to be better at PT, you need to be better at picking up women, you need to be better at basic knowledge of weapons systems, you need to be better at tactics, you need to be better at wearing your beret, you need to be better than your actual peers, you need to be better at following the rules of your unit, you need to be better at being respectful, you need to be better in every single way so that you are an example of professionalism and you are what the men you're leading want to follow. As a fresh PL, this is going to be tough because you don't know shit and you haven't been taught shit. This is what your PSG and SL's are for, they're going to welcome you if you can at least master the things you should know, and they're going to teach you what you need to know from there. What they can't teach you, your CO and XO will. Not every unit is going to be a stellar example for you to base your future leadership decisions from, so you also need to become a quick study of what works and what doesn't work. Your job isn't to be a TL or SL, smoking your subordinates or making ANYONE do pushups, it's to be the guy who makes the decision to save lives, or take an objective, by trading lives.
As an Army veteran and NCO myself. Expect to not be liked at the beginning. Remember these ncos have been there for quite some time. While you were pounding on the books at an ivy league university, these gentlemen were out pounding ground. Trust, respect and lead your NCOS. And believe me it will be good for you.
I had aspirations to become a Ranger. In December 1990, I was was similarly indoctrinated by infantrymen in my Basic Training. My battalion commander, a former SF officer, had selected his first sergeants and sergeant major from Vietnam combat vets. They drilled us like they trained their garrison troops, from the ground (front leaning rest) to moving as a tactical unit in darkness and silence to overwhelm a defended position. Single mindedness in mission and methods defined us. We became interdependent, and competent or we faced the wrath of the cadre. I still remember the look of recollection on the CSM's face during a live fire excercise, he was remembering the night time attack he received in Vietnam. He tried to get us ready for what he remembered.
Great video with a tried & tested protocol, based on actual experience at a very high level that is useful for many of us, whether it's defending your country, our family or a fellow citizen. The warrior mindset is what's needed. Are you a wolf a sheep or a shepherd? Our country needs a lot more shepherds like you than it has right now. I was at a decision point in my young life to go Army like my dad (Intelligence corp) or to private grad school and I went grad school for physical therapy. I don't regret my decision, because I have been helping people for 28 years. But, I know that inside me is the type of personality that could and would have excelled in a special forces program. I know that if for some reason I am ever called to duty, I will be 1st in line! All the best sir!
What you are referring to about the ‘gentrification’ of our Army is rampant throughout the conventional Army. I can’t comment on JSOC or any other SMU, but you are absolutely correct when you mention that when we go up against an adversary that is intent and unified in their hatred for the U.S., I worry if we will be up to the task.
This video is the missing piece of what we teach in the fire service. Thank you for putting into words what we as a paramilitary service teach, but don't explain.
Well Brother . The EDC reveal video I just commented on was the first video of your I had seen . I feel kinda ignorent at this point . As I didn't know what your Job was while watching and commenting . I was refering to methods of learning or retaining info, teaching if you will. And the second video I clicked on that was in the recommendations was this one . And Low and behold you are more than a teacher . You are a builder of men . I would say that there couldn't hardly be a more gratifying Job than molding young men and having a chance to make a mark or difference in their lives . God Bless .
I love God, I love my country (US) and our military and first responders. I think everyone needs to be prepared to be their own first responder. Seconds and minutes count!
I wish I could go to a camp, where civilians can get this intense breaking down, where my mental toughness can be truly challenged. This vid made me understand why God allowed me to go through so much. I was a Private and He was hazing me, building me into something that could be useful. lol
When I was in AIT it was the most commonly asked question I heard, "So, where'd you do basic?". You see in the US Army, at least in 2001, there were some real different experiences had by troops coming from different BCT units. Now I knew some real good people that came out of Ft. Jackson, but that particular base is where the Army would conduct all these experiments and various projects. This is where the old "stress card" came about. fortunately that didn't last. Anyway, at Ft. Jackson there were some units that conducted rather traditional BCT training and some that, well,,, did other things. Anyway these units and programs had earned the whole of Ft. Jackson the reputation of "Relaxin' Jackson". I had coined the addition to that of `Ft. Jackson Resort and Theme Park'. Sorry to all those that didn't deserve it. Anyway, when I got to AIT the first thing the duty Drill Sergeant that night said to me was "Where'd you come from?" Stiff as a board at parade rest I responded with "Seattle Washington Drill Sergeant". He just frowned at me and said "You know what I mean." To which I replied "Ft. Leonard Wood Drill Sergeant". That was okay with him. I'm so glad I didn't come from some play soldier unit at Relaxin Jackson. I wanted the whole experience. I feel sorry for those that were cheated out of real training that would have made them "all they could be", sorry for the pun. Making good soldiers is one of the toughest jobs in the military and that's why once a `Drill Sergeant' we always call them that from then on, out of respect. Great video John. Being a good soldier is one thing, making good soldiers is a much tougher challenge. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to take control of the BCT units at Ft. Jackson and develop, mold and shape them into REAL training centers producing modern warriors. Actually, just do all of them for uniformity's sake.
This is great stuff. Also, you often mention the importance of planning, tactics, and strategies to win in combat. Although you’ve briefly touched on tactics in the past, my self and the community would benefit if you started to dig into these areas more often and in greater detail. Thank you for everything you do, and yes - I will sprint into a wall if that’s what it takes to get you to teach more about tactics, strategy, and planning. Please don’t ask.
Id love to see a video on the legal drug culture in the regular military vis a vis antidepressants benzos painkillers adderall, etc - especially during the mid-2000s. in Iraq. Keep posting, love your channel!
You talk about your past military experiences with such passion and enjoyment. Is there a side of you that wishes you were back in it? - Orlando, Jake G.
I got in trouble at work when I had to take an employee to the ER. He was pulling a stack of pallets and got something in his eye and requested medical attention. The manager who processed the incident report asked me to drive the employee. I said, “Absolutely. Let me just find the closest gynecologist.”
thanks for the advice. I'm going to boot camp for the marines and I'm sure that a large amount of this information will help me considering that I want to try to be a squad leader.
Haha!! I'm an ROTC cadet and we did uniform change drills during my first week as a freshman. I royally hated it!!! I had to change into every single article of uniform from combat fatigues, to all my dress uniforms to all my PT uniforms and given less than a minute per uniform. The shortest I can recollect was 30 seconds. And you can imagine the amount of people who came back out missing stuff or didn't put stuff on the correct way. Our leadership wrecked our shit like no tomorrow.
Went to vfma, the last year before they allowed females to enroll and in my last year, hazing was officially reinstated by the commandant. It was a great year. Kids got outta control with it and one day I lost it and took a hike, and by chance I ran into this retired Colonel from the Vietnam era, a real lifer. And what he said to me on that day in one sentence was what the entire generation I grew up in is lacking and it carried me for the next 17 years until today. This guy could see right through everything I was going through clear as day when though it was like 3am as though the experience and wisdom was just on tap and ready to exercise. That school was ripe with some old lifers who just had that fatherly type wisdom that you could only get by being warrior poets essentially. They knew what you needed because they had seen it a thousands times before. And I learned that everything in that school which modeled the golden era army, has a dual purpose, and that anyone can survive anything for nine days. Pow mindset. If you don't get it then you don't get it.
@John Lovell, I swear, you and I are cut from the same mold. I don't mean just in a military mindset but as a civilian as well and overall outlook on every aspect of both worlds
This confirms many of my thoughts and add more point/tools to my toolbox! Awesome! I respect your teachings as it makes sense and you seem like a well rounded guy. I used to be in the military. My challenge now is that I am a platoon leader in the national guard, it's partually voluntary, so you kinda need to step to the brotherhood a little to fast? Maybe you have a qualified answer or could even make a small vid on it? Thanks!
This is great, my thinking is that if you can get your men to gladly follow you into battle then you can lead anyone in the civilian world. That’s why when I’m old enough I’m going to do something in the military for a while to get the skills
