"This Platoon Is Going Down Over An Espresso Maker." - Generation Kill (2008)  

In the U.S. Army, an R.T.O (Radio Telephone Operator) plays a crucial role in maintaining communication within military units. This soldier is responsible for operating and managing radio and other communication equipment, ensuring seamless and reliable transmission of voice and data messages. The R.T.O must be adept at troubleshooting technical issues, setting up and maintaining communication networks, and understanding encryption protocols to secure transmissions. They often work under high-pressure situations, coordinating with various units to relay critical information accurately and swiftly. Training for an R.T.O includes mastering various communication systems, understanding military communication protocols, and developing the ability to operate in diverse and often challenging environments. The R.T.O is essential for effective command and control in the field, linking commanders with their units and facilitating strategic and tactical operations. Losing an R.T.O in the U.S. Army can severely disrupt military operations, as this role is crucial for maintaining communication within and between units. Without an R.T.O, the unit may struggle to send and receive vital information, compromising coordination, command and control, and situational awareness. This communication breakdown can lead to delayed responses, miscommunication, and increased vulnerability during missions. Additionally, the loss can affect the morale of the unit, as the R.T.O is often a key member in ensuring operational efficiency and safety. Immediate measures would need to be taken to reestablish communication lines, either by reassigning personnel or using backup systems, to restore operational integrity. YOU CAN WATCH THIS TV MINI SERIES "GENERATION KILL" (2008), THROUGH OUR WEBSITE IN OUR BIO

"Yes, they were operating the stove outside the tent. They were all wearing gloves, eye pro, kevlar, and PT belts, too."

In other words: “One of your guys hurt?” “Yep” “No need for hospital right?” “Nope” “Won’t happen again?” “Roger that sir”

Lt. Fick was like one of only five goddamn adults in the whole battalion.

Goddamn Godfather. That "commendation" comment was a non-verbal warning that he got lucky this time.

Godfather and Fick both knew what was happening, and they were perfectly fine with it

That LT had his peoples back.

The non verbal communication between godfather and Lt fick shows how true a leader both men are. It takes guts to communicate that these are my men, and I am dealing with it at my level.

If asked, you were always there when it happened. Once said I wasn't and my ass chewing was worse than the guy who actually fucked up.

Godfather knew it was all BS from Fick 😂 but all that mattered was that Ray was still able to fight and wouldn’t be a hindrance to the upcoming operation. He just had to address it in a professional manner. Respect for both Officers here.

This show did a great job exposing how some leaders are excellent and will go to bat for their Marines, while others put the lives of their subordinates in danger due to their egos and incompetance. Fick was damn good.

A good officer covers for his men for simple mistakes. We've all been there, cut a corner. I suspect the burn victim in question was well liked, squared away. Blue Falcons get thrown in the chipper

Godfather knew 😂

This is actually brilliant military tongue ine cheek comedy politics.

An officer worth a damn. That's rare.

Aka your lucky we're on the eve of the biggest invasion since 1991 and we have bigger shit to worry about.

“You might want to write up commendations” lol

I highly recommend anyone who hasn’t watched Generation Kill, to go ahead and watch it, 10/10

You could how angry Iceman was even though he was so absolutely professional in his question !!😂

I like how they captured the gaze and body language of higher ups.

Haha just like the Colonel on MASH who got his Purple Heart when his moonshine still, blew up on Guam.

this is how officers are supposed act in conjunction with their NCO's. The CO and company NCO does not need to know the details. The mistake happened and associated soldiers were disciplined. In the Navy, I was lucky to have two weapons officers and a great Master Chief which provided this type of cover for their divisions. There are somethings the CO does not need to know.

A cook was injured lighting a burner for the field kitchen. It was already over a 100 degrees outside and at the time the burners used kerosene. The cook had to go to the hospital but was okay after a week or so. Not long after the burners were switched to using JP8.

Damn I need rewatch GK forgot how good it is. All the HBO war mini series slap hard AF

Godfather knew. Godfather accepted. So many of you are missing what actually occurred in this scene.

That’s a good Lieutenant.

Unspoken spokens

One of the best pieces of advice I got from someone when I was put in charge of other people was "you are now a shit umbrella." Handle it internally, for sure, but protect them from the bullshit of beaurocracy.

The military teaches you how to turn an L into a W

"He had completed his camp stove safety online course, printed his certificate, and everyone in the vicinity was wearing their PT belts as well, Sir."

It really PISSED ME OFF that Fick was the only competent and actual good leader (i’m not counting captain Bryan, he was also good leader) in that whole batallion, but i guess that was intended

Lt Fick is GOATed

These guys will get commendations but Zach Hazard still has nothing for gauging over 1000 weapons in a day. Bureaucracy is the enemy of common sense.

And here they thought they would get the bad news.

Now we're onto Generation Kill shorts, I'm not complaining.

The way officers politically talk with one another will forever irritate me.

Hitman’s CO, the Captain (whose name escapes other than his nickname Encino Man) was really an incompetent leader. So many times he led his men to the point he was about to have a death count. Thank God for Fick and Gunney. Those two kept Hitman sane.

this scene is comedic af

It almost seems like there are regulations for a reason

We used to watch this in Iraq on repeat. Took me back to the days of trading hard drives for movies and coming across pics/vids of other Marines wives 💪🏿 good times

"Recomend those men for the medal of honor lieutenant"

Servicing a 148. Now thats some classic shit

I WAS an R.T.O., no comment about the Lt. Better make sure you get a better man to replace that Sparks.

GK never gets the respect it deserves. It was so so good. Hell CODMW stole like an entire bridge crossing scene from Generation Kill.

He just lied to his face that's amazing lol

THATS how you LEAD

That little snippet said a lot without saying it. “I know what happened, I know you’re covering for your men, and I trust you enough to know you’re not gonna let it affect your capability so this is a freebie”.

Anything except more paperwork and explanations

CYA. Well done LT

I LOVED that show. Alexander Skarsgard didn’t hurt, either.

Good leaders realize NJP is a tool for maintaining good order and discipline. Ensuring troop welfare and mission accomplishment. If NJP your Marines is going to degrade that then you don’t use it. Good leaders know that. There are other ways to handle that in house to get your point across. Fick was a great example of this and understood his Marines came first so his unit could effectively perform their duties and accomplish their mission. The CO knew this as well that the commanders and leaders closer to the Marines will know what is more effective for achieving that.

Haha. as they say No News Is good news

ROFL! That’s for a great way to wake up my brain with laughter today.

Besides the nonverbal warning of “I know what actually happened and I know that you know I know” I feel like there’s also a message of respect from one leader to another in seeing the younger leader be willing to cover for his men (or at least be willing to get shit on beside them). That unspoken virtue of a leader is something Godfather approves of and wants to foster Likely godfather is remembering his own times when he was the guy who fucked up and the guy who stood between higher command & his men who fucked up. He may even be making a mental note to pay special attention to him to see if there’s potential for further promotion

The best part of this whole scene are all of the facial expressions from everyone else in the tent. Everyone knew what was up. But you handle shit at the lowest level possible. LT was one of the good ones.

The best part of the second scene that’s left out is the look on the XO’s face after Fick doctored up the story. Priceless.

Knew he was lying but respected him for sticking up for his men

"we have found that your injuries are related to your service"

Turned around from monumental fick up to monumental fick down

That LT was the real hero of the series.

A Leader fades the heat for his guys then corrects them himself.

MARCH 17, 2003--can I get one dozen of silver stars --please!!!!!!

“LT Fick… Last question. Were your men wearing their PT belts?” “…Well uh no sir.” “Article 15’s for all of you”

The last quip about accomodations was his backhand saying, "this one's free, next ones not"

Just a reminder that Lt Fick had already operated in Afghanistan so although he’s an Lt he knew the proper USMC way to handle a situation and not burn any of his men.

Must watch series

Going to war over espresso sounds better than over oil

The Wire goes to war. 👏

Did Godfather know he was bullshitting?

This scene actually foreshadowed what happened in the end to the other team leader/1stSgt(?) that was under Captain America. There was a fvck up by Lt. C. America but his Sgt. got the blame and even though God father knows it he can't admit/address it because not only it would put his entire Battalion under investigation where they'll get suspended to conduct further operations it would also put the Marines to shame. Great series ❤

Sick show i forgot about this 1

*That* is a good leader. The best officers are expert shit shields, protecting their subordinates from as much as possible, then dealing with any issues *within* the platoon.

My favourite game to play when watching this series is “what did and didn’t Godfather know?” I feel like the boldness to lie directly to his CO’s face to protect one of his men lowkey made him proud. “At least one officer in this battalion isn’t a fuckup”

Lt. Fick playing The Game of Houses like a fucking master.

Pro insight. Godfather was seeing if Fick would put it in writing beyond their unit. Testing to see how far the lie drove deep.

The white hair guy knows what truly happened. They know people make mistakes and that it shouldn't happen again

Lt. Fick was basically the only officer in this show, besides Mattis, who actually had a good head on their shoulders. I always wish my platoon commander was Fick.

I served in Germany in 1982 after I’ve been given permission to train with rangers in Spain on a number of weekends I ended up getting seriously injured on a number of parachute jumps out of a C130 I believe it was a C-130 breaking my leg, fractured my hip in about another 10 different bones. All hell broke loose when I was unexpectedly told her everything I did was not correct and was technically without permission two months later I was awarded a medal. My commander was awarded a medal and everybody involved was giving an award. This absolutely happens constantly.

All involved characters displayed great in character acting. ❤ This stove alone has a better love story than twilight.

Based LT had his people's back!

Having been once a Lieutenant like this guy, I know for a fact his commanding officer would clearly know he’s full of shit but would give him credit for coming up with an acceptable story.

"This platoon is going down over an espresso maker." Yep, welcome to the military, Marine. Hoorah.

The military doesn't care about the fuck up as long as you can word it in a way that make everyone look good. For example, we didn't flip a car. We had to take action to prevent an accident and in the course of action and quick thinking of the troops, no life were lost.

What actually happened? Ive never seen it

this scene is so much better after having g joined the Marines and learned tue subtext in this conversation.

You know you're awesome when LT literally lies to the CO'S face to save your asses.

Current RTO of almost 2 1/2 years in the army, and I can tell you it's not an easy job because you won't know everything, unlike it, fellow, mos 25U. Rto is very, very important and also quite dangerous in certain situations

This was why Encino man and Captain America got away with their screw ups.

There no better feeling in the military than your command having your back.

Commendation is much too far, meaning "You're talking BS, we both know it, and I respect it"

Generation Kill was a damn fine series and I have watched it many times over.

I never caught how much Skarsgard’s accent slips through in this scene. Probably one of the first ones they shot.

Is there a show like this that takes place in the later years of the Iraq war? A show like this about the falluja invasion would be great

lmfao BOOM

Had a guy in BCT somehow get a practice frag into the barracks, and was looking into the hole at the bottom of the body when it went off. He claimed it 'just' fell apart. Not sure how you can miss the pin coming out, the safety clip that you literally have to physically remove, and the lever flying off. Either way he ended up with powder burns and metal fragments in his face and eyes getting transported to the hospital. I'm sure the DSs loved the CID investigation the next day.

It's all about confidence and speaking and eye contact.

Was he servicing the 148 properly?

I love the way he talks...

148 = PRC-148, military grade radio

I'm so glad I was army infantry.