What is combat like?

Hi. I'm a junior in high school. My dad's a retired Marine 21 yrs (no combat) but shi*** childhood an what not. My mom's in the Navy, 2 deployments on an aircraft carrier. I was in MCJROTC back in VA & now I'm in NJROTC. I plan on joining the U.S. Marine Corps. I might go infantry enlisted first then become a fighter pilot, then Blue Angel, then the Moon. Anyways. I know it's touchy thing to ask so I'll try to be as little touchy as possible. If anyone on these forums has ever been in combat can you please tell me what it's like. It doesn't matter what service you were or are in. Please specify whether it was SF, infantry, or just some patrol you had to do. You don't have to explain what happened, although it would be more informative. Just tell me the feelings and emotions that you experienced right before, starting, during, and after combat. I would like to know these because, unfortunately, I know that war is not everything that I see in movies & on TV. i.e. glorious & heroic, etc. Although it is. I want to know before I join.

-Thank You

I won't go into specifics. I'll tell you some of the things that went through my mind. During MOB training (Mobilization Training) you complete battle drills. They are the "Here is what you do when this happens" kind of thing. On the flight overseas I found myself questioning, will I know what to do? Will I make the right decision? Can I trust the man next to me to be there for me? You never know how you will react, until it happens. My first incident, it was surreal. And everything happened so fast. All that was on my mind was, accountability of everyone, security needs to be set up, and assess injuries, and get a hold of higher. And be ready to call for QRF (Quick Reaction Force), EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), or SWT (Scout Weapons Team) And then the entire scene is yours. Nobody enters or exits without you knowing. That evening, I was like I did everything I was trained to do. All the long days training just clicked, and I went to work. I didn't have to think about what to do next, it all just came to me. All my battle buddies did everything they were supposed to. This was my personal experience. I am Missouri Guard, Infantry.

.....Lots of boredom, then you're in the heat of it. It may seem like it lasts a long time, but usually no more than a fifteen minute firefight. When mortars are impacting and rounds cracking you just do as your instincts and leadership has rehearsed and taught. No greater rush, but I wish it on no man just myself and my brothers. OOOHHH-RAH. 1-293 Infantry, Recon and Mortars. 2003 invasion D-Day 1+367 and 2008 JAN-DEC all of Iraq.

Joseph,

In my humble opinion it is the training one recieves in MARINE CORPS Boot Camp that increases their survival rate in combat situations. Each man knows what to do, when to do it and his place, knowing he can always 'COUNT" on his buddies in any given situation. There is no 'RUSH' like being in combat. With all your combat gear to protect you and your rifle, having the power of life and death in one finger gives one a god-like feeling. You must understand Joseph, guys feel different about combat.

Vietvet1968@comcast.net