1945 versus today

1945 - Rifles were made of wood and steel, shot a .30 bullet and killed the enemy with one shot.
Today - Rifles are made of plastic and aluminum, shoot a .22 bullet, and wound the enemy, if you can hit him.

1945 -The winning side used a U.S. made .45 pistol. The losers used European 9mm.
Today - We use European 9mm pistol. Nobody uses the .45 and we have been out of ammunition for years.

1945 - If you smoked, you had an ashtray on your desk.
Today - If you smoke, you are sent outside and treated like a leper.

1945 - NCO’s had a typewriter on their desks for doing daily reports.
Today - Everyone has a computer, and they wonder why no work is getting done.

1945 - If you got drunk off duty, your buddies would take you back to the barracks to sleep it off.
Today - If you get drunk any time they slap you in rehab and ruin your career.

1945 - You were taught to aim at your enemy and shoot him.
Today - You spray 500 bullets into the brush, don’t hit anything, and retreat because you are out of ammo.

1945 - Canteens were made of steel. You could heat coffee or hot chocolate in them.
Today - Canteens are made of plastic. You can’t heat anything in them and they always taste of plastic.

1945 - Officers were professional soldiers first. They commanded respect.
Today - Officers are politicians first. They beg not to be given a wedgie.

1945 - They collected enemy intelligence and analyzed it.
Today - They collect our pee and analyze it – 5 times a month.

1945 - If you didn’t act right, the commander might put you in the stockade ‘till you straighten up.
Today - If you don’t act right, they start a paper trail that follows you forever.

1945 - Medals are awarded to heroes who saved lives at the risk of their own.
Today - Medals are awarded to people who show up for work most of the time.

1945 - You ate in the Mess Hall. It was free and you could have the food you wanted.
Today - You eat in a dining facility. Every slice of bread or pat of butter costs, and you can only have one.

1945 - If you wanted a beer and conversation you could go to the NCO club or Officers Club.
Today - You go to the “All Ranks Club,” the beer will cost $1.75 plus tax, membership is forced, someone is watching how much you drink, and the MP’s will give you a ticket the second you walk out the door.

1945 - You could buy quartermaster gas tax free because it was on a military reservation.
Today - AAFES charges you tax but pockets the money themselves because it’s on a military reservation.

1945 - The Px/BX had bargains for GI’s who didn’t make much money.
Today - You can better merchandise cheaper at Wal-Mart.

1945 - We could recognize the enemy by their Nazi helmets.
Today - We are wearing the Nazi helmets.

1945 - We called the enemy things like “Krauts” and “Japs” because we didn’t like them.
Today - We call the enemy things like “opposing forces” and “aggressors” so we don’t offend the people we are trying to kill.

1945 - Victory was declared when the enemy was dead and all his things were broken, and you could go home.
Today - Victory is declared when the enemy says he is sorry, and you stay to police the area for years and rebuild what you destroyed.

1945 - If you killed an enemy soldier, you could bring home his rifle as a trophy.
Today - If you bring anything home at all as a trophy you get a court martial.

1945 - A commander would put his butt on the line to protect his people.
Today - A commander will put his people on the line to protect his butt.

1945 - After the war, you could buy your own rifle off the government.
Today - You can’t be trusted with your own rifle; and you’ll be jailed if you ever get one.

1945 - Wars were planned and run by real Generals with lots of important victories.
Today - Wars are planned and run by politicians with lots of important panty raids.

1945 - All you could think of was getting out and becoming a civilian again.
Today - All you can think about is getting out and becoming a civilian again.