Archive for category Education Military Articles
Zippo – More Than a Lighter in Vietnam
During the Vietnam War, several items became the canvasses on which soldiers painted their feelings and sentiments. The Zippo Lighter was one of these items. According to Collectors, 200,000 Zippo Lighters were used by American GI’s in Vietnam. The Zippo Lighter played a part in almost everyday activity of the soldier. The shinny top provided a handy mirror and the Zippo lighters flame warmed the stew at mealtimes. Also soldiers kept salt in the bottom cavities, called “canned bottoms”, of their Zippo lighters to replenish lost body salt. Other legendary Zippo lighters, according to Life Magazine, were used to transmit signals or provide a shield against enemy bullets.
They were used in military operations, in which paratroopers would spray gasoline over the area to burn enemy compounds and dwellings. The soldiers would usually carry the lighters in their chest pockets or fasten them onto the camouflage band on their helmets. As substitutes for lighter fluid alcohol, diesel or even gasoline was used. Zippo lighters were used as Id’s and canvasses. The PX’s in Vietnam carried a large amount of them and this explains the reason why there were so many Zippo lighters in Vietnam. Zippo merchandise quickly found it’s way onto the black market and soldiers were able to buy brand new Zippo lighters without having to go to the PX. Vietnamese craftsmen would engrave anything from pictures to phrases onto the Zippo lighter for the soldiers. Zippos lighters engraved “in-field” for Army GI’s have the largest variety of personalized phrases and images. The most popular motif engraved onto a soldiers Zippo lighter was the map of Vietnam. Every soldier had his own personalized Zippo lighter, which accompanied him until the fall of Saigon and beyond.
Army Enlisted Rank – Basic Training for the Organizationally Challenged
To begin, there are nine levels of enlisted rank in the United States Army. Rank begins with the Private, and ends with the Sergeant Major of the Army. Along with each proper rank name, is an abbreviated rank identifier and an enlisted grade, or pay grade. The enlisted grades also start at E1 and end at E9. Four grades, E4, E7, E8 and E9, are distinguished because they each have multiple ranks associated with them.
People usually recognize that soldiers wear ‘stripes’ on their sleeves and collars. There are two types of stripes that are used with one another. The stripes that point up are called chevrons. The lower stripes that attach to the chevrons are called arcs or rockers.
ROTC – An Alternative For College Financing
Often, people resort to student loans both federal and private to finance college studies. However, it is not always possible to qualify for these loans or even repay them. Therefore, one should always consider the alternatives that are available. As regards to ROTC, it is not a method that would be used by everyone, but those who are interested on military tradition and service may want to analyze its benefits.
What Does ROTC Stand For?
Army Warrant Officer Rank – Basic Training for the Organizationally Challenged
To begin, there are five levels of Warrant Officer rank in the United States Army. Rank begins with the Warrant Officer 1, and ends with the Chief Warrant Officer 5. Along with each proper rank name, is an abbreviated rank identifier and a Warrant Officer grade, or pay grade. The grades also start at W1 and end at W5.
Warrant Officers are probably the least understood service members in the military. The Warrant Corps is relatively small, having been established in the Army in 1896. In fact, these rather unique ranks exist only in the Army, Marine Corps and Navy. The Air Force has no Warrants.