Geek Habitat

In a very roundabout way, as is the nature of the Net, I was introduced to SOCNET — a website by and for the Special Operations community (the elite; the soldiers all other soldiers hold in highest regard — Special Forces, Rangers, etc.) “Civs” — ordinary civilians like me — are merely tolerated on the forums, and for good reason. We don’t get it, and even if we try, we foul it up with political correctness and assorted B.S., part a fault of Hollywood and part a fault of just living in a different world than these men.

Anyway, the reading is not for the faint of heart and you can expect to be made uncomfortable at some point. But I recommend reading it, or bookmarking it for future reading. I don’t know many soldiers, save those I’ve worked with in corporate America (who don’t brag about their service but do speak of it with a certain pride/reverence, and who in word and deed are clearly the real deal). I’ve been reading SOCNET because I appreciate the window into a bit of their world. It should be required reading for all Americans, imho, but most Americans don’t read more than the FOX News ticker or the latest spam in their email box.

Does it help me understand war? No. But it helps me, just a little bit, appreciate soldiers more… the good, the bad and the gut-wrenching ugly they deal with, even as I know it’s not even the half of it. The diversity of people that go in, and where different types of people gravitate. Obviously, a Special Ops guy or career military person is going to have a different experience than someone who goes in for a short stint, but they each have a role to play. That sense of purpose, coupled with the sense of brotherhood, are common themes — and ones corporate America is endlessly trying to replicate (to greatly varying degrees of success/failure).

So, add the Special Operations.com Bulletin Boards to your reading list. Read the FAQs or the thread on What they miss, when they move on (roughly 85% of which will make little sense to you or I, but gets the bond and depth of shared experiences across, just the same.)

Real war is known only to those who experience it, rather than what the media (and that includes the military communications machine) package up and broadcast to the masses. History remembers one thing, the people who lived through it remember the real deal. I prefer reality to fantasy, and I guess that’s why this is compelling reading for me. That said, it’s not something I could read daily and that’s just one of the many things that separates me from a soldier.