Airstrike Geospatial Intelligence Operator Tells His Story in VR

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[@Blinxis]

Thank you very much Azeal for allowing me to tell my story on your platform. It was a relief to finally tell it to somebody who would listen. I hope it brings a little perspective to the job, and how interesting and exhausting it can be. I can't wait for part two, and to answer any questions that your viewers may have. 🙏

[@Hunterstiq]

You are an awesome person. Glad you came out to talk and share some of your experience

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

So glad you went on to talk about your time in the Pigeon Party (Air Force) workin' as part of the guys who conduct the "Generic Action Military Movie Fancy Operations Building With Big Screens" jobs. It's cool to hear all these different roles from the US Military, from an AC-130 gunner, to normal Boots, (As in "On The Ground") to folks like your role as 1N1B. To anybody who's served that reads this comment: Please, if you're struggling with the memories of your time in service, find somebody who will listen, who is THERE for you, and give them the time of day to listen to you, because they want to give YOU the time of day to talk. I may not be somebody who has served, nor will I ever be able to due to medical reasons, (if I could, I would join the Canadian Armed Forces in a heartbeat) but I know through hearing and reading the stories from veterans that have came out, (and also through my own mental processes as I have that type of brain that some folks who serve have, and I love the discipline of the military. Hell, I spent the previous 5 years of my life in a Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron because I loved the bonds formed, and the discipline that I was taught.) some veterans have some demons they could really use some help to deal with. Sorry if I seem like I'm hijacking this comment, but I just...........I care. For those who have, are, and plan to serve, I salute you. Somebody out there cares for you, even if you never know it. Also sorry if it is hard to read, I ramble a lot..........sorry.

[@mckitty2628]

There are people that are still alive today cuz of you and it's not cuz you sat in a room watching a screen its cuz you took action against truly evil people that would kill possibly daily. There are Dads that got to go home to hug their children cuz of you and there are mothers that got to read their babies a bed time story cuz of you and there are children that got to come home to show their parents an A on their report card cuz of you. This may not help the pain go away but you are a hero and don't let anything make you think otherwise. Thank you for your service to humanity and making this world just a little bit safer for us all

[@pravus9769]

Hey man, I dunno if you'll see this or not, but what you said near the end of the video about feeling like your PTSD somehow isn't justified because other people have had it worse really, really struck a chord with me because I've been struggling with the same thing for years. A quote I've been trying to use to get past it is as follows: "Someone who drowns in 7 ft of water is just as dead as someone who drowns in 20 ft of water. Stop comparing traumas, stop belittling your or anyone else’s trauma because it wasn’t “as bad” as someone else’s. This isn’t a competition, we all deserve support & recovery. ~ Casey Rose". I know it's not a lot and it probably won't help you much, but I felt compelled to share something that personally has helped me put things into perspective and helped me a bit, so I figured it might help you as well.

[@NaughtyNovaroo69]

just to clear some misconseptions, are you apart of the LGBTQ because you said your SO is male (He did blah blah blah) and what its like as a LGBTQ in the military? alright bad great etc (Air Water Land Spec opps Support etc basically all parts of a countries military because I'm apart of the LGBTQ com and was curious how ppl are treated now a days and just wanted some insite as well as how you get treated and interacted cause of My curiosity. hope your getting some therapy and you and SO are living comfortably and chears for speaking and jut venting what you've seen and felt

[@lunar9342]

"We finally found a group that treats their veterans worse than America!" That line caught me off guard, lol

[@FarmerDrew]

The M.O. of the 2 organizations are quite different when you're SUPPOSED to die in service and go to paradise 🤔

[@Leon_RED]

In China puts explosives in their military helmets "just incase they wanna commit suicide if captured"

[@kekistanimememan170]

Canada: finally a worthy opponent.

[@mrbigs4714]

Pretty ignorant to assume that of the entirety of America,

[@lunar9342]

@@mrbigs4714 Sir, it's called a joke. They aren't made to be taken seriously. You just look silly trying to make more of it than is actually there. Nobody is assuming anything here.

[@karagongro-malog]

I'm curious if more military,ex military, trauma or abuse victims would feel more comfortable in VR talking in therapy like sessions due to the avatars and visual rooms helping them feel more at ease as it provides some divorcement from reality. Could be very helpful for the future of the therapy field. Just a random thought.

[@AzuriteCoast]

That's something that's actually a subject of ongoing research.

[@lokiweb2165]

@@AzuriteCoast I hope that ends up being a big thing with therapy if it works really well

[@cordlessblues]

Vr therapy sounds like a very cool concept as there is a disconnect allowing people to open up more easily

[@Mallchad]

I think the big thing is it costs less, and feels less bad if somebody disappears after pouring your heart out to them. At least that seems to be what people have been saying the most... The avatars and visual rooms are extra things that helps and would be cool to explore in the future.

[@fernosbonos5394]

@@lokiweb2165 azeal could do that when they are found by chance

[@ajmorford4725]

As a vet with my own PTSD and feeling the same way I get how he feels. No need to feel ashamed brother.

[@Azeal]

thank you for your service.

[@ajmorford4725]

@@Azeal thank you and thank you for what you do I have listened to a lot of the stories you have posted and it has helped me just hearing them

[@MrTastyM7]

1:10:11 never being able to go back to your therapist because they don’t want to see you after telling your story. That’s hard hitting stuff right there

[@JarthenGreenmeadow]

I'm not even a veteran and I've dealt with that. Some therapists arent cut out for that line of work.

[@Blinxis]

I should have clarified that I'm reading all comments, and am very thankful for the responses and support! I will try to address as many questions/comments/concerns as possible in part 2. Thank you all!

[@NotOnDrugs]

We want to hear the hard, bad shit. A friend of mine just recently got out. He was 1SF-ODD. Some of his stories... whew. Makes me wish I would have joined.

[@ErikPT]

Mate it’s ok. I’d seek help and remember you’re only human. You’re a badass and you owe nothing to anyone. I enjoyed hearing your story. Stay safe bro and thank you for your service. I don’t always say it but I think I mean it.

[@mascamuelassmith8088]

Bro you should do a podcast or smth you have such a chill voice and way of telling It, I could listen for hours.

[@FarmerDrew]

The French know how to mess with the heads of any radical Islamic fundamentalists, you gotta admit... Remember Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin for his feat, when he convinced them that he used a spell to sap their strongest man with his magic French powers 🤣

[@FarmerDrew]

"Keep a sniper's eye out for the leader of North Korea" hey it's just common sense

[@houseoftoussaint9609]

Please my dude. You’re not unworthy to at least join them VA talk groups. The nature of war has changed. “Soldiers of the video game generation.” Its damn true. It was real wasn’t it? All the shit on the screen was happening and it doesn’t matter it you weren’t on the ground. You were there too. Live your best life dude. You deserved every happiness. I’m glad you’re with us

[@SaturnVII]

Its different.

[@OreDa_]

Getting emotional is not a problem. I'd really like if a second part of this interview were possible.

[@abualofenkasi5634]

It usually is.

[@georgesears2916]

@@abualofenkasi5634 To be fair emotions play an important role in decision making. Without their input you can't really function.

[@freedantheeternal]

@@georgesears2916 Except when people let emotions completely control them and logic is completely ignored as a result. THAT is why emotions become a problem in decision making, because you still have to make a logical decision, not ignore reality because it upsets you.

[@ButterFromDiscord]

There will be part 2, comment anything you want him to answer

[@bobmcboberton5322]

What you witnessed was on a screen but it doesn't make it any less real. The pain you feel is also no less real. You think because you were not on the ground that you're not deserving of help? You are deserving of help and care like anyone else who has suffered trauma. Be well!

[@Hebdomad7]

The amount of drone operators with PTSD is alarmingly high. Boots on the ground often don't see what shoots them, or who they shoot. Drone operators get a live birds eye view in high definition. They follow their targets for months. They get to know their targets very well before killing them.

[@PiousSlayer]

Similar to snipers.

[@DavidH98]

Former infantryman here. You are 1000% right. Nowadays drone operators get much more action than grunts. Ive met more "support" dudes with ptsd recently. A lot of grunts deal with feelings of imposter syndrome because they no longer deploy/engage the enemy. Its a strange time in the military.

[@monty58]

Remember, PTSD is an injury. If you're in a high stress environment, with your body being flooded with stress chemicals for a long period of time, it's going to do damage. We aren't built to handle that. It's the same a breaking a leg. Just because someone broke theirs skydiving, doesn't make your break any less broke.

[@FAR2G]

To the JTAC guy: you have nothing to be sorry about, you saved hundreds of thousands of lives that those ISIS abominations would have butchered without a single thought.

[@garbagelmao2730]

same ISIS that the US government was responsible for creating, lmfao

[@SISU_Leijona]

"Haha pixels go boom" is what got me. True respect for the story teller but it was so funny. Hope he can find a way to feel better about things and accept it.

[@uqasa]

"Haha war crime go boom" sweet Lord do u even read bfore commenting?

[@FarmerDrew]

@@uqasa where's the war crime? All I see is communication.

[@uqasa]

@@FarmerDrew so u sidnot watch thw video? Dude killed civilians mumtiple tims and comfessed to it. Auch a bad JTAC operator that order the bombing of a double kill w children even...

[@FarmerDrew]

@@uqasa Abu Hajaar, your writing style indicates alcoholism, isn't that Haram?

[@TheNotCoolOne1]

Fuck, 1:27:30. That fucking line. It hits so deep. I hear you. I'm there too. Being ashamed of having these problems because you were only auxiliary to it. Didn't pull the trigger, but it hurts just the same. Last part is so hard to hear but i feel needed to be heard the most. Thank you for including it in the video.

[@romeogolf4]

Don't discount your contributions and service. Thank you for all that you do.

[@Maplenr]

Ground pounders see horrible events in person, but not near in the volume that the JTAC do. That continuous, nonstop loop of devastation wears on you something fierce. Your trauma is real bro, and there ain't no shame in it. Just glad that you're taking steps to be better

[@Gurtington]

Hearing these kinds of stories from Cute little animal crossing avitars or genshin impact characters makes the content that much more digestible, and bearable to listen too. It helps it make it not COMPLETELY DEPRESSING. WHich means i have an easier time listening and really absorbing whats being told. I appreaciate you Azeal and everyone you converse with

[@SunWukongSonGoku]

Yeah, I was thinking/feeling the same way; it's a lot easier to absorb the content like this, and seeing your comment, I'm now starting to think, it's probably a lot easier to say, *being* a character, and talking to a character -- it's definitely got an atmosphere that I appreciate. I've been bingeing (or trying to) videos on this channel for the past several hours now, and while some of the content has been soul-shattering, I, can't stop.

[@islandwanderer1173]

I was deployed with 2/5 out of Oceanside in 03-05, 3 deployments. I seen so many airstrikes by fast movers and Spooky gunships.. Appreciate every ounce of ordinance yall sent our way...Semper Fi

[@Cyph3rX]

I was a cav scout...a door kicker, an NCO and a man who has spent a lot of time giving crap to AF folks...but bro, please do not be ashamed of the fact that you have a soul. Your trauma is valid. You are not lesser than, you are a freaking human being who has seen the true evil of the world...and you still remain able to laugh and joke. Man I'm sure we would have much to disagree about politically, but I know exactly 💯 how you feel. You made me cry real heavy tears. Especially when you said you weren't sure you served "America" and I want you to know, I feel the same. Idk...I was on a COIST team, I saw what it looked like to watch true evil on a screen. I came home to people that can't even comprehend the evil we saw and I struggled too. I just want you to know I feel for you. I love you. I hope that YOU get to live a beautiful life

[@ahamsam460]

"Oh my god, What did the Americans do? Did they just nuke em?"

[@Hwelhos]

wow... first seconds r alr got all the emotions, well done and to racoon, thx for doing ur job, being a targeteer must be hard and the decision would have so much pressure behind them, but u saved so many lifes, gotta respect that o7

[@yianniskouros1060]

@@marioformicadae6637 he's a 1N intel troop who worked in an AOC for targeting, so not quite a JTAC

[@Falfan42]

Crying my eyes out while dying of laughter. That's a totally normal combo.

[@martyrd0mm]

it'd be really cool if you interviewed an ex-russian soldier in vrchat, idk why i just thought of the idea

[@Azeal]

I'd love to if I can find one!

[@martyrd0mm]

@@Azeal fantastic

[@foxxy46213]

Yeah most ex Russian fighters are just that.. ex living

[@bsherman8236]

Im pretty sure most russian soldiers don't have access to worldwide information

[@martyrd0mm]

@@bsherman8236 true

[@AwoidElite]

Hey battle, I know the struggles are real, and the stigma from the military of PTSD makes it hard to open up. I'm glad you felt comfortable venting on the VR setting and are able to get help through the VA. Just wanted to say thank you for your work. The section you worked with/for seriously saved my life, and my fellow battlebuddies down range. I was deployed to Kandahar from Dec12 to Jan13 and without the air support I can say, without conviction, we wouldn't have made it. The intel we received allowed us to successfully complete our missions and knew we had air support anytime we needed it. On my most active mission near Panjshir North one of my friends was mine-detecting next to me and stepped on IED, it was the support and recon of air members like yourself that kept the aftermath's small arms fire at bay. I would not have made it home without it. I appreciate all you do, and again, I am so glad you opened up. Good luck out there and I'll be watching the Q/A video next. US Army Military Police. Deployed with 1sq 10th Us Cav and Task force Blackhawk combined with Task force Lancer, and worked with SFAT 2nd infantry

[@TheCrimsonFoxx]

And to think in the 80's and 90's my great uncle worked at Raytheon and probably worked on guidance systems for stuff to greatly improve accuracy on missile systems Thanks uncle Bob Edit: also don't worry about dumb games raccoon, as a kid we used to have a game called "juice bag" where we put a sleeping bag over one person's head and ran at each other in a dark room, for a 12 year old it was amazingly fun

[@Azeal]

Oh wow

[@norivixen1877]

Love all the interveiw stories/ interviewees you have and do! keep up with the videos would love to see part 2

[@MaxApocalypticGaming]

Damn. What a video. This guy is a great storyteller. I was invested the whole time. (Just saw the PTSD part of the discussion. I hope he knows there’s nothing wrong with him struggling with it.)

[@Jay_Rainstorm]

Military stories? My favorite! Thanks for the accidental birthday present! Lol

[@Azeal]

Happy birthday!!

[@Jay_Rainstorm]

@@Azeal thanks!

[@walnut_raisin2621]

1:27:35 no trauma is lesser than others. What he saw was real, and saw his actions had immediate consequences. He saw horrors many veterans saw too, but in a completely different lens. PTSD is real and can fuck someone up, and there is no need for comparison when you've gone through emotional and mental turmoil. What he saw was real and not invalid because he had keyboard and screen in front of him instead of a gun and car's windshield. I hope he comes to accept this part of himself and doesnt invalidate his experiences just because it doesnt fit the usual narrative of a veteran with PTSD. A man can lose his legs in active combat, and another man can lose a part of themselves witnessing the horrors of the ISIS regime

[@deusmortem9048]

hearing someone else say "i drank myself to sleep every night" that helped...glad im not alone fuck maybe i do have some ptsd..

[@youraveragegamerbro6302]

"Vasily what are we eating for dinner?" "Im busy Ivan leave me alone im shitting" **The BMP blows up** "HOLY SHIT VASILY! HOW LONG DID YOU HOLD THAT IN FOR!"

[@dashiellgillingham4579]

An A-10 pilot literally only has their eyes and a set of binoculars to check that they aren’t hitting friendlies or civilians. It’s why everyone who’s been on the ground when one came in for CAS fears the thing. It’s extremely hazardous, and needs an upgrade package the price of a new F-35 in order to be able to reliably see stuff like the bus full of civilians that just pulled up to the target.

[@Allen667sjja]

“700 air strikes” Jesus dude stacked f bodies, f angel of death and he just chilling as an animal crossing raccoon lol

[@audiosurfarchive]

End of the day, it's a job. Just happens his job is "justified" killings that someone decides above his pay grade is okay. His pain is understandable.. he's too hard on himself.

[@iDeLaYeD_o]

My only thing that I wanna see in part 2 is if they have more stories they're willing to share (no matter how hard he thinks it is for the public). Edit: The difference of seeing your friends die in-front of you and watching a kid and their mother get executed is that the later will effect more people just from hearing it, let alone watching it. One thing I always wished for during the conflict was to have stories come out from people who had to watch all of this happen on a near daily bases. I am honestly a little upset that stories like these don't come out until years later when we no longer have boots on ground and the public lost interest. Imagine if we hear "the american sniper's" stories on how hard it is to be a sniper or this man who had to watch the most brutal stuff (even if it was just on a screen). I honestly think the war would've gone on much longer if the public knew about these stories (of course not everything with all the details included like in this video) while they were happening and we could see a purpose to the war, instead the public is kept in the dark until it's too late.

[@ltchip2593]

Tbf there was alot of news of how it affected the locals as soon as we pulled out but seemingly no one cared anymore after a week

[@fltfathin]

i wish the politicians and those profiting from the conflict got worse curse in their head than those powerless military men.

[@davidcorbit3931]

Thank you for sharing your story... My grandmother told me as long as you can still cry there's still hope...and your story brings hope to me. Please continue to take care of yourself !!

[@marcotron08]

this is prob my favorite interview of yours so far, love the military stuff

[@th3monk3ygod564]

You provide such an amazing service with this car chat these amazing people get to tell their story but need to have it in their face probably very therapeutic for them keep ‘em coming ❤

[@Azeal]

Thank you!!

[@therookiedrummer1076]

I have so much respect for people like this. bless their souls.

[@turquoisebirb]

Every video on this channel proves its worth. Azeal, thank you so much for work here. Your outro song is spot on for how I feel about these videos

[@jimmartin2548]

“We finally found a group of people who treat their veterans worse than Americans” 😂😂😂hammer meet nail

[@D3M0N.77]

I really wanna know more! Such an interesting Story for sure! I'm looking forward to part 2

[@jebkerman5422]

53:30 the real reason why they never made a 4th season of ducktails 2017...

[@ChromicalityV1]

*targeteer talking about the sad encounters hes encountered* the racoon suit hes wearing: but all jokes aside this guy is a hero salute to you brother

[@PeanutE404]

Something to think about: Even if it's just pictures on a screen, how would you expect the average person to react if they saw something like that scrolling through their social media? I know there are calls for "NSFL" tags as a second-level for NSFW - I grew up during the era where a click on a NSFW post was a lottery - could be nudity, could be an execution. You never really knew until you opened it, and some of those images are still seared into my brain after 20+ years. Most people have extreme reactions to those. The other aspect that I grew up with and I've noticed a lot in VR Chat is that the rise of vtubers, avatars, and virtual spaces like that - is that a LOT of people who acknowledge that there is a living person on the other side of that screen connect a lot easier in that environment. There's something about seeing "someone" in a space that makes it solidify in your head, sometimes even more than if it's in front of you for real. I have to wonder if the "Mask effect" works both ways - A lot of people talk about how they feel like they wear a mask when they're interacting in real life, but when they're interacting in VR or as an avatar, there's no mask. It's just you. If you're able to put on a mask to others - how much of that mask is to protect you too? With the era we live in now with the constant infodump feed - how much of the mask of being in person is for protection?

[@a777702]

They fired a $150,000 missile at a random guy with an AK... No wonder the US military budget is so high.

[@jamesplacencia6741]

Dude this was siick 🤘🏽 glad to hear a lil glimps of someone else’s bad ass crazy life story , thanks for laying it all out for us .🤙🏽

[@VLena_art]

this is such an interesting story! All the best for you JTAC guy! I hope you find help soon because you have every right to have it.

[@suckontheserobotnuts]

So I got to work in one of those facilities fixing equipment and while I was in there fixing it I kept hearing "you killed kenny you bastards!" From southpark play over the speakers. It happened like 5 times and I asked the guy escorting me what that was and he said every time they get a confirmed kill that plays. Kind of funny dark humor but I appreciated it.

[@emanaton1218]

Thank you for making these and talking with people : )

[@just_vince802]

I was praying when he said that they had no hellfire missiles that they were going to drop the plane on them that would have been the best form of revenge. Keep up the great work and thank you to the speaker as well.

[@hannahlawlor1227]

Such a great interview!

[@Azeal]

Thank you!

[@andrewcipriano2890]

Small word about the hiluxs, if I remember correctly a bunch were stolen from peoples houses here in Australia, and were found in parts in shipping containers, presumably to send off to Syria

[@bricehamshar7006]

“For there to be light, there must be darkness. For there to be joy, there must be sorrow. For there to be beautiful, there must be the grotesque. For there to be at peace, there must be war. For there to be life, there must be death. “ These are inseparable and contradictory examples that can that need each other's to exist. also thanks for your service

[@SgWookieE]

Wow, that was an amazing story. I hope this guy is able to find peace. Thanks for sharing.

[@melatoninmellyyy]

I respect this man my grandfather went through ptsd through service and he did end up living a happy life I know things will get better for him

[@51stInf]

Its nice to see a story like this. You always hear the other side of these story's but its a nice change to hear the military side. Keep up these story's

[@un-trackable5705]

No matter what we do after, it's like we never left. Good to hear we're still here. Love you man.

[@majinperez6993]

He's basically the guy who fires the death star.

[@drewsirry9118]

I love this series. Thank you so much.

[@Ratkill]

30:00 Yeah interesting point about "bang-bang" system control. Just like he said it only works in full on/off cycles. Fires the correction, computes, fires, computes, until reaching the target. Same thing used in industrial systems. Its much more simple than the alternative "PID" (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) that can fractionally modulate itself based on sensor feedback, but it requires a comparatively complex algebraic definition of how it reacts to certain data according to its system, more accurate but can be prone to oscillations and overshoots unless precisely tuned.

[@idonolmao]

"The juice is worth the squeeze" I like that... I'll be taking that

[@luissantiago5163]

Already hitting right in the heart.

[@Jason-er1vf]

This is very interesting. You should bring him on again with the YPG volunteer. I'm sure he would love to meet his air support.

[@romeogolf4]

At the 1:32:00 mark, what you say about the moving scenery helping put the mind at ease and in effect, facilitate communication, reminds me a lot of EMDR therapy. You might be on to something Azeal.

[@pazsion]

You did good man, many more survived because it was you , someone that cared. And it shows in good works done. A thankful civilian population vs a terrified one.

[@Vaidiss]

As someone who sees the airforce almost every holiday and has people ik in the army i look up to the army and the police, i may not join the forces but i do appreciate those that go into it even if they think they haven't done much affect.

[@JoeyJohnDoe688]

52:50 Wait, is there a possibility that the ducks were floating along in that formation specifically to look like a boat so that predators would avoid or ignore them?

[@AeriGames]

I didn't know I needed to hear this as much as I did. I completely understand how this gut feels about his mental state and how it reflects on other vets. As someone who did the same job but was on the aircraft and not just behind a drone, it's hard to explain to my other vet friends. While yes I wasn't boots on ground with a rifle I was still on target calling strikes and there's events that I think about everyday and bother me, but I feel like I shouldn't have any issues considering what friends of mine went through.

[@RianLKLock]

I really like this story please make a part 2

[@FarmerDrew]

Great video. We need more!

[@penguinsrockrgr8yt216]

I laughed way to hard at “What did the Americans do, did they just nuke em’?”

[@terranceelevate6719]

I had an instructor in basic who was a geo spacial analyst and he had some crazy ass stories that really stuck with me

[@Jcod_]

I want to say that I think it shows a lot of strength to talk about things that are still affecting you in a very real way mentally on video. I really appreciate people sharing and destigmatizing mental health problems. I admire that kind of strength. I have a question that is coming from a place of wanting to see if we could maybe do something to help more veterans. I've heard from several people about how they are very hesitant to go to a group because their PTSD is from not being in a bad enough situation. I don't know the right terms, but would it be helpful if there was a separate group for non-combat related PTSD? I'm almost certain non-combat isn't the right term, but I think people will understand what I'm trying to ask.

[@Svveet69]

great story teller. Hope you have him back

[@freiheit5983]

TY for your service. Greetings from Germany

[@jpzbaby3081]

Bruv the way he kept telling the story try the crying was fucking crazy it’s like his mindset is accomplish the mission first a true soldier fucking wild strong man Edit dead kids are hard asf to get threw especially when u knew them ik his thoughts tho trying to make it happy but :/ :) amazing story

[@thesnoringgoatman]

I'm pretty sure I saw some of the footage he's talking about while I was deployed during that time frame working with the airforce

[@BooRadleyFan420]

I've seen shorter movies that were less interesting, what an outstanding story teller, was on the edge of my seat the entire time

[@DragonbroTwelve-mo2yi]

These people are amazing and deserve a lot of respect for what they do.

[@Illest.illusions]

You’re out of your mind

[@samisaari9313]

Thank you for your service and stand tall! Thank you for being honest and for bringing my darkest most Evil demons out and making them smaller! Thank you!

[@AzuriteCoast]

Thank you for this story.

[@Attackalpaca_2]

It would be cool to have this guy and the guy from the ypg on the same time and have both perspectives

[@kayzach4108]

They probably never crossed paths, but they both mention each other's groups being there in both their videos, never know.

[@lonespartan3209]

The other great thing about the A-10 is just the sheer fear factor of the cannon firing can be enough to dissuade someone

[@tailgunner2]

44:00 And THAT is the reason why I retired after 26 years in the USAF. I was with a construction unit. We work, we build things. Or we used to. But no, there was this ungodly focus on EPR's, awards, and CBTs that wasted an incredible amount of time, money, and energy. Construction does NOT attract Rhodes scholars, plus I was in a guard unit, meaning I only have two days to get crap done. On top of that, I work a regular job. It was unbelievable how corporate the USAF was running.

[@fruty3003]

I'd love to hear in part 2 some of the goofiest stuff the professional military intelligence men and women got up to just because they were bored

[@phettywappharmaceuticalsll8842]

I live these stories. I served in marines years ago and most the videos I watch are from grunts perspective..it’s cool to see what happens from this pov

[@NezumiiroGray]

I work at the VA as a housekeeper, I help clean the hospital, making sure everything is clean for patients, doctors, nurses. It's not always rewarding, and there are a lot of flaws to the job and the system but I'm happy if I help even one veteran, even indirectly. These stories remind me what these people have been through and it's really eye opening. Thank you for letting these people tell their stories.

[@mynameisnotyours888]

Thank u for sharing, it ain’t easy

[@alexlongfur2515]

Watching bunny lady comment on this brings perspective. I have a sister that mostly drives in the city (used to drive for dominos) and so we’d be driving along and either pass roadkill or get in a near miss scenario. They bother her because it doesn’t happen often so it’s “oh no poor thing” compared to my “ope, there goes another” like, I’m not completely dismissive of it but after three years of driving to a rural plant for the night shift I’ve smacked at least two deer, and have had at least a dozen possums and raccoons go under my tires. (I try to avoid them but again it’s night time and sometimes they behave unpredictably). A few stick out for me but lately it’s just *thtump thump* “ah fuck.” And go on with my night. Raccoons try to waddle away, possums freeze, and the deer will give you one of five reactions and at any given time they’ll change directions (all three animals, even the possums).

[@mikecrooks8085]

I drove my grandmother one night at the end of a long road trip from North Idaho to Blackfoot between Arco Idaho in the 1980's and the desert was full of uncounted millions of Jack Rabbits. The little Tercel would actually shake a little with every hare that it hit. The slower I would go the more opportunity it gave the hares to run in front of the car or into the side and under the tires. If I hit one hare, I hit 5,000 + without exaggeration in a 60 mile stretch and the road was slick in spots with carcasses from previous casualties. The sound was like someone randomly but constantly beating on a base drum. My grandmother was just beside herself and at a certain point just to make the experience get over with I sped up to 60 mph but at that speed some of the hares would actually come up and over the hood of the Toyota rolling over the windshield. My grandmother informed me it was the most horrible thing she had ever seen in her life. I just prayed and was thankful that none of the animals end up stopped on the windshield and I would have to stop and remove it.

[@FarmerDrew]

Raccoon be like "Tis but a scratch"

[@jeffersondavis5419]

My guy, I wish I could link up with you. I always felt weird talking to anyone about "nightmares" as I wasn't replaying events lived as much as similar scenarios. I always refer to it as training in my sleep. I don't know if you are still reading every comment, but I would definitely recommend the books "On Killing" and "On Combat". Because you know it is real, that screen doesn't psychologically separate you from the events as much as one would think.

[@tylerwilson3800]

The photoshop 😂 that’s amazing. That reminds me of the story of a battleship captain having the ship moved ever-so-slightly just because the sun was glaring in his eyes during breakfast

[@AspReece]

Some of the coolest shit I’ve seen, I love the military type stuff

[@danilapolesciuk4316]

Ye the guy that fought for the Kurds against IS, the guy that volunteered too fight in ukraine and this guy

[@MesiterSode]

Classic Abu Hajar reference

[@PigBoy99]

Time stamp for the starting segment? Edit: 1:06:23

[@Swisso_]

w

[@YaBoyLivid]

17:20 when you guys were talking about the A-10 and how that guy died a painless death and how he didn't even hear it you are right a saying about that is "If you hear the BRRT from something like that you weren't the target" because of how fast that bullet is traveling

[@totallynottrademarked5279]

PTSD does not make you less, it proves you are a good human being to have remorse for things you had to do.

[@Abolas452]

I kind of question the people who have seen/done grizzly shit and aren’t a little moved by it

[@MacaroniMancer]

We live in a strange future, where a very heartfelt, traumatic experience that's very serious and emotional can be told by an anthropomorphic raccoon, and everyone is like "This is about right." For the record, it IS about right, it's just odd looking at it objectively.

[@camelthegamer7165]

I love this man.

[@TheSLOShadow]

That is for interviewing this guy. It makes me feel better to know men like him are in our armed services, a very conscientious war fighter who cares. He represents the best of us and I wish all our soldiers approach war as he does, protect the innocent, kill the enemy, quick, clean, put them down like a dog.

[@Gstrongarm111]

Odds are I fueled some of the aircraft this guy was coordinating. Small world.

[@spacemarine6212]

God, I love the A-10. Fucken chad plane built around a big fucking gun.