1945 Verses Today





1945
Rifles were made of wood and steel, shot a .30 caliber bullet and killed the enemy in one shot.

Today
Rifles are made of plastic and aluminum, shoot a .22 caliber bullet, and wound the enemy, if you can hit them.




1945
The winning side used a U.S. made .45 Caliber pistol, The losers used a European 9mm.

Today
We use a 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 are treated like a leper.




1945
If you said "damn", people knew you were annoyed and avoided you.

Today
If you say "damn" you better be talking about a hydroelectric plant.




1945
NCO's had a typewriter on their desks for doing daily reports.

Today
Everyone has an internet computer, and they wonder why no work is getting done.




1945
We painted pictures of pretty girls on airplanes to remind us of home.

Today
We put the real thing in the cockpit – and don’t even think about painting anything on your aircraft and those rocks better look pretty.




1945
Your girlfriend was at home, praying you would return alive.

Today
She is in the same foxhole, praying your condom worked.




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 whole 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 out 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 like 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 don'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 were 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 – even the guys we kick out.




1945
You slept in a barracks, like a soldier.

Today
You sleep in a dormitory, like a college kid – tear up a brand new building and wonder why the place looks like hell.




1945
You ate in a Mess Hall. It was free and you could have all 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
We defeated powerful countries like Germany and Japan, and once in awhile somebody got a medal.

Today
We can’t even beat Iraq or Yugoslavia, but everyone comes home a Hero with a chest full of fruit salad.




1945
If you wanted to relax, you went to the Rec Center, played pool, smoked and drank beer.

Today
You go to the Community Center and can still play pool, if you pay.




1945
If you wanted a beer and conversation you could go to the NCO or Officers Club.

Today
Today you can go to the "All Ranks Club", the beer will cost you $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 the tax but pockets the money themselves

because it is on a military reservation.




1945
The BX/PX had bargains for GI's who didn't make much money.

Today
You can get 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 them.




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 to come.




1945
If you killed an enemy soldier, you could bring home his rifle

as a trophy.

Today
If you bring home anything 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,

cheap.

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
We knew we were fighting for freedom. The country was

committed to winning.

Today
We don't know what we are fighting for. The government is

committed to Socialism.




1945
All you could think of was getting out and becoming a civilian

again.

Today
All you can think of is getting out and becoming a civilian

again.

Sad, but so true.

Keith: realy dead-on comparisons. There is one I'd like to share

1945 You could cook or take a bath in your helmut

today: All you can do is wear the damed thing.

I wore my steelpot until i got out in 2003, I still have it along with my 1st P-38 can opener. The only two things worth keeping.

[quote]
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 them.

This really sums it all up. No, really, it does....

For Krauts, read Moffen if you speak Dutch. We have not forgotten Rotterdam, Arnhem, Anne Frank, the Hungerwinter...enz...

The one thing about politicians that is really scary, is that they don't learn from history...

1945
Some people sat by and watched others get drafted into the service. Many draftees never returned.

Now
People sit behind a computer and hear of people VOLUNTARILY joining the service then the same people make Then VS Now lists as if they knew what they were talking about. Many VOLUNTEERS never return. But the list maker is nice and safe.

1945: Excessive use if military force was used to win the.

Today: excessive use of military force gets you a date in the stockade.


It is so true how things have changed over the years. The worst part is the over use political oversight. It is a WAR damn it! Let the military figth it and win it.