Quote:
Originally Posted by jester
In alot of units they do have clicks. People who actively hate each other. And on occassion fists fly. Or even subtle things which are also common like slapping a hand away if someone who is hatted asked for a hand over a wall or up a cliff or whatever. I have seen folks fall and land atop the SOB they hated and ride them down a hillside like a sleigh. Its been done on purpose too, then the reply is simply, "Slipped, ooops."
The whole lovely dovey band of brothers crap is a myth.
Now, in a unit it is weird as well. You can phuc with someone you utterly dispise. You may want to mess with them and even inflict light injury on them whenever the chance arises. But he is part of your unit. And thus like the younger sibling who is a total pain and source of constant irrigation whom you mess with, woe to any outsider who does anything to him. Its a strange world for sure.
After all, think about it. People of all kinds or personalities are working together under extremely stressful conditions. People are going to become irritated with one another. And basic issues will arise. Also, have you ever been stuck with the same people forever? To the point you can't stand any of them anymore? One little habit which was no problem before is now a source of great irritation? That also happens.
Just things of human nature to think about.
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That's an interesting, first-hand impression. Were the incidents you described during wartime/in a combat zone?
In a lot of my reading, there are indeed conflicting personalities, rivalries, and that sort of thing but they seem to be suppressed or surpassed by the bonds formed during combat. I really can't recall reading portions of any memoirs or small unit histories where comrades actively fought and/or undermined one another. I have read of tension between enlisted men, NCOs, and officers, though.