Re: Who really does this for a living?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dgunn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i heard they went away from "sta" label sometime in the last few years</div></div>
I was never a '41...
But I was a 0621 and 8531 in a Reserve unit. Scout Sniper Platoon was with our Company for most of my 6 years, before being transferred to Weapons Company. Most of my time from 03-09 they were referred to as STA. At least, by Top and the oldtimers.
Let me add that I have the utmost respect for them (and by extension, you). There were times that I wanted to INDOC, and I was lead to believe that even as a non-grunt MOS I had a shot at it. I thought it was pretty cool that they never showed up to formation or got fucked with, at least not on the company level like my platoon did, but they worked their asses off. To say that they earned my respect is an understatement.
Whenever I saw them in the field I would be carrying like 80 pounds of shit (on a good day), wearing several layers (still freezing), and they hardly carried any extraneous shit. They were always dirty and sweating. Or wearing no snivel gear during inclement weather when I was freezing my balls off. Definitely squared away.
Just wanted to say, my hat's off to you, gentlemen. An unpleasant and under-appreciated job. They were some of the best men I've had the privilege to serve with. Their dedication inspired me to do my job better, and that's one of the things I tried to instill in my junior enlisted Marines.
-Dan
