When I was a squad leader and my squad and I were dropped off in a national forest by helicopter once for land navigation.We were told to get back anyway we could and time wasn't an importance. So off we go, after finding a road.We came upon a vehicle parked. Now mind you we were fully geared up, face paint and all (rucksack, m-60s,the whole works). The windows were steamed and vehicle slightly rocking.I knocked on the window and and a young boy and girl appeared with a look on their faces I will never forget.Here you have 7 heavily armed soldiers with large guns and surrounding your vehicle in the middle of God knows where.I asked him if he know the area,his response was yes sir are we in trouble. No I said, not if you get get us back to the area I pointed to on my map. He said no problem and we all crammed into his vehicle (girlfriend wasn't happy)And I told him to drop us off about two miles from the the area I pointed on my map. So off we go and needless to say we were the the first squad to get back in and got more sleep then the rest of the company.Some squads were out all night and didn't make it back until well after daylight.We gave the kid 20 bucks and off he went. I told my squad if they said a word.Then I would volunteer them for every crap detail I could find and next time we would spend all night humping.Far as I know, nobody never said anything except my guys said Sarge your not right in the head. I Said thanks, now square away your gear ladies. SARGE

That’s awesome!!

I was not in the military but that's one of the best examples of "adapt, improvise, overcome" that I have heard. Certainly one of the most entertaining.

Classic, Guess they never asked how you did it.

Outstanding! LOL Moral of the story getter done any way you can. LOL

Love it.
Get er done

Sounds familiar! Escape n evade, kitzingen, Germany, 1986-89, 22 miles out after dark ,dropped 3 men squads on top of can do mountain. Officers patrolling roads n towns. Don’t reckon they seen 3 man squad in BDUs go by in a taxi. Had to hunker down outa sight from muster point for 3-4 hrs. We sure didn’t want to be first squad back. I told platoon sgt. we had took taxi, day before I outproccesed, but he didn’t believe me. Corp. Hall. Thank everyone that served.

I've always wondered how many times that young man told his story. Or possibly he joined the military thinking that was the coolest thing he's ever seen. I always took care of my men. Even would stand up to top(1st Sgt and officers) if needed. I was taught your men came first. Only one rule I had. Don't ever disrespect me and we would be fine. Respect and disrespect comes in many forms. I was not the type of NCO to scream, curse(tried not to), intimadate. Had to chew a few pounds off their backside from time to time, but did it in professional way. When you have respect for each other and your life depended on it. Then it's not really hard to be a leader. When it came down to it, you only have each other.
When I was preparing my squad for Desert Storm, I promised them I would get them all back even though I couldn't promise all would be well. Also, they never needed anything. My men had all they wanted. Sarge had a way getting things they needed and sometimes wanted. I miss those days. Sarge