Originally posted by: Gaffer Tape Wow, Scruffy, this is a lot of insight into something I admit I've never really given a lot of thought to. Cool stuff.
I’m guessing based on the use of the term REMF (Rear Echelon Mother Fuckers; essentially combat support/combat service support personnel i.e S1/G1 admin types, Cooks, Mechanics, et al) that Scruffy is either a Veteran or a Military Brat.
Based on his familiarity with tactics and SOP I’d guess it’s most probable that Scruffy is a Veteran. The following statement is especially telling:
“Docking Bay 94 was a case of an officer or NCO getting time-sensitive intelligence and rushing a unit into a mission it wasn't trained for.”
Here Scruffy illustrates that a leader (Officer/NCO) has a good grasp of what his theoretical responsibilities are (to “seek responsibility and take responsibility for my actions”), but does not have full grasp of his unit’s capabilities. The leader Scruffy described was following the NCO Creed to, “exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders.” That being the case I’ll lay odds that Scruffy was an NCO in the US Army.
If my train of logic is correct then I extend a heartfelt “Huah” and “Air Assault” to Scruffy from a former 98J202T.