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funplanet
Joined: 20 Jun 2003
Location: The new Bucheon!
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 Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 4:36 am Post subject: |
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just a quick note on the DLAB...the test basically involves a fictional language and the key is to determine vocabulary, language structure, tenses, etc....as mentioned the passing rate is around 6%-8% the last I heard...the tough language slots, which were mostly the exotic ones including the Asian, Central Asian, Russian, and all the other bizarre languages were filled by the top 1%-5% of those who passed the DLAB...not just anyone can get in as some seem to think....
It's quite amusing how all the experts on the US military are the non-US citizens...seem to know all about the racial, ethnic, and social distribution of the US military...
While it is true that it attracts a lot of people from the middle to lower classes there are quite a large number of "kids" from the upper middle class strata to the so-called "rich kids" (I am one and don't mean to strut my stuff so to speak...one's place doesn't matter to me(I hate those words because it does nothing but perpetuate class warfare)...take away those hate words and one realizes the true wonder of America...everyone has the opportunity to suceed or to fail regardless of class, race, etc etc etc....it is not government's responsibility to "guarantee" success...it's responsibility is simply to insure that we all have the opportunity to find our talents and to develop them the best we can...to find our own success whatever it may be...everyone has their own idea of success...
anyway, back to the main idea...the DLI is one of the best language institutes in the world...the FSB (post KGB) also has one of the top institutes...
Someone wrote that anyone can learn a language if you sit and study for 6-8 hours a day...well, it is more than that...it does involve a lot of cultural studies, complete immersion in culture and language, and the results are often more than just being able to speak the language...selected students are often taught different dialects and regional accents depending on the "need" at the time...during the 80's the Spanish speakers were taught to speak with various accents whether Cuban, Salvadoran, Colombian to name a few...there is some incredible talent that passes thru DLI...some choose to stay in the military or to go to CIA or NSA or government or simply to go into the business world...p.s...the washout rates are HIGH
but...it still amazes how all the armchair generals on this board seem to know all the answers concerning the US military and most aren't even American...jeeze...I understand people get certain impressions from their first experience with American soldiers here and on the surface, they are right...but dig deeper and you will find just how wrong you really are...I don't pretend to know anything about the Kiwi army though I have met a fair number of ANZA soldiers...some were great guys and some were a$$holes but I don't pretend to "know" what some of you think you "know." If I had served with them, then I would have something to talk about...
As for Brits...especially SAS...awesome guys...I'll defend those guys to the end...they serve with honor just as most Americans do...
As for living high on the hog as Triny stated...for the most part...BS! it is true that Americans have the best living conditions overall but that doesn't make up for being away from your family for a year, sometimes more, being out in the field for weeks at a time, putting up with a lot that most of YOU couldn't handle...life is not a bowl of cherries for most of those guys, especially the ones just out of high school...you think there is no stress for the kids...you are wrong...they go through more in a year than most of us go through in 5 years here in Korea...give the kids a break...most of them do love their jobs, love their country and want to serve... |
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Derrek
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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Well-said!
I am so sick of the Canadian, Aussie, and NZ "armchair experts" about America. They don't even have a clue what it's like.
Just fools wasting their time and getting angry about second-hand information delivered by an already biased media. |
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Coffeecup
Joined: 30 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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| it is not government's responsibility to "guarantee" success...it's responsibility is simply to insure that we all have the opportunity |
well said, would have to agree right down the line. |
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kiwiboy_nz_99
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: ...Enlightenment...
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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| I am so sick of the Canadian, Aussie, and NZ "armchair experts" about America |
There are not many kiwi's on here, but I'll assume you're not talking about me, as I make quite an effort to not talk about stuff I'm not informed on.
If I post an "opinion" of military guys, it's just that, an opinion. I have said that from "personal experience" the only violence I've seen has all been created by military guys, and that even when they don't fight they bring a tense and aggressive feeling down on a bar. I've also spoken to quite a few of them in various situations and never met one I wanted to spend more than five minutes with. These are personal observations, not stated as facts about the military, and I stand by them. |
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HardyandTiny
Joined: 03 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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| funplanet wrote: |
| just a quick note on the DLAB...the test basically involves a fictional language and the key is to determine vocabulary, language structure, tenses, etc....as mentioned the passing rate is around 6%-8% the last I heard...the tough language slots, which were mostly the exotic ones including the Asian, Central Asian, Russian, and all the other bizarre languages were filled by the top 1%-5% of those who passed the DLAB...not just anyone can get in as some seem to think.... |
I agree that not just anyone can get into the DLI. Those with learning disorders may have a difficult time getting into the school.
It takes a little preparation. Maybe four days of prep, a couple of hours each day.
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/dlab.htm
I found that link after one search. Imagine if someone spent a few days gathering information prior to studying.
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| It's quite amusing how all the experts on the US military are the non-US citizens...seem to know all about the racial, ethnic, and social distribution of the US military... |
I don't see how you've come to this conclusion. Who thinks they're an expert and which non-citizens have made any claims to know all about..anything? I'm a US citizen, a whitey.
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| While it is true that it attracts a lot of people from the middle to lower classes there are quite a large number of "kids" from the upper middle class strata to the so-called "rich kids".... |
...absolute nonsense. Everyone knows this is not true. There's no need to even argue this point. You're living in a dreamworld.
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| anyway, back to the main idea...the DLI is one of the best language institutes in the world...the FSB (post KGB) also has one of the top institutes... |
The DLI , like most things in the military, is an inefficient waste of money.
12 months, 8 hours-a-day, to learn German. Morons.
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| ..there is some incredible talent that passes thru DLI...some choose to stay in the military or to go to CIA or NSA or government or simply to go into the business world...p.s...the washout rates are HIGH |
So just because people go on to the military, CIA or NSA they are talented? PS: Maybe the brain-washout rates are high.
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| As for living high on the hog as Triny stated...for the most part...BS! it is true that Americans have the best living conditions overall but that doesn't make up for being away from your family for a year, sometimes more, being out in the field for weeks at a time, putting up with a lot that most of YOU couldn't handle...life is not a bowl of cherries for most of those guys, especially the ones just out of high school...you think there is no stress for the kids...you are wrong...they go through more in a year than most of us go through in 5 years here in Korea...give the kids a break...most of them do love their jobs, love their country and want to serve... |
Korea's a great tour.
I think some of the female military members have it rough, most don't, they too are enjoying their new life in a high-rise luxury apartment..
Most of the married guys are happy to be away from there families so they can relax a nd hopefully get a Korean babe in the sack for a few months. The Korean tour does cause many divorces within the military, not because it's difficult, but becuase the guys can't seem to keep their sausages in their pants.
It's a big party over here in Korea. Fancy apartments, no bills, no responsibilities, plenty of prostitutes to go around, that's the deal for the most part.
And right, most guys are young and not married and NOT away from thier families. They're up North in their "SOFA ONLY" clubs screwing Filipinas. Whooooa, that's rough. |
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Derrek
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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| kiwiboy_nz_99 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I am so sick of the Canadian, Aussie, and NZ "armchair experts" about America |
There are not many kiwi's on here, but I'll assume you're not talking about me, as I make quite an effort to not talk about stuff I'm not informed on.
If I post an "opinion" of military guys, it's just that, an opinion. I have said that from "personal experience" the only violence I've seen has all been created by military guys, and that even when they don't fight they bring a tense and aggressive feeling down on a bar. I've also spoken to quite a few of them in various situations and never met one I wanted to spend more than five minutes with. These are personal observations, not stated as facts about the military, and I stand by them. |
Actually, wasn't thinking of you. I do remember enjoying your posts on occassion. |
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kiwiboy_nz_99
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: ...Enlightenment...
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Actually, wasn't thinking of you. I do remember enjoying your posts on occassion. |
We're in sync now Derrek, can ya feel it? |
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just because
Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 11:50 pm Post subject: |
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Derrek,
i like your posts and think you are a good guy(but you do seem a bit glum at times), however this post erked me a bit.
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| am so sick of the Canadian, Aussie, and NZ "armchair experts" about America |
I come from Australia and I am so sick of American armchair experts telling what it is like to live in Australia because
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They don't even have a clue what it's like.
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I am so sick of ignorant(and I know not all Americans are ignorant, i have two excellent and enlightened American travel buddies) Americans telling me how in Australia we all have kangaroos for pets, and drive our airplanes to the doctor because we all live so far apart,etc,etc..
No offence but Americans as a nation would have to be the most ignorant people in the world. |
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William Beckerson
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Derrek, summing up other posters wrote: |
| I am so sick of the Canadian, Aussie, and NZ "armchair experts" about America. They don't even have a clue what it's like. |
And they wouldnt need to exist if Americans knew a damned thing about their own country. I've only seen such blind, thoughtless devotion to nationalism and TV propaganda whenever the topic comes up here, and when Koreans tell me about the power of Kimchee.
Face it. America is #1, and like it or not, the rest of the world has to become experts on America just to deal with you. And that means the experts will tell you about it.
Also because you're all sitting back and wasting your historically unheard of freedoms wondering who the next Survivor will be instead of doing simple things like actually voting for your presidents, learning about America's relationship with the rest of the world, and becoming experts yourselves.
So, while you're all casting around looking for reasons why everyone doesnt fall at your feet in adoration for you because of your birthplace, I'd suggest looking long and hard in the mirror.
As for the GI topic:
Most of them are good folks, some of them are assclowns. Just like the rest of the Americans not online. |
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kiwiboy_nz_99
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: ...Enlightenment...
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| Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 12:52 am Post subject: |
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So, while you're all casting around looking for reasons why everyone doesnt fall at your feet in adoration for you because of your birthplace, I'd suggest looking long and hard in the mirror.
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But don't look too long, you're american and therefore beautiful, so you might become aroused and be tempted to abuse yourself, this would be shameful in the eyes of God. |
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maxxx_power
Joined: 17 Mar 2003
Location: BWAHAHAHAHA! I'M FREE!!!!!!!
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| Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 12:58 am Post subject: |
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Hardy,
Have you taken the DLAB or been a student at DLI? I'm sure you've met soldiers who have gone there but I was curious how you can claim so much? |
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Derrek
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 1:18 am Post subject: |
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| Beckerson = Armchair assclown |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 1:27 am Post subject: |
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I've met plenty of cool G.I's. however there are some that appear to be living out Rambo/terminator fantasies and believe they're saving the world by downing multiple bottles of cass, in quick succession in geckos. Then they just make a nuisance of themselves. By the power of greyskull, I took the p*ss out of he-man in geckos one night, fortunately for me I guess G.I's aren't allowed to beat the brains out of civilians, only eachother, and his mates restrained him.
When are they relocating yongsan to the other side of korea again? |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 2:49 am Post subject: |
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| rapier wrote: |
| When are they relocating yongsan to the other side of korea again? |
If the Osan area is the other side of Korea, you really need to get out a little more.
About Armchair Experts on America: If that's what you wanna do, be an expert on another country, so be it, but when that quiet American dude sitting at the table with you doesn't really want to talk about it, don't bother him no more. |
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maxxx_power
Joined: 17 Mar 2003
Location: BWAHAHAHAHA! I'M FREE!!!!!!!
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| Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 5:00 am Post subject: |
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| Zyzyfer wrote: |
| when that quiet American dude sitting at the table with you doesn't really want to talk about it, don't bother him no more. |
Thank you, I end up being that guy more than I like. |
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