Comments by "" (@BobSmith-dk8nw) on "USS Balao - Guide 169" video.

Yeah ... that's one thing about those Americans ... they did love to increase their fire power ... and ... weren't shy about doing whatever they thought they needed to do - to do it ... Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines they augmented what they had when they could. I wonder though sometimes ... if there's been a decline in the level of amateur mechanics that existed under the car culture of the '30's, '40's, '50's, '60's and '70's. Back then - all the schools had an Auto Shop Class and there were all these cheap, old cars that could be had for a song - that you could fix with a screw driver and socket set. Now ... there are no more Auto Shop Classes ... insurance rates on boys are to high for them to drive - so their girl friends do it and the engine systems of today's cars are controlled by computers you need a factory interface to talk to ... .
2
@glennricafrente58 That and team sports. Team sports was always the best training for being in the military. Gets people used to being in a hierarchical structure, obeying orders, understanding having a specific role in a larger unit and working as part of a team to accomplish a goal. And of course there's the fitness side of that too, that and getting banged about a bit. Other things that help are Scouts and High School Jr. ROTC. Then there's Marksmanship, Hunting, Hiking and Camping. And of course - not being stupid ... .
2
@huntermurphy2148 Yeah ... in most units there's a "Go To Guy" that knows how to do something - so if you want that thing done he's the guy you go to. It's just that in the old day's they were all mechanics. I just don't know about today ... whether THAT has changed. .
1