Myths and Jokes in Military Forces: A Collection of Humorous Tales

Has your time in the military been marred by coworker tricks or legendary jokes handed down through centuries of service? In this article, we delve into a collection of fascinating legends and rumors from various armed forces, particularly focusing on those that have been used to prank new recruits. From infantry squads in Germany to naval ships, these stories provide a glimpse into the lighter side of military life.

Infantry Jokes in 1st ID 1st Battalion 16th Regiment, Panzer Kaserne, West Germany

Radio Squelch Can: A common prank involved asking new soldiers to find a can of squelch for the radios, which doesn't exist. This prank could easily lead to wasted time and frustration. Spark Plug Check: New recruits were often asked to check the spark plugs on M-113 vehicles, furthering the illusion that the items are essential and missing. M-113 Side Sound Test: One of the most memorable pranks involved hitting the side of the M-113 with a hammer and chalk. If you heard a different sound, you were supposed to mark the vehicle with an 'X.' Grid Squares for Maps: A key prank involved seeking a box of grid squares for maps, with 'Green' for combat and 'Blue' for training. This, again, was a setup, as the items didn't actually exist. Bradley's Turret Test: Another test involved asking someone to spin the turret 25 times clockwise and 10 times counter-clockwise to remove it. It was a way to test the countless turns of the Coast Guard Cutter. C Raised After Snow: A detailed and humorous story from Grafenwoehr, where the driver of an M2A2 Bradley was asked for snow chains. Though the vehicle doesn't use chains, this trick caused much chaos, with the driver and crew swamped with inquiries.

New Recruit Jokes on the USS Kittyhawk, Also Known as 'Shitty Kitty'

When joining the deck crew of the USS Kittyhawk, new recruits faced numerous challenges, often disguised as essential tasks. Here are a few:

Yards of Flight Line: A prankster would ask a new recruit to retrieve a few yards of the flight line. The officer would then have to explain that the flight line is not a physical piece of equipment but the area where aircraft are parked and maintained. Propwash Rotorwash Padeye Covers Flight Line: These terms, though they sound technical, serve to confuse new recruits who are unfamiliar with the actual functions they perform on the carrier.

Cutter Jokes in the U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard, often known for its rigorous training, has its own set of jokes and pranks aimed at new recruits. On the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, new rookies would face these challenges:

Keys to the Sea-Box: A prank involved telling new recruits to find the keys to the sea-chest, which, of course, do not exist. Recruits would search the ship in vain for a non-existent key, losing valuable time. Damage Control Qualifications: New recruits were expected to take part in drawing the ship and obtaining basic and advanced damage control qualifications. Some tricks included assigning tasks that seemed impossible to complete.

To counteract the chaos, the best strategy was to find a coin, take a shower, and then return looking to report the success, leading to a priceless reaction from the pranksters.

These stories highlight the camaraderie and team bonding through these humorous, albeit sometimes stressful, situations. No matter the service, such pranks serve as a memorable part of a new recruit's journey into their respective military life.