Re: [OT] Update JohnA

>
>
>>It sounds as if the 4 ID trooper has some professional jealousy. If
you
>>    
>>
>are 
>afraid to jump just say "I am scared." The bottom line is a riding
soldier
>is a lazy soldier. They are both on the same team and both are very
>important. However to say that a line grunt is the same as the man who
>volunteers to be dropped from an aircraft miles behind enemy lines is
>ridiculous. 
>
>  
>
Let's compare the 101st and 4th Infantry Divisions casualties
For WWII
101st Airborne Division: first battle was Normandy
	  KIA: 1,766  WIA 6,388  Died of Wounds 324
4th Infantry Division: first battle was Normandy
	   KIA: 4,097  WIA 17,371  Died of Wounds 757
Source: World War II Order of Battle, Galahad Books, copyright 1984

The problem is that the more dangerous job was that of the line grunt 
because
his job started with the landing and didn't stop until the surrender 
with very short
R&R breaks. The airborne soldier was in danger but was pulled back and
held
in reserve on a regular basis which reduced the chance of becoming a 
casualty.
Another advantage for the 101st was that with less turnover in personnel

they
were able to keep a higher level of experienced personnel who would make
fewer mistakes and result in fewer casualties (vicious circle).

Scott Siebold