In these stressful times I want to put a smile on faces especially retired Helicopter Pilots who have been and will be VFW and Legion Post Commanders.
EVERYTHING I EVER NEEDED TO KNOW IN LIFE I LEARNED AS A HELICOPTER PILOT.
- Once you are in a fight it is way too late to wonder if this is a good idea.
- NEVER get into a fight without more ammunition than the other guy.
- The engine RPM and the rotor RPM must BOTH be kept in the GREEN. Failure to heed this commandment can affect the morale of the crew.
- Decisions made by someone above you in the chain-of-command will SELDOM be in your best interest.
- Sometimes, being good and lucky is still not enough.
- Loud sudden noises in a helicopter WILL get your attention.
- If the rear echelon troops are really happy, the front-line troops probably do not have what they need.
- If you are wearing body armor, they will probably miss that part.
- Happiness is a belt fed weapon.
- Having all your body parts intact and functioning at the end of the day beats the alternative.
- If you are allergic to lead it is best to avoid a war zone.
- It is a bad thing to run out of airspeed, altitude and ideas all at the same time.
- Everybody is a hero… on the ground… in the club… after the fourth drink.
- A free fire zone has nothing to do with economics.
- The further you fly into the mountains, the louder the strange engine noises become.
- Medals are OK but having your body and all your friends in one piece at the end of the day is better.
- C-4 can make a dull day fun.
- Always make sure someone has a P-38. (That’s a can opener for those of you who aren’t military.)
- Prayer may not help . . . but it cannot hurt.
- If everyone does not come home, none of the rest of us can ever fully come home either.
Do not fear the enemy for your enemy can only take your life. It is far better that you fear the media, for they will steal your HONOR. - If you have not been there and done that… you probably will not understand most of these facts.
