1945 Then & NOW!!!!! 1945- Rifles were made of wood and steel, shot a .30 caliber bullet and killed the enemy. Now- Rifles are made of plastic and aluminum, shoot a .22 caliber bullet,and wound the enemy. 1945- The winning side used a US made .45 Caliber pistol, The losers used a European 9mm. Now- We use a European 9mm pistol. Nobody uses the .45. 1945- If you smoked, you had an ashtray on your desk. Now- If you smoke, you are sent outside and are treated like a leper. 1945- If you said "damn", people knew you were annoyed and avoided you. Now- If you say "damn" you better be talking about a hydroelectric plant. 1945- NCO's had a typewriter on their desks for doing daily reports. Now- Everyone has an internet computer, and they wonder why no work is gettingdone. 1945- We painted pictures of pretty girls on airplanes to remind us of home. Now- we put the real thing in the cockpit. 1945- Your girlfriend was at home, praying you would return alive. Now- She is in the same foxhole, praying your condom worked. 1945- If you got drunk off duty, your buddies would take you back to the barracks to sleep it off. Now- If you get drunk any time they slap you in rehab and ruin your whole career. 1945- You were taught to aim at your enemy and shoot him. Now- You spray 500 bullets into the brush, don't hit anything, and retreat because you are out of ammo. 1945- Canteens were made out of steel. You could heat coffee or hot chocolate in them. Now- Canteens are made of plastic. You can't heat anything in them and they always taste like plastic. 1945- Officers were professional soldiers first. They commanded respect. Now- Officers are politicians first. They beg not to be given a wedgie. 1945- They collected enemy intelligence and analyzed it. Now- They collect our pee and analyze it. 1945- If you don't act right, the commander might put you in the stockade till you straighten up. Now- If you don't act right, they start a paper trail that follows you forever. 1945- Medals were awarded to heroes who saved lives at the risk of their own. Now- Medals are awarded to people who show up for work most of the time. 1945- You slept in a barracks, like a soldier. Now- You sleep in a dormitory, like a college kid. 1945- You ate in a Mess Hall. It was free and you could have all the food you wanted. Now- You eat in a dining facility. Every slice of bread or pat of butter costs, and you can only have one. 1945- We defeated powerful countries like Germany and Japan. Now- We can't even beat Iraq or Yugoslavia. 1945- If you wanted to relax, you went to the Rec Center, played pool, smoked, and drank beer. Now- You go to the Community Center and can still play pool. 1945- If you wanted a beer and conversation you could go to the NCO or Officers Club. Now- The beer will cost you $1.75, membership is forced, and someone is watching how much you drink. 1945- You could buy quartermaster gas tax free because it was on a military reservation. Now- AAFES charges you the tax but pockets the money themselves because it is on a military reservation. 1945-The BX/PX had bargains for GI's who didn't make much money. Now- You can get better merchandise cheaper at Wal Mart. 1945- We could recognize the enemy by their Nazi helmets. Now- We are wearing the Nazi helmets. 1945- We called the enemy things like "Krauts" and "Japs" because we didn't like them. Now- We call the enemy things like "opposing forces" and "aggressors" so we don't offend them. 1945- Victory was declared when the enemy was dead and all his things were broken. Now- Victory is declared when the enemy says he is sorry. 1945- If you killed an enemy soldier, you could bring home his rifle as a trophy. Now- If you bring home anything at all as a trophy you get a court martial. 1945- A commander would put his butt on the line to protect his people. Now- A commander will put his people on the line to protect his butt. 1945- After the war, you could buy your own rifle off the government, cheap. Now- You can't be trusted with your own rifle, and you'll be jailed if you ever get one. 1945- Wars were planned and run by generals with lots of important victories. Now- Wars are planned and run by politicians with lots of important pantyraids. 1945- We knew we were fighting for freedom. The country was committed to winning. Now- We don't know what we are fighting for. The government is committed to Socialism. 1945- All you could think of was getting out and becoming a civilian again. Now- All you can think of is getting out and becoming a civilian again