Well, I served 4yrs in the Norwegian army, including 27 months deployed in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and Bosnia….and I can honestly say, that in either of the 3 units I served in…I NEVER met anyone who did it for King and Country….or freedom and safety for the people in the Balkans. The reasons were many…we had one that served half a contract so he could get enough money to buy a very expensive photo camera…but he got fired when this was brought to the officers attention.
Mostly it is as has been mentioned…..excitement and getting to do something that you will NEVER get to do in civilian life……and don’t forget about the money.
Nothing like serving a couple of contracts, and then go home to start your studies without having to take up a massive bankloan.
When I was 21yrs old, I had command of a 23 ton vehicle bristling with guns, a crew of 3 with me and up to 10 guys in the back…and we would go on patrols, stop cars to check papers etc etc…often our orders were to provide safety for the locals in a certain area for a 12hrs. Big stuff for a 21yr old, but exciting. It also gave a sense of accomplishment…after all, we were helping people!! Did King, Country, Honour, our People and our Freedom ever get mentioned…not that I am aware of.

Here is a couple of me from today.

Normally don’t take any pics of myself…..

Here I am reflecting about the meaning of it all….

Its the late 1930s, and an old woman is on her first flight in an airplane.
The flight is at night, and mostly in the clouds. After landing the old woman asks the cabin personell to tell the pilot he was doing a fantastic job.
A little curious as to how an old woman on her first ever flight can now that it was a good flight, they ask her what she means.
“I kept a good eye on his flying, and he stayed between the red and the green light ALL the way!!!”

I would have to agree with the Norwegian Army boots….best pair of boots that I have ever tried for flying.
One thing is to wear the appropriate footwear for the flight….but as my instructor told me : Wear what will be appropriate for the walk away from the crash site…Made sense to me.
And no, I don’t plan to crash…not many do.

Who needs trucks???
As Bruce Campbell said in Army of Darkness….”This is my BOOMSTICK!!”
Small, fast (35knots), stops in one and a half boatlengths, front opens up and a Hellfire missile team dismounts. Way better, faster and not to mention cooler than a truck!!

Stridsbåt 90N (combat boat—direct translation)

The so-called Crash Stop…

Doors open and people getting out….

And…

Also a couple of the Norwegian Navy “spy” ship Marjata….a somewhat strange looking vessel….

I have to support the PMDG 737. GREAT machine….especially with FS2CREW as well.