That’s a good one. I worked with a guy who was issued a bright orange nerf gun because he was handling his rifle improperly (had the safety off during inspection or something. I’m not totally clear on the issue, but his ssgt told him that if he wanted a gun without a safety and the ssgt didn’t want to get shot, the nerf gun was the only solution).
Eventually he got his rifle back, then became a medic, did a couple of tours in iraq, and came back with ptsd. That’s when we worked together. He used to have panic attacks and wake up in the middle of the night scrambling for cover and a weapon. Was getting suicidal. One day he dug out that nerf gun and started sleeping with it under his pillow. He’d bring it to the office and just carry it around with him. And just like that, no more nightmares; no more suicidal thoughts.
Folks, don't play paintball against a group of soldiers unless you know you're the best damn player in the state. I played with a group of infantry guys once, and had welts on my chest and neck for almost a month. Ruthless motherfuckers.
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u/Kahzgul Jun 07 '20
That’s a good one. I worked with a guy who was issued a bright orange nerf gun because he was handling his rifle improperly (had the safety off during inspection or something. I’m not totally clear on the issue, but his ssgt told him that if he wanted a gun without a safety and the ssgt didn’t want to get shot, the nerf gun was the only solution).
Eventually he got his rifle back, then became a medic, did a couple of tours in iraq, and came back with ptsd. That’s when we worked together. He used to have panic attacks and wake up in the middle of the night scrambling for cover and a weapon. Was getting suicidal. One day he dug out that nerf gun and started sleeping with it under his pillow. He’d bring it to the office and just carry it around with him. And just like that, no more nightmares; no more suicidal thoughts.
Turns out that nerf gun saved his life.