EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW IN LIFE I LEARNED AS A HELICOPTER PILOT IN VIETNAM.
a.. Once you are in the fight, it is way too late to wonder if this is a good idea.
b.. It is a fact that helicopter tail rotors are instinctively drawn toward trees, stumps, rocks, etc. While it may be possible to ward off this natural event some of the time, it cannot, despite the best efforts of the crew, always be prevented. It's just what they do.
c.. NEVER get into a fight without more ammunition than the other guy.
d.. 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.
e.. Cover your Buddy, so he can be around to cover for you.
f.. Decisions made by someone above you in the chain-of-command will seldom be in your best interest.
g.. The terms Protective Armor and Helicopter are mutually exclusive.
h.. Sometimes, being good and lucky still is not enough.
i.. "Chicken Plates" are not something you order in a restaurant
.j.. If everything is as clear as a bell, and everything is going exactly as planned, you're about to be surprised.
k.. Loud, sudden noises in a helicopter WILL get your undivided attention.
l.. The BSR (Bang Stare Red) Theory states that the louder the sudden bang in the helicopter, the quicker your eyes will be drawn to the gauges. The longer you stare at the gauges the less time it takes them to move from green to red.
m.. No matter what you do, the bullet with your name on it will get you. So, too, can the ones addressed "To Whom It May Concern".
n.. If the rear echelon troops are really happy, the front line troops probably do not have what they need.
o.. If you are wearing body armor, they will probably miss that part.
p.. Happiness is a belt-fed weapon.
q.. Having all your body parts intact and functioning at the end of the day beats the alternative.
r.. If you are allergic to lead, it is best to avoid a war zone.
s.. It is a bad thing to run out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas all at the same time.
t.. Hot garrison chow is better than hot C-rations which, in turn, is better than cold C-rations which, in turn, is better than no food at all. All of these, however, are preferable to cold rice balls, even if they do have the little pieces of fish in them.