---
title: "7 things you shouldn’t say to a troop about to deploy"
date: "2018-05-15"
modified: "2020-10-22"
authors:
  - name: "Tim Kirkpatrick"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/tkirkpatrick/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/humor/7-things-you-shouldnt-say-to-a-troop-about-to-deploy/"
categories:
  - "Join the Military"
  - "Military Culture"
---

# 7 things you shouldn’t say to a troop about to deploy

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17492737/origin.png>)

Before service members ship out to the front lines, they typically go on pre-deployment leave, during which they'll spend time with friends and family at various locations.

---

Most of those locations serve alcohol and when naive civilians get a little tipsy, they tend to make remarks and ask questions they probably shouldn't.

Here are just a few of the things civilians should never say to troop about to deploy.

### Related: [7 white lies recruiters tell and what they really mean](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-life/7-white-lies-recruiters-tell-and-what-they-really-mean/>)

## 1. "Shooting at people sounds like so much fun."

Grunts like to joke about how awesome it is to engage the enemy. However, the act tends to create various, collateral issues.

## 2. "If you're good at Call of Duty, you shouldn't have a problem during a firefight."

No matter how good you are at any game or how well you're trained, nothing can truly prepare you for the vigors of a real firefight.

What the f\*ck did you just say?

## 3. "I bet it feels weird as hell to get blown up."

Troops continuously think about getting wounded during their service. However, it isn't a fun thing to have swimming around your mind, and it *definitely* isn't something you want to think about while on leave.

No sh\*t, Sherlock.

## 4. "I wanted to join the military, but I went to college instead."

Even if they're kidding around, you should consider backhanding whoever makes a dumb comment like that.

## 5. "What's the first thing you're going to do when you run into a bad guy?"

No one can predict jacksh\*t. Although running into a hostile *is* a possibility, your training will help you decide on a specific course of action when the situation presents itself.

## 6. "Dude, aren't you nervous you'll come back with, like, PTSD or something?"

Worst question to ask... *ever*!

### Also Read: [7 reasons why you shouldn't be too nice in the military](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-movies/7-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-be-too-nice-in-the-military/>)

## 7. "How many people do you think you're going to shoot?"

Second worst question to ask... *ever*!

He just lost faith in humanity.

## Author
Tim Kirkpatrick entered the Navy in 2007 as a Hospital Corpsman and deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in the fall of 2010. Tim now has degrees in both Film Production and Screenwriting. tim.kirkpatrick@wearethemighty.com