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One of the things the US GI has developed to an art form has been the GI gripe. Whether it is complaining about the food, officers, current political situation, the weather or just life itself the American soldier has developed the gripe to an artform. My own reading and research has placed the beginning of this trend in time memorial. I have read several letters and one diary that have reassured me that the men of 61-65 knew how to grouse.
Part of my interest comes from the fact that one of the the men I portray apparently had quite the mouth on him and had developed the gripe to an artform. Enough so that it would appear that may have been one reason he was shuffled from one Regiment to another. Something fairly rare for an enlisted men, even an NCO.
My reading has been restricted primarily to the Union side of the line, I've often wondered how common the gripe was on the other side of the firing line; I'm tempted to say it was more common just from looking at the desertion rates, though I'm not certain that would be a valid measure.
I wonder if any particular Regiment, both Union and CSA had the record, if you will, for the growls and gripes etc. Many officers were unpopular, but I wonder who was griped about even in other Regiments or Brigades.
It's one thing I rarely if ever see at a Living History or re-enactment; nobody gripes. I never hear the: "Lt Col Mickey Mouse is such a worthless liar they should give him back the money he used to buy his rank; he isn't worth the..." etc. Is this just because it is an unknown quantity or is there some other reason?
I guess I'd just like to know how many of you out there do the "GI gripe." And how does one improve their "gripe."
Part of my interest comes from the fact that one of the the men I portray apparently had quite the mouth on him and had developed the gripe to an artform. Enough so that it would appear that may have been one reason he was shuffled from one Regiment to another. Something fairly rare for an enlisted men, even an NCO.
My reading has been restricted primarily to the Union side of the line, I've often wondered how common the gripe was on the other side of the firing line; I'm tempted to say it was more common just from looking at the desertion rates, though I'm not certain that would be a valid measure.
I wonder if any particular Regiment, both Union and CSA had the record, if you will, for the growls and gripes etc. Many officers were unpopular, but I wonder who was griped about even in other Regiments or Brigades.
It's one thing I rarely if ever see at a Living History or re-enactment; nobody gripes. I never hear the: "Lt Col Mickey Mouse is such a worthless liar they should give him back the money he used to buy his rank; he isn't worth the..." etc. Is this just because it is an unknown quantity or is there some other reason?
I guess I'd just like to know how many of you out there do the "GI gripe." And how does one improve their "gripe."
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