# US Military Parade **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 7, 2018, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340 "2018-02-07T01:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/161 "2018-02-08T20:51:12Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The DC taxpayers who will have to pay to fix the streets after the tanks roll in, and the US taxpayers who have to pay for all of the troops movements and the tanks and flyovers, SHOULD have an issue with it. Someone up thread posted that tanks and other heavy equipment do not parade in the USA. I imagine an M1-A1 tank would rip up the paving. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/162 "2018-02-08T20:51:19Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The DC taxpayers who will have to pay to fix the streets after the tanks roll in, and the US taxpayers who have to pay for all of the troops movements and the tanks and flyovers, SHOULD have an issue with it. Well, I haven’t driven in DC in over a decade, but unless things have changed a lot the roads and infrastructure have a lot more issues than a few tanks or troops on them. 😛 I agree with what you are saying, and I’d probably have more of an issue if I lived there (or commuted into the city as I used to), but all I can muster is a meh from where I’m sitting. It’s stupid and silly and a waste, but so are a lot of things, and I don’t have any fundamental issues with parades, though I have no interest in them myself. Considering the Cheeto in Chief is still talking about his freaking wall I think the issue of waste is relative and this parade barely makes my radar at this point. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/163 "2018-02-08T21:22:06Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > If an aircraft carrier isn’t a megatoy I don’t know what is. Nonetheless, there is context to consider. The US military had just undertaken an act of aggression, successfully toppled S H al Tikriti and sowed the seeds for the rise of Daesh. The carrier was in fact being used as a sort of backdrop to highlight America’s powerful war machine, but it was used more as a trophy kind of thing (and maybe a tiny bit of a jab at old Wetstart). Right now, the US is not heavily engaged in martial action (just two decades of frustrating mop-up in Afghanistan), so a military parade is entirely out of place. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/164 "2018-02-08T21:56:35Z")
Correct me if I’m wrong but has Trump actually said anything about utilizing tanks and such or are you all filling in the details for yourselves? ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/165 "2018-02-08T22:02:18Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > Correct me if I’m wrong but has Trump actually said anything about utilizing tanks and such or are you all filling in the details for yourselves? It’s the assumption that everybody is going with. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/166 "2018-02-08T22:04:08Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > What form did your participation take? Were you part of a small ceremonial unit sandwiched between the high school marching band and the convertible carrying Miss Jefferson County, or was the parade devoted entirely to the National Guard waving around their guns and vehicles? Was it intended to show neighboring states how powerful your National Guard is? Did the governor order it because some other state rolled out a more impressive National Guard? The parade was completely national guardsmen. We didn’t have any guns that I recall or vehicles for that matter, maybe a flyover if that counts. Wasn’t really any people other than military and the governor. Often took place in a sports stadium or at the national guard base. I don’t know if the governor was trying to impress anyone but I doubt it. I don’t know that Trump is really trying to show off how powerful our military is. That would be one long parade. I suspect he just thinks of it as a way to honor the military members under his command and let them know that they have a prominent place in all our hearts. I doubt he or anyone else believes that Kim or Putin will be quaking in his boots to see a bunch of troops marching around. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/167 "2018-02-08T22:14:07Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > In [1991](https://www.buzzfeed.com/salvadorhernandez/trump-wants-a-big-military-parade-and-he-might-get-it-after?utm_term=.tpOOO8QomA#.dc9aaXnOex), to celebrate victory over Iraq in the Gulf War. At least so far Trump doesn’t appear to be insisting on giant portraits of himself being displayed during the parade like back in the USSR. :rolleyes: Don’t worry,Ii’m sure that will come soon enough! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/168 "2018-02-08T22:15:02Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > …I suspect he just thinks of it as a way to honor the military members under his command and let them know that they have a prominent place in all our hearts. You’re kidding, right? That is so (sweetly) naive. :dubious: It’s clear that he’s doing it to show that he’s the biggest enchilada on the plate. > [@](#): > > I doubt he or anyone else believes that Kim or Putin will be quaking in his boots to see a bunch of troops marching around. WE know that. I think thump believes that this show of force will convince Vlad and Kim that he’s a Big Boy now that he has access to Big Boy toys. So maybe they’ll let him in the clubhouse. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/169 "2018-02-08T22:18:13Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > Correct me if I’m wrong but has Trump actually said anything about utilizing tanks and such or are you all filling in the details for yourselves? Officials have said that he [attended the Bastille Day](https://youtu.be/8-6aoTHyAHA) Parade in Paris and said something to the effect of “_I want one like that one_”. The Bastille Day Parade did include tanks and armored vehicles, so the inference is that he is demanding that. Not sure about the rockets, though. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/170 "2018-02-08T22:21:44Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Officials have said that he [attended the Bastille Day](https://youtu.be/8-6aoTHyAHA) Parade in Paris and said something to the effect of “_I want one like that one_”. The Bastille Day Parade did include tanks and armored vehicles, so the inference is that he is demanding that. Not sure about the rockets, though. Again, someone up thread posted that tanks and heavy equipment aren’t used in US military parades. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/171 "2018-02-08T22:32:18Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Again, someone up thread posted that tanks and heavy equipment aren’t used in US military parades. What the US does already apparently isn’t sufficient to satisfy Trump. Also the dude _gold-plates_ things. I wouldn’t be surprised if he demanded they stick a functional ICBM on a flatbed and roll it past him. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/172 "2018-02-08T22:42:56Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > What the US does already apparently isn’t sufficient to satisfy Trump. Also the dude _gold-plates_ things. > > I wouldn’t be surprised if he demanded they stick a functional ICBM on a flatbed and roll it past him. Trump is why I found the tank idea plausible…he would totally want that. Some cool truck mounted ICBM’s would be great too! Maybe a giant robot with machine guns and rockets tacked on as well! Plus explosions, puppies, American flags, apple pie and of course bikini-clad beauty queens he can, um, help with ah wardrobe issues… ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/173 "2018-02-08T22:49:33Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Again, someone up thread posted that tanks and heavy equipment aren’t used in US military parades. [right](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE-KEBEaA6M&t=36m42s) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/174 "2018-02-08T22:50:24Z")
It smacks of the Dictator. Trump is not saluting the Military, he is using it as an ego boost. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/175 "2018-02-08T23:08:52Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Someone up thread posted that tanks and other heavy equipment do not parade in the USA. > I imagine an M1-A1 tank would rip up the paving. They can do abrams, if they are loaded on the lowboys, if not I can see Mattis using Strikers. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/176 "2018-02-08T23:10:07Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Again, someone up thread posted that tanks and heavy equipment aren’t used in US military parades. Well, yeah. Not up until now. But only because past presidents lacked thump’s yuuuuge [del]ego[/del] imagination. ---
**Author:** ![Hopeful\_Crow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/da6949/32.png) [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/177 "2018-02-08T23:12:33Z")
An expensive military parade just to stoke the Mango Menace’s insatiable ego? Even if he weren’t the biggest draft dodger of all, I still wouldn’t go for it. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/178 "2018-02-08T23:39:48Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The DC taxpayers who will have to pay to fix the streets after the tanks roll in, and the US taxpayers who have to pay for all of the troops movements and the tanks and flyovers, SHOULD have an issue with it. > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Someone up thread posted that tanks and other heavy equipment do not parade in the USA. > I imagine an M1-A1 tank would rip up the paving. In general a M1 tank driven correctly on a road rated for heavy use that is not already in disrepair will not tear up the pavement. Track pads are rubber and weight is distributed so that the pounds per square inch of track to road is much lower than what you may think. I’ve seen tanks driving and sliding over ice without crunching it at all. Tanks drove on the streets of Germany all the time getting to training areas. The problems occur when there are tight turns where a neutral steer is needed. A neutral steer is when one track goes forward and the other goes reverse and the tank pivots without going forward. That tears up roads. On tank ranges where it was needed they would have concrete steer pads in the roadway. You try not to neutral steer anyway because it’s hard on the track. For a straight shot down Pennsylvania Avenue it could happen without much damage to the road. Proper planning will be able to minimize or eliminate the damage. > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Again, someone up thread posted that tanks and heavy equipment aren’t used in US military parades. No we keep saying we don’t usually have military parades at all. If they want one there is no doctrine governing how to do it or laws stopping it from happening. If they want tanks then they get tanks. I have been in a civilian parade where they asked for our tank. We were able to oblige without tearing up the streets. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/179 "2018-02-09T00:10:20Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > [right](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE-KEBEaA6M&t=36m42s) But I read it on the 'Dope! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340/180 "2018-02-09T01:09:58Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > But I read it on the 'Dope! :eek: That was mentioned back in post #7. Obviously it isn’t like there has never been a display of military equipment before. And like I mentioned above with my own experiences it’s not unheard of for local units to participate in events run by surrounding communities. Military parades in the past have served to celebrate certain specific events. Even that well known fascist Jack Kennedy had military equipment in his inaugural parade. What the US does not have is a tradition of yearly displays of military might like the communist countries loved. Every 30-40 years after a specific event seems about right to me. This article has an overview of events from the 20th century. > **[This is what previous US military parades looked like | CNN](https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/02/07/us/american-military-parades/index.html)** > > President Donald Trump’s latest marching orders to the Pentagon could end a nearly 30-year hiatus of major military parades in the US. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-parade/808340.md?page=10)