‘Are You Guys That Stupid?’ NJ National Guard Trucks Stall in Roof-High Water
- Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:00pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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There are a lot of flooding videos out there ever since Hurricane Irene rolled through the Northeast. Most of them are devastating. So we thought it would be a good change of pace to bring you one that might make you chuckle.
Below you’ll find a video that allegedly shows a convoy of New Jersey National Guard trucks trying to drive through an extremely flooded roadway. There are a couple interesting elements. First, it’s amazing that the trucks make it most of the way, despite water that is so high it covers the windshield. Two, despite that, it’s still curious why the guardsmen are trying to do it. And three, how about the guy recording it all that’s ridiculing them for it?
“How is that possible,” he asks. Another man off camera can be hard saying, “It’s the Army, yo.” And that’s all before he asks out loud, “Are you guys that stupid?”
See it all below:
So how is it possible? It’s partly because, you’ll notice, the exhaust pipe [one reader wrote in to say it is actually the air intake] is located near the top of the cabin. But even that can’t fully prevent the trucks from stalling in such high water.
(H/T: Buzzfeed)
UPDATE:
NJ.com has a picture showing that, indeed, the National Guardsmen had to be rescued.
Additionally, Jalopnik says the vehicles are LMTVs (light medium tactical vehicles). And although they are regularly used for travel in high water, they obviously do have their limits. Here’s video of one not under water:
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Comments (246)
hauschild
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:28pmC’mon – they’re Weekend Warriors; which is to say, not brain surgeons. But, it’s not their equipment, right? There’s more where those came from.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:34pm… it’s still taxpayer money being thrown away … butheads.
Report Post »Al_Capone
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:48pmthe writer apparently does no back ground research and doesn’t know his vehicles.. these machines are built to withstand water to its wind shields. they do have there limitations though
Crimson Aviator
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:22pmHey jack wagon, Guardsmen and Reservists have a higher rate of college graduation than the regular army and have a higher level of proficiency. Not to mention they’re trying to roll through there to get to the fools who decided not to evacuate. Why don’t you watch your “dumb weekend warrior” comments, since it‘s the Guard that’s fighting these conflicts. You’ve clearly never been taught respect, I certainly don’t see you out there risking your safety to help people.
Report Post »Patrick in AZ
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:26pmThese vehicles are designed to do this sort of thing – to a point. In this case, they exceeded that point.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:31pmLook, it’s sleazy hippo and friends…..
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:40pmShouldda sent in the navy reservre. They have boats!!
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:46pmEven if the engines snorkels keep them going, what do the passengers do, hold their breaths?
Report Post »seanscythe
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:54pmSry I would have pushed this guy in the water after calling them stupid, nvm I’m not sry I would have felt good about it.
Report Post »chalkdust
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:58pmThey have snorkels that hook to the breather but the water level appears to exceed that.
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 4:12pm@Crimson Aviator
Respect? The commentator is correct…these guys are stupid. No respect is due when they act like idiots. I bet their C.O. called them stupid too.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 4:19pmmission first.
Report Post »Czar Casm
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 4:21pmOK, I can see putting a cautious faith in the equipment that can go through deep water to some level but, come on boys, one at a time. Then the high and dry one can rescue the low and wet one.
Report Post »LOLReally
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 4:26pmTypical New Jersey behavior, sit around doing nothing making fun of the ones risking thier lives to help you and your neighbors. I have NEVER met a nice person from jersey, thieves,liars and conmen.
Report Post »SmoothCrimiNole
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 4:31pmyou must realize that they didn’t stall due to the water. the water got too deep, the vehicle became bouyant and lost traction…big difference.
Report Post »David B Rich
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 4:33pmThese vehicles are designed to traverse high water. They have their limits. The National Guard are trained by the US Army. They are well equipped for the task. A bad error in judgement, always know the depth of the water you will be traversing prior to entry. Also, know where the point of “no return”. Usually prior to loss of visibility. Should have turned around prior to the intersection and headed back to higher ground. Reverse is no option, unless you wish to drown everyone in the vehicle. Decimate error in judgement from someone trained to traverse high water.
Report Post »korbin
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 4:41pmWhats funny is these are the same people that will be going house to house confiscating firearms and road blocking, and implementing marshal law as soon as the our great president manufactures a good enough reason /disaster/homeland insecurity event. I guarantee one thing, our valiant Marines will not partake in this crap, they are way to disciplined to turn on their fellow Americans. I know for a fact. No not all but most army will. Come get me. calling from commufornia sorry to put the scare in you all but save this post its coming. ps. i have never voted for any socialistic official or regulation/law, i have worked my entire 46 yrs and have always paid my way and for others i.e.; high taxes, i am being forced out of my home state due to the left wing freaks in charge, hippies, tree nuts, illegal wet backs. God bless our troops and Israel.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:15pmlol. And I had a slight concern that these people might be a threat during Marshall law. It will be as easy as taking candy from a baby, since a majority of these clowns have I.Q.s of about 60, and need picture books to train them for service. I respect oathkeepers and intelligent service men and women. These Bozos are not in that classification !!!
Report Post »Floribama
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:22pmWe’re from the Government; we’re here to help!
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:28pm@KORBIN
It appears you forsee the USMC fighting the Army National Guard who is sent to collect our personal firearms. You appear to believe Duty, Honor, Country are no longer the bywords of the US Army and the National Guard component. I suggest that you talk with an ANG soldier returning from their 2nd or 3rd deployment to Iraq an/or Afghanistan and tell them what you beleive they will do. Don’t be surprised if they chastise you with vigor.
Report Post »GUT_CHECK
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:28pmafter the aircraft carriers, and attack helicopters, the chinese thought they might compete, but now they have to figure out how to drive trucks underwater… hahaha
i would love to know how they could see through murky water in order to navigate
Report Post »Wayne
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:35pmThese must be kin to Obummer, he is dumb enough to do that. people like this will vote for him again.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:37pmI can’t believe the idiots defending this lack of common sense.
Report Post »Very simple class,
Go slowly.
When you get to a point, that it is obvious that you need to STOP, You do so !!!!
When the waterline rises on windshield, what is the water depth doing class? anyone?
Yes billy, the water is RISING !!!
Does anyone know what to do when the water is rising to a precarious level?
Yes, WE STOP !!!!
Class dismissed !!!
Maybe they didn’t realize it was not a submarine !!!
Seabee79
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:39pmNobody said you had to be smart to join the army. they have the lowest asvab scores to join them.
Report Post »why do you think all us smart people join the air force or navy.
chazman
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:51pm… watching these trucks, nearly under water and still moving, is about the funniest dam thing I’ve seen in a long time! Did the driver’s have their faces plastered to the ceiling so they could breath and see where they were going? Gawd!!
Report Post »MontanaRob
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 6:07pmPersonally, I know several surgeons in the guard. And yes, one of them is a neurologist. I think these guys just got in a little over their head……rimshot!!!
Report Post »RESTOREVALUES
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 6:19pmActually they could be brain surgeons when i was in we had to train then occasionally and they can from every walk of life. usually there real job had nothing to do with their military job. so a lance corporal would be training weekend warriors of every rank. and they didn’t know much more than how to screw around.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 6:52pmCome on, my dad was never in the military and he taught me to never go into water that you couldn’t see the bottom, because you don’t know how deep it could be. come on. Stupid is as stupid does.
Report Post »Zoe
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 7:15pmHow much is one life worth?
Report Post »hifi74
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 7:20pmWow, those LMTV’s are buried. Ya know I see the story over the weekend about the Tomb sentinels and I feel proud to of been part of the Army, then this shows up and kills that high. Doh! What the hell were they thinking?
Report Post »dorightfearnothing
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 7:28pm@ chazman, what taxpayer money? It’s not like these were a couple of F-22 Raptors, and likely the trucks are fine. These trucks are supposed to be used for issues like this, at least they tried…
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 7:33pmwhat happens when you blindly follow orders?
Report Post »chris3
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 8:42pmit’s ok to call stupid, stupid, if I was their co, I would have had them doing push-ups till they croaked! But you can’t do that anymore so,I guess the mech. will just have to clean up the trucks and give some swimming drills for the rest,wow! wtf? or maybe fubar fits
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 10:27pmAnyone else notice that the air intake for the truck is higher than the air intake of the driver? My guess is that when the water level is higher than your head you shouldn’t keep going in. But that is just the common sense of a Marine for ya.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 10:27pmMaybe they thought they had “Home Made Boats”
Report Post »“How high’s the water, Mama?“ ”Five feet High & Risin’ !”
Mil Mom
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 10:32pm@Seabee79
Report Post »Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:39pm
Nobody said you had to be smart to join the army. they have the lowest asvab scores to join them.
why do you think all us smart people join the air force or navy
***
Know a guy who “Aced the asvab” Everybody was on the phone daily after him; “Where’d he go! Army of Course”!
Mil Mom
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 10:41pm@Zoe
Report Post »Posted on August 29, 2011 at 7:15pm
How much is one life worth?
***
Enough for the Savior to die for! Actually these guys really would die to save someone else, it’s one of the wonders of our ALL VOLUNTEER MILITARY!
Eliasim
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 1:03amWell soldiers are getting dumber and dumber because they are drawn from the public which is getting dumber and dumber.
Report Post »LegendaryPeanut
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 2:31amWhen it comes to being proficient at one’s job, in this situation it is not the soldier driving the truck who made the call to drive into water this high. It was the TC aka Truck Commander, or the CC aka Convoy Commander. So the soldiers themselves are not this stupid, however their leadership was. I personally would rather cut off both trigger fingers rather than deploy with a nasty girl or weekend warrior. I was 1CD 1BCT and it got to a point where our leadership became leadershit. Nobody ever knew what was going on and always seemed to be out for themselves. So here I sit a civilian (A Happy One) that still has respect for all branches of the military. None higher than the other, however it is sad that they didn’t have the smarts enough to think twice before entering such high water. As far as taking someone who cannot swim, they don’t get a choice, can’t swim OH WELL. You better learn quick, they don’t give swimming lessons in basic, they teach you to shoot and follow orders and that is about all the training these guys get. So keep these things in mind before you call them ALL stupid because it was most likely 1 dumb persons idea that got them into this mess!
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:38amjeez, too bad those vehicles need air and fuel to run.
Report Post »FreeEnterprise
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:30amRight before they drove in, you can hear the guy in the front yell “THROUGH HELL AND HIGH WATER”…
lol.
Report Post »purplebutterfly
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:37amAnd here I’ve been walking around for 60+ years thinking I was a nice person. Thank you for opening my eyes, LOLREALLY.
Report Post »rabblechat
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:26amYea I’m sure they were having a blast! Like you said, don’t worry Uncle Sam has plenty more trucks for them to play with!
Report Post »Liberty.308
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 2:38pmYou cannot possibly be that shallow? I dare you to try that “weekend warrior” stuff with any of the thousands of Guards deployed to Afghanistan right now… or better yet, the ones who just got home.
Report Post »Ron on the Rio Grande
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:42pmOK lets give a little thought about this before we post.
1. Who tried to help? The Guardsmen or the video makers? The Guard.
2. Who knew just how deep the water was? No one..
3. Who is smarter? The Guard or the rest of you ? Neither.
4. Who in their right mind expects 100% success 100% of the time? Only those who have never had to deliver.
Concllusion, everyone who has never even tried to rescue others should STHU.
Report Post »BTW: I live in TX and kniow no one in the NJ NG.
thegreatcarnac
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:25pmWhy aren’t these yankees in Iraq??? Everyone else‘s nat’l guard is.
Report Post »notmeatglennbeckdotcom
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:31pmYou sure you want to put these guys in harms way?
Report Post »Liberty.308
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 2:47pmSeriously? Do yourself a favor and do some research before you post moronic comments like that.
Report Post »big oil iceman
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:24pmIf those are diesels they have likely drawn water into the intake and bent the con rods.
Report Post »dscon
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:44pmkiss those engines goodbye!
Report Post »250K ? for the vehicle’s each?
maybe more $ these days.
yep they were probably LTFAO.
ChiefGeorge
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:23pmCall the Navy next time for all your water operations. Jeeps are badass for most things but do not work well as submarines. These guys incharge of the vehicles should have known better, orders or not, they should have communicated the waters depth before forging into. The lack of common sense in this country and our military reminds me of the hollow military force of the 1970s. I want names and I want them now.
Report Post »BONETRAUMA
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:50pmobama, little timmy geitner, slo joe, clinton babe,big sis. hows that?
Report Post »Gary Fishaholic
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:57pmI have to agree pretty bad judgement on their part a little common sense goes a long way. Water going over the air take well you can see.
Report Post »bobball
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 4:05pmFrom one Chief to another I agree. Send in the Riverines, or at least someone familiar with which vehicles float and which do not! :-)
Someone probably told these guys that these vehicles could withstand anything there were…WRONG.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:23pmThose vehicles are made to ford high water but there really are some limitations – common sense & good decision making have to prevail.
I wonder made that decision & if it was based on an educated risk assessment?
Someone’s rear is going to be in a sling …
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:29pm“Someone’s rear is going to be in a sling …”
Yeah, the one with the least amount to do with it – if it even gets that far.
Nobody cares any longer.
Report Post »BarryWhistlerSoetoro
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:32pmthey do make snorkel kits for Humvee, but there’s not on that vehicle.
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:32pmThere going to hang these Guys out to Dry, Literally !!
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:22pmWhat do they not understand about reverse ?
Report Post »Crack the block and float the body and short the spark plugs and stall the fan. Flood the cabin and moisturize the gas. All at once.
jaxy
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:34pmThey are diesels so they don’t have spark plugs.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:21pmI stand corrected.
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:19pmCollege Sudents! lol
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:25pm.
Report Post »What do you expect from a truck that only cost $800,000?
“Forget the truck, we’ll buy more.”
NJTMATO
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:18pm@DonaldH……..that’s not nice….and they say that WE’RE rude!! :-)
Report Post »Brizz
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:18pmNext story, Jersey Shore cast drowns in failed stunt?
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:29pmWe can only hope and dream.
Report Post »NJTMATO
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 4:00pmYES!!! PLEASE!!!! Maybe they’re on Long Island where they are really from!
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:18pmChances this will become a US Coasties training film on “how not to respond” during heavy flooding.
Report Post »BillAdams3277
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:24pmNo the waters over six feet, too deep for the Coast Guard. ETC(SS), USN, Retired.
Report Post »SouthLAConservative
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:47pmBillAdams,
I have to concur with your assessment.
Also ETC USN Retired.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:05amI’ll have to take your word for that…..3 years USN, but never went to sea. Shore billet rate. Ocean Systems Technician, Analyst……and it wasn’t Jacques Cousteau stuff.
Report Post »The_Outlaw
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:18pmMost likely it was their Commanding Officer who was ‘that stupid’. Their C.O. probably ‘ordered’ these soldiers to drive through that flooded area, even after the drivers warned the C.O. of the waters depth. In my Army experiences…Many Army C.O.‘s are indeed ’that stupid’.
Report Post »fitsgibbons
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:17pmNice try, Einstein.
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:16pmNo one had a john boat? Idiots!
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:16pm“Are you guys that stupid?”
You would think before the water is up to your nostrils it might be time to put that truck in reverse.
Report Post »MotoMofo
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:14pmw00t I sent this in
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:12pmIf I Was driving a truck that I did not pay for and the owner could care less like these folks,I Would do the same thing.Give me a Government truck I would have it Bogged down and full of Bullet holes in 20 minutes.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:11pmThe guard is trying to get to where they are needed at; and come heck or high water, they make the efforts for everyone.
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:22pmThe problem is if you get stranded and need rescue yourself, you are no longer an asset, you become a liability.
Report Post »GrumpyCat
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:00pmAlso there is no point in “testing the waters” with two trucks. If one can not make it, two can not either.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:11pmWe have all seen instances where the testosterone, macho thing gets in the way of the analytical side of the brain.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:31pmI don’t think that hand anything to do with it. It’s kids being kids; hoping to break stuff, but all the while feigning concern.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:40pm@hauschild We could give them the benefit of the doubt that they were being aggressive in a good way trying to help some people and there was no other route to get there quickly. Some points for taking on a challenge.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 10:56pm@JRook
Report Post »Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:40pm
@hauschild We could give them the benefit of the doubt that they were being aggressive in a good way trying to help some people and there was no other route to get there quickly. Some points for taking on a challenge
***
Has anyone checked to see if a Senator has a Freezer full of “cold cash” floating around out there somewhere?
COFemale
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:10pmThat is so funny. Go Army! Must be public school graduates.
Report Post »tarpon
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:09pmNo snorkel kit …
Report Post »Xkiller
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:24pmThe trucks have snorkel kits built in, but what the hell was the driver breathing from?????
Report Post »krispy01
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:09pmEvidently they are that stupid.
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:08pmApparently they are that stupid! I hope the taxpayers of NJ don’t mind buying more National Guard videos. The driver likely has a future in TSA administration!
Report Post »RIGHT2ARMBEARS
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:08pmThey should have to pay for those trucks…
Report Post »netmail
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:07pmTrying his very best to help, I bet Joe Biden was in the lead truck shouting “gun it, gun it”!! (Obama went back to the golf course)
Report Post »squeaker
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 3:51pmobambam was in the rear truck…. Leading from behind…!
Report Post »Xpat48
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:04pmAre they union?
Report Post »DonaldH
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:10pmNo,, just from New Jersey,,, i.e..– North of the Mason-Dixon
Report Post »RIGHT2ARMBEARS
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:10pmIf they were union, they’d still be in there waiting for their union rep to tell them what to do next.
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:13pmgovernment employees!
Report Post »Ziplockhand
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:14pmMust be…
Report Post »NJTMATO
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 2:19pm@DonaldH…..that’s not very nice! And they say WE’RE rude…. :-)
Report Post »Patrick in AZ
Posted on August 29, 2011 at 5:56pmIf they were union they never would have gone in the water. Not because they are smarter, but because it wasn’t in their job description.
Report Post »