Find the last historical period in which there were no wars being waged anywhere in the world if you want to spend a few hours of your day doing something tedious. It’s really difficult to do, and some people argue that there has never been a period of peace. gloomy

Given the amount of warfare that has occurred throughout our history, it makes sense that many individuals have taken part in it. Nowadays, most nations have legal procedures for this, requiring citizens to enlist in order to be recognized as soldiers. However, not every officially enlisted soldier is who you would expect them to be.

10. Wojtek Was a Bear and a Soldier in the Polish Army

War and animals have always coexisted. Dogs continue to fight in battlegrounds across the globe, elephants have had their day, and horses were employed long before motorized vehicles. However, the majority of those creatures are not formally acknowledged as real, ranked soldiers. Some, nevertheless, surpass.

During World War II, Wojtek, a brown bear from Syria, was commissioned as a private in the Polish army. The newborn bear was originally found in Iran by a group of prisoners of war who were making their way from Siberia to Egypt over the mountains. Even after their release was negotiated and they were dispatched to fight alongside Allied Forces in Italy, they continued to carry the bear with them, seeing to its needs.

Growing up surrounded by soldiers, Wojtek even picked up bad habits like drinking beer and smoking cigarettes—clearly not the best things for a bear to do. During front-line fights, it also learnt to carry ammo boxes; however, soldiers subsequently claimed that it was only transporting spent shells and not live ammunition.

The bear also picked up how to march and salute. In addition to playing soccer, he boxed and wrestled. After a while, he was appointed the company’s morale officer. They even adopted a bear as their emblem, clutching an artillery round. In the end, he received a corporal promotion.

Wojtek joined the corporation that moved to Scotland after the war. He played with his friends and helped out on a farm until the group broke up. Wojtek played and partied in Scotland for the remainder of his life, taking pleasure in the odd pint and smoke.

9. In Australia, a Six-Year-Old Girl Enlisted in the Royal Navy

Every nation’s armed forces must abide by an apparently never-ending set of regulations, directives, and protocols. Even the simplest of things are surrounded with official definitions, regulations, bureaucracy, and codes of conduct. Moreover, some of it is astoundingly absurd. In a pinch, though, at least, the same foolishness can be worked out.

The Australian Navy was subject to stringent regulations in 1920 about who was allowed and was not allowed to board military ships. For example, a lady was never permitted to board, even though the Navy states plainly that “civilians” are not permitted to board. Before Nancy Bentley was bitten by a snake one day, this would not have been an issue.

Australian snakes are dangerous, as we all know. Nancy was just six years old, and she could have easily died from a snake bite. Even worse, her father and she lived far from a hospital. However, the Australian battleship HMAS Sydney was not far behind them.

Nancy’s father pleaded for assistance as he rowed her to the ship’s docking. Captain Hayley was aware that the girl could not be treated like this on board according to laws. However, it would permit treatment of a sailor. The child was brought on board after the captain gave the order for her to be formally joined in the Navy.

Prior to being sent to a proper hospital, the girl was given the title of “mascot” and given first aid care. Nancy survived her ordeal and made it to Hobart. She was formally released eight days after enlisting.

8. Just Nuisance was a Royal Navy official sailor.

During times of conflict, a number of dogs have saved lives and carried out valiant deeds that were later honored by the government. However, it appears that Just Nuisance, a Great Dane, is the only one to join the British Royal Navy on a formal basis.

The dog was raised close to a British naval facility in Simon’s Town, South Africa. The dog was loved by the sailors, who would frequently take him for walks and give him treats. He would frequently snooze on the HMS Neptune’s gangplank. The moniker came from the fact that he was difficult to maneuver around due to his enormous size—he was nearly 6.6 feet tall when standing on his hind legs.

In what way, then, did Nuisance enlist? since he caused annoyance. When the soldiers arrived to Cape Town, the dog desired to go on shore leave with them. However, train officials sent threatening letters to the dog’s legal owner since they detested having the dog on board. Threats to put Nuisance down were among them.

The dog was adored by the sailors, therefore they brought this up with higher authority. Their commanding officer came up with a solution since he wanted to maintain morale and they didn’t want to lose the dog either. Nuisance was enlisted by the Chief of the Royal Navy. This meant that the rail company could not complain about unpaid fares for the enormous beast because he was entitled to free train travel.

His initial name was written as “Just” on the complete paperwork that accompanied his enrollment because it couldn’t be left blank. A medical examination was given to him, and he signed it with his own paw print. Despite never having been in battle, he served as a valuable member of the Navy on land, earning the formal rank of Ordinary Seaman. He was so good that he got promoted to Able Seaman later on.

After an accident when he was seven years old, Nuisance was compelled to be buried by the Navy. Complete military honors were bestowed upon him, along with a Royal Marine fire party.

7. William Windsor Was a British Army Goat.

It’s not always the case that animals do well and advance through the ranks. William Windsor, a goat, was actually demoted in the British Army for his actions.

In 2006, Billy, also known as William, a Lance Corporal in the First Battalion Royal Welsh, lost his step during a procession honoring the Queen. He was made a Fusilier instead.

Naturally, Billy wasn’t the only regimental goat; since Victoria’s reign, monarchs have honored a goat with a legend that it guided Welsh soldiers from the Battle of Bunker Hill by gifting them with a goat. Lance Corporal Shenkin was present at King Charles’ proclamation in 2022.

6. Sergeant Donald Duck served in the Army.

We can all agree that it is not extremely uncommon for animals to serve in the military at this point. That implies that we must use a fictional animal to turn things up a notch. Sergeant Donald Duck is a subject we must discuss.

As you might have observed, Donald Duck has consistently worn nautical attire. This was done as long ago as 1934. Though he eventually found a spot in the Navy, he was legally drafted into the US Army in 1941, rather than the Navy, where he appeared to fit in. He was shown in military cartoons in 1942 as a component of the US propaganda apparatus during World War II. Disney was losing money, but their bills were paid by a government contract to produce movies that supported their war efforts.

Disney created a number of military and patriotic cartoons with Donald as a model citizen of the United States, even going so far as to pay his taxes—an intriguing and thrilling idea for a cartoon, to be sure.

Additionally, Donald was made an honorary member of the Marines and Navy. His visage might have been on the side of many an aircraft, even if he wasn’t in the Air Force. Fifty years after Donald’s enlistment, he was officially granted his discharge papers and freed from Army service by the director of Army staff in 1984. This came following his last promotion to sergeant.

5. Calvin Graham Entered the US Navy at Pearl Harbor at the Age of Twelve

Calvin Graham, the youngest veteran in US history, enlisted in the Navy at the age of twelve. In 1941, Graham had left home at the age of eleven. He read about the conflict on a frequent basis since he had to sell papers to make ends meet. It was the Pearl Harbor incident that made him decide to enlist.

Graham started shaving, attempting to grow stubble, in order to sell the deception. He pretended to have a deeper voice before forging documents that were stamped with a stolen notary’s stamp and signed by his mother. Everything was going well until the medical, when the dentist attempted to extract his baby teeth and gave him the boot. Graham argued that they had already admitted 14-year-olds and that if he was denied entry, he would report them as well. It was successful.

Graham was assigned to the USS South Dakota as an anti-aircraft gunner. At Guadalcanal, he assisted in downing 26 aircraft. Graham later had severe shrapnel wounds to his face and the Dakota sustained significant damage, but he survived and assisted his comrades.

His mother watched video of the ship coming back. When she called the Navy to inquire about recruiting a child, they dishonorably discharged Graham, took away his medals, and put him in the brig. President Carter would not reverse the discharge and return his medals until 1977, following years of suffering, further service, and injuries.

4. At the Age of Eight, Momcilo Gavric Was a Soldier

It’s likely that you have heard a story or two of a soldier enlisting before turning 18. This was a rather common occurrence during World War II. We watched how Calvin Graham served at the age of twelve, and children as young as fourteen conned their way into serving by lying about their ages. In theory, this is against the law and discouraged since we don’t want kids risking their lives like this. Child soldiers, however, are not unheard of. At the age of eight, Momcilo Gravic, a Serbian soldier, was among the youngest ever.

Gravic’s family was massacred along with everyone else when his hamlet was assaulted just as World War One was beginning. The child set out on his own to locate the Serbian troops. After taking him in and being moved by his tale, they formally welcomed him into the division. He was to revenge his family three times a day by firing a cannon.

Even though he was wounded in several of the engagements, Gravic remained with the soldiers. He was promoted to corporal. When the war ended, at the age of twelve, his commanding commander gave him one final order. Go to London to complete your education.

3. Jean Thurel served nearly a century as a French soldier.

If nothing else, you expect most soldiers to be physically active and young. This helps them likely during the physical aspects of battle, such as trying to avoid getting shot or detonated. However, there is undoubtedly space in command roles for those with more years and experience. Instead of a young person who has only read about it, you want a general who has experience in the field in command. But what level of experience are we discussing? It is very experienced in France.

At the age of 100, Jean Thurel was still actively engaged in soldiering. He received the Médallions des Deux Épées from King Louis XVI for the third occasion in 1787. In recognition of 24 years of service, it was given. At the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the French military in 1716 and served in four different conflicts. At the age of 106, he continued to serve in 1804.

2. The oldest graduate of basic training in America was Monte Gould.

These days, joining the military is usually a young person’s game. Many enlist right out of high school or shortly after. However, things don’t always work out that way. A notable example is Monte Gould, who at the ripe old age of 59 completed basic training in the US Army.

Gould attended Marine boot camp in the late 1970s and is a veteran of both the Army Reserve and the Marines. Despite his advanced age, he placed in the top 10% of the modern BCT in 2020, demonstrating that skill and experience may occasionally outweigh youth. However, he did not hesitate to point out that boot camp for Marines would not be conceivable now and that it was much easier in his older years.

1. The Only Faith-Based Regiment Was the Mormon Battalion

Military duty and faith have long coexisted, albeit usually in a pragmatic manner. Although there are chaplains in the army, there are no specific religious precepts that govern military duty. There has only ever been one fully religious regiment in US history, the Mormon Battalion.

Mormon immigrants made a direct appeal to President Polk and the US government in 1846, pleading for assistance. In exchange for assistance, a man by the name of Jesse Little said the President could employ the Mormons to protect and strengthen the West. The President gave his approval and gave the order to raise a battalion of 500 men. They intended to fight in the War of Mexico. The Mormons concurred.

The regiment marched 2,000 miles on one of the hardest and longest marches in military history, despite not experiencing any action. They engaged in one formal conflict with wild cattle as well.

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