What are the common elements in military horror stories?

One common element is the setting. Often, it's in isolated places like abandoned military bases, remote forests or in the middle of the ocean. Another is the unknown enemy. It could be something that can't be easily explained, like ghosts or strange creatures. For example, in many stories, soldiers encounter shadowy figures that seem to defy the laws of nature.

Delays are a very common element. There could be bureaucratic red tape causing delays in getting the necessary approvals for a move. Or there could be issues with the transportation means, like a plane having mechanical problems and not being able to take off on time. Additionally, a lack of proper planning is often seen in these horror stories. If the military doesn't accurately estimate the amount of supplies needed during the move, soldiers might end up without essential items like food or water for an extended period.

One common element is the complex legal procedures. Military divorces often involve federal laws, military regulations, and state laws all at once, which can be a maze for the divorcing parties. For instance, dividing military pensions can be extremely convoluted.

The feeling of isolation can be a key part. Think about MPs in a remote location, cut off from proper backup or support. They face difficulties alone. Also, misinformation can play a role. They might be given wrong intelligence about a situation, which leads them into dangerous scenarios. For instance, being sent into an area thinking it's secure when it's actually a hotbed of enemy activity.

False promises are common. Recruiters might promise a certain lifestyle, job, or benefits that don't actually materialize. For example, promising a cushy office job but delivering a combat - related position.

Hazing is quite common. Seniors might make juniors do demeaning tasks like cleaning their boots with a toothbrush. It's humiliating and scary for the new cadets.

A common horror story is the sudden and unexpected relocations. The military can order a transfer at any time, and the wife has to quickly uproot her life, find new schools for the kids, and make new friends in a new place. It's extremely stressful.

Well, often there are problems with paperwork. The pay office might lose important documents that are needed to process pay correctly. And bureaucracy can be a huge problem. There are so many levels of approval and checks that even a simple pay adjustment can take forever. For instance, if a soldier gets a promotion and the pay office doesn't update it quickly, it can lead to underpayment for a long time. They also sometimes have issues with data entry errors which can mess up the whole pay system for an individual.

Isolation. Often, in IT horror stories, the characters are isolated. For example, a lone system administrator might be the only one in the server room when something strange starts to happen with the servers. Another common element is the loss of control. The technology that is supposed to be under human control suddenly starts acting on its own, like a self - driving car going berserk in an IT - related horror scenario.

Horror stories often feature a protagonist who is in over their head. They might start out as an ordinary person, like in 'Rosemary's Baby' where Rosemary is just a normal woman, but then they are thrust into a terrifying situation. Settings also play a big role. Abandoned asylums, cemeteries, and old mansions are common settings in horror stories as they have an air of mystery and danger already associated with them.