Jayne's military background?

POSTED BY: VTbrowncoat
UPDATED: Saturday, May 27, 2006 06:13
VIEWED: 5818
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VTBROWNCOAT

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 8:01 PM

I am a tad confused about how exactly Jayne got his fighting skills and how he occupied his time during the Unification war.

At the beginning of "The Train Job" it's revealed that Jayne didn't fight in it.

However there's plenty to indicate in several episodes and the BDM that he's obviously got some serious military skills, far above and beyond what one would expect from being just a violent criminal.

Besides, the Unification War must've been the biggest thing going for quite a long time. I can't see how someone like Jayne, even while not fighting for one side or the other, would have stayed out of it entirely.

Wars are opportunities to some.

DOG13000

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 8:11 PM

He's just a mercenary...

You know how jocks are with playing sports, well, maybe killing folk was Jayne's way of doing this.

-----
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DAVESHAYNE

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 8:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by VTbrowncoat:
I am a tad confused about how exactly Jayne got his fighting skills

Perhaps he plays a lot of Medal of Honor on the cortex.

Quote:
and how he occupied his time during the Unification war.

At the beginning of "The Train Job" it's revealed that Jayne didn't fight in it.

Perhaps he was in prison, perhaps he faked heart disease when the draft board came calling, or perhaps Jayne lied to Mal and Zoe about his involvment in the war. Why would Jayne lie about this? Perhaps he fought for the Alliance. Cold hearted Jayne out for the most profit for himself might well have made the decision to fight for the side that was most likely to win.

Quote:
Wars are opportunities to some.

Usually for those who can avoid actually having to fight in them. Daddy Warbucks didn't earn his fortune in the trenches.

David

"A lot of people are asking me, you know, what exactly is Firefly? It's a tv show you morons!" - Joss Whedon

CHARLYO

Thursday, March 2, 2006 4:20 AM

Hmm, maybe he's just a country boy with lots of relatives that are GI? Start stalking and hunting around six, like a hillbilly with a bunch of cousins, uncles and such that are former combat vets; ex rangers and recons. That, plus a big dose of anti-authorty raising, seasoned with a bit of training with high tech crooks. You can pick up a fair amount of information that way.

"In dog years, I'm dead"

ASARIAN

Thursday, March 2, 2006 4:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by VTbrowncoat:

I am a tad confused about how exactly Jayne got his fighting skills and how he occupied his time during the Unification war.

At the beginning of "The Train Job" it's revealed that Jayne didn't fight in it.

However there's plenty to indicate in several episodes and the BDM that he's obviously got some serious military skills, far above and beyond what one would expect from being just a violent criminal.

I wouldn't necessarily call Jayne a criminal; he actually has a pretty decent heart, in a way (if I'm willing to overlook what he did to River, for a moment).

Jayne is a mercenary; and I do not see any "serious military skills". In fact, in Ariel, you just see what Jayne's strength is ... his strength! :) He just used brute force; he just kept slamming into those guards, full weight; and they just gave, eventually. Was actually a pretty hilarious scene. :)

When it comes to battle, Jayne just knows one thing best: pain is scary. :)

--
"Mei-mei, everything I have is right here." -- Simon Tam

SIGMANUNKI

Thursday, March 2, 2006 4:55 AM

I imagine, since in Ariel he mentioned that he didn't go to school, that he grew up on the streets having to pretty much fend for himself.

That tends to create a tough individual that if not really good at doing violence, will not live to Jayne's age.

So, I gather he just picked it up along the way as he'd be doing it since he was able to walk and talk.

----
"We're in a giant car heading into a brick wall at 100 miles/hr and everybody's arguing about where they want to sit."
-David Suzuki

GUTTERBALL

Thursday, March 2, 2006 5:11 AM

Well, he did perform several military-like procedures. I'm thinking of "War Stories" with him and Zoe (and Wash kinda by default) storming Niska's Skyplex. They used hand gestures and extremely tight coordination, leap-frogging their coverage to move up yard by yard.

Sure, that's partly Zoe's military training, but Jayne joined in without a question.

Of course, what kind of "soldier for hire" -- as goes the old definition of a mercenary -- would Jayne be if he didn't know his job? Remember all the precision sniping and his tracking skills?

Not saying he actually has military training, though. If he says he didn't fight in "no war", I believe him. He's never been particularly cagey about his past -- just close-mouthed.

I vote for him being a military brat -- father in the service well before the war, family moving from outpost to outpost until Dad was killed in service (leaving poor Mom and little Maddie with the damp-lung poor enough to appreciate the credits Jayne forwards home), giving Jayne just enough distaste for the service that, despite his talent for military tactics and strategy, he refused to join up and instead became a mercenary.

*grin*

Of course, that's the writer in me filling in blanks that may not be there. I just like the sound of it.

________________________________________

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DAVESHAYNE

Thursday, March 2, 2006 5:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by GutterBall:
Of course, that's the writer in me filling in blanks that may not be there. I just like the sound of it.

Filling in blanks is pretty much all we any of the rest of us are doing in this thread. No reason to feel self concious about it.

David

"A lot of people are asking me, you know, what exactly is Firefly? It's a tv show you morons!" - Joss Whedon

AUSSAY

Thursday, March 2, 2006 5:58 AM

I always imagine Jayne fighting for some border planet militia because it seems like he definetly has some military skills but not as refined as the Alliance or even the Browncoats

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SIGMANUNKI

Thursday, March 2, 2006 6:28 AM

It's true that he has displayed military knowledge. But, then again, how long has he been running with Mal and Zoe? He would have to pick some stuff up if he didn't know it before, because that's how they would've communicated. Gotta be able to do the work.

Also, I know a lot of military stuff and all I've seen is tv shows, movies, etc. And I my career path has been computer programmer (dot bomb victum) and now I'm getting into mathematics/physics (almost got my undergrad).

So, I don't think that being able to execute a mission military style is proof of military service, or being related to someone in military service.

That's my take on it anyway

----
"We're in a giant car heading into a brick wall at 100 miles/hr and everybody's arguing about where they want to sit."
-David Suzuki

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