military service

[rixchard]

As I wander from board to board, it seems to me that there is a preponderous of servicemen represented . So instead of just guessing i thought i would get better data

[zippy_gg]

My military service was in France where it is mandatory and lasts 12 months, during which time you get paid almost nothing, but you get free cartons of cigs.:v:

[McAllister]

Enlisted for four years but had a hard time putting up with the BS on active duty. But 25+ years in the reserves were not too bad. Go to the base, go fly, then go home.

[kip]

spent my time in the navy
aviation electronics technician
worked on all carrier borne aircraft
was in VA-37 out of cecil field
went to sea on the JFK and the Carl Vinson
finished up at NAS Norfolk AIMD
good training, good people, amazing experiences on the carriers

[MOSLEYDS]

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/MOSLEYDS/AF_e7.gif

USAF 1970-1990

Independent Duty Medical Technician.

[Bayliner2052]

USAF '70-'74. Went in heathy, now a disabled vetern. Currently fightig the system for more help since I can no longer work with my disablitiy. The VA system sucks. JMHO:crazy:

[Steve_R]

USAF 1971 to 1976. Major duty assignments with Communications Service in Japan and Robins AFB. Would have proudly continued to serve unitl retirement, but ex didn't didn't see it that way.

[JATownsend]

How about voluteering for the draft lottery in 1970 by changing my status from 2S to 1A... And, the lottery happened and my number was like 325... I didn't get called, BUT... I didn't volunteer because my girlfriend (nee: wife of 37 years) told me she WOULD NOT WAIT FOR MY BODY TO BE SENT HOME!!

Where does that fit in?

[kosmo]

1978-81 U.S Army Airborne Infantry
82nd Airborne FT. Bragg, Italy and Panama.
You can hate the war, but you must love and support the soldier.

[deputy5211]

Absolutely.

You can hate the war, but you must love and support the soldier.

[RS6654]

1977-1990. US Army

Ft Bragg, Ft Carson, Germany, and then back to Ft Bragg.

Jump injury got me a free ride to Walter Reed on the Nightingale. I was discharged 13 days later with two plates, six screws, 12 nuts and six locking nuts in my back.

Medically retired.

[FredR]

1958 -1978 Naval communications

[Jim_Schuyler]

Great Lakes, San Diego Storekeepeer school, USS Eldorado AGC 11, S K 3

[Chockkicker]

22 + years military service 1954-1977 USAF in aircraft maintenance (crew chief), loved it and would do it again in a heart beat.
Sonny
Ret M/Sgt 2000 LT

[rixchard]

That was my dad's job in the Air Force. I loved reading all the manuals he would bring home.

[STARFIGHTER]

USAF 1960-1964
Tactical Fighter training Wing
Las Vegas Nevada

[Serebigal]

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/MOSLEYDS/AF_e7.gif

USAF 1970-1990

Independent Duty Medical Technician.

Love those Medics. Thanks for your service Don.

[PATTERSON]

22+ years......... Got to go to Texas (Lackland), Japan (Yokota, Tachikawa, Texas again (Lackland), Turkey (Incirlik), Montana (Malmstrom), Turkey again (Incirlik again), Arizona (Williams), Turkey yet again (Yep...Incirlik again), Italy (Aviano), with a final stop in California (Beale) before retiring. Got to visit Hawaii, Vietnam, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Austria, Greece, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Yugoslovia, France, Spain, England, Portugal and Korea. Worked in Med-Evac...Patient Administration.....Facility Management.... PRP...(a Nuclear Weapons Program)...Experimental Laboratory with the best job of all, as Sergeant Major in Italy (They call it something else now, I think)
I really miss it and would go back in a heart beat.

My mother carried USAF-1 as a personalized license plate on her car until I retired (yes, she was a little proud of me..) then she gave it to me. So, now it's on the bike (of course).....and in 2 more years it'll have been in the family for 40 years.

[mjac]

You left out a category.
Enlisted but were unable to reenlist due to wounds received as result of hostile enemy fire.

Semper Fi

[waycoa]

Was a trumpet soloist with two bands: Ft Belvoir '67-'68 and 8th Army Band Seoul, Korea during 1969.

[Morley]

USAF 1980-1992
Weapons loader 6 years then X-trained to Jet Mech. for 6 years. In my time in I'd been just about everywhere except the Orient. Desert Shield/Storm survivor....seperated as a disabled vet (old B-52 injury).

[Jentine]

3 years, 9 months, 28 days, 1 hour and 13 minutes on active duty, but who counts.

[The_Oracle]

Missing a category. Enlisted and rejected for service.

[hendsv]

Drafted 1966 off a ship working in Alaska. With no legal way to avoid service, decided to take advantage of the extraordinary opportunities within DOD (not available in any other sector of society) for a kid with few skills and no college. Discharged a captain of Special Forces a few years later with service in South America and Vietnam. Also acquired a wife who is still hanging around here somewhere.

[longtmrdr]

A long time ago I was USAF military dog handler stationed at Clark AFB. P.I. looked many times at the mountain they said was not a volcano? well I guess it was.

Did my time got out and 30 years or so after that I saw my son thru The USAFA graduated last year, how the Air Force has changed or maybe it was my perspective,

GO FALCONS. Denny

[Reid]

USMC 71-75. Avionics trained, then aerial photo in VMCJ squadrons. MCAS Beaufort (SC), MCAS Iwakuni (Japan), MCAS El Toro (Calif). Proud of my service but four years was plenty. Semper Fi.

[myk_edwards]

Hi,

1980 to 1996 - would still be in now, but left due to heart condition.

Miss the service life.

[fas]

Having soloed a plane as a freshman engineering student, I wanted to fly jets. Jay, my pal in Lambda Chi at Penn State, and I passed all the Air Force testing and were invited to the base for our physicals. I failed, spine not straight enough. Jay passed. He washed out as pilot, made navigator, died in Vietnam. The doc who washed me out said never get fat or you will be hurting. To this day I strive to work out thanks to that man's insight. My scoliosis is really bad, but I never knew it was a problem until that day.

[Daman858]

Bravo Company, 1st Batallion, 26th Regiment "Blue Spaders", 1st Infantry Division

1965-1967

BIG RED ONE

[sheldan2]

U.S. NAVY medical corps 1986-1995
Great Lakes, il
Bethesda, md
San Diego, ca
Desert Shield/Storm
Hawaii marine Corps Air Station, Oahu, Hi

[tlash]

A Company, 15th MI Battalion, 504th MI Group
Served at West Fort Hood, Texas, January 1978 to November 1980.

Finished my enlistment in the active reserve.

[Adventure170]

First off, my thanks to all who have served...past, present and future. I thank you for your service to our great nation!!!

USAF 1985 - present:
1985 - 1988, active duty as a USAF crew chief
1988 - 1991, USAF reserve as a USAF crew chief and AFROTC cadet
1991 - 1993, AFROTC cadet
1993 - present, active duty (Major, USAF flying E-3 AWACS)

21 years of service and still going. I figure on a couple more years and then time to get a real job....you know, one where I actually come home at night, see my family routinely, and can qualify for normal life insurance.

Still wouldn't change it for anything.

[mostlyirish]

1977-1985. US Navy Submarine Service. AKA Bubblehead.
Served on a fast attack sub out of San Diego. Then a Trident sub out of Groton, Ct. Also a stint as a NPTU prototype instructor.

[p399]

1979-1982 United States Army Military Police Corps stationed at Fort Ritchie MD which served Site" R" and Camp David. (Site "R" is better known as the Alternate National Military Command Center and was Dick Cheney's hideout after the tragic events of 9-1-1.) Although I lived inside a mountain for 3 years I would do it again in a second if asked.


Vic Pusillo
2005 LT
2006 FLHTCUI
many others long gone.

[Sidmariner]

Signed up as a Canadian Forces Air Reservist in '74 which helped me pay for university. Joined Cdn Navy in '79 as a line Officer and stayed until 2000. Served in more than 20 ships and had command of two. Went to Arabian Gulf in '97 as XO of a Cdn frigate which was part of a US Carrier Battle Group (CVBG). Got out with a pension and for six years ran my own marine supply business. Shut down the business when it was killed by West Marine, and I became "singled up". I returned to the Navy on a three year reserve contract last year, so now I am known as a "temp". I just turned 51 this weekend but, given the shortage of recruits and big personnel gaps, I will probably be asked to stay for another 5 years. The Navy is my life...but my bikes provide the adventure now.

Standing Easy...Cheers

[gfspencer]

I officially retired on Sept 13th when I turned 60!! 31 years Army!

[LFranz]

22yrs and counting.....

1984 1988 crew chief at Travis AFB on C-5s
1988 1992 at Hickam AFB Hawaii enroute maintenance for MAC
1992 1993 at Peterson AFB in Reserves C-130 crew chief
1993 to present at St Joseph, MO in ANG C-130 Maintenance Supervisor

Great friends (family) great job. :bmw:

[silverzd]

Unfortunately, your choices do not cover all military. What about "volunteered, served proudly, then retired?

[jake]

G'day from Down under.

24 years Royal Australian Navy - CPOFC (Fire Control), Spent most tours in Asian waters. Although was fortunate to visit your country and Canada in 76.
Great life many fond memories.

Miss it occasionaly but love the work I do now.

[Caper11]

Service in the Canadian Military 72/94 as a Air Movements Specials later specialized as a C-130 Loadmaster. Been on every continent except Antartica. Had lots of fun. I think I've been at every USAF Air Transport base in the world at one time or another. Enjoyed the adventure. Decided to retire when it started feeling like a job :rotf: .

[Redleg]

Retired on 1 Sept '06 after 30 years--Active Duty, Army. Field Artillery. I would gladly do it all again.

[AKChuck]

USAF 80-94. Flew rescue helicopters. Trained w/ Army at Ft Rucker, flew Korea and Philippines. Later to Japan and then Alaska.

Chuck

[ebiss9]

5 Years, 3 months active service, Jan. 1974 to Apr. 1979--MZ1 Detachment, USMC, HQMC, Andrews AFB, Safety and Survival Equipment (Parachute Rigger). "We're the last to let you down" +3 Years Active Reserve.

[mefly2]

Reported for USN aviator training summer of 1969 - Pensacola NAS - the rest is history another lifetime ago; prefer to not revisit! :cool:

[yair1956]

... don't know if it's count but ...Paratrooper. Israeli Defence Force active 74-77, reserve 77-89 ..lot of action. yok :)

[plumto1]

Spent 21 years keeping America safe, holding "Bad Guys" at bay, preserving traditional values and loving every minute. In retrospect I'd do it again in a minute - BUT ... I also love being retired in Germany and spending my days confirming all the wonderful things I've read about the K1200GT. So far .. they're all true. So ... time for someone else to keep "me" safe. Nice system - nice retirement!!

[bigapple007]

20 years and 24 days USAF. Kept all sorts of different aircraft flying during that time. Trainers, fighters, bombers and tankers. Glad I did it but definitely glad I'm retired.

[Montycs]

Drafted in 1968, enlisted Navy instead. Avionics Fire Control Technician, spent 3 years with VA 122 in NAS Lemoore, last year with VA 27 on the Enterprise, Westpac 1972. Great times!!

[CharlieVT]

Direct commision to LT DC USN in 1979 thinking I'd stay 3 years, but I forgot to get out.
Reading the posts in this thread makes me recall and appreciate all those years, the people I served with, and all those who have served.
As a dental corps officer I had the privilege of serving with and supporting lots of different communities: BlueJackets, Leathernecks, Bubbleheads, Marine and Naval Aviators, LDOs and Ringknockers. Interesting how the memories are almost all good in hindsight.

I was lucky.... I trained in the rain, but where there were shots fired in anger, I was in the rear with the gear. Field Medical School at Camp Pendelton, Combat Casualty Care Course in some old WWII POW compound in Texas. (Camp Bullis).

I'll enjoy a cup of coffee here and reflect on those years: This will enjoyable writing as I recall friends and shipmates I had, some of my best memories are of the BlueJackets and LeatherNecks I knew along the way.

NOB (Naval Operations Base) Norfolk. I always loved the sea and volunteered when the opportunity arose. The first chance was USS Milwaukee (AOR-2), several weeks doing dentistry with field gear in sick bay while AOR-2 steamed the north Atlantic doing UNREPS during an ASW exercise. (AOR-2 had a permanently assigned physician but no dentist; the program was to bring dental care to the fleet). I remember the young "snipe" in the engineroom who gave me a tour of his workspaces with an unbridled enthusiasm for that hot, noisy, somewhat dangerous job he had; poor guy had a cavity is just about every tooth in his mouth.
Then working out of a trailer/field dental clinic on the flightline at NOB.

3rd FSSG (Fleet Support Service Group) in Okinawa. Some people couldn't stand that place, I loved it. Scuba diving at night with MSGYST Benz. Hanging out with the Okinawan Hangglider group. Met my future wife there. Shipped out with 3/4 Marines aboard USS Juneau (LPD-10) for an Amphibious Training Exercise with Thai Marines. GP Tents and Field Gear. 48 hour liberty in Subic Bay, Philippines (can't talk about all that ;), Hong Kong, Pataya Beach in Thailand. Picked up Vietnamese Boat People. Memorable Shipmates and friends: Petty Office Bill Nesbitt, able and dedicated Dental Technician, and good friend. CWO2 Charlton, USMC, OIC CSSD (Combat Service Support Detachment).
Later I hitched a ride from MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Futema on Okinawa in a CH-53 to Korea; hanging from the gunner's strap taking pictures while flying low over mainland Japan. I remember one of the Marines at MCAS loaned me his flight jacket before we left, he wasn't making the flight, I was going to be gone for several days, and I wasn't stationed on the same base as he was. He didn't know who I was but loaned me his flight jacket without a second's hesitation; I didn't ask for it, he just suggested: "you might want this" and gave it to me. Yeah, THOSE guys.

SUBASE Groton. Submarine Community and Bubbleheads. Granted 30 days leave mid-tour and headed cross country with Hiromi on an R90/6 (see my avatar). You gotta love the sub community. Mostly the silent type, those guys are. ;)
And the "Nukes"; some people might think those guys were wrapped too tight, but I feel good any time I think commercial nuclear power plants are being run by Navy trained "Nukes". No nonsense professionalism.

Naval Station Phila, cheese steaks and hot pretzels... then up to Naval Air Station Willow Grove, working weekends in support of the Naval Reserve. Great motorcycle riding in PA and Delaware Water Gap area.

2 years Residency training in Baltimore and then to South Carolina.
MCAS Beaufort.

I survived telling this joke at the bar in the "O" club at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort: "How does a Marine Corps pilot know he's made a gear-up landing?" Answer: "It takes full power to taxi." Only a staff corps squid could get away with telling a joke like that to Marine aviators without bleeding and bruises. :)

Then MCRD Beaufort. "Where it All Begins". Some of you guy's know what I am talking about? "Sir, YES SIR!" Swatting sandfleas. Windsurfing across the Broad River.

Up the coast to Charleston, SC and reported to USS Frank Cable (AS-40), Department Head and occasional acting XO. Here I really got to know some of the folks who make up the back bone of the USN. Many other dept heads were LDO (Limited Duty Officers) who grew up from the ranks "Cheng" (chief engineer), "Boats" (Deck Dept Head), "Ops" (Operations Dept Head) became friends. These were salty, no-nonsense, squared away guys who got the job done. It was a privilege to have served along side them. SubTender duty was good duty; port calls in St. Thomas (scuba diving), Ft. Lauderdale (more diving), and Annapolis, MD for a tour of the Naval Academy.

Back to Okinawa, scuba diving, wind surfing, and paragliding; hours of soaring above the cliffs. (yeah, there was duty too. :) ) Then back to Subase Groton.

Torn between offers like assignment to Rota, Spain and settling the family down so the kids could spend more time with grandparents and not have to change schools again we decided not to go for the full 30 years and retired at 22 years.

"Never get the the way of a man (woman) in uniform going about their job". What I learned about rank: I retired as an 06 having declined XO assignments that might have led to Command and promotion; but in positions of Dept Head, OIC, and Directorship I came to realize to proper function of an able officer. That function was to pave the way and enable to men and women in the ranks to do their jobs, even to the point of putting yourself at risk to protect them. Get them what they need, then give them liberty. The times I was the proudest were the times I "indemnified" my subordinates. If an action was "questionable" but seemed like the right thing to do I'd tell the Chief or LPO "If anyone questions you, tell them I told you to do it." Whether it was finding a sensible shortcut to get a job done, or to grant liberty for sake of morale, I could give approval, help get the stuff they needed, and stand out of the way. They always got the job done. I love those guys.

[Jabrown]

1998-2006 Illinois Army National Guard
really liked my time...except for the whole Iraq thing but hey whatever I met my wife and we got married when returned. I was a CH47-D Chinook mechanic. I almost went to flight school but then decided that I would rather just get out of the military and ride a motorcycle.

[lucky26]

US Army 1967 - 1973
ROTC U of Montana, Infantry Officer Basic, Rotary Wing Flight School,
Sept to Dec 1968, Viet Nam with Casper Platoon, 173rd ABN, shot down Dec 11 followed by 3 months in Camp Zama, Japan. 18 months in Hi, @ Schofield and as a NG advisor with the HI Army NG aviation section. Great time flying inter island with an OH-23 giving check rides. Returned Viet Nam Jan 1971, with 1st Aviation, 61st Assault Helicopter Company "Lucky Stars: as 2nd platoon leader still supporting the 173rd @ LZ English. Also flew support for ARVIN, and the Korean Tiger Div. Another world and a whole lifetime.
Returned state side served with the 4th @ Ft. Carson and got out with 6 years and 1 day.

Riding is as close as I get to flying now. Doing the twisties is almost as good as flying low level just above or sometimes below the trees.

[jhsonderb]

6 years U.S Army Reserves: 1968-1974, Staff Sargent, E-6

[lucky26]

Any one with past military going to DC this coming Memorial week end for Rolling Thunder.
http://www.rollingthunder1.com/
In the past the LT's stand out among and above all the V rides. This is my first year taken the LT.

[Hallen12]

Your survey does not include officer ranks, who were not enlisted, nor does it include retirees, which leaves me out of the survey on both accounts. I was drafted, joined the USAF, and after my EAD, spent 16 yrs. in the reserves until retirement. Almost made it to a backfill slot in the CONUS after retirement before age 60 during Desert Storm.

[Seattle]

U.S. Army 1987 - 1991

Bootcamp, Fort Jackson SC
Aviation School, Fort Rutger AL

[havnablast]

Holds some of my fondest and proud moments.

[Windrider]

I too was commissioned rather than enlisted. USAF med corp, OIC MPH. I hold a pilot's cert but only flew military aircraft in simulator! Meant to stay in but chose to let downsizing get me out of a harassment situation from a superior officer.

I think riding, flying, and soaring (ie in sailplanes, the ones without engines) all take such concentration and focus that they can be as mind-clearing or spiritual as meditation.

[USNavRet]

As is pretty obvious from my "Alias", I did over twenty years in the U.S.N. Kids were born all over the world and we loved it. Now I can order beer in bookoo languages.

2000 K1200LTC Pacific Blue
2002 Honda CB750 (sold)

[ConspiracyofOne]

US Army 1982-1991. Two years with 101st AASLT, then on to 1st Ranger Battalion. Spent 1 year as a marksmanship instructor at Ft Benning and 1 year as a division level driver in Garlstadt (2nd Armored Div). Got out just before Destert Storm; was going to re-enlist, but Army needed me to go to a mech unit and I wanted to remain on jump status, preferably with the Rangers. Army claimed that my broken neck (in 1982) was grounds for not passing jump physical, even though I had been jumping for 9 years and had made the combat jump into Grenada!! Couldn't get my way, so I got out!!!

[ArmyGuy]

I enlisted in August 1987; became a Warrant Officer in June 2000 and still plan on spending the next 10-15 years in uniform.

[cdrprn]

Viet Nam-era tour of four years active USN and two years reserves as a sea-air rescue hospital corpsman. Major achievement= bought my first brand new motorcycle and survived to ride another day.

[LT_Pilot]

1972-2002 30.5 years Active

1972-1974 Drafted, Army (Ft Ord, CA / Ft Belvoir, VA / Ft Benning, GA)
1974-1986 Special Forces Medic (7th SFG(A), SF Det-Korea, 1/1st SFG(A))
1986-2002 Special Forces Warrant Officer (1/1st SFG(A), 1st SFG(A), USASOC)
2002-PRESENT DA Civilian, USASOC

De Opresso Liber

Primum non Nocere

[Heracleitus]

USAF 1994-2005
10 years, 10 months, & 27 days (I normally just claim 11 :rolleyes: )

3½ years CATM
7½ years C-130 Loadmaster

[swamprat]

Spent 23 years in the Army, Airborne Infantry, Logistics - would go back and change a few bone headed moves but I would do it all again even with all the BS. For all our countries faults it is still a GREAT place to live, just ask all the immigrants trying to get in (not all of them want to blow us up).

Still serving our young men and women in harms way - takes a lot of intestinal fortitude to sign up knowing you are going to combat. PLEASE never forget to give them their due!!!

[Newf]

Joined the Canadian Navy (yes we have one) in Nov 1976. Still here today but looking to see what lays ahead. May stay a few more but I have seen a lot of changes.

[JGreb]

USMC 1995-Present day
MCAS El Toro, MCAS Miramar, MCAS Cherry Point, Iraq...

[Coyote19]

USAF 85-88 Civil Engineering. Went back to the Kansas Air National Guard after 9-11 and cross trained to a KC-135R Tanker Crew Chief.

[tet68vet]

10 years Army.....2 tours in Vietnam.....3d Sqdn 4th Cav 25th Infantry.....during Tet in '68....then back in '70....MACV Batallion Sr Advisor 25th ARVN....then a vacation in Germany.
Going back to Vietnam in January for 40th Anniversary of the TET Offensive (we won the battle at Tan San Nhut).....they call it the General Uprising.

[Montycs]

Where's all the navy guys?

[Morley]

Where's all the navy guys?
They all bought boats?

[UncleRock]

Where's all the navy guys?
I was in a Dept of the Navy
The Men's Dept :histerica
USMC
Rock

[Torpedo]

Navy 1995-1999
Army Guard 2001-2004

[Bheckel169]

U.S. Army, 1967-70.
Took a year off in college and that did it for me in 1967. Became part of the lottery and drew #12. Knowing I was going to be invited into our glorious services, I started checking out some options. At that time, there was a program on TV called I Spy. I figured there must be a job like that and hit all the recruitment offices asking if they had spy jobs available. The Army recruiter said they had Military Intelligence and I said the obvious, "that's an oxymoron if I ever heard one", but they let me enlist, went through a battery of tests, security interviews and qualified for Intelligence School at Fort Holabird, Maryland. After graduation, got my orders for Vietnam but at the last minute they rescinded the order because of the Pueblo incident in the North Korean part of the peninsula and off I went. Spent 14 months in Taegu, Korea as a Special Agent at a field office and then was assigned as an instructor at the Intelligence School back at Fort Holabird. Got out in 1970. Suit and tie in Korea and civilian clothes at the school. Great time and loved my experience. Left there and grew my hair long and headed to Mexico where I got my degrees in International Relations at the University of the Americas in Cholula, near Puebla.
Still have good friends I stay in contact with.
Bruce

[DPWiegs]

USAF Pilot these last 21 yrs...a blast. Just made O-6 so will continue to serve for several more years. May I offer a heartfelt salute to all who have served previously...at the end of the day, standing tall for our country during your time in is a hell of an achievement.

Peace, Love, Airpower!

Dave
2007 Silver R1200RT
2003 Silver F650 CS (sold)

[jj2112]

20 years. 4 in the Coast Guard, 16 years in the Army Special Forces. Past 4 years have been in Civil Service at Fort Bragg.

[GolfGuy]

I also dropped college for a year to work for tuition....greetings from the draft board! Thought I would beat them to the punch. Didn't want to be a ground pounder. Joined the Navy...became a Corpsman...TDY to the Marines!! Go figure! Viet Nam here I come!!
Thanks to all who have followed!!
Semper Fi. HM2

The GolfGuy :bmw:

[drfonta]

Still on Active Duty.

US Army Warrant Officer 3.

Retiring in 3 years though..Hooah!

[wsteinborn]

Didn't have a poll choice for me. :(

I didn't "enlist", but I received my commision on 1979 after 4 years as a cadet and resigned in 1989 just before I got married in 1990.

Started in the MPs, ended up being NBC Operations Officer for a Brigade HQ.

[wsteinborn]

Joined the Canadian Navy (yes we have one) in Nov 1976. Still here today but looking to see what lays ahead. May stay a few more but I have seen a lot of changes.

Isn't the Canadian Navy the only service/country to have a U-boat in the Great Lakes? Very cool.

[Hackercraft792]

Four blissful years in the U S A F 65 to 69, Air Police. Enlisted for four to get out of two, made it to Vietnam anyway. Oh well, good times at the VFW.

[SLTex]

Master of Ceremonies for USARPAC Band, Ft. Shafter, Hawaii. Produced a radio program called Pacific Report and gave general staff briefings for the last six months of my 2 years 6 months and three days. My wife of 39 years and I had a two year honeymoon in Hawaii. We made lifelong friends there.

[excellentjim]

US Air Force - 1976 to 1997

Enlisted as a Radar Technician
Retrained to Disaster Preparedness
Retrained to Independent Duty Medical Technician
USAF - Special Operations

Will always miss the military way of life and the dedication of my team mates. Lost 2 of them on 9-11.

God Bless

[paalao]

*80-81 Mandetory 1 Year service, Royal Norwegian Medical Corps - Medic

*91-> Transfered to Royal Norwegian Airforce`s reserves (Due to civilian education) Ops, Support and reserve Pilot on Rotary and fix wing aircrafts,

*Rank: Captain

[ChasnRacin]

US Army 1985-2007 CW2(Ret)
Started out as a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic. Decided to get a real job. Reclassed to MI (no comments, please) :) Went Warrant Officer to support the new job and the Army overall. 22 years and loved every minute of it (almost). I'd do it over again in a heartbeat. God Bless and Watch Over Those Who Still Serve.
Ken

[NorwoodD]

U.S. Coast Guard
Senior Chief, ret.
Electronics Tech
22 years
1982- 2005 (1 year break to work in the "real" world. Gypsy blood drew me back. Also, I found it hard to get excited about corporate life... making toys).
1 year as a CG Civilian.
Still a fed, but with EPA.

[lesn]

Served 5 years with the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army.

[GUNTER1100]

Enlisted Right Out Of H.s. In 67 To Keep My Best Friend From Doing A 6 Year Active Duty Stint With The Usmc, With No Promise In Writing From The Corp As To His Training. Now, My Friend Is 6ft 6in Tall & Weighs About 150lbs. A Nice Tall Target! Did Basic @ Ft. Lewis, Ait @ Ft. Gordon, Off To Nam In Time For Tet ( It Was Offensive) Never Worked My M.o.s, But Did 17 Mounts Out Of The 18 I Was There As A Ojt Door Gunner Then Crew Chief On A Uh1-a Gun Ship In The Delta. Went Down 5 Times, 4 Due To Enemy Fire & Once To Mech. Failure... My Buddy Ended Up In Country But Only After Many 1049 Requests To Get Out Of Body Escort & Funeral Details In The Midwest. He Ended Up As A Crew Chief On A Chinook. We Both Survived, Both Happily Married, Me With 2 Kids, Him With None. Both To Retire Next Year. He Lives In San Diego, I In Eastern Washington, But Soon To Re-locate To The Oregon Coast.
Would I Do It Again, Yes, Only If I Can Save The Lives Of Some Buddies Who Did Not Come Back!
I Cannot Put A Dollar Value On What I Learned Over There, & You Cannot Pay Me Enough To Do It Again!
1994 K1100lt (gunter)

[mbwillis]

Active Duty Air Force 1987-2001 - Crypto Technician - Wright-Patterson AFB, Osan AB, Langley AFB, King Abul Aziz AB Saudi Arabia. Desert Storm, Desert Watch, Southern Watch, and a few others still classified.


Air Force Reserve 2001-present - Computer Operations Systems Superintendant - Langley AFB

[Piper-Fraser]

I served a total of 6 years in the Air Force, 5 1/2 uears of that were spent at Holloman AFB, Alamogordo New Mexico. :rotf:

[gisman]

Remember the USS Pueblo.

I was with the 121st Tactical Fighter Wing Kunsan, Korea 1968 - 1969.

[daddo50]

USMC 1977-1981 4 years and 2 months. Got out because I blew out a knee. Now the proud owner of a 1 screw, 4 staples and missing a kneecap.
I will not hold anything against anyone who was not a MARINE.

[cdrprn]

Enlisted in the Navy after draft notice received. Hospital Corpsman with the Marines four active two reserve then out. Semper Fi brothers, I will follow you anywhere and did.

'05 LT Goldfinger

[BeemerRiderBoB]

You guys all Rock....THANK YOU for your service! I get a tear in my eye reading this stuff and feel great pride for every one of you who served and defended our country.

And thanks to your dependents who served along with you. As an Army Brat, I'm really proud of my Dad, Command Sgt Major...not just for medaling in Korea and Vietnam, but for whippin' my ass into shape.

[SLTex]

US Army 69-72 2 years 6 months and 3 days.

One month away from being drafted, I took a leave from KPRC radio and joined to be in AFRTS. Orders came down for Korat AFB station. Somewhere along the way at Oakland Army Replacement Station, I wound up in Hawaii. Brought the wife over and we had a 2 year honeymoon extension.

I was MC for the USARPAC Band for a year and a half. Then I gave staff briefings and produced a radio show called Pacific Report that was played as psa time on stations back on the mainland and military stations.

[Ron_Kendall]

The day after I received my draft notice, I joined the Air Force ...Dec. 68.

Went to Chanute AFB (2 hrs from home) for jet engine mechanic training. Then spent about 2 yrs in Calif., then 18 months in Taiwan. Best time I have ever had.

Before getting out, the Air Force sent me to Topeka, Kansas for 2 months. Four weeks of that time was spent learning how to be a bricklayer. Said there was no demand for jet engine mechanics on the outside, so they retrained me. The remaining time I did as I please. No roll call, no duty, nothing.

[Moot]

3500 Pilot Training Wing--Reese AFB, Lubbock, Texas
HQ USAFE, Wiesbaden, Germany