Military experiences.

Gaige · May 31, 2008

Interesting article.

drjones · May 31, 2008

serving

While I myself never served in the military persay....My grandfather was in the Navy and then later in the Army. Perhaps Ill post some pictures ?

DRJONES

Selentino · Jun 1, 2008

Air Force 81-85 Security Police, served in the United Kingdom. RAF Bentwaters-Woodbridge. The base famous for the UFO incident in the woods. Loved the Military and the base and the town of Ipswitch.

Hugh Beaumont · Jun 1, 2008

1984-1990 1st SOCOM, Fort Bragg as a PSYOP Specialist and Green Beret.

Served proudly under President Reagan.

Those were certainly the days!

Harp · Jun 3, 2008

Hugh Beaumont said:
1984-1990 1st SOCOM, Fort Bragg as a PSYOP Specialist and Green Beret.

Hello bro. 5th/12th SF.

Widebrim · Aug 5, 2008

Repeat something enough times, and you'll start to believe it...

Harp said:
"We once had a Marine Corps like this."
---USMC Major's comment upon reviewing US Army RANGER battalion.

Thanks, Harp, for that quote.:eusa_clap My humble spread sheet:

U.S. Army Reserve, 1986-88, MOS 71Q (Journalist). Basic Combat Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Granted MOS due to degree.

Transferred California Army National Guard, Infantry. Went to 11B school at Camp Rilea, OR.

Activated for '92 L.A. Riots and '94 Northridge earthquake. Discharged in '94.

Re-enlisted as a Guardsman in late 2001. Called to active federal duty with 3/160 INF, guarding a chemical depot in Utah, 2002...

Volunteered and received active-duty orders for Iraq in late 2004. Served with 1/82 Cavalry, 116 BCT, 42 ID just outside of Kirkuk. Duty MOS was 19D; served as Cav Scout and vehicle gunner. Came off active duty late 2005, discharged three months later.

Proud to be a former Soldier, and wouldn't take it back for anything. Still can fit into my original Class As and Dress Blue uniform ("new" Class As for the Army). "This We'll Defend!"

Thanks to all of our FL veterans, and those currently in uniform!:eusa_clap

Widebrim · Aug 5, 2008

donCarlos said:
One question: What led you all to the decision to join the Army? Does it bring some benefits for further life in the USA?QUOTE]

I did it out of pride and tradition, and a desire to serve my country in a way that only a small percentage actually do. I was a young college grad, and had just broken up with my fiance, so I felt the time had come for me to take the much-awaited plunge. One grandfather was Italian Army, WWI; other grandfather Greek Army, Balkan Wars; one great-uncle Italian Army, Italo-Turkish War and WWI; another great-uncle U.S. Army, WWI (France); my father is a WWII Army Infantry vet (Pacific Theater). So I eventually ended up following in their footsteps. Started out as part-time Guardsman, but ended up serving two active-duty tours, ending up a combat vet in Iraq. Besides the GI Bill and GI Loan, the true benefits are discipline and the ability to be a team player, amongst others. In addition, I learned to never say "It can't be done."

Obob · Aug 5, 2008

Never Too Redundant

I just wanna echo what several others have written and say thank you all for serving this country. The fact that each of you people were/are willing to actually give of yourself, to actually make such a commitment in life, even knowing that it might not turn out like you wanted it to, makes you better than me, at least in that regard.

Obob

carter · Aug 5, 2008

My Great Uncle served in the US Marine Corps during WWI (I have his discharge papers.)
My Dad served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII (I have his suitcase.)
My Uncle served in the US Navy during the Korean War
My Brother served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War
I served in the US Army during the Vietnam War

U.S. Army - January 1971 - October 1973
Basic - Fort Campbell, KY
AIT - 11C - Fort Polk, LA
Jump School - Ft. Benning, GA
Oveseas - J-3, HQ/UNC, Seoul, Korea
Honorable Discharge - October. 1973 - 11C40

I have the Army to thank for teaching me discipline, giving me responsibility, and some life-long friendships.

President Nixon cancelled all levies to Vietnam the day before we were to leave Oakland. We were asked if we wanted to a. go to Nam, b. return to our last duty station, or c. request another overseas assignment. I requested Germany and came down on orders for the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. Figured I was destined for a year as a mortar crew chief. Instead I was pulled out of the mill in-country and assigned to the fun and games group at UN HQ in Seoul. Not bad duty. I even extended for 6 months and was discharged early when I returned to the US.
Seoul was where I first became friends with some seriously hard-drinking Aussies and Brits, drank Bundy Rum, ate dried salt fish as well as vegamite, and saw the movie ZULU which is my all-time favorite 30 years on.
Interesting times and some good memories.

indycop · Aug 5, 2008

1986 enlisted in the Army before graduating high school.
1986-1988 1st infantry Division - 1st Bn. 16th Inf.-(Big Red One) in Boeblingen Germany.
1988-1990 10th Mountain Division-3rd Bn.14th Inf.- Ft. Drum New York.
1991 called back to active duty via Western Union for Desert Storm.
I was an 11B Infantryman

.

Eyemo · Aug 5, 2008

Hey Carter, was your Dad based in the Uk during WWII?

Story · Aug 5, 2008

Call me Nathan Brittles

20+ years Army National Guard, planned on retiring the day after Easter past.
Started as a Tank crewman, now ah iz an occifer.
Armor, Cavalry and now I'm stuck with the Infantry. [huh]
Deployed 04-05 (never you mind where).
I'll be in Baghdad inside of a month.

Yellow_080128043714088_wideweb__300x375,1.jpg

Widebrim · Aug 8, 2008

Fiddler's Green

Story said:
20+ years Army National Guard, planned on retiring the day after Easter past.
Started as a Tank crewman, now ah iz an occifer.
Armor, Cavalry and now I'm stuck with the Infantry. [huh]
Deployed 04-05 (never you mind where).
I'll be in Baghdad inside of a month.

Similar story. I thought I was out of the Guard until 9/11, and then I had to go and re-up.:eusa_doh: Was Infantry for years ("Queen of Battle, follow me!), but then served with the Cavlary in Iraq (Garry Owen!) . But I wouldn't have had it any other way. Hooahhh! God protect you over in Baghdad. (And love that photo from "Ribbon!")

SGT B. (Widebrim)

arthur · Aug 22, 2008

I was in the 2/504th abn infantry 82nd abn div. in the early 80's.I would never give up the experience but I sure was glad when it was over.I'm a second generation paratrooper(my dad served in the 82nd abn in the 50's).

Jauntyone · Aug 22, 2008

USN
1988-1992
Quartermaster
USS Robert E. Peary
Pearl Harbor

Widebrim · Jun 21, 2009

Any more FLers with military background? How about the ladies?

Chas · Jun 23, 2009

3 years in the RCNVR - (correct contemporary title: Canadian Armed Forces Maritime Reserve)

My only posting of significance - HMCS QU'APPELLE.

airforceindy · Jun 23, 2009

USAF
Brat - 5/86-3/95 (step-dad, 3E691, Power Production)
Enlisted - 6/20/01
Training - 3E071, Civil Engineering, Electrical Systems Craftsman
Assigned - Ellsworth AFB, SD 5/02-3/09; Elmendorf AFD, AK 4/09-present
Deployed - Bagram AB, A-Stan 2/04-6/04; JTF-B, Soto Cano AB, Honduras 6/07-10/07

PS: The new uniforms SUCK! Bring back the BDU...

-AFI

airforceindy · Jun 23, 2009

donCarlos said:
One question: What led you all to the decision to join the army? Does it bring some benefits for further life in the USA?

For my experience - there is none. If the compulsory 1 or 2 years service was still in effect, I would be recruited this year. Luckily, this was canceled about five years ago. And even though, the only member of our family who was in the army was my grandfather in the beggining of the 50´s. After his training as a wireless operator, he was assigned to the chemical warfare department of the generality and then he was sent to Korea as one of the UN negotiators after the war.

Two words: Heritage, and Laziness
Father - Enlisted, USA, 'Nam, 2 tours, medical retired at E-5
Step-father - 20 year USAF Power Pro
Paternal Grandfather - USA, infantryman, field commissioned, discharged as O-3
Paternal Great-grandfather - USA, infantryman
Maternal Grandfather - USAF, radio maintenance, airborne commandpost. Forced out 'cause he couldn't make rank in the late '50s.
I was a terrible student in high school; didn't do college entrance exams, made it out of sr. year with C average. I knew enough that if I did college I would waste my time and money and wind up an early alcoholic, so joined the USAF. It was the best thing I ever did, and I have my sights set on being a 1st Sgt by 15 years TIS.

-AFI

Story · Jun 23, 2009

airforceindy said:
PS: The new uniforms SUCK! Bring back the BDU...

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