Who is in the Military?

[Rob1559]

How many of us are or have been in the Armed Forces? We will even count the Coast Guard.:D Active, Guard or Reserve.

I'll start it off.
29.5 years service combined in Active Army, Army Guard and Army Reserve. I serve currently as a company commander as a CW2 (awaiting my promotion to CW3). Probably will stay until I am forced to retire at age 60.

I guess I am a lifer!:)

[Merc-O-matic]

Top this, I retired last year from the U.S. NAVY
after 34 years of Naval Service (Active-Duty)
day for day. A "Lifer" and then some!
Gotta Love It!

[2003 MIB]

United States Marine Corps
1982-1988

[marauder307]

"We'll even count the Coast Guard", huh? Well, count me then...11 years in the Coast Guard, split between Active and Reserve time. :P Was mobilized twice after 9/11, once to go to NYC and then Boston; and then a six month tour in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, driving fast-response gunboats for a Port Security Unit.:uzi: :uzi: :shot:

:coolman:

[Mikeenh]

Vietnam 1970 :uzi:

[cyclone03]

USAF 82-86
Still working for the AF as a civilian.
Wife Active Duty 19 years.

[Murader03]

Retired in '83 with 21 years. Might have stayed longer, but the all volunteer force and female presence were making changes I didn't like. Not really! Detailer wanted to send me to Norfolk for carrier duty and I didn't want to leave Florida......

[Jeff]

U. S. Navy 1981-1985

[Mad4Macs]

Go Navy! 1984-1989 Active Duty. Stationed aboard USS Birmingham (SSN-695) out of Pearl Harbor for 3 1/2 years. Rode CG-32 USS Standley and CG-33 USS Fox during a stint in the reserves. Forced out after body parts being replaced from car accident.
Note... Escort EXP no match for Coupe DeVille. I will never drive small cars again ;)

[Black Terror]

Army National Guard 1951 and 1952. USAF 1952 to 1963, served in Korea, Japan, and various US Bases.

[LCpl Retired]

http://www.rollingstone.com/features/featuregen.asp?pid=1696


this is a good way to destroy some productivity today....this is the exact unit I served in ..a decade ago..in the some area..and it is eerie how it seems that it (the unit) is still populated by the same people...just with different names and faces

This is one of these "embedded" reporters, he did a tremendous job, DO KEEP IN MIND THIS IS ROLLING STONE and it may be a bit haggard for those who have not lived it.

It is a good insight into how things were over there this spring, (and continue to be)

this is a long, long article, but very well done, you need to keep clicking through on the bottoms of the pages to get to the next page and part.

[crom]

Semper Fi! United States Marine Corp 1984 - present. Going on 19 years, plan on doing 30 ( Lifer ). I love the Corps, the brotherhood, the duty. God, Country, Corps, that says it all for me. Have served all over the world and will continue to do so.

[Ross]

United States Army Infantry, Rifle Platoon Leader, Korean DMZ 1975-76. A few years reserve duty, discharged from reserves as an Infantry Captain. "I AM THE INFANTRY. FOLLOW ME!"

[trilogyintl]

Not sure if this counts, but USMC Reserve for 4 years ... :D

Still waiting for my MOS to open so I can get Corporal (E-4).

I've thought about going to Officer Candidate School, then again ...

[Long Live #3]

My dad was in the U.S. Air Force for a few years. He was transfered from a B-52 to a C-130 Spectire Gunship. He's got a lot of medals.

[2003 MIB]

Yes Trilogy- it certainly counts. All gave some, some gave all...Right?
Also, every Marine knows that the only real measure is where you went to Boot Camp... PI 3rd Battalion or nothing else counts...Flame away, Devil Dogs!!:flamer:

[lshultz]

Retired NAVY here, with 21 years of service..Retired in 1983.:D :D

[dwasson]

I suppose being a contract computer weenie for the US Army doesn't qualify does it? However, my wife says I look good in green and I like driving large american vehicles fast! Does that help?

[gonzo50]

U.S. Army Retired:
From 1980 to 2000, 20.7 yrs
Stationed in Korea, Germany, and numerous stateside post
Participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm, (Gulf War) w/24th ID in the Signal Corps:banana2:
Now living in a Military Community, Ft. Stewart, GA.
HOOHAH!,:baaa: it's an Army thing.

[trilogyintl]

Originally posted by dwasson
I suppose being a contract computer weenie for the US Army doesn't qualify does it? However, my wife says I look good in green and I like driving large american vehicles fast! Does that help?

My gf likes me in the uniform also ... plusses for when she wears my cammie top and not much else. :D

http://images.deviantart.com/large/photography/photomilitary/i_have_short_hair.jpg
That was me when I was much better looking ... hahaha.

[dwasson]

My gf likes me in the uniform also ..

It isn't the uniform for me. It's this great Hawaiian shirt. It's green with blue and red beer bottles. Not camoflage in the slightest .... unless I'm trying to hide in a cheap bar ... which is why it works for me.

[2003 MIB]

Too funny- Cheap Bar Camo. Seems like the diiference between cover and concealment- doesn't it?:D

[Marauderman]

USAF-1966-170

and say Dan (dwasson) - Under your sig--when I read it I first though of ' length and 1,320 feet" for that definition so to speak--not width and 500 feet--my initial thoughts anyway----so I must be metally elsewhere .....yeah--thats the ticket!!

[crom]

2003 MIB
I too was 3rd Battalion I Company. The one and only out in the swamps with the sand fleas.

[2003 MIB]

OUTSTANDING crom!

[LCpl Retired]

2nd BN..

guess I don't rate......:(..

you 3rd Bn guys always did think you were the hardest!!

still remember "platoon 2036 #72"

counnntttt OFFF....GIT IN THE PIT....

ahh Parris Island...


1st Recon Bn C Co 1987-91,

[2003 MIB]

You Jarheads now have my personal invitation to come to Ennis for FFW. The first couple Shiner Bocks are on me. I think the Recon wings probably make up for 2nd Bat.> we'll call ya a late bloomer:)

[yorks]

Royal Navy 1977-1983, 2nd Submarine Squadron.
Canadian Armed Forces, Maritime Command 1983-1988, 1st Canadian Submarine Squadron

Apart from boot camp and trade training, all that time was spent in Oberon class diesel-electric submarines.

Submariners eat their dead

[2003 MIB]

Cool Yorks!- You win most unusual service- very cool. So, how come y'all never invaded Quebec?:D

[2003 MIB]

Oh, apologies in advance to TTA...J/K man, J/K:)

[yorks]

Originally posted by 2003 MIB
So, how come y'all never invaded Quebec?:D

I'll let Triple TA field that one.;)

[2003 MIB]

I thought you might:D

[jgc61sr2002]

USMC - 1964 - 1970

[merc]

Although I was in the Armed Forces in 1974, I think my current service at the Department of State is the most meaningful. From reading all your post I gather most were proud of your duty and time serviced. I don’t want to engage into a discussion that disparages one branch from another. All services, including the U.S Coast Guard (Department of Transportation), have a role in protecting the American way. We followed our orders and lived with the results. What I find particularly different about my current service is now I know what information cultivated the order that we followed and the method that was used to calculate our deaths.

[LCpl Retired]

all diesel electrics? till the 80s?

whoa..you win the biggest sack contest.....

running 40 year old boats on TOP on the water is hard

running 40 year old boats UNDER the water is REALLY hard

[marauder1]

US Army 1989-96

1989-92 1st Battalion Airbore, 75th Ranger Regiment (Hunter Army Airfield, Savanna GA)
1992-94 1st Battalion Airborne, 508th Infantry Regiment (Ft Kobbe, Panama)
1994-96 3rd Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division (Ft Bragg, NC)

AIRBORNE
DEATH FROM ABOVE

[Marauderman]

marauder1 --where are you--see post for Auto Fair-Charlotte- from frdwrnch--we need you there-we have open positions--out next meet- remember??? come on---!! We need support--where is Butch?

[sailsmen]

My dad flew S2F off carriers, sub chassers. He dropped the first atomic depth charge and was in Gutmo during the Cuban Missle crisis.

He was taking pictures of the missles coming in to Cuba on the decks of the Russian freighters.

The closest I got to military service was as a civilian coaching midshipman in seamanship over the summer.

[Bad Boy Merc]

U.S. Air Force - Aircraft Mechanic - 30 years, 4 months, 25 days - all active duty. 22 permanent bases, one year Viet Nam, retired E-9. Turned out to be a great life for a kid from NEBRASKA. GO HUSKERS!!!

[gonzo50]

Originally posted by marauder1
US Army 1989-96

1989-92 1st Battalion Airbore, 75th Ranger Regiment (Hunter Army Airfield, Savanna GA)
Hey marauder1, were you deployed to the Gulf War, I was with the 24th ID, Ft. Stewart, GA. during this time frame. :up:

[marauder307]

All these Navy guys...and one Coastie!

Interesting to see. The Coast Guard has become the Texas Rangers of the sea...They only send a few Coasties...'cause they only need a few Coasties...!

Used to be that there was a height requirement for the Guard...ya had to be at least six feet so that when the ship sank, you could walk to shore:baaa:

Nowadays, they've realized that Coasties walk on water, so the height requirement has been rescinded...huh,huh,huh....:up :

[Logan]

Only relations I've got in service is my brother-in-law. He's a Captain in the 33rd RCAF Squadron out of CFB Bagotville, flying the CF-18, currently on a 3 year exchange to France flying the Mirage 2000.

He can't wait to come home...

Personally, in Canada, serving in the forces is not high on anyone's list of things to do, and in all my time in high school, never once did I ever see a recruiter or any effort to get anyone to join, hence never even dawned on me to sign up. In hind sight, I probably would've if I'd actually been asked.

Ah well, when you live just to the north of the USA, who the heck needs armed forces anyway? ;)

[Bob Mathis]

US Army 1970-1990.
Viet-Nam 101st Airborne, 1st Aviation
Korea, Germany, Ft Hood Ft. Mead, 24th Inf, and places I can't talk about, if you know what I mean.
E-7 Aircraft mechanic and Maintenance Instructor Ft. Rucker AL.
Retaired at Ft. Rucker and work for Aicraft Maintenance contractor. Proud to be an American.

[UncleLar]

U.S.Navy Feb.69-Dec.72
Brown Water LST 1169 & LST 836
Yankee Station CVA 19

[Merc-O-matic]

merc, Just to bring you (the State Dept.)
up todate, the United Coast Guard is
no longer under the Dept of Transportation,
it is now under the Dept. of Home Land
Security! Git on Board!
Gotta Love It!

[yorks]

Originally posted by Logan
Ah well, when you live just to the north of the USA, who the heck needs armed forces anyway? ;)

Hey Logan, what about us Canucks that live south of the USA? Oh...hang on...we're so close to Detroit that nobody would dare f*** with us anyway.

:uzi:

[ik04]

Active duty and now a dual-status Army Reserve Technician.

Army Civilian during the week and CW4 when in uniform.

Looking forward to retiring at 30 years.

Kevin

p.s. I flew over the dragstrip in Ennis last weekend for an aerial recon....

[Mikeenh]

I have a small sticker on a nick-nack shelf that says:

For those Who Fought For It
Freedom Has A Flavor
The Protected Will Never Know

[marauder1]

Originally posted by gonzo50
Hey marauder1, were you deployed to the Gulf War, I was with the 24th ID, Ft. Stewart, GA. during this time frame. :up:
No, I was in the 1989 invasion of Panama but, my company was held in reserve during the Gulf War.

[Petrograde]

U.S. Army - 1993-2002 68D2-Acft Powertrain Mechanic E-5/SGT
Korea- 2nd Infantry, Camp Stanley
Hunter AAF, GA- 24th Infantry/3rd Infantry
Hanau Germany- 2nd Armored
Ft. Campbell- 101st Airborne
... along the way: Bosnia, Macedonia, and every other crappy country in the Balkins! Not too mention enough NTC and JRTC rotations to claim dual US/Croznovian citizenship!

Raytheon Aerospace - 2003 US Contractor
Camp Udairi Kuwait during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. How many people do you know get a SCUD attack for their birthday!? LOL:lol:

[deerejoe]

U S Army, Corps. of Engineers, 1954-1958

Service in the United States and Korea.
Roads, bridges, air fields, demolitions and construction.

Retired, (ex Ironworker/Consultant/Country Squire) DEERE'S the name and farming's the game.

I would not trade my military service for any price.

GOD bless America!!

[gja]

To all who have served, are serving, or are on reserve:

Thank you.

[Mad4Macs]

Originally posted by yorks
all that time was spent in Oberon class diesel-electric submarines.

Submariners eat their dead

During RIMPAC...'87 or so, the Aussies showed up with HMS Ovens. Was she an Oberon? If so, you guys have guts ;) My boat, USS Birmingham, was a L.A class fast attack. I talked at length with a couple of the gents from Ovens, and discovered that they felt that they were only maintaining a presence at sea. They never considered Ovens to be a threat to a nuke fast attack.
They were wise to think so ;)
BTW, guys? There's no slight intended towards the sailors outside of the US. They served in vessels that I would have no great desire to have sailed in, that's all. US attack boat sailors are just...confident. Yeah, that's it :)

[yorks]

Originally posted by Mad4Macs
During RIMPAC...'87 or so, the Aussies showed up with HMS Ovens. Was she an Oberon?

Yes, she was. They had 6 Oberon boats. Ovens, Otway, Onslow are the only 3 I can remember at the minute (check out Janes Fighting Ships for the rest). The difference between these boats and fast attack is that we had to rely on stealth as opposed to speed and superior firepower.
The Oberons were built on the basic U-Boat platform back in the '60s and were a stable workhorse for UK, Canadian, Australian, Brazilian and Chilean Navies right through the Cold War and into the late '80s (I believe the South Americans still use them).
I have seen pretty much every Submarine movie ever made, but if you want to see a true representation of life on diesel-electric boats, check out "Das Boot" (German for "The Boat"). Although I was never in a "combat" situation, the living conditions and routines in that movie are for real.
http://www.imdb.com/Title?0082096

[KSMM03]

11 years, US Army, 8 of them on the West/East German border in two different Armored Cavalry Regiments, 11th ACR, 2nd ACR. One year at Fort Sill, OK, one year, 1st Cavalry Div, Fort Hood, TX.

6 years, Dept Army Civilian, Fort Drum, NY, one deployment - Bosnia
2 years (almost) Dept Defense Civilian, (Defense Logistics Agency) Fort Riley, KS

[Ray Snyder]

Closest I come is an older brother I'm very proud of,

10 years, service in the British Paratroop regiment (3 Para)
2 years, 21 SAS
Last 18 years in the US Army Rangers, Currently serving as a Sargent Major at Fort Bragg.

[Mad4Macs]

Originally posted by yorks
we had to rely on stealth as opposed to speed and superior firepower.
http://www.imdb.com/Title?0082096

In other words, you hid ;) I AM SOOO TEASING!!! Don't take that as anything other than a bit of humor.
We rode luxury liners compared to your boats, and I do have the utmost respect for your service time in them.

[marchyde]

US Army, 1980 - 1994, Early retirement, still a member of the IRR, last active duty 2002. Communications. Once a solider - always a solider!

[Patrick]

My service history:

85-86 Camp Casey Korea
87-88 Ft Benning 988th Mp Co
88-89 Yongson, Korea
89-91, Ft Devens, Ma
91-92 Camp Casey Korea (Again)

And 4 yrs in the Tennesse National Guard!

For those who have served, for no matter how long, we are WARRIORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Til the end!!!!!!!!!!

My hearts stop everyday when I hear of onther felow friend who has been killed in the middle east!!!!!

I thank you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

An un spoken brotherhood!!!!!!!!!

You rock Crom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[crom]

Patrick,
Thank you for your kind words! We all rock, I just love being a Marine and doing what Marines do. Am I biased? Hell yes, cause Marines are the best. But I have the upmost respect for all the services because the bottom line is GOD and COUNTRY. This whole thread has been great, Semper Fi felow Warriors and GOD Bless

[Petrograde]

HOOAH! as we say in the Army. Amen Brother!

[Mark McQuaide]

US Army, Jan. 1981 - Dec. 1984. Sgt E-5, 1st Battalion 41st Field Artillery Pershing.

[looking97233]

United States Cavalry 1987-1992

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by gonzo50
in the Signal Corps:banana2:


Ah, another Buzz head. Without us, the Army wouldn't be able to find it's...err would be completely lost.

[m-rush]

Were any of you veterans able to take advantage of the Military Appreciation Program ($750 additional rebate) on your 2003-4 Mercury Marauders? I hope you were!!! Details can be found at www.lincolnmercury.com , or on our website at www.rushlincolnmercury.com . Hopefully, this program will be continued after 9/30/03.

Also, to echo an earlier comment, "To all who have served, are serving, or are on reserve---Thank You...and GOD BLESS YOU!!!"

FROM THE PROGRAM RULES:
Lincoln Mercury is pleased to announce a $750 Customer Cash incentive for active military personnel, national guard, coast guard, reservists and retirees, effective May 6, 2003.


Program Dates May 6, 2003 thru September 30, 2003


Additional Program Notes - Dealer demonstrator units are eligible, unless a demonstrator incentive has been paid under a seperate program.

- Dealer owned Driver's Education units are eligible.

- The $750 incentive is transferrable to immediate household members, residing at the same address.

- Not transferable from business to business owner.

- Offer may be combined with Renewal/Loyalty/Conquest Programs.

- Offer is not compatible with other private offers (eg. College Grad or AARP).

[THE_INTERCEPTOR]

I am active duty in the US Air Force and am stationed at Pope AFB in Fayetteville, NC. Right next to Ft. Bragg, home of the 82nd Air Borne. I have been in the Air Force almost 3 years now, and I just put on E-4 last week! Yay me!


Currently I am deployed supporting Operation Enduring Freedom At Ganci Air Base in Kyrgyzstan (2 countires away from afghanistan) I have been here almost 90 days now, and I will return home just in time for Thanksgiving!
:D

[m-rush]

Well...good news and bad news.

The good news, the Military Appreciation program was extended until 12/1/03.

The bad news, it no longer includes the 2003 or 2004 Mercury Marauder.

"Lincoln Mercury is announcing a $750 Customer Cash incentive for active military personnel, national guard, coast guard, reservists and retirees, effective October 1, 2003 on 2003/2004-Model Mountaineer and Aviator."

Oh well, at least the $500 Customer Bonus Cash exclusively for AARP Members got extended until 1/6/2004!

[MM03MOK]

Originally posted by THE_INTERCEPTOR
Currently I am deployed supporting Operation Enduring Freedom At Ganci Air Base in Kyrgyzstan (2 countires away from afghanistan) I have been here almost 90 days now, and I will return home just in time for Thanksgiving!
:D We will keep you and your squadron in our prayers. Thank you for all you are doing in the name of Peace and Freedom. We all await your return home, safe and sound!!

Godspeed

[AFSP13]

USAF SECURITY FORCES ,COMBAT ARMS

[Bootlegger]

U.S. Army, Vietnam, 1st Air Cav. CWO, 1966-67.

[PAVEDRVR]

USMC 86-90 infantry, carried a radio on my back
USAF 92 - present, fly the MH53M
Gotta love it!
Took advantage of the discount.

[cruzer]

AF Cadets-Randolph Field--Class 50F
323rd Strat Recon Sqdn, 91st Strat Recon Wg--RB-45C/KB-29P--'50-'53
KYANG--F-51 Mustangs--1953-'56--CRAF--'56-59
Any other SAC people here?

[THE_INTERCEPTOR]

Damn. That's quite a lot of prior military/active duty.

:-)

[bob35222]

US Army Vietnam 1968-70 E-5 Medic (91B) 196th Light Inf.