[winstonsmith]

if you suddenly found yourself in the armed services, what role would you play? Would you want a combat position where you would be in fire fights, or do you feel that you would be better served in another position? Do you feel there is as much of a danger being behind the trigger in the infantry today as compared to even ten or twenty years ago?

Personally, (this is gonna sound arrogant) I can see myself leading a small element of troops, perhaps a rilfe squad. I always have been a leader, whenever my friends and I played military, and I've done my best to learn about squad level tactics.

I fantasize about being in the 101st, although I don't think I'm tough enough.

How about you guys?

[SquirrelNuts]

I would be developing non-lethal weapons. It seems that now we are more interested in capturing than killing. Our armed forces would thus need more non-lethal weapons. I saw a show on Discovery or Learning Channel the other night about this too. They had some very impressive technologies on it. My favorite was pepperballs, which are paintballs filled with CN, OC, or CS gas. They are fired from regular paintball guns.

www.pepperball.com

-SquirrelNuts

[amprecon]

Military combat pilot. I've also had a great regard for the ground trooper, so that's maybe why of all the aircraft to choose from to fly, I'd choose the A-10 Warthog or maybe even an Apache helicopter.
I'm not too sure about non-lethal, some people just need killin'. Catch & release is for fish.

[SquirrelNuts]

Catch & release is for fish. HAHA!!! Too funny. I understand that some people are interested in "kill them all, let God sort them out," but I think the military in general is interested in information gathering from live soldiers. I could be wrong, but that is my take on things.

-SquirrelNuts

[Braz]

Dang Amp,

Dropped in before me. ;) Naval Aviator, F18 and a cool leather jacket, please. "I remember the time I trapped a crippled Tomcat at night and..." er, did I say that out loud? Too many sims. :D

[Schuey2002]

The guy in the rear giving out all the orders..;)

[OEF_VET]

Winston, there's nothing wrong with fantasizing about being a squad-level leader in the 101st. I spent 5 1/2 years with the Screaming Eagles, as an Artillery Fire Support Specialist attached to the 3rd Brigade, the famed Rakkasans. During that time I deployed to both Kosovo and Afghanistan. I served at every level, from platoon up to Brigade. In Kosovo, I was lucky enough to be allowed to lead several squad sized patrols, and in Afghanistan, I served as the Brigade Fire Support Sergeant (Rear) at Kandaher Airfield during Operation Anaconda. Another member, Blackhawk6, was the CO of one of the Rakkasans line companies.

In my opinion, it's easier to be a leader in combat than in peacetime. In combat or on a deployment, there are far fewer distractors. Back in garrison there is always someone gone for a doctors appointment, the wife is sick, a kid has to see the principal, or the leader has to escort a Joe to JAG or to rehab. If an individual can effectively deal with all that, and still train his soldiers for war, then he is a good leader in my opinion. (The use of the masculine term is not meant to say that woman can not nor should not serve in either combat or leadership roles.) Also, I think a lot of people would be surprised to see that even some of the worst peacetime soldiers can become some the best wartime soldiers, and vice versa.

Just my two cents.

Frank

[Sir Galahad]

Same place I was when I was in the army---repairing small arms (MOS 45B). But what's the point to being in these days? You can't even liberate a little somethin'-somethin' for yourself.

On less-lethal warfare. That would be great if you could liberate stuff they had that you liked. It would ensure all that great stuff didn't get riddled with bullet holes. But now you can't liberate that stuff, so to heck with 'em.

The army was great. Yeah, right!:rolleyes:

[chaim]

Well, when I was 18 I signed up for the Reserves partly so I could go to college but partly so I could sign up for a Special Forces unit (back then, unlike what the recruitment materials tell me today, one could not directly enlist into the Green Berets and this, the Reserves, was the one loophole in that- you join the unit in a support role, if you are in school you can go to drills before training, then at the drills get your CO to sign you up for the "Q" course). I planned to go to college through ROTC after basic training and then becoming either an MP, intelligence, or Green Beret officer or a helocoptor pilot. I was hoping for a 20-30 year career (I'd be 13 1/2 years in if it worked out). As it turned out I had a bad ankle (from an old injury, I think, but it never really turned up before) and the discharge paperwork was started the day after Basic Training.

I would love to go either Infantry or Cav Scouts (Airborne of course), but given the bad ankle that got me sent packing at 19 (when I went to training) and I'm now almost 33 (thus I heal slower and my ankle is worse plus there are new aches and pains) I'd be lucky to just get through basic. If I could even make it through training to be Infantry I'd probably be no better than mediocre due to physical limitations.

Between my physical condition, life and work experience and my education I would probably better serve the Army, if I was to go in, if I went as a mental health counselor (probably enlisted so I could work with clients/patients instead of doing mostly administrative work, plus I'm too old for most officer training programs w/out a waiver, plus the military will pay a good chunk of student loans for enlisted members).. In fact, I was planning on looking into that very possibility this summer if I make my weight loss goals (unfortunately a recent car accident that has injured my back has both put the weight loss on hold and lowered the chances that I could get in the military or finish training if I got in). Another option I've been considering is waiting until I got my Ph.D. (psychology) and if I wasn't too old going in as a psychologist (best part of that is I'd go in as a O3- Captain in the Army, or Air Force, Lt. in the Navy).

[chaim]

Oh, what I see implied in your post is that you might be thinking about the military after high school and you are looking for ideas.


If I was in your shoes, 14 years old and considering what to do after HS, and being interested in the military, there are a few things I'd do differently. First, prepare as much as you can physically- do long marches w/ boots on, run many miles, push ups, sit ups, etc so any injuries or joint weaknesses show up early and you can either get them addressed, or if nothing can be done you won't waste your time and be let down.

If I would do it again, and I was physically prepared, I would probably try the Green Berets (Army Special Forces). I understand that today they do allow direct enlistment into Special Forces (you'd do your skills training after basic and you'd do Airborne school, then the "Q" or qualification course, then Special Forces training- total about 15-24 months). If not that, I'd want at least Airborne training and a combat arms specialty (or I might even do the Marines). If you are only physically able to complete basic training but not strong enough, or healthy enough, or whatever, for more than I'd probably do the closest to combat arms I could- probably MP.

Another thing to strongly consider is going directly to college but either doing ROTC or better, go to a military school. If you can't get into an academy there are several state sponsored and one private military colleges (Norwich, the Citadel, VMI, etc) and others that are no longer primarily military schools but do have a military college style Corps of Cadets (Texas A&M, Norwich is going that way and there are others). Also, among the academies the Coast Guard Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy (you get a reserve Navy or Coast Guard commission when you finish) are easier to get into than the others.

Actually, if I was in your place again, but knew what I know now, I'd certainly take the ROTC, or more likely, the military college option.

[firestar]

I'm think Coast Gaurd for me.:D I can wear shorts and a Polo and tool around the Gulf of Mexico with the best of them.:cool:

[igor]

I'm trained anti-tank platoon second leader in reserve. In a couple of years I'll be transferred to a mobilization duty post, probably MP because of my civilian experience. If SHTF now, I'd have to apply for the transfer immediately since I have pretty bad injuries that would seriously hamper prolonged infantry combat performance.

On the other hand, I don't see my country in any war-like situation within the foreseeable future. Even the most remotely likely scenario wouldn't include armed forces attacking us. We have a very strict defense-only doctrine, the only training suited for outside our borders being peace-keeping activity (US armed forces, courses available at reasonable prices! :p ).

That philosophy, and the forces necessary to maintain the price of stepping on us way too much for anyone compared with the possible gains, seems to work nicely even in our somewhat problematic geographic situation.

(edit to add actual answers to questions presented):

winstonsmith, yes, I think being "behind the trigger" in infantry is every bit as doggone dangerous as it ever was. And I certainly wouldn't ever "want to" be involved in fire fights. It's about survival in the gruesomest extreme and no "role play". So if this is your view on on life, don't leave San Fransisco without a different priorization. :scrutiny:

[Dr.Rob]

Peelong potatoes.. I have a huge discipline probblem.

[Navy joe]

Well, I see myself as stuck in Spain, because I am right now ;) Anyone seen my boat? I am a good NCO E-6 type in a tech field of aviation maintenance. Given my choices I would be happier leading about the same number of people as I do now in a direct combat situation. Squad or platoon level leader. That won't happen. I still hope to end up as a warrant officer with an armed helicopter, I could do that just fine too. I like stress and danger, got the wrong job. As far as leading I don't like to command more people than I can personally know.

[kannonfyre]

I did my draftee service in my country as a rifleman in the infantry. Am still oblidged by law to be in the reserves and have been assigned to my old MOS as camp security. If I could turn back time and have my choice of MOS, it would be as a aggressor force NCO (dedicated regiment that plays the role of the enemy in all army wargames). I'd get marine training, heli-borne certification and get to use exotic weapons. :D

[Matt1911]

I did my time in the Air force, If i could do it over i'd opt for the Army or Marines.Being in the armory sounds like what I "should have" done.
All and all,It was the still funnest place i ever hated.:D

[BigG]

Discharged! :D I served my time. If they call me up again, it's probably all over but the cryin.

[H Romberg]

Given all the cash they spent on teaching me Russian and Serbo-Croatian, I imagine it'd be tough getting out of that field. Gotta say it though, I HATE the life of a grunt. Having to carry everything you own must be why refugees look so miserable. Got stuck on an LLVI team once (3 guys, 1 huge radio, and 250 tons of crap trying to hide in the middle of nowhere) in Louisiana in the summer. I thought my fat butt was going to die. I Shumer you not, when they weighed each of us before we were inserted, I LITERALLY broke the scale because I was wearing a pack that weighed more than 250#. We had to put our packs on sitting down, and have everybody else help us up. Picture trying to move stealthily like that. Heck, it was a job just to move at all. Only thing I was happy about was that it was only an exercize. Some day I want to know how the SF guys do it, and if I hear they use more than 3 guys for a PRD team, you'll be able to hear me yelling "I TOLD YOU SO!" for miles.

Thanks, but I'll take some nice REMF job where I have a vehicle if I ever wind up back in.

[FPrice]

I see myself at almost the tail end of a long career in the AF. Just a few more years to go with one big challenge (I hope) left. But if I were able to start all over today (with the requisite 21 yo body needed) I'd try AF Special Operations. Great bunch of people there. The only problem I might have is the diving part. Never really felt quite at home in the water. But it would be worth it.

[280PLUS]

manning the throttles on a steam powered destroyer somewhere in the south pacific where the engineroom temp is 140 and the 100 degree air coming down the air duct feels like heaven. i have consumed 1 gallon of water in 4 hours and have no urge to do a #1 cause i sweated it all out. we're doing plane guard so theres a :cuss: throttle change every 2 minutes. it's 0344...

next question...

:cool:

p.s. bert gummer rules:D

[JohnBT]

Considering my age and my eyesight...they'd likely make me a target stand.

And I'd likely take the job if the only other choice was pushing paper or pounding a keyboard.

If they looked at my education and experience I'd be assigned to a VA hospital doing vocational evaluations, job counseling and related stuff.

Or peeling potatoes if they thought they could trust me with a knife.

John

[SapperLeader]

This weekend is my 5 year mark as a 12Bravo Combat Engineer in the US Army. Of course, it also marks the 5th month where we are doing mp work like searching and guarding rather than anything related to combat engineer skill tasks:). Gotta love the military.

[Ala Dan]

Unit: U.S. Army Green Beret attached to SOG

Rank: Captain


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[plainsman66]

spent my eight years in field artillery,on the gun line in a self-propelled piece,had I been single at that time I'd probably still be doin it,oh well,choices we all make!

[Steve Smith]

Spent my four deep inside a mountain working on communications stuff. I'd do it again, if they needed me.


FWIW, I wish I'd gone Green Beret or Mobile Communications.

My greatest advice to you: Never, never, NEVER, base your long-term decisions on a FUTURE life with a woman.

[Ebbtide]

That is easy, I would be drinking coffee and walking around ship with a clipboard in my hand.

GO NAVY!

ehenz :D

[Greg L]

Probably the same as before, sitting in the rear with the gear.

Greg (exREMF)

[DJJ]

I'm a civil enginner, so they'd probably have me doing exactly what I'm doing right now - babysitting construction contractors. I'm too blind to fly, so what I fantasized about was being in armor/tanks.

[srschick]

I did my time in the Air force, If i could do it over i'd opt for the Army or Marines.

I did my time in the Marines, If I could do it over, I'd opt for the Air Force.


I would be doing the same job I did in the Corps,
SWINGIN' WITH THE WING!
Actually, I was a network engineer with a Marine Aviation Logistics squadron.

[Bravo11]

I was a tanker(Armor) before so I would probably go tanker again.

[HarryRod]

My ideal post would either be as a DC on a Carrier or possibly as a Seabee.

[pizzaaguy]

Since I was a medic...I would be a medic.;)

[riverdog]

I see myself retired after a great career... it really was a good 20 years :)

[Gewehr98]

:D

I see myself rooting for my wife's training as a real estate agent, since my current Air Force career has less than 3 years on the clock before I retire.

That way, I can take a simple McJob, maybe a beachside burrito stand, along with my military pension, leaving plenty of time to shoot and other fun stuff while she sells condos on the beach. No security clearance to maintain, no late-night phone calls from folks in the D.C. area wanting answers right now. That's my plan, anyway.

My shadow box will look nice, with the pretty things in there from Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom - the grandkids will have a good time someday when they find it all boxed up in the attic.

[Dorrin79]

I'm an analyst and computer person by trade.

I imagine they'd find some intel-processing use for me. Either that, or logistics.

I would prefer something more "interesting", but I imagine they'd want me for the things barely literate 18 yr olds can't do.

[Skunkabilly]

Probably fixing computers since that's what I do now. Failing that, I'd be the guy on the TV commercials dressed in ninja gear.

[Mike Irwin]

Navy.

I'd hope to be a Navy public relations type, but I'd probably be stuck scrubbing heads on a carrier.

[Betty]

Hmmm.... designing propaganda posters for the Armed Forces?

I scored really high on the ASVAB test in high school. I ended up with recruiters from the Air Force and Navy calling.

"...so, what have you decided to do with your ife after high school?"

"I'm going to art school."

"Oh." -phone click-

[MeekandMild]

Hmmm. They would probably permanently disqualify me from flying due to health reasons so they would probally put me at a desk. Yawn.

[clange]

Ummm right now if they owned me? Probably some computer crap. I'd love to fly choppers for the army but need to get in shape first.

[dev_null]

I'd love to say gung-ho, Sgt Fury, all that. But the reality is with my age (middle), physical fitness (or lack thereof), eyesight (not getting any better), and skills (managing webmasters and web apps developers), I'd be a REMF in a support role as an officer over a team of computer jocks. Preferably in the ToO, not here in the DC area.

-0-

[Teufelhunden]

I see myself right where I am now, doing whatever the heck my beloved Corps demands of me.

-Teuf

[TheLastBoyScout]

When I get out of school, I'm joining the Marine Corps. I wanna go 0300...

I am 16 years old in decent shape and I can shoot a rifle pretty well.

[voilsb]

well, I'm currently a light infantry platoon leader (army national guard), so I guess that's what I'd do if I saw myself in the active duty armed forces (which I will be once I graduate).

[4v50 Gary]

jail.

[Correia]

They didn't want me the first time. :)

So if they were really desperate: Payroll clerk.

[usmcmonty]

Same place I left...a Grunt! Everything else is just support

I am not trying to bust your bubble "last boy scout" but shooting is just one of the things you have to do...do a 25 mile hump with full ruck and THEN try and fight...few can. by the way there are lots of 03 jobs 0311, 0331, 0341, 0351, 0313. Check um out see what you want (you may not get it but you can always try)

With that said, let NO ONE hold you back!

[TechBrute]

I'd probably still be a computer geek.:rolleyes:

[MrAcheson]

Well my dream job would be working for the Army as an engineering analyst. Oh wait that is what I do. :D

[280PLUS]

my assignment was to scrub the after head (the big one) for xo inspection so i spent most of the day scrubbing the deck with a wire brush and cleanser and scraping up gum and the like.

it was my last day and no matter what they did to me i was going to maintain my cool and walk across that brow to freedom right on schedule.

there i am, on hands and knees scrubbing happily away at the diamond plate when the xo comes in for his inspection.

what does he say?

"you missed a spot"


i cheerfully replied, "yessir, i'll take care of it." meanwhile thinking, "a wake up, nothing left but a wake up..."

:D

[goon]

I was 12B before.
I joined as that because I wanted to be near the fight, and I wanted to blow stuff up. :D
Unfortunately, the noise of HE, tracked vehicles, an artillery simulator that I was a little too close to, and a slight genetic hearing loss means that I never get to play in that game again.
If I could, I would probably just go Coast Guard, in a job where my hearing loss wouldn't be a liability to anyone.
But I have talked to recruiters on three separate occasions since 9/11. I was pretty much told flat out that I will never get back in.
That is ironic. When I got out, I swore that I would never put that uniform on again. Now, I kinda wish I could.
Things have changed.
But barring the apocalypse, there is no way I will ever get back in.

[Stetson_CO]

Former ping jockey...well, thats what they made me wear on my sleeve, but I didn't do that.

If I could go back....Coast Guard. Then I could, maybe, be on a boat out in the ocean.


c):{

[Ian Sean]

280PLUS were you a Flangehead? East or West coast? I was a BT. No such thing no more. I'll make the steam you spin the engines (turbines).

Go back on a nice little DDG tincan having the 5" 54's going off tripping the boilers off line and going dead in the water, OOPS.

Sea duty............GO NAVY!

[cool45auto]

Door gunner! "Get some! Get some!"

Or a sniper.


You know, this is kind of like a psychological evaluation.:scrutiny:

[Meow]

Option # 1. Coast Guard Officer, preferably pilot, helo or fixed-wing. I'm going to put out A LOT of effort in order to get into the Coast Guard Academy. Option # 1.2 Direct Commision Aviator Program.

Option # 2. Naval Officer, preferably pilot, helo or fixed wing. Hopefully I'll get myself a F/A-18 Super Hornet or a JSF(They'll probably have them in service by the time I get there).

Option # 3. Air Force Officer. Pilot of course.

Option # 4. Air Force Pararescue Jumper/ FAC(Forward Air Controler - point-laser-at-target-target-go-BOOM)

Op # 4 is absolutly THE LAST RESORT. I'll be an Officer, thank you very much!:)

[Med 10]

Since I'm already a paramedic I would probably say a Medic of some sort. Maybe a P.J.

[eviltravis]

in the chow line!

[12.7x99mm]

I would be there again

[Feanaro]

In command, preferably of tanks, in the Marines. But no higher than Lt. Colonel. When you make "full bird" you don't spend a lot of time up front, which is where a commander is needed. And you go from tactics to strategy. Which hurts my head... ;)

If I can't get a command position I'd take Cavalry, again, in the Marines. I love to drive large, heavily armed and armoured vehicles. Or fire the cannons on them. Whichever. :D

[Hot brass]

Sniper

[Nippy]

Research Engineer or just Engineer in weapons development. Probably work on human detection systems to give the men and women in the front an advantage in urban warfare and counter measures for enemy missle systems.

[jmbg29]

U.S.N.

Working on underwater mines again.

ALL YOUR OCEAN ARE BELONG TO US!

:D

[280PLUS]

west coast, 2 wespacs.

AND...

it turns out the XO i speak of went on to achieve four stars and retired as COMNAVSURFPAC or for you non-military acronym types

Commander, Navy Surface Fleet, Pacific.

or in other words president of the west coast canoe club.

the big kahuna...

when they were about to sink my ship in a target exercise a couple of years ago, i emailed him and requested that he use the biggest bomb they had on it, just for me.

while hammering it with all kinds of stuff, missles, torpedoes, etc
they dropped a GBU - 2000 on it at one point and completely wiped the superstructure off of it right down to the main deck. i refer to it as "my bomb"

the thing continued to float on the 13th of april and was demo'ed by udt the next day and slipped below the waves on the 14th which was quite appropriate as her hull number was 14

i then emailed him again asking how come the whole navy couldn't sink that one little destroyer...

:D

here's a link

http://www.usscochrane.com/ddg14/forum/default.asp

this is a snipes forum for ddg-14/uss buchanan

uss cochrane people are kind enough to host it for us,

it could use some more input if any of you ex sailors want to tell a sea story or two and its got plenty of good ones there already.

you'd help boost the morale of one dick zimmerman, ex academy guy who worked really hard on it

if you go to the buchanan home page link and look around for "sinkex" you can see a few pix of the old girl taking her shots...

;)

oh, it looks like zimmerman did all the posts. he actually had a collection of stories he had gathered over the years and posted them himself. so there are stories by people other than just him.

see if you can spot mine

:evil:<--- a clue

[George Dickel]

Having spent almost 21 years in the Army I would only go back if they would let me be a tug boat captain or a neurosurgeon for field grade officers only. :D (I was an NCO for 17 of those 20 years)

[280PLUS]

now youre talking...

:D

[Ebbtide]

280PLUS,

Why do I hear all kinds of horror stories from you west coast squids? On the east coast Petty Officers use the head, they don't scrub them. :D

Unless you are assembling on the quarter deck for "extra duty", that is.

GO NAVY!!

[buddy357]

I'm working on my 11'th year as a Sonar Technician (E-6 now). We don't always do the job, in the gulf we get to do boardings.
So I guess I'd be doing this.

[Sean Smith]

I was already in the Army. And pretty soon, even my Inactive Reserve obligation will expire... at which point, they'll need to start drafting over-30 folks to get me back in!

:evil:

[Ebbtide]

I'm working on my 11'th year as a Sonar Technician (E-6 now). We don't always do the job, in the gulf we get to do boardings.

Interesting. If you don't mind I have a question.

Now that the cold war is over do you still get to chase subs around like the old days? I was an OS on an FFG in the 80's and that is all we did (TMA on the DRT). Sometimes I would wish that we would loose contact so we could break off and visit a port.

BTW, I see this is your first post. Welcome to TheHighRoad!

ehenz

[seeker_two]

Commander-in-Chief

Anything less, and I would just get in trouble...:evil:

[461]

18 years so far in two services. Bombs and bullets the first four and slinging quality chow for the last 14. Two more and it'll be bullets and motorcycles until the wife notices my paycheck shrunk considerably.

[Penman]

I'd be in the kitchen with Dr. Rob, cooking the potatos he peels.

[Brian Williams]

Communications Repair in USMC first time around....

probably do some more FO work??? or radio op cause I know how they work and can fix 'em

[Willard]

Back in the Infantry. Hooah!

Recon, 3/187th Infantry, 3rd Bde, 101st Airborne Div (Air Assault)
A 2/503rd Inf, 2nd ID, Korea
B 2/327th Inf, 1st Bde 101st Abn AASLT
A 3/417th Inf, 76th Div (Tng)

You wanna go Army? Don't do drugs. Pay attention in school. Don't get arrested.

Good Luck!

Willard

[winstonsmith]

hehe.. im in school right now.. so maybe I should pay more attention...


As for drugs, that stuff isn't for me. Never really appealed to me.

Army would come after college though. I don't think I would have the perspective enough to make that decision right after high skool.

[280PLUS]

the always put an E-4 in charge of the various "parties" i wasn't really being screwed with, my newest E-6 asked me if i would take it and he was a pretty good guy so i said yea, why not.

so i figured if i'm gonna be in the head all day i'm gonna leave em something to remember me by,

nice shiny after head deckplates,

and showing the boots how it was done...

:D

now the XO, HE was screwing with me, and we both knew it but it was all in good navy shortimer fun

:evil:

ummm, winton,,,thats 'school' now PAY ATTENTION!!:neener:

[ball3006]

on the beach at Utapo Thailand sucking cold beer and watching the BUFFs taking off to put the hammer to Mr. Charlie. Us missile troops over there had the life. When we arrived it took 4 hours to do a launch gear checkout. After a week we scrounged the parts to make our own test box and for the rest of the tour the same job took 5 minutes. Got so many attaboys for performance and the dumb bomb loaders never did catch on. When we rotated back to the world, we took the box with us......chris3

[Ebbtide]

always put an E-4 in charge of the various "parties"

Sounds about right.

I was just busting your hump. I was an OS2 when I discharged from acitve duty. Since we do not have anything to do in-port I spent time doing the same (cleaning) before discharge. Sad to say, but I was really proud of my passageways and latterbacks, to bad it was on "O" Country. :cool:

Actually, our ship became so top heavy with NCO we had E-4s doing a third term of mess cranking. Now that was an ego blow.

Take care,

ehenz

[TheLastBoyScout]

usmcmonty, I know there's more to the infantry than shooting. I was doing a semi-facetious takeoff of the guys who were saying things like "I'm old and out of shape, so I would...".

[foghornl]

too blind to be a sniper, too old for a font-line grunt....so I'm probably either an armorer, or otherwise shufflin' paper. Maybe a cook

[Trisha]

Medivac air operations - flight medic.

Even now.

[280PLUS]

then there's thailand...

:D

[RustyHammer]

I lived it, therefore I do not need to dream it.

Go Navy!

[280PLUS]

it took twenty years before i stopped dreaming about being onboard ships and sailing off to parts unknown...

:p

[Peetmoss]

If I was in I would want to a low level officer somewhere between an LT and a Mjr with the grunts. However I would probably end up in the rear with gear fixing eqiutment and patching bulltet holes. Seeing I have the skills to do those sorts of things.

[Northwest Cajun]

Currently at a "deployed location" where I see lots of people in funny tan colored uniforms.:D
Actually, Loading USAF cargo aircarft and getting the other branches home,... because the sooner they leave, the sooner I'll get back home to my wife and kids.( and a custom 338-06 that is being built with my TDY pay, Your tax dollars at work!!!
:neener: )

[Leadbutt]

Hell, if I had to go back again it would be to the best group of guys I have ever known or lived with

U.S.ARMY LRRP's

"STAY ALERT, STAY ALIVE"

Mom, always said I was a sneaky bastard:D

[Dionysusigma]

Intel analysis always seemed interesting...

[Lennyjoe]

Doing exactly what Im doing today.

Maintaining the most lethal ground support aircraft in the world!!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid62/p71ec4213ee7e6e56a32f152310871c65/fc22b66d.jpg

[Lennyjoe]

How do you like my gun?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid62/p4a5a0e52b306219cd39f400a3dbbdb11/fc22b66c.jpg

[OEF_VET]

Willard,

welcome to THR fellow Rakkasan.

Frank

[coonan357]

I would be on a LST (Large stationary Target ) somewhere because of my smart Remarks .. actually I cannot do anythingdue to my health condition or my foot ( 7 years ago I shattered my 4th and 5th metatarsals in my right foot and fractured the 2nd and 3rd and have enough erector set with screws in there) but when I tried to enlist in 86 the said I was too tall for the air farce.( Family tradition Grandfather was army aircorps, brother , cousins all AF) so I would be homeland defense.

[FPrice]

62 APS???

[JShirley]

Very nice. I know you're ready to be moving out, LennyJoe.

If I happened to be in the service, I would have gone in expecting to be an 11B, and would have sworn up a storm when I was told I was to be an 11C. I would have recently completed Air Assault school, and I would be getting my SPC 4 in about 2 weeks. I would be ETS'ing in early November. (Hell, yeah!)

Not that that resembles my actual life, or anything. :rolleyes:

Considering Guard or Reserves after a couple month hiatus to play with my weapons in GA. Might be a 45B or 45K.

John

[standingbear]

sniper.getting things done with precision is just how i like doing things.i couldnt pass the physical test though.so in that case id be an armorer.

[Finch]

I plan to go in this coming spring. I want to go into intelligence, so I am probably going to a 97B (Counterintelligence Agent) as my MOS. Either that or a 97E (Human Intelligence Collector).

[Feanaro]

I love that Vulcan with the sticker on it. :)

[MicroBalrog]

Door gunner with 7.62 Minigun or MK-19 launcher.

[280PLUS]

from one vet who can't be out there with you anymore but is glad to see the reigns are in such capable hands.

:D

[Combat-wombat]

Sniper.

[Peter Gun]

Always wanted to be an F-14 pilot. Then my vision got steadily worse.:mad: So I thought I'd go to Annapolis and be a destroyer captain (the hunt, the hunt!), but by then my vision was even beyond their acceptable limits. Now the technology may have finally arrived to fix my vision, but I'm way beyond recruitment age. So now I'm a ski bum. makes sense, huh?

[cowboynerd]

Sog 69 and70, Team Leader; Hatchet Team....sniper

[winstonsmith]

Just watched Black Hawk Down. Its supposed to show the horrors of war. It just made me want to experience that camradery even more.

It also raises questions...

If not 101st airborne, then why not Rangers? I've heard there are Airborne Rangers and the thought of being the same kind of elite soldier as some of the ones on Omaha beach makes me shiver...

I don't know about Delta Force. Their missions seem to go fatally FUBAR alot...

Cool helmets though ;)

[MicroBalrog]

Winston: Become a Marine doorgunner. That's what I would like to do. Flying in the air above some urban environment, fresh wind, hands on the madly spinning 5.56 Minigun....:cool: :cool: :cool:

[OEF_VET]

winstonsmith,

The main reason you hear a lot about Deltas missions going 'FUBAR', is because they don't talk about the other missions they conduct every day. They are masters of OPSEC (Operational Security), as one little slip can cost them their lives.

Frank

[JackC]

Boiler room of a Adams class destroyer at 33 knots, rounding Grande Island, getting ready to put her up sh** river as far as it would go. And leave her as a monument to all the sailors gone that way before. Yep, retired BTC
Jack

[280PLUS]

i think i used a piece of one to shave this morning, chief...

:neener:

[Bonker]

Wanting to be in a war is just weird to me.

I see myself back home educating people about the reasons we are fighting. I see myself earning a living and doing my part to keep the economy moving because I know that our economy is our greatest weapon.

[D.W. Drang]

Being PO'd because they called me back from retirement. :fire:
No promotins for "former" retirees, so I'd be stuck, but the idjit SMAJs would insist on making mne act like I could be promoted: "Your APFT scores aren't too good, SFC Drang! Yo gotta lose weight, SFC Drang!" {So try and QMP me, jerk!} "Don't you wanna be a First Sergeant, SFC Drang?":banghead:

Of course, since I am now a federal employee parasite, feeding fom the public trough (he typed, deleting a slightly more colorful version which might offend Art's Grandma:evil:) it would all Count Toward Retirement and Promotion...and pay better than what I make now, too, anyway.:neener:

[D.W. Drang]

Runt designing propaganda posters for the Armed Forces? Cards. You'd be designing playing cards...;)
There really is an MOS for "Graphic Artist" and every battalion S3 shop has a drafting kit and graphic artist on the TO&E, but since the advent of Power Point every staph :evil: ossifer thinks he's a graphic artist, and I expect to hear from my pals who are still In the Green Machine that there is now a Power Point Ranger block on the Officers Evaluation Report.
Which means you'd have a really dangerous positin at a school someplace. Maybe Ft Campbell, SOCOM has all those propaganda guys. (And I understand Delta recruits women nowadays... :D )

(Gee, I woulda swore I had a copy of the Power Point Ranger's creed here on my hard drive somewhere...)

[D.W. Drang]

neurosurgeon for field grade officers only Oooh, I wanna change my MOS! Can we do E9s, too?

[blades67]

I'd go right back to the job I left in the J.A.G. Corps.

[Finch]

Well when I go in, I plan to go into intelligence. I eventually want to be a Warrant Officer in Army Counterintelligence.

[Joe Demko]

12-B again. Hearing loss (and age) preclude me serving at all.

[ojibweindian]

Corpsman. I did it once, and I'd do it again.

[semf]

As far as a dessert war goes I had the perfect MOS. I was a tug boat mechanic

[RustyHammer]

Don't just dream it, DO IT!

[Dorrin79]

never was interested in serving (although I have tremendous respect and appreciation for those who do)

If I was tricked/forced/seduced into joining, I imagine my talents would best be used in logisitcal planning or intelligence. (business analyst by trade)

I may be a decent shot, but I have no illusions about combat.

[wingnutx]

I see myself as a 2nd class Steelworker in Naval Mobile Construciton Battalion 17, 1st Naval Construction Regiment, USNR.

Oh yeah, Charlie Company, 2nd platoon, 30 cal machine gunner.

[Phil Ca]

I did not intend to write a long story. If you are short of time please feel free to scan down to the last paragraph to read what I would do if reactivated in the military.

My rather odd-ball military career started at age 17 and included Infantry Basic at Fort Ord and Ordnance Training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. I went to the Seventh Army in Germany for 2.5 years, learned German, and learned to be a 16mm projectionist as well as a TI&E instructor. In my regular job I issued weapons to using units and made monthly re-supply trips to Mainz Ordnance Depot as an armed expediter. I carried a .45 or M3A1 on those trips. The ASA "Men in Black" would follow our truck in an old Mercedes Benz with "suicide" doors, to see that we were not hi-jacked or maybe catch us heading to France to sell the stuff to the Algerian terrs that were there. In my spare time I acted as a translator for our dealings with St. Anton's Catholic Orphanage, which our Ordnance outfit supported.

After an interesting period of living in Philadelphia and Wyoming, I enlisted inthe US Air Farce and was sent to Amarillo, Texas. Since I was prior service with three years of service under the age of 20, I found life rather interesting. Since the first few weeks were w/o uniform of even proper ID cards I was thought to be a spy by two guys that picked me up at the main gate and took me to town. After the training period was over I was sent to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. Since I was ex-army I ended up having to teach the NCOs the use of a PRC-10 field radio and some basic tactics in the use of proper perimiter security during monthly alerts. I worked 12 hour shifts and had a lot of time off. I used to take my pistols to the range for practice, hike in the Zambales mountains and ride the Philippine Rabbit bus to Manila. Meeting my future wife at a Far Eastern Youth Congress for our church was the most important event. (we have been married 41 + years now)

Back in the states I was at a SAC base in Montana where we sent BUFF out on regular missions over the North Pole towards Russia. Again I found out that my army training was very much needed since I was also an Air Police Augmentee during alerts and also the Cuban Missile Crisis. I had to explain tactics and cover and concealment to NCOs again. I was once again on 12 hour night shift and had a lot of time off. We spent some hectic times re-supplying the combat aircraft. My additional duties again involved showing training films. After my wife and I were married we only went to the base for groceries and for me to work. My four years were up soon and I had a wife and 6 month old daughter. We moved back to my home state in Oregon

When attempts to find gainful employment failed my wife and I had a long talk. She was a medical technician and had a job and I was looking and trying out some jobs. President Kennedy was killed in Dallas and that sort of helped me decide to re-enter the service, the US Army this time. It was back to Fort Ord to take the basic training test to see if needed to repeat basic. We were stuck in a replacement company doing details or getting out of details. I spent my time trying to find a TO&E slot with a unit on the post. One day we were in formation and while the formation was gradually shrinking as assignments were passed out. Guys would cheer when they were ordered to paratrooper or military police duty or training. When the sergeant put on an "evil" visage and called out,"The following men are being sent to, EUSA!!!" I had no idea what that meant and I asked what it meant from a soldier that groaned loudly. What it meant was this, Eighth United States Army, in plain words, KOREA! I went home to Oregon and had a talk with my wife. She was very disconsolate about this turn of events and we did not have a very good leave time.

I went to Korea, took a pistol ,and combo rifle/shotgun and decided to tough it out. I was fresh out of the air force so the S-4 captain interviewed me about my abilities in the supply field. After he was convinced that I would be able to do the job I was sent to a remote AAA Hawk Missile Battery on a mountain top. During my time there I managed to upgrade the PLL (Prescribed Load List) for the unit and improve the overall efficiency supply wise. I also was able to improve our units physical security by suggesting the use of shotguns and bayonets for the interior guards, instead of .45 cal. pistols. I used to hunt Chinese Ringneck Pheasants when I had time. Sunday afternoon supper was occasionaly made special with a nice portion of pheasant.

When my time was up I was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas and the Big Red One. While there I was assigned to an armor unit with an old captain and older warrant officer in charge of the HQ Maint. Platoon. These guys would sit around and jaw about the "good old days" when they were in the Horse Cavalry. They had expert badges to wear on their uniforms with "SABER" printed on them. By now my family included an infant son and my wife was still working as a med tech. The Vietnam situation was getting heated up and I thought that if I was going to stay for 20 years I needed some time in a combat zone. Since the idjits in charge of my future were not interested in anything but the old horse cavalry days I went out looking for a slot in any unit preparing for the move to S. E. Asia. I finally landed a spot with a Ordnance Maintenance and Supply Unit and then went home to prepare my wife for yet another move.

Our unit left Ogden, Kansas by train and further by ship from Oakland enroute to Vung Tau. I became the movie projectionist for the 21 day trip and my burden was a bit lighter. When we set up our forward base my USAF experience was handy when stange aircraft were flying around our location. I recognized an RB-57 Recon plane, and the F-100 fighter that crashed near our location. Also the C-123 Providers that were used during Operation Ranch Hand with their Agent Orange payload. When we heard a terrific series of explosions in the jungle not too far from us, I identified it as B-52 bomb strikes and not an artillery barrage. After putting up with the super petty machinations of a captain "Queeg" like CO who ordered us to run through the village for excercise and disarmed us when we were enemy fire I started formulating my exit strategy.

Some of the things I experienced and witnessed in Vietnam led me to decide that I needed to exit the service and get a job where I could be close to my family. when I returned to the CONUS, I went to Oakland Army Base and requested a discharge. The lieutenant there contacted the "Puzzle Palace", who advised that I go to Scott AFB,(another AAA Missile unit) and take my discharge there. Upon arrival I wrote a letter to the CG and requested a discharge with my reasons all stated. I got out two weeks earlier than planned and went home. In a few months found a federal slot that kept me occupied for 27 years.

If I were to be called back, doubtful, since I am 65 now, I would prefer to be a warrant officer. I would prefer to be in a CID unit since I have a number of years in police work. Alternates to that would be an investigator in ASA or even back in Ordnance.

BTW, a number of you have stated that your eyesite is not as good as before. I have similar problems and have found that the supplement called, "Occuvite", with Lutein has helped me a great deal. Both my wife and have been taking this twice daily and are finding that our eyes are better.

[Holly76201]

Armed Forces Radio Network

Just doin my part to keep up Morale.

[Dave Markowitz]

Waist gunner in a B-17. :D

[loveipos1234]

Went into the Corps as a stupid 17 year old in 67. Got to walk in the sun as an 0311. Spent 19 months in paradise, go an early out for college. and went back in, to OCS, TBS, and spent 4 great years as an Arty O. What would I want to be now? A civilian, but always a Marine.

[Dorian]

I just re enlisted in the army and I'm going to Korea in February. I'm a 31C(Radioman) and I'm hoping to get assigned to an infantry unit as their radioman. I think the relay of communications between units is very important and someone has to wear the big ole target(read: radio).

I'd rather be an infantry "grunt" but infantry was AT FORCE when I went in to re enlist! Infantry AT FORCE! i kid you not! I said "Hey I wanna be infantry" and thay said NO!

Ahh well. Just as long as I get into an infantry unit one way or the other I'll be okay.

[duckfoot]

Where ever I'm ordered to go.


but if I had the choice


Life guard at the base pool

[jrhead75]

Just what I did...Huey crewin'(gunner/ballast) for my beloved Marine Corps. Let the Grunts walk...:D

My second choice would be small arms repair for the above mentioned beloved Corps.

[Redlg155]

Hmm...

I've had my share of the Army and being in the boonies or someone elses country fighting a political war, so If I had to join I'd want my old job back before I got a medical discharge.

I was assigned to Ft Sill, OK Fish and Wildlife on special duty. Worked 24 on 48 off. All I had to do was sell hunting and fishing licenses, post restricted ranges, check in deer and sign hunters/fishermen out to the ranges.

You can't beat that with a big stick for an active duty position! :D

You guys can have all that delta force stuff.

Good Shooting
Red