Serving your country.
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tegemu
Member
I have a total of 45 yrs NAVAL Service, retired Senior Chief and retired Civil Service Aerospace Engineer, I couldn't agree more with the point that the service is not the only way to serve our country. It is not for everyone, obviously I Love it and don't regret one minute, actually I miss it, but the man or woman who stays home and goes about their lives as a good productive citzen of this wonderful country of ours, is serving just as well and perhaps in some ways, has the more difficult path. Yes I served and I thank my Brother and Sister Americans who served our Country at home, being good citizens. They validated my service!!!!!
MedGrl
Member
My father is a west point graduate and so I grew up aroung the Atmy. I applied for ROTC when I was getting ready to enter college. I have always wanted to be in the Army and whenever my little brother and I would play army when we were younger i always seemed to be the offocer or medic (depended on if our older sister joined in...oldest was officer...makes sence huh?
) In my senior year of highschool when the war in Iraq "was at it's peak" as I heard someone say. I wanted to be in the army even more. I was in a car accident three days before my highschool graduation and suffered sever injuries to my leg and lost the hearing in one of my ears. as a result I am medicaly ineligable to join the military. I have friends who went on to join and am a freverent supposrter of our troops and armed forces. even if i can't be one of them.
So to all soldiers...both active duty and retired...THank you for the service to our country...because of you we can sit at our computers and debate the laws of this land and the people who run it.
God bless you all.
) In my senior year of highschool when the war in Iraq "was at it's peak" as I heard someone say. I wanted to be in the army even more. I was in a car accident three days before my highschool graduation and suffered sever injuries to my leg and lost the hearing in one of my ears. as a result I am medicaly ineligable to join the military. I have friends who went on to join and am a freverent supposrter of our troops and armed forces. even if i can't be one of them.So to all soldiers...both active duty and retired...THank you for the service to our country...because of you we can sit at our computers and debate the laws of this land and the people who run it.
God bless you all.
Rumble
Member
I would have joined the Navy, except that they weren't looking for people with chronic respiratory ailments. Therefore, I did not serve. I don't particularly regret the lost opportunity--I do wonder how life would have been different now, but I don't consider myself any less of a patriot, a man, or a human because I didn't serve in the military. Any regrets are wishful thinking about not having to pay for helicopter rides.
Edit: Hell, I'm raising a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old. I have seen the elephant. I got nothing to prove.
Edit: Hell, I'm raising a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old. I have seen the elephant. I got nothing to prove.
jeff-10
Member
PlayboyPenguin you may not have noticed because most people don't post about there military service but THR has a high number of active duty military and veterans who post on the forum. There may be a handful of loudmouths who spout that stuff in the legal and politics section who have never served but on the rest of the boards you will find quite a few who have in the past or are currently serving.
progunner1957
member
Civilian life is not for everyone
I served in the Air Force, 1985-89. I used to think that military service should be mandatory for everyone once they graduated high school or college, but now I have changed my mind. Why drag someone off to the military, kicking and screaming, that doesn't want to go? They will only cause problems and lower the effectiveness of their squadron or company.
Hindsight is always 20/20, but if I had it to do over again, I would have stayed in the military; when I got out and went back to college, it was like I was in a foreign land, and not in a good way. People say "the military is not for everyone." I found out that "Civilian life is not for everyone."
I have also thought that I would have made a better choice if I had joined the Marines. Working with military jets was great, but being a combat troop would have been even better - more travel, getting to use firearms and hone my marksmanship/fighting skills, and the chance to engage the enemy would have been greatly rewarding.
I'm glad I did serve, but as I get older and look back, I wish I'd done more.
I served in the Air Force, 1985-89. I used to think that military service should be mandatory for everyone once they graduated high school or college, but now I have changed my mind. Why drag someone off to the military, kicking and screaming, that doesn't want to go? They will only cause problems and lower the effectiveness of their squadron or company.
Hindsight is always 20/20, but if I had it to do over again, I would have stayed in the military; when I got out and went back to college, it was like I was in a foreign land, and not in a good way. People say "the military is not for everyone." I found out that "Civilian life is not for everyone."
I have also thought that I would have made a better choice if I had joined the Marines. Working with military jets was great, but being a combat troop would have been even better - more travel, getting to use firearms and hone my marksmanship/fighting skills, and the chance to engage the enemy would have been greatly rewarding.
I'm glad I did serve, but as I get older and look back, I wish I'd done more.
Double Maduro
Member
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- Dec 30, 2002
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Appreciation, pass it on.
A couple of incidents, one a pleasant surprise and one not meant to pat myself on the back but too set an example.
The first. A year or so ago, I was scheduled for some surgery and they sent me down to the office to fill out paperwork. The woman who was filling out the papers asked, "Are you a Veteran?" when I said yes she smiled and said "Thank You" and went on with the rest of the paper work.
Made me feel good to think that this person appreciated what so many have given for this country.
The second. I was at the airport to pick up a friend, and saw a young soldier, in uniform, coming down the ramp. He was obviously coming home, he had what seemed to be many family members with him. I walked up, looked him in the eye, stuck out my hand and said, "Thank You" and kept walking. I thought he was going to cry, some of the people in his party did.
So spread it around. When you see a service person, thank them for their service, I guarantee it will make you feel even better than it makes them feel.
DM
A couple of incidents, one a pleasant surprise and one not meant to pat myself on the back but too set an example.
The first. A year or so ago, I was scheduled for some surgery and they sent me down to the office to fill out paperwork. The woman who was filling out the papers asked, "Are you a Veteran?" when I said yes she smiled and said "Thank You" and went on with the rest of the paper work.
Made me feel good to think that this person appreciated what so many have given for this country.
The second. I was at the airport to pick up a friend, and saw a young soldier, in uniform, coming down the ramp. He was obviously coming home, he had what seemed to be many family members with him. I walked up, looked him in the eye, stuck out my hand and said, "Thank You" and kept walking. I thought he was going to cry, some of the people in his party did.
So spread it around. When you see a service person, thank them for their service, I guarantee it will make you feel even better than it makes them feel.
DM
heypete
Member
PlayboyPenguin said:I have noticed alot of younger board members on here. Alot of profiles list people in their 20's. This kind of suprised me. I have also noticed alot of these same "whipper snappers" very fervently defending the constitution in their posts (at least one line of it). I started wondering...of the younger members here...how many are currently on active duty with the military in this time of great need? To those that are not or never have been I pose the question of why not? Most on here seem to be very patriotic when it comes to the typed word. Just curious...you do know they give out free guns...right.
PS- I would also love to hear about the older vets on this board. I am sure there are lots here and I feel that their service is not recognized often enough.
I was. I got hurt. Now I'm out.
19K, M1A1 Tank Crewman. Wahoo! Then we got re-trained for infantry stuff, only without the official 11B designation, nor were we eligible for CIBs in the sandbox. Our brigade's general fought long and hard, and those that went over there and saw combat got CIBs.
Technically, I was in the CalArmyGuard, but for all intents and purposes it was active-duty. Out of the two years I was in, all but two months were spent Active Duty at "real" posts like Fort Knox and Fort Lewis. Of course, the Active Duty guys never let us forget we were "Nasty Girls".
That said, the military's not for everyone. That's what's nice about this being a free country with a volunteer military -- you don't have to go if you don't want to. In retrospect, it was exactly what I needed at the time. But now, at age 23, and being about 2-3 years behind my peers in academic pursuits (I'm a Physics major), it's a bit frustrating. But I made my choice, did my time, and am getting on with my life.
Double Maduro
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2002
- Messages
- 1,125
Progunner,
I was in the Army in the 60's.
Believe me, engaging the enemy isn't nearly as much fun and even less rewarding, than it sounds, and there are better ways of honing your marksmanship and fighting skills.
DM
I was in the Army in the 60's.
Believe me, engaging the enemy isn't nearly as much fun and even less rewarding, than it sounds, and there are better ways of honing your marksmanship and fighting skills.
DM
JesseJames
Member
Served 2 years active duty from 1992 to Nov 1994.
Was mechanized Infantryman.
Outfit was 2nd Battalion 5th Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. GarryOwen,
Black Knights, Deathmerchants, HOOAHH.
Honorable discharge after end of IRR commitment.
Enough said.
Was mechanized Infantryman.
Outfit was 2nd Battalion 5th Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. GarryOwen,
Black Knights, Deathmerchants, HOOAHH.
Honorable discharge after end of IRR commitment.
Enough said.
PlayboyPenguin
member
Lennyjoe said:I ain't no whippersnapper but I'm still serving. Hit 21 years in May and still have another 2 left to go.
Bad thing is, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
Join the club. I was MI and decided not to go FBI or CIA when I got out my training in the military was worthless.
PlayboyPenguin
member
Double Maduro said:
My feelings on manditory service have also fluctuated over the years. I do feel that after high school it might be good to be required to do 1 or 2 years of either military or public service work (like peace corp or something). Also, if they chose miltitary but did not want to be a soldier put them in GS service as a clerk or some other civilian support type position.
PlayboyPenguin
member
Cheers to all those so far
Cheers to all those vets on here so far. Nice to hear all the varying stories and experiences. Especially the good ones lik ethe nurse saying "thank you". I fly alot and I always try to talk to the new soldiers whenever Isee them in the airports returning from basic training or AIT. They always seem to really appreciate it. Especially being able to talk in a friendly manner with an ex-officer after all that stiffness in basic or AIT.
Cheers to all those vets on here so far. Nice to hear all the varying stories and experiences. Especially the good ones lik ethe nurse saying "thank you". I fly alot and I always try to talk to the new soldiers whenever Isee them in the airports returning from basic training or AIT. They always seem to really appreciate it. Especially being able to talk in a friendly manner with an ex-officer after all that stiffness in basic or AIT.
That could be me! Well I think we have varying definitions of great need. I do not believe we are in a time of great need for the military. I do not believe the greatest threat to this country can be fought from the military. I think the largest threat to the country's liberty comes from the government and over zealous legislation. Signing yourself over to that government may not be the most ideal way to fight against that. Thats not to say I don't appreciate what our servicemen's service, but at the same time I don't feel like there is a great threat to the US they are thwarting either necessarily. Patriotism is more than military service. Similiarly I don't believe military service necessarily implies patriotism, although in most cases it probably does.PlayboyPenguin said:I have noticed alot of younger board members on here. Alot of profiles list people in their 20's. This kind of suprised me. I have also noticed alot of these same "whipper snappers" very fervently defending the constitution in their posts (at least one line of it). I started wondering...of the younger members here...how many are currently on active duty with the military in this time of great need? To those that are not or never have been I pose the question of why not? Most on here seem to be very patriotic when it comes to the typed word. Just curious...you do know they give out free guns...right.
PS- I would also love to hear about the older vets on this board. I am sure there are lots here and I feel that their service is not recognized often enough.
Lennyjoe
Member
Already am
Got a job offer from AMARC as a GS-11 when I retire. Hope that offer is still open next year. Might have to stay in Arizona a few more years.
PlayboyPenguin
member
Oh, I hate to diagree with you there but the military is in it's greatest need since colonial times. I was MI and tactical theater operations was one of the things I dealt with and I can tell you the military is at the breaking point. I was actually talking to some other ex-mil guys the other day that had the same job I did and we all agreed that something needs to be done. If China decided to take a stance of aggression right now we would be completely overwelmed and under Chinese rule within 6 months. Don't reply with "we would just nuke the bastards" either. Almost all stategists agree that a nuclear option would never be used in a time of invasion. The old "it is better to live and fight another day than stand and die".Soybomb said:
I'm joining the navy the second i get my bachelors from uw. got less than a year left..
i want to persue a career as a navy seal, enlisted or officer.. doesn't matter
yeah, i know.. its a dream, but i'm going to TRY!!!
i like israel's approach on the military.. ALL will enlist if you're a resident in israel.. unless you have a medical or physical problem (well, last time i checked)
i want to persue a career as a navy seal, enlisted or officer.. doesn't matter
yeah, i know.. its a dream, but i'm going to TRY!!!
i like israel's approach on the military.. ALL will enlist if you're a resident in israel.. unless you have a medical or physical problem (well, last time i checked)
PlayboyPenguin
member
GS work is a great way to go. As for Arizona, I was stationed there and loved it. Familiar with Huachuca, AZ?Lennyjoe said:Already am
Got a job offer from AMARC as a GS-11 when I retire. Hope that offer is still open next year. Might have to stay in Arizona a few more years.
wingnutx
Member
walw said:
A bichin' sailor is a happy sailor.
Devonai
Member
Military service is one form of demonstrating patriotism, but not the only form. I certainly don't think that youth is a disqualifier. Everybody has to start somewhere.
KriegHund
Member
PlayboyPenguin said:I have noticed alot of younger board members on here. Alot of profiles list people in their 20's. This kind of suprised me. I have also noticed alot of these same "whipper snappers" very fervently defending the constitution in their posts (at least one line of it). I started wondering...of the younger members here...how many are currently on active duty with the military in this time of great need? To those that are not or never have been I pose the question of why not? Most on here seem to be very patriotic when it comes to the typed word. Just curious...you do know they give out free guns...right.
PS- I would also love to hear about the older vets on this board. I am sure there are lots here and I feel that their service is not recognized often enough.
Ill be joining as soon as i am 18 and graduate (I graduate about 10 days after my B-day)
And ill be proud to do it.
RonC
Member
I was drafted into the Army in 1967. After taking the aptitude test, they asked me what I wanted to do. I suggested turbine mechanics (for the Hueys) or electronics. In their great wisdom, I ended up first as an 11B10 Light Weapons Infantry and, after training, 45B30 Armaments repairman.:banghead:
I'm afraid I can't say anything positive about the experience, except for some fine men I met. Prior to the Tet offensive in January 1968, morale was horrible. Whole companies were refusing orders to go on search and destroy missions. Because of extensive fragging, the Air Force guys at Tan San Nuit air base had their weapons taken away and stored in lockers under lock and key. That meant that when the Tet Offensive began, and sappers started penetrating the outer perimeter of the air base, the airmen had no weapons to fight back. Tet did have the affect of galvanizing morale as a way of self preservation.
Overall, my memories of the period are not fond ones. In fact, in my household, we do not even talk about it.
I'm afraid I can't say anything positive about the experience, except for some fine men I met. Prior to the Tet offensive in January 1968, morale was horrible. Whole companies were refusing orders to go on search and destroy missions. Because of extensive fragging, the Air Force guys at Tan San Nuit air base had their weapons taken away and stored in lockers under lock and key. That meant that when the Tet Offensive began, and sappers started penetrating the outer perimeter of the air base, the airmen had no weapons to fight back. Tet did have the affect of galvanizing morale as a way of self preservation.
Overall, my memories of the period are not fond ones. In fact, in my household, we do not even talk about it.
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