Fun & Games Most liked posts in thread: Did you serve?

1st stint 1972-77 18D3W7PF (Special Forces Medical Sergeant Scuba Linguist) Ft Polk, LA, Ft Benning, GA, Ft Bragg, NC, Ft Lee, VA, Ft Sam Houston, TX and overseas deployments with the 5th SFG(A).

2nd stint(after college at UTSWMCDallas-BS/Physician Assistant). 1986-91 CW2 PA Ft Bragg, NC Ft Campbell, KY Ft Davis, Panama Ft Hood, TX. Combat Operations: Operation 'Ernest Will' Persian Gulf(Persian Gulf Yacht and Aero Clubs), Trained mujahedeen Guerillas fighting the Russians(their Viet Nam) Pakistan/Afghanistan(guess we did too good of a job eh?), 'Just Cause' Panama 'Desert Storm' Saudi Arabia et al. 5th SFG(A), 7th SFG(A), 160th SOAR, (on loan to) US Navy. Combat sea/ground/air time.

High, High adventure that I wouldn't give up for anything but living on the ragged edge really does take it's toll psychologically/emotionally speaking. 2 divorces nah, that couldn't be. I used to say, "PTSD, what a bunch of sissies," until I became the biggest sissy of all. My wife(3rd, the one who lead me back to sanity and died recently) once said, " it's a good thing that you guys all joined SF as you would have made excellent criminals." From the mouth of babes...................................

Jason

 

I have had good experience with all the different US forces, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. I have tried and still tell people that no matter how much crap we (different branches of the military) give each other, what matters most in time of need is that we remember it says US before it says anything. SO wwe will bail each other out if it needs to be done.

 

It is called a good conduct medal but in reality it just represented 4 years of un-detected crime.

 

On Memorial Day weekend 2013 our company provided a discount for service members. We would give the discount when asked and say thank you for your service. I had the pleasure of ringing up a man and his female companion. I stated "Thank you for your service", at the end of the transaction. With eyes full of tears, he said thank you for saying that. No one has ever said that to me since I have returned from Vietnam. I have seen him once since and I am humbled and fortunate for the opportunity to meet him.

 

It should never be forgotten that returning 'Nam vets were spat upon, cursed as baby killers and otherwise relegated to second class citizens by not only the general public but in some cases by the VA until sense was made of the Agent Orange fiasco. It wasn't until Panama and Granada that troops were welcomed home as heroes

 

As others have said, ours was not a happy home coming. My buddy and I decided to join the VFW, thinking being around other vets would be a safe haven. We were told that Nam was not a war, so we did not qualify for membership and we should finish our beer and get out. I know the VFW has changed over the years, but that left a bad taste in my mouth I can not forget.

Stayed out for a year and then went back in. I quickly found that having a combat patch on your right shoulder was something to be proud of and it was respected, so I remained on active duty, where I seemed to fit in nicely.

 

USN 1987-1992. Joined before graduating high school, served during the first Gulf War. Trained as a machinist, stationed in Alameda CA. My livelihood so far, has been a result of what I learned in those 4+ years.
I served, I learned, I experienced...it can never be taken away from me.

Bryan

 

This thread just brought something to mind I had forgotten about. How many of you remember the "compressed air guns" they gave us shots with? If you flinched, it would put a half inch gash in your arm. Wounder what happened to them? Must not have caught on in the civilian world.

 

No, I have not served but I am very grateful for all those that have.

 

Army, 23 years. (95-1A0)

Vietnam, '70 - '71 (67N20)

 

US Army 1971-1977
Fort Knox Kentucky
Fort Carson Colorado
Fort Wolters Texas
Fort Rucker Alabama
Fort Richardson/Elmendorf AFB Alaska

Never regretted joining, never regretted separating. Did receive some first class flight training that paid off in the long run for which I am truly grateful. Proud to have served.

 

:cornut: You know, I honestly think that some of this Soldiering(Sailor, Marine, Airman, Coastie ) thing is in the blood/DNA ie:

Great Great Grand Father- Confederate Artillery
Great Grand Father- Confederate Infantry
Grand Father- Royal Army (Scottish) Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders(the ladies from hell)
Father- Army Air Corps/Air Force
Me- Army SF
My Son- Naval Aviation

Jason

 

People overhear a comment about the service and tell me thank you for serving. Out of politeness I acknowledge their remark but inside I want to explain to them that those too few years were a school boy's dream come true. The far reaching adventure of being attached to a carrier task group or steaming off alone to exotic places around the world was priceless. It hasn't been so for thousands of others but the paths we took weren't totally of our choosing but by pure chance.

 

Here's a young lad who has never 'served' but I don't think anyone needs to explain to him what it means.
Boy Pays it Forward with Found Fortune | Military.com

 

Right out of boot and waiting for my class to start, I was in the Acey-Duecy club swabbin' the deck aboard Fleet ASW School San Diego the evening the Maddox was attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin. It got real quiet in there. The bartender poured a round for all hands (wasn't old enough, 21 in CA, but hey) and we hoisted a toast to the brave lads at sea.

 

I did not, but thanks to all that have & still do.

 

I did not serve myself, so I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude, respect, and admiration to all who did.

 

My Dad was associated with Sonar repair. During the Korean War, they caught a Hammerhead Shark while raising the periscope:biggrin5:. I never served. It's a VERY good thing, you'd agree if you knew me... THANK YOU to ALL the men and women who serve and have served!!! I will be seeking out individual opportunities to thank ONE HUG AT A TIME!!!at MOTD