Gator Russ Posted September 18, 1999 Share Posted September 18, 1999 USMC Did 12 years as a CH-53E Avionics Tech 83-95. Got out as a SSgt. Was with HMH-464 in Desert Storm. HMM-263(SOI) in Somalia. HMM-162(SOI) in the Med. Love the job but hated not seeing my faimly to often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bobb Posted September 19, 1999 Share Posted September 19, 1999 Did US Army Reserve time starting about 1961. One of those 6mo active service deals that became so popular a few years later when Nam was a watchword. I found a lot of the training less than impressive though some sesions were worked harder than others. An unusually heavy snow fall at Ft. Dix more or less put an end to training and the guys started getting cabin feaver. I remembered another snowy time on the German border in 44 much farther away from warm barracks, 1st classs winter wear, and hot chow. It seemed a terrible waste of traingin opportunity. Basin Unit training seemed a joke anyway, even when the weather was fine. I fortunantly missed a lot of that with an early out for finishing school. What happened to a lot of those RAs that I trained with a few years later - - - I hope they made it through. Most lasting memory - - a night firing training session in which some faceless Lt. spoke to the troops over the PA system as we waited in the firing pits for darkness and our eyes to accomidate. He spoke in such seriousness and about the possibilities in some not too distant future in a place called Viet Nam as the guys groused and complained about the Mickey Mouse BS we were forced to hear. I felt a little differently. WWII was part my childhood mental environment with numerous relatives involved; Korea saw my brother in a tank Bn (thank the fates stateside). And I was up enough upon current world affairs to have heard of a little trouble in Southeast Asia. While frequent moves kept my active reserve status less than active as the army's clerks seemed rather slow to cut new orders, I did find a lot of interest in extending my MOS from 111 into other fields. Besides infantry and artillery (105s), I got 2wk tastes of training in armored infantry, and 4.2 in. morters. I suppose the weapon that provided the most thrill in firing was the 3.5 in. bazooka. Training cadre was mainly of Korean War vintage. They, for the most part, were very laid back and easy going. They had already had their war, and survived. Just keep your nose clean soldier and don't cause trouble. None of the DI stuff, unless you were screwing up. I was assigned 7 out of a possible 15 days extra duty for forgetting to wear my overshoes in the snow. I made it through until the evening chow line when approaching darkness gave me heart that soon no one would notice. Those with more service and deadlier experiences say a lot less it seems. Apologies. This was close enough for me to be very greatful that the President did not see fit to call us up for service. It was a great mistake, I think, but one whose unlikelyhood made me sweat for a few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Los Posted September 19, 1999 Share Posted September 19, 1999 Hey MERC, Go on over to the combat engineer thread and answer some questions about breaching operations under fire. Cheers... Los Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JonS Posted September 20, 1999 Share Posted September 20, 1999 Current Territorial Bombadier in 16th Field Regt, RNZA. Presently specialising as a forward observer. Joined in a fit of youthful enthusiasim in late '90 when the weird **** was going on in the Gulf (didn't get to go). Have hung around ever since 'cos most of the time it's a blast (hehehe) Jon ------------------ Quo Fas et Vino du Femme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC Posted September 20, 1999 Share Posted September 20, 1999 Active Duty - USMC 0369 - "Grunt" 8541 - Scout/Sniper 1/8 83-86. Went to Beirut in 83 as a young PFC infantryman (Dragon Gunner). Was there for the "September War" and lost a lot of buddies in the BLT bombing. Did a tour as an instructor at the Scout/Sniper School in Quantico 86-89. 3/3 89-91. Went to the Gulf War as a Scout/Sniper. Back to Quantico 91-92. 8&I 92-97. 2/8 98-99. Just got back from Haiti in April. Currently at 8th Mar Reg as the EKMS Manager. Retire in 3 years. (Can't wait!) Am disappointed that I never participated in a real war. A couple firefights in Beirut and rounding up Iraqi prisoners in the Gulf was the closest I came. The analogy about the football team that practices but never gets to play in a real game fits. I've been practicing for 17 years and never got into a real war. Oh well, there's always computer battles to be fought. RC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted September 21, 1999 Share Posted September 21, 1999 ).] [This message has been edited by sage (edited 09-21-99).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted September 21, 1999 Share Posted September 21, 1999 10 years in the Canadian Navy as a Marine Engineering Technician (Stoker). Served on various ships on both coasts of Canada. Participated in the naval blockade of Haiti in '94. Most recently helped collect Chinese 'Migrants' off the coast of British Columbia. Nothing spectacular, the job is 99% boredom and 1% real gut-wrenching excitement. Staying below decks operating the engines keeps you warm and dry Hello to the submariners from a skimmer - from the sounds of it we do the same job only I don't operate nukes, only steam turbines, gas turbines and diesels. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xyphorus Posted September 21, 1999 Share Posted September 21, 1999 I served 10 months (mendatory military service) in France, in the "second regiment of Hussards", stationned East of Paris. I was an "AMX 10 RC" driver. I got a chance to drive the new "Leclerc" heavy tank for a day in Carpiegne (South of France). I picked an armored regiment to serve in, because I did not want to be in the infantry and walk. It is that simple! Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMo Posted September 21, 1999 Share Posted September 21, 1999 Lurk mode off: Major in Florida Air National Guard. 7 yrs Active duty and now 7 in ANG. Chief of Weapons and Tactics for an Air Defense Unit. Spent time in the USAF Aggressors and am a graduate of Fighter Weapons School, along with some courses at Top Gun. What's an air dude doing on a forum like this? Big WWII buff whether air OR ground combat. T-Mo Lurk mode back on: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sten Posted September 21, 1999 Share Posted September 21, 1999 Served 1.5 years in the Swedish Navy as a Tactical Coordinator / Signal Analyst, i. e. I plotted mine-lines, coordinated air & sea forces and listened to radars (much like a sonar-operator). Currently in the Naval reserve as a doctor, specialising in hyperbaric medicine. Sten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef Posted September 21, 1999 Share Posted September 21, 1999 Corporal in the 2nd Chasseurs à Pied ( anti-tank light infantry )in the Belgian army during my military duty in 1991...While on my duty in 1991, my government has voted a law canceling the military duty in Belgium from 1992...alas, one year to late Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGTRock Posted September 22, 1999 Share Posted September 22, 1999 To Mike D: So is our WWII Carrier still in dry dock or are the Liberals using it as garbage barg? Which destroyer were you on the one that patrols the east or the west coast...How do we fit all the guys in two bathtubs.. Canadian Navy...And most of our other Armed Forces... Thanks to the Liberals ONE SAD STATE. Well since you won't here it from any other Canadian...Well done soldier you served your Country well. Kudos Fellow Countrymen You too John M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted September 23, 1999 Share Posted September 23, 1999 I served 18 months in the French Army (military service + enlisted 6 extra months) in 85/86. I was a sound engineer in the PR video department (read propaganda!). This position gave me the opportunity to spend some (short) time with many different units, from aicraft carrier Foch to Foreign Legion paras (2eme REP). It was quite an interesting time for me, with some great experiences... Joël Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinM Posted September 25, 1999 Share Posted September 25, 1999 Major in the USArmy, 12 years service, first as a fire support team leader in 35th Mech Infantry Div, followed by logistics assignments at Ft. Ord (7ID Light) and Ft. Campbell (101st Abn Div). Spent 6 months in the desert for OPN Desert Shield/Storm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annalist Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 18 months as straight leg infantry in the guard. 18 months NBC recon platoon leader in South Korea, 6 months light truck transportation platoon leader. 1 year as maintenance company shop officer. 1 year as installation maintenance officer for Ft. Polk and JRTC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Space Thing Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 US Coast Guard '74-'80 and US Army Reserves '90-'93 as a medic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 Originally posted by SGTRock: To Mike D: So is our WWII Carrier still in dry dock or are the Liberals using it as garbage barg? Which destroyer were you on the one that patrols the east or the west coast...How do we fit all the guys in two bathtubs.. Canadian Navy...And most of our other Armed Forces... Thanks to the Liberals ONE SAD STATE. Well since you won't here it from any other Canadian...Well done soldier you served your Country well. Kudos Fellow Countrymen You too John M. How CAN we have a decent Army if people whine and cry about it, and then quit after a couple of years because it is not run to their satisfaction? I am reminded of Hawkeye's comments to Colonel Flagg - "If we had more men like you, we'd have less men like you." To answer the question, I'm a 14 year reservist - Calgary Highlanders. No great shakes - was a musician for a few years, then transferred to the orderly room - guess I have something in common with a couple of others here. I've experienced first hand what military drummers are like in Canada - would love to hear about the Swiss side of things. The Canadian Army today enjoys a wealth of new equipment - the stuff you don't hear about in the news - terrific new uniforms and personal equipment, the LAV III, and incidentally I was under the impression that Canadian frigates were the envy of other NATO naval services and seen as cutting edge when they were commissioned not too long ago. I note we just got our first British sub up and running too. I don't see the point in having a 100,000 man standing army just to attract the people who will likely gripe about anything they are given to train with anyway. I think everyone has noted from the tone of my posts that I feel a real soldier will soldier with what he is given to work with. The Canadian Army has never been blessed with wealths of great equipment - but they have always done the jobs asked of them, and done it well. That applies to military life now, it applies to Army life then, and it applies to the way we all handle our Combat Mission forces. End of sermon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Crow Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 20 years U.S. Navy, Chief Electronics Warfare Technician. USS Crommelin, USS Blue Ridge, and USS Belleau Wood..... so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasoncawley@ameritech.net Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 Was in U.S. Army Reserve field artillery, 8 inch self-propelled. Never saw combat and for that I am grateful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarhead Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 I Joined the US army Reserve (2 years-cold weather Infantry scout). Then I transferred to The US Marine Corps, where I had to go through basic, and infantry school again. Because the "Corps" does not except prior service training. I served out my 4 years + 2 mo active duty. I then joined the Army reserve (2 years) again as a member of a LRSU Team. By then my family was well underway. I decided to exit the military for good. I miss it. Had I remained single, I believe I would have made it a career. ------------------ Semper Fi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathman Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 Captain, USAF. Spent six years in the UK and Italy. In the UK I was a GLCM (Ground Launch Cruise Missile) launch control officer (I turned the key that let the nukes fly) at RAF Greenham Common. By the way, any Brits out there who can tell me if the "peace women" are still camped out there? In Italy I was in Aviano as a command post puke and hated every second - not Italy, the job. The higher the rank, the worse the job is, at least that was my experience. Now I'm enjoying life in the Colorado rockies building houses and snowboarding (and playing CM!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruno Weiss Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 U.S. Army Stratcom, (7th Signal Command), 1972-1975 ------------------ "Gentlemen, you may be sure that of the three courses open to the enemy, he will always choose the fourth." -Field Marshal Count Helmuth von Moltke, (1848-1916) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarhead Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 [This message has been edited by Jarhead (edited 01-23-2001).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slapdragon Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 Originally posted by Michael Dorosh: How CAN we have a decent Army if people whine and cry about it, and then quit after a couple of years because it is not run to their satisfaction? I am reminded of Hawkeye's comments to Colonel Flagg - "If we had more men like you, we'd have less men like you." To answer the question, I'm a 14 year reservist - Calgary Highlanders. No great shakes - was a musician for a few years, then transferred to the orderly room - guess I have something in common with a couple of others here. I've experienced first hand what military drummers are like in Canada - would love to hear about the Swiss side of things. The Canadian Army today enjoys a wealth of new equipment - the stuff you don't hear about in the news - terrific new uniforms and personal equipment, the LAV III, and incidentally I was under the impression that Canadian frigates were the envy of other NATO naval services and seen as cutting edge when they were commissioned not too long ago. I note we just got our first British sub up and running too. I don't see the point in having a 100,000 man standing army just to attract the people who will likely gripe about anything they are given to train with anyway. I think everyone has noted from the tone of my posts that I feel a real soldier will soldier with what he is given to work with. The Canadian Army has never been blessed with wealths of great equipment - but they have always done the jobs asked of them, and done it well. That applies to military life now, it applies to Army life then, and it applies to the way we all handle our Combat Mission forces. End of sermon. The Canadian army has almost every year won best of category for NATO forces assigned in Europe despite still using the M1919 and some other old stuff. I cannot tell you about their territorials, but Brasey's and Janes both gush over the Canadians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GI Tom Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 9 Years U.S. Navy. (3 Active 6 Reserve) Started off in the fleet onboard the USS Caron, DD-970 as an EN (Engineman). Spent 3 years on that tin can. Pulled a Med Cruise and various other smaller ones. Did 4 years of Reserves in the fleet as an EN serving onboard 2 FF's (Fast Frigates), USS Samuel Eliot Morrison and USS Clifton Sprague. Then I got into the real Navy, 2 years Reserve time with the US Navy Seabees, 23rd Battalion, Fort Pickett, Virginia. My job there was UT (Utilitiesman). Just got out before I moved here to Texas last year. (Didn't want to transfer, new job takes too much time) Had I joined the Seabees when I first enlisted, I would have been a lifer, I'm sure of it. And that be that. I saw some other person post here from Ft. Pickett earlier. I'll bet I worked on that Urban Training site of yours. We were always tasked with repairing the stuff you guys blew up. Finally, our platoon got a crack at it ourselves one day. GI Tom ------------------ Think before you POST, TEST before you cry BUG and take a "Time-Out" break before you counter-flame the guy that just called you a Plutonian ButtMonkey---Madmatt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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