Welcome...

[goingoldskool]

I have to agree with MnFn.... I started out in the Army because I couldn't  afford to go to college... I was just shy of 21 when I got out of AIT  and thought I was on top the world! I had a bunch of 'brothers' that I'd do anything  for and they for me.  I did 13 years, and 9 months and was not liking the way the Army was headed, so I rotated to the Missouri Air Guard Just in time for 9/11.... which led to an extended Sandy vacation in a very warm place. Along with 4 subsequent trips...

This trip was not even close to the '91 Gulf trip.... this one was much hotter! But it all worked out and I am now a federal technician working on C130's and enjoy every day of it!!!  My new coworkers are are of a mix of prior service just like me, so we always have good stories!

Even after 27 years, I don't see how I could have NOT worked for Uncle Sam... I'd do it all again!

By the way, I met my wife in the Army and now she's in the Air guard as well... about to finish her 20 years in.

This has enabled me to see quite a bit of the country and LOTS of places that I'd like to see with bow in hand!

God bless you guys and THANK YOU FOR your service!!!

Rodd

[Mudd]

I'm here...

God bless,Mudd

[swampdrummer]

Pretty cool! Thanks!

[Phrogdrvr]

Cool, this will be fun.  Semper Fi Brothers and Sisters in arms.

Maj Tom, USMC

[Fattony77]

I was 22 when I joined the Army, and headed down the wrong path. The Good Lord saved my life by way of an Army recruiter. I sometimes regret that I wasn't able to serve for longer than I did, as I fell ill in AIT and was unable to recover quickly enough to continue serving. The Army showed me how to endure and overcome obstacles like no other experience could have.

I now serve and protect the state of Oklahoma by being a Correctional Officer. Thanks to the grace of God and my military experience, I now WORK at a prison instead of living in one.

I thank God for the opportunity to have served for as long as I did (though I didn't do much), and I thank all of you for being willing and able to give more than I did. And for making it possible for me to still be able to say that I am PROUD to be an American and a veteran.

[monterey]

I bet a lot of us feel the same way. I went in at 19, my rich Uncle taught me how to fly helicopters and sent me on an all expenses paid vacation to SE Asia. That will grow you up in a hurry.
 

That sure does parralel my experience.  Woulda liked to fly those choppers but could not pass the eye test.  

When I got out it seemed like the people my age (21) who, for whatever reason, did not serve were living in a sorta fantasy world.

[McDave]

Originally posted by MnFn:
Well, while we are waiting..
I don't know if any of you feel the same way, but I think I got far more out of my service in the US Army than any cost to me. I grew up an awful lot.

When I went in the Army at age 20 I literally had nothing going for me. A dead end minimum wage job and no prospects.
The Army taught me a lot, including that I could succeed in college, etc.  Because of my service, I had the GI Bill for education; a leg up getting into the Federal Government workforce.  I think of the US Army as a great equalizer, or maybe enabler is a better word.
I wonder where I would be if I had not enlisted.
I am extremely thankful for those benefits.

Substitute the USMC for the Army in the story above, and it could just as well be my story.  Same age, same everything else.

[Al Kidner]

G'day yanks!

It's one of your aussie brothers in arms here and I must say it's always been a pleasure following you lads from one front to the next over the past.... Oh 100 years....lol.

I spent just shy of 10 years in the Australian infantry and most of that time in recon/sniper units as well as regional surveillance units keeping an eye open on our northern boarders.

I left the green machine wanting my own life back after a full on few years of deployments and not a day goes by that I don't thank the Army/Infantry for its shaping and roughing out 'me'.

I find my service defies me as a man and I am at peace with that. Some love my 'old school' ways of discipline, standing behind your actions and being accountable ... Not to mention leading from the front. The infantry taught me all that... Hell I still roll my socks the same way and can iron better then anyone I know....lol. Well maybe not my dear Ma.

Now I am answering questions from my son who is thinking of following my footsteps and joining up. I wanted him to do a trade or something, like being a engineer or mechanic. But no... He tells me he want to "walk the light green like you did dad".... And that chokes me up a tad as although I know joining up will also turn him into a man, I think my family have done enough for this country. His call though.

Welcome my brothers in arms.

John 15:13.

Oh and thanks Terry.

[TealCoin]

Anxious to see what's brewing!!!

[brianbfree]

I served allmost 23 years (all but six months on jump status)right out of high school and I still to this day cannot believe all the great things I had the oportunity to do and the places to do them in. I saw most of Africa, Cenral and South America, Asia and Europe. I can add all fifty states to the list as well. At times it was gruling hard work but I enjoyed it all. I got paid to do what most guys have on thier bucket list. I would never change a single thing.

[Bladepeek]

Centaur, I'd have loved to have flown choppers over there, but they would have never gotten the pilot's seat clean again. You guys had to be at least partially insane. A lot of guys sure owe their lives to some very gutsy pilots, though.

I was minding my own business as a Detroit cop, when I got a letter inviting me to come down to Ft Knox, KY for some remedial training. That was back in Nov 1963. Was standing in formation when they announced that JFK had been shot. I thank the Army for that draft notice. Otherwise, I'd probably be on somebody's cell phone video.

Spent some time at Ft Sill, OK learning all about 105mm guns and losing some of my hearing. Then I went to Germany, found a wife and decided I needed a life skill other than shooting cannons so it was off to Ft Monmouth for a year to become an electronics wizard. That, in turn, made my VietNam tour different from a lot of yours. I was one of those REMFs who got to work in air conditioned vans and buildings and spent a minimum of time out where people shot at you.

Came back from where I felt like I was making a difference to EUCOM Hq near Stuttgart Germany where I spent more time explaining why somebody's boots weren't lined up properly under his bunk than I spent running my shift. I left the Army after nearly 10 years, but I wouldn't trade very much of that time for anything. It was definitely a learning and leveling experience.

[S.C. Hunter]

Well it is a nice thing Terry has done for us and it is much appreciated. Been out now almost 30 years seems not so long ago.

 Originally joined the SCARNG/ S.C. Army National guard. That was my junior year in high school. upon graduation a buddy of mine wanted to join the marines and asked me to go on the buddy plan.

Well my platoon sgt, Sgt first class Darnell class was also our county Sheriff, Mr.Ed Darnell and my company commander Capt. Dean Delk was one of my football coaches. Small towns gotta love it.

 After much discussion I received my lateral transfer for the time I had signed up for the guard. I enlisted into the USMC and just over a year and a half after finishing basic training for the Army at Ft.Jackson I found myself aboard Parris Island going through bootcamp. Lol glutton for punishment. Met some great people and had some experiences I'll never forget.

[S.C. Hunter]

Thank you, Terry and anyone else who may have been involved with creating this forum.  

[Bear Heart]

Seems be be a good amount of us here.

[akbowbender]

I went into the Army at the relatively old age of 26.

I was working, but I needed a change. I always felt that I needed to serve my country in some way.  My father was a career Navy Chief, and my brother was a Marine, so I mixed things up and joined the Army!

I had basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and my AIT at Ft. Huachuca, Az. My duty station for the remainder of my enlistment was at Schofield Barracks on Oahu.

I know, tough duty! Believe it or not, after a while, I got tired of laying around in the sun! I was rescued by a guy in the company who was in the Armed Forces Field Archery Club (AFFAC). Most everyone by then were shooting compounds, so that's what he gave me to shoot. By the end of my tour, though, I was shooting a recurve again.

Since it was a time of relative peace in the world, the Army didn't really have anything for us to do but train. Fortunately, I was loaned out to the 548 RTG at Hickam AFB. With the 548th, it got to go on two 2-month TDY's to Okinawa where we worked the imagery from the SR-71's that flew missions from there. This really helped make my enlistment go by quickly.

I had a good deal going there on Oahu, as I lived off post, but I knew that I probably wouldn't have such a deal if I re-upped and got sent somewhere else, so I got out after my 3-year hitch was up.

It was a good experience, and it gave me the break I needed. I had served my country, and it was now time to enjoy our great country with a bow in hand.

[Brianlocal3]

DEFENSOR FORTIS!!!
Welcome everyone

[Jerry Jeffer]

Failed my first year at college. Never in class, too much hunting and fishing instead. Ended up in the Navy, got an a$$ whoop in grow up. Only did 4 years, and have a better life because of it. Maybe should have stayed in?....

Waiting to see what we have here.

[Brianlocal3]

I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the military. I could never give back as much as I got out.!!!

[Bldtrailer]

Freedom is NEVER free, it is paid  for with the BLOOD of heroes.     while all others are running away.  All it takes for EVIL to win is for good men to do nothing.    

[Sarge11]

Dress right----DRESS!

Appreciation to all on this forum and thanks Terry for the thought and effort.