Veterans tell us where you served and when

[Jimreaper007]

First off thank you veterans!

Please tell who you are, your job and where you served. Or you can tell a funny military story/joke....

Jim Turner
AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY (jump or die)
I have served everywhere you possibly can go
Infantry, MP, Broadcaster and now Officer Candidate
Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom Combat Veteran



MURPHY'S LAW OF COMBAT OPERATIONS
1. Friendly fire, isn’t.
2. Recoilless Rifles, aren’t.
3. Suppressive fire, doesn’t.
4. You are not superman, (Marines take note).
5. A sucking chest wound is nature’s way of telling you to slow down.
6. If it’s stupid, but it works; it isn’t stupid.
7. Try to look unimportant, the enemy may be low on ammo.
8. If at first you don’t succeed, call in Artillery.
9. If you are forward of your position, your artillery will fall short.
10. Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than yourself.
11. Never go to bed with anyone crazier than yourself.
12. Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.
13. If your attack is going really well, it’s an ambush.
14. The enemy diversion you are ignoring, is the main attack.
15. No plan ever survives contact with the enemy.
16. There is no such thing as a perfect plan.
17. There is no such thing as an atheist during an artillery barrage.
18. A retreating enemy is just falling back and regrouping.
19. The important things are always simple, the simple one’s always hard.
20. The easy way is always mined or booby trapped.
21. Teamwork is essential, it gives the enemy other people to shoot at.
22. Don’t look conspicuous, it draws fire.
23. Never draw fire it irritates everyone around you.
24. If you're short of everything except the enemy, you are in the combat zone.
25. When you have secured the area, make sure the enemy knows this too. (Take note...Iraq)
26. Incoming fire always has right of way.

[AGibbsGirl]

This is a great thread!

Happy (Pre) Veterens Day to all of our service men and women, here on the board, and out there in the trenches.

My utmost love and respect go out to all of you!!!!

[RedskinsDave]

Happy Birthday to the Corps as well!!

[WackyJacky]

12. Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.

LMAO! That's classic!

Well, I didn't serve in the military, but my dad did from 1941-1960 (that's him in my sig pic). He was in the Pacific Theater in WWII (Photo Recon, P-38 jock) and also served during the Korean War. Plus he did some spooky cold war stuff over China.

I think he's awesome, and I'm so proud of what he did for his country. :)

Thanks, Pop, and thanks to all you other vets!

[Booser]

Mike
5 years in the Air Force; KC10A Extender Pilot
Best Part of the Air Force: getting to see the world...
Worst Part of the Air Force: seeing mostly the part of the world that is brown and sandy.


Pilot Rules
-Every takeoff is optional. Every landing is mandatory.
-Flying isn't dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous.
-The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.
-A 'good' landing is one you can walk away from. A 'great' landing is one after which they can use the plane again.
-The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival. Large angle of arrival, small probability of survival and vice versa.
-You know you've landed with the wheels up if it takes full power to taxi to the ramp.
-Stay out of clouds. The silver lining everyone keeps talking about might be another airplane going in the opposite direction. Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out in clouds.
-Always try to keep the number of landings you make equal to the number of take offs you've made.
-There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing. Unfortunately no one knows what they are.
-Helicopters can't fly; they're just so ugly the earth repels them.
-In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.
-Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment.
-It's always a good idea to keep the pointy end going forward as much as possible.
-Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It's the law. And it's not subject to repeal.

[Booser]

12. Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.


Another great quote! And the P38 was awesome. I would love to fly a real vintage aircraft (I always swore that when I am rich, I am gonna restore an old Corsair and fly her everywhere). Here's to hoping!

[WackyJacky]

I took my dad to an airshow at Lackland AFB on Sunday, and they had a Corsair flying around. It was sweeeet!

Sadly, you don't see many P-38's at vintage airshows. I guess nobody thought to hang onto 'em.

[Jimreaper007]

I took my dad to an airshow at Lackland AFB on Sunday, and they had a Corsair flying around. It was sweeeet!

Sadly, you don't see many P-38's at vintage airshows. I guess nobody thought to hang onto 'em.


Your dad flew a p-38 Lightning!!!!! AWESOME

Please pass along my thanks to him!

[GibbsRules!]

Boot Camp and Electrical Schooling - Great Lakes, Ill 1983-84
USS Wainwright CG-28 - Charleston SC 1984-87
USS Jouett CG - 29 San Diego & Long Beach Ca 1987-89
Navy Recruiting District Detroit, Michigan 1989-92 (met my future wife)
NSA Souda Bay Crete 1992-93 (lived in sin for a year :rolleyes: )

Got married and got out (Downsizing, I took the money and ran) 10 of the best years of my life! Learned alot about different cultures, traveled the world and made many great friends. Wouldn't trade the experience for anything. True comaradarie...Great thread JimReap...

Work or Play...

At a command picnic, a bunch of officers were standing around talking. A Lieutenant said, "I think that making love is 80% fun and 20% work."

A Commander responded by saying, "No, I think that making love is more work than that. I would say that it is 60% fun and 40% work."

Then a Captain said, "No, making love is definitely way more work than that. I would say that it's more like 20% fun and 80% work."

They continued to discuss the matter for several minutes until a Chief Petty Officer walked by. The officers called the Chief over to ask his opinion.

The Captain said, "Chief, we're having a discussion, and we'd like your input. The Lieutenant says that making love is 80% fun and 20% work. The CDR thinks that making love is 60% fun and 40% work. I say that making love is 20% fun and 80% work. What's your opinion?"

The Chief scratched his chin and said, "Sir, I think you're all wrong. Making love must be 100% fun, because if there was any work involved, you'd have an Enlisted man doing it for you!"

[Jimreaper007]

The Chief scratched his chin and said, "Sir, I think you're all wrong. Making love must be 100% fun, because if there was any work involved, you'd have an Enlisted man doing it for you!"

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!

A navy man.... I have much respect for my brothers on the waves

Drive on Sailors!!!! Drive on!!!

[Skinzaholic]

1990 - 1994

Army boot camp - Ft Sill, OK
Radio Repair school - Ft Gordon, GA
Airborne School - Ft Benning, GA
1 year Camp Stanley, S. Korea
Special Forces Assessment School - Ft Benning, GA (and other areas)
3 years 10th Special Forces Division - Ft Devens, MA

Got married and had to either choose to re-enlist for 6 years with SF unit or get out.
Chose the latter.

[hail2skins]

Happy Pre-Veterans Day to all of our Vets and current serving members. Thank you for your service.

[rskinsfan10]

I was actually at MCRD Parris Island, SC for boot camp for 2 mos. between Aug. and Oct. 1990. I became ill and was given an entry level seperation and sent home.

I know that doesn't count. Just sharing....

[tbfoster1]

Happy Veterens day to all of you, great stories and many thanks. I never served but I was navy brat, my father did 30 years in the navy. he was a nuc and served most of his time on submarines. I was very fortunate that we didn't do all the moving that alot of people in the service do. I got to do all my growing up in Norfolk.

[Jimreaper007]

1990 - 1994

Army boot camp - Ft Sill, OK
Radio Repair school - Ft Gordon, GA
Airborne School - Ft Benning, GA
1 year Camp Stanley, S. Korea
Special Forces Assessment School - Ft Benning, GA (and other areas)
3 years 10th Special Forces Division - Ft Devens, MA

Got married and had to either choose to re-enlist for 6 years with SF unit or get out.
Chose the latter.


HARD CORE!!!!

Thanks for you service man!

I am thinking of going SF once I finish OCS. I served with a bunch of the guys from Fort Bragg in Afghanistan and it was my best time in the service (besides getting shot at of course)...

[Jimreaper007]

I was actually at MCRD Parris Island, SC for boot camp for 2 mos. between Aug. and Oct. 1990. I became ill and was given an entry level seperation and sent home.

I know that doesn't count. Just sharing....


Yes it does count and you are still a warrior to me! (there are a lot of folks who never try)

When I went to Fort Benning for boot camp I was 120 pounds (just barely enough to get in the army). After the first three weeks my Drill Sergeant sent me to the doctors because I went down to 110 and they threatened to send me home.

I begged my Company Commander and Drill Sergeants not to send me home. They put me on the equivalent of a super atkins diet and I left Fort Benning at 135 pounds and as honor graduate.

16 years later I have done just about everything you can do in the military (airborne, air assault, combat veteran, drill sergeant, Tomb sentinel at ANC). I can only imagine of how different my life would have been if they sent me home.

It's all about the warrior spirit which you have plenty of rskinsfan10!

Thanks for your service however brief it might have been

[Jimreaper007]

Mike
5 years in the Air Force; KC10A Extender Pilot
Best Part of the Air Force: getting to see the world...
Worst Part of the Air Force: seeing mostly the part of the world that is brown and sandy.


Happy Veterans Day Booser

It appears we have left blood in the mud on the same battlefields.

You are also kinda nuts for flying a 300,000 gas can with nothing to defend yourself.

I owe you about 6 drinks

[GibbsRules!]

I was actually at MCRD Parris Island, SC for boot camp for 2 mos. between Aug. and Oct. 1990. I became ill and was given an entry level seperation and sent home.

I know that doesn't count. Just sharing....
Of course it counts! You had every intent of serving your country and for reasons beyond your control, you couldn't. IMO that rates for commendation as well...

AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO JIMREAP FOR THE THREAD OF THE MONTH!!!!

[rskinsfan10]

Yes it does count and you are still a warrior to me! (there are a lot of folks who never try)

When I went to Fort Benning for boot camp I lwas 120 pounds (just barely enough to get in the army). After the first three weeks my Drill Sergeant sent me to the doctors because I went down to 110 and they threatened to send me home.

I begged my Company Commander and Drill Sergeants not to send me home. They put me on the equivalent of a super atkins diet and I left Fort Benning at 135 pounds and as honor graduate.

16 years later I have done just about everything you can do in the military. I still love it!

It's all about the warrior spirit which you have rskinsfan10!

Thanks for your service however brief it might have been

Thank you as well sir.

My deal was I was born an asthmatic. I actually had to get several doctor's notes because the Corp was aware of my medical history, but alas, they allowed me in. My asthma (I still suffer from it) couldn't stand up to the rigors of training combined with the South Carolina summer heat. I actually "cried" my way back into training after one episode, but after the 2nd one, they said enough was enough.

[rskinsfan10]

Of course it counts! You had every intent of serving your country and for reasons beyond your control, you couldn't. IMO that rates for commendation as well...

AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO JIMREAP FOR THE THREAD OF THE MONTH!!!!

Thank you as well!

[Jimreaper007]

Pearl Harbour Radio Operator: "Is there anything that we can provide?"

Response from Marine Commander on Wake Island: "Send us more Japs!"

....Said to be one of the last radio transmissions received from the Marines on Wake Island before it fell to the Japanese, 1941


On this day to honor veterans I am very proud to say I carry on the legacy of men like that. I can think of no greater honor than to serve my country and uphold the tradition of my brothers in arms.

If you think freedom is free...visit Arlington National Cemetery. It is full of men and women who paid the price for your freedom you enjoy today.

[GolfFreak]

Happy Veterans Day to all our service men & women ... THANK YOU!!!

[Jimreaper007]

Happy Veterens day to all of you, great stories and many thanks. I never served but I was navy brat, my father did 30 years in the navy. he was a nuc and served most of his time on submarines. I was very fortunate that we didn't do all the moving that alot of people in the service do. I got to do all my growing up in Norfolk.


Military families should be honored today as much as the service members. Ican only imagine the agony my mother/father endured when I was in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A Soldier,Sailor, Airman or Marine is only a strong as his/her support chain at home.

I give honor to those who allow their loved ones to serve and support them. Today is your day too.

NOTE: Please donate money or canned goods to the military base nearest you. There are many servicemember families who could use the extra assist over the the holiday season. Call the base public affairs office and they can assist you on how to help.

Please do what you can

[Booser]

Happy Veterans Day Booser

It appears we have left blood in the mud on the same battlefields.

You are also kinda nuts for flying a 300,000 gas can with nothing to defend yourself.

I owe you about 6 drinks

Thanks to you Jim, but I will be the one buying the drinks. Happy Veteran's Day! 16 years in - how much was active duty? do you acumulate "points" toward retirement at 62 in the reserves like the Air Force reserves do?

and when are you coming back to Fort Dix?

[Minnesota Mike]

Thanks to all the Vets out there. I myself am not one, but both my father and father-in-law were/are.

My Dad was an Army MP in Germany in the 50's.

My father-in-law was a naval officer based in Pensacola for years. He got out of the Navy a while ago, but recently has gotten back in. In fact right now, he is on-board a Navy ship in an undisclosed location. (We don't know which vessel or where it is). He expects to be home before Christmas.

We knew that he was on a Destroyer in the Persian Gulf when the Cole was attacked. We didn't know the name of the boat he was on. It took about 36 hours for us to find out that he was on a different boat. So we had a day and a half of concern and fear, followed by about 5 minutes of relief knowing he was okay, followed by ongoing sadness for the families that would not share the sense of relief that we had.

[RedskinRyan]

i couldnt imagine being in the military. its something i want to do though, but im not sure for the right reasons. i've talked to the recruiters, mainly the marines, but wasnt ready to commit. i have one friend who finished his boot camp at paris island like a month ago and left for more training and another friend who just finished his boot camp.

[CarMike]

Mike Perdue.

United States Coast Guard. [1992-1996]

Boot camp....Cape May, New Jersey. April 7, thru May 29th '92

Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton 715, San Pedro/Long Beach CA. 378' with 180 people running things. Trips up to the Pacific NorthWest doing fishing Patrols and looking for stow away Chinamen. Search and Rescue...June '92 thru March '93.

MK school in Yorktown, Va. [Marine Diesel Mechanic school] Apr 93' thru June 93'. Graduated from school as a MK3, Petty Officer 3rd class.

June 93' thru April '96 served at a small boat station in Baltimore Md. "Coast Guard Station Curtis Bay-Coast Guard Yard"

Served as duty engineer and boarding team member. Fought a couple of boat fires, rescued a family from their boat as it was going down, and saved another family as their boat was on fire. Rescued a young man when he OD on drugs and jumped over the side of "Spirit of Baltimore". Rescued two young gentleman when their rented jet skis collided with one another. Pulled one dead body out of the water after gentleman commited suicide from jumping off of the Key Bridge. Other duty section saved the only person who jumped from the Key Bridge....and survive. An 18 year old female whose boyfriend had broken up with her earlier in the day....

While I didn't face any combat like some others have here, I'm very proud to have taken 4 years out of my life to give back to this great nation. For that I'm very proud.

My father is a former Marine as well....

[Jimreaper007]

Mike Perdue.

United States Coast Guard. [1992-1996]

Boot camp....Cape May, New Jersey. April 7, thru May 29th '92

Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton 715, San Pedro/Long Beach CA. 378' with 180 people running things. Trips up to the Pacific NorthWest doing fishing Patrols and looking for stow away Chinamen. Search and Rescue...June '92 thru March '93.

MK school in Yorktown, Va. [Marine Diesel Mechanic school] Apr 93' thru June 93'. Graduated from school as a MK3, Petty Officer 3rd class.

June 93' thru April '96 served at a small boat station in Baltimore Md. "Coast Guard Station Curtis Bay-Coast Guard Yard"

Served as duty engineer and boarding team member. Fought a couple of boat fires, rescued a family from their boat as it was going down, and saved another family as their boat was on fire. Rescued a young man when he OD on drugs and jumped over the side of "Spirit of Baltimore". Rescued two young gentleman when their rented jet skis collided with one another. Pulled one dead body out of the water after gentleman commited suicide from jumping off of the Key Bridge. Other duty section saved the only person who jumped from the Key Bridge....and survive. An 18 year old female whose boyfriend had broken up with her earlier in the day....

While I didn't face any combat like some others have here, I'm very proud to have taken 4 years out of my life to give back to this great nation. For that I'm very proud.

My father is a former Marine as well....

Ummmm...don't call your dad a former Marine (there is no such thing..he is a Marine)
You have the warrior spirit all the same!
Happy Veterans Day!!

[Jimreaper007]

Thanks to you Jim, but I will be the one buying the drinks. Happy Veteran's Day! 16 years in - how much was active duty? do you acumulate "points" toward retirement at 62 in the reserves like the Air Force reserves do?

and when are you coming back to Fort Dix?


8 active and 8 reserve....and yes it is based off points.

I hope you are able to enjoy the day!

Got an Idea for you Booser (Could make you rich)

Next time you are refueling a bunch of fighters....Charge them the current prices ($2.27 per gallon for supreme) and make them swipe a personal credit card.

You may spend a little time in lock-up, but think of all the money you'll have when you get out in the year 3004 with interest.

Happy veterans Day!!!

:lol1:

[CarMike]

Ummmm...don't call your dad a former Marine (there is no such thing..he is a Marine)
You have the warrior spirit all the same!
Happy Veterans Day!!

Jim, my father told me a long time ago that there isn't such a thing as a "ex" marine. Thats why I said "former"....;)

I introduced him one time to my high school ROTC instructors as an ex marine. I thought he was going to kill me! :D

[Booser]

8 active and 8 reserve....and yes it is based off points.
I hope you are able to enjoy the day!
Got an Idea for you Booser (Could make you rich)
Next time you are refueling a bunch of fighters....Charge them the current prices ($2.27 per gallon for supreme) and make them swipe a personal credit card.
You may spend a little time in lock-up, but think of all the money you'll have when you get out in the year 3004 with interest.


True - but we dont want the taxpayers to know how much an hour's flight time costs :) ... and if you are doing the math, that would be roughly 60,000 gallons at $2 a piece.

[Booser]

oh, and i didn't realize we were getting so in depth. here's my assignments list...

1996-2000 - U.S. Air Force Academy
2000-2001 - Vance AFB, OK
2001-Present - McGuire AFB, NJ

[Jimreaper007]

True - but we dont want the taxpayers to know how much an hour's flight time costs :) ... and if you are doing the math, that would be roughly 60,000 gallons at $2 a piece.


OUCH!!!!!!

Can you see the bean counter at the who gets the bill for that?

I am going to Gitmo as a security consultant right after Thanksgiving for a couple of days. I will be at Fort Dix that weekend. I can make a quick stop to McGuire and throw a few down with ya!

[Booser]

let me know when - we are on leave for Thanksgiving but i will be back that next week.

[NamVet4]

1966-67 - Basic, AIT, OCS Fort Sill Oklahoma TDY Fort Huachuca, Arizona
1968 - 1970 VietNam Republic of . .
1st Brigade 4th Infantry Division, Central Highlands
1971 Fort Riley, Ks . . .retread to the 1st Inf DIv, the Big Red One.

[Patrick]

1972 - 1975 USN
EN3 (Engineman – landing and small craft specialist)
Basic Training: Orlando (and it wasn't DinseyWorld either)
USS Mobile LKA115 - homeport San Diego (only spent about 12 weeks there the total time in the navy).
Ports of Call: Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, Hawaii, (on yeah Long Beach and that was definitely the strangest of all places I visited)
Action of note: Operation Frequent Wind. …. The final chapter (military action so the history books tell us) of Vietnam.

[Jimreaper007]

1972 - 1975 USN
EN3 (Engineman – landing and small craft specialist)
Basic Training: Orlando (and it wasn't DinseyWorld either)
USS Mobile LKA115 - homeport San Diego (only spent about 12 weeks there the total time in the navy).
Ports of Call: Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, Hawaii, (on yeah Long Beach and that was definitely the strangest of all places I visited)
Action of note: Operation Frequent Wind. …. The final chapter (military action so the history books tell us) of Vietnam.


Thanks for your service!

Happy Veterans Day (little late but..the intentions are noble)