Poll: Military Service

[chico20854]

We had this poll a year or two back in the old forum, but with that gone and some new faces here I thought I'd repeat it. It helps to understand the perspectives we have, given that this is a military RPG.

[copeab]

We had this poll a year or two back in the old forum, but with that gone and some new faces here I thought I'd repeat it. It helps to understand the perspectives we have, given that this is a military RPG.

Yeah, I did that poll ;)

IIRC, the results (with 30-35 people voting) was pretty evenly split betwenn current/ex and never served.

[Mohoender]

Ok nice question:) . However, depending on countries the answer might well mean very different things;) . I took the second choice but my experience will be very limited in regard to others: a few long walk and I became quite good with a MAT-49 (FAMAS had not been delivered to all air force units at the time).

For my part, I did 10 month in the regular french military service (air force; as liaison between the "direction general" of the national weather cast agency and the GHQ of the french air force). Lets put it clear (may be), I spent 9 month hopping for some 20 miles walk that never came just to get rid of the director's secretary preparing her continuous walking weekends:mad: . I did that two years before France chose to rely on a professional army. Ok, I could have volunteer for a longer time or for the officer corps but I had a sexy girl waiting at home and I rather make love (take it as it should) than war:o .

On the other hand, I liked the month field training that I did before that, especially as we had a squadron of F-15 on our base (nice birds) and as I could get close to Mirage F-1C and Mirage 2000C.

Nevertheless, that experience was enough to fully understand what my grandfather was saying about armies in general: "Armies are great when you have a war to fight but, otherwise, it is useless, meaningless and expensive. Armies are great for destruction and war is only about that, people saying otherwise are jerks". I fully buy what he was saying (he had a five year long world war to make his point) and as I already said to some, I have great respect for soldiers but hate wars, all wars.

In the meantime I did all my history studies on the military (especially cavalry and cossak under the soviets) but that's another story:cool: .

[Adm.Lee]

I very much wanted to serve, away back in the 1980's, when I was a teenager. I read everything I could on military history, played lots of board wargames, and even picked up the Twilight thing. At the end of high school I applied for the US Military Academy-- rejected.
I went to college and tried to get an ROTC scholarship-- rejected.
I stayed in college, and took the first two (no-committal) years of ROTC, and then applied for the 3rd year-- rejected.
US Army Reserve? Rejected.
Ohio National Guard? Rejected.
I transferred to a less expensive school closer to home, took a major in military history with a minor in national security policy studies and Russian. I applied for work with the CIA and DoD-- rejected.


Why the rejections? The first five were because of childhood asthma, which had persisted after my 12th birthday (or was it 14th? I've blotted it out). A professor later told me it was because the tear gas in Basic might well have killed me. The last one was because it was 1990, and there was a big ol' hiring freeze on for those departments, since the Cold War was shutting down.
I gave up on the gummint, and now I raise children.

[jester]

Sheesh Lee,

I Had the same history of asthama when I was a kit and made it into the MC. And served with a ocuple folks who had similiar. What's funny, is the Marines LEGEND Chesty Puller had childhood asthama and look what he became. Isn't it ironic, by todays standards he would have been rejected on the spot!

We all wonder what "would have been" or one of my favorite words "IF" so many possibilities to wonder about. But then we just have to play the cards we are dealt and move on.

[Matt Wiser]

I very much wanted to be in the service, tried the AF right after grad school (trying the OCS route), but was turned down. Tried the Navy later on, passed the written exam, but didn't pass the review board for OCS. No reason given either way. The recruiter in the Navy's case said it may have been any number of things, from an "average" test score to the review board judging me by where I went to school, to simply too many candidates and too few slots, or that I was trying to get into the hardest non-aviation job in the Navy (other than SEALs or Nuclear Power): Naval Intelligence. He didn't tell me until after getting the letter that on average, 10,000 people a year try for Navy OCS and there's only about a thousand slots in an average year. The AF never did tell me why they said no, other than "all aspects of your application were reviewed against the current needs of the service."

[rabbakahn]

I tried and was rejected also. Back in 1980 after Reagan was elected, I went down to volunteer my services. I couldn't pass the hearing tests. Tried again some years later when the Marine Corps contacted me. Same thing again only this time worse. The doctors couldn't believe that I communicate with people as well as I do. Tried again in the mid-90s when the push for qualified civi's happened. Everything was a go, even a posting to E-5 right off, but again I failed the hearing so bad they wondered why I tried.

As old and tired and ornery as I am now, I'd still go if they wanted me. Yea, I always wanted to do my part I guess you could say.

[jester]

Its cool people! I was bounced out for being "broken" a compound fracture that I ended up having to swim about 100m with. Ruined a brand new pair of boots too. The 1st Sgt interviewed me right after the Docs told me "We don't think we'll be able to save your leg." Then the first shirt comes in trying to gather evidence to courtsmartial me for becoming hurt and abaonding my gear.

And here we are after a dozen or so surgeries, bone grafts and the removal of the metal holding my leg together, I feel better than I have in over a dozen years....at least pain free! And I am dealing with reserve recruiters from the Navy and Marines to get me home :)

[headquarters]

I very much wanted to serve, away back in the 1980's, when I was a teenager. I read everything I could on military history, played lots of board wargames, and even picked up the Twilight thing. At the end of high school I applied for the US Military Academy-- rejected.
I went to college and tried to get an ROTC scholarship-- rejected.
I stayed in college, and took the first two (no-committal) years of ROTC, and then applied for the 3rd year-- rejected.
US Army Reserve? Rejected.
Ohio National Guard? Rejected.
I transferred to a less expensive school closer to home, took a major in military history with a minor in national security policy studies and Russian. I applied for work with the CIA and DoD-- rejected.


Why the rejections? The first five were because of childhood asthma, which had persisted after my 12th birthday (or was it 14th? I've blotted it out). A professor later told me it was because the tear gas in Basic might well have killed me. The last one was because it was 1990, and there was a big ol' hiring freeze on for those departments, since the Cold War was shutting down.
I gave up on the gummint, and now I raise children.

I remember the year classes that I processed through - and how we had to sent some guys home that really wanted to serve ,and keep some on that you see a mile off were going to be bothersome,negative louts.

I remember a friend of me telling me about this one guy they managed to keep although he should have been rejected .He really wanted to serve despite a former head injury .Makes me smile to think that regulations were broken :)

Lots of the legends and heroes of various military organizations have been people that would be rejected today as too old,not meeting health requirements,to near sighted or whatever.

I raise children myself these days -let me tell you -teenage girls are like a protracted stint under fire .The strain on your temper and nerves ...

[Mohoender]

So true that the British had two fighter pilots flying with no legs during WWII. One of them was taken down by Adolf Galand squadron over France. As I recall, the German offered him champaign, and sent him back home. He got right back in a plane and continued the fight.

[jester]

So true that the British had two fighter pilots flying with no legs during WWII. One of them was taken down by Adolf Galand squadron over France. As I recall, the German offered him champaign, and sent him back home. He got right back in a plane and continued the fight.

No you have it wrong. They did give him champagne, but after some heroes treatment since he was a founder of modern aviation, they sent him to a POW camp, and then after several semi successuful escape attempts they took his legs away,

Just imagine that, you have no legs and you have still managed to get out of your POW camp several times.

And that makes me wonder about real life.

Today they have a Marine sniper with one eye, a kid in the 25th Division with one leg, an armor captain with one leg, and several others who are on active duty who have injuries who would precluide them from initial entry, however, they do have exemptions that so allow folks who have serious injuries to continue to serve and they have relaxed them more so these days which is a good thing, I just hope it continues rather than it being used as a political tool.

Thanks for listening to my rant,

Semper Fi

[jturfitt]

I was in the U.S. Air Force form 1974-1978, A90250 Aeromedical Evacuation Technician when I got out. Last station was Clark AFB, Phillipines. Before this I was stationed at various hospitals in texas. Also did my survival training in Texas as well as Basic and Advanced.

[headquarters]

So true that the British had two fighter pilots flying with no legs during WWII. One of them was taken down by Adolf Galand squadron over France. As I recall, the German offered him champaign, and sent him back home. He got right back in a plane and continued the fight.

the formal requirements are toned down a bit I guess .See the list of amputees,wounded,one eye shot out and otherwise maimed people that served actively in the Japanese and German forces during WWII.

I wonder how hard the health requirements are to get into a contractor job or even som eparts of the national guard or regular army they send to Iraq-I know some instances that the requiremenst are stiff-but then again other seem less hard..

[jester]

the formal requirements are toned down a bit I guess .See the list of amputees,wounded,one eye shot out and otherwise maimed people that served actively in the Japanese and German forces during WWII.

I wonder how hard the health requirements are to get into a contractor job or even som eparts of the national guard or regular army they send to Iraq-I know some instances that the requiremenst are stiff-but then again other seem less hard..


There are two things I have run into.

1.) If you are prior service then they apply a different set of rules as far as joining. IF you are a first time enlistee then the rules in some ways are more stringent. An example, for prior service you can be up to 30% disabled per the Military or Department of Veterans Affairs and still get into the National Guard or Reserves. <This is my experience> However, if you have never been in before, the same conditions will disqualify you right off the bat.

And then there are waivers. Waviers are required for damn near everything. And it is up to the aproving authority to pass or fail the waiver request.

Also, the unit and recruiter. Do they want you? Do they have the numbers or do they need them? How dilligent is the recruiter? I have had several say to my face, "eh you aren't worth it, you take to many waivers, it'd take to long." In my day that would border on deriliction of duty. They don't want to do their job because it takes to much work! LOL I would loved to have seen that tried in my old unit. "Sorry gunny, that is just to much work, I don't think I'll do it." Ridiculous.

As for contractor, you had better have some talent and have all your ducks in a row, with a little luck to go with it. And I am not just talking the companies who employ trigger pullers either.

[headquarters]

There are two things I have run into.

1.) If you are prior service then they apply a different set of rules as far as joining. IF you are a first time enlistee then the rules in some ways are more stringent. An example, for prior service you can be up to 30% disabled per the Military or Department of Veterans Affairs and still get into the National Guard or Reserves. <This is my experience> However, if you have never been in before, the same conditions will disqualify you right off the bat.

And then there are waivers. Waviers are required for damn near everything. And it is up to the aproving authority to pass or fail the waiver request.

Also, the unit and recruiter. Do they want you? Do they have the numbers or do they need them? How dilligent is the recruiter? I have had several say to my face, "eh you aren't worth it, you take to many waivers, it'd take to long." In my day that would border on deriliction of duty. They don't want to do their job because it takes to much work! LOL I would loved to have seen that tried in my old unit. "Sorry gunny, that is just to much work, I don't think I'll do it." Ridiculous.

As for contractor, you had better have some talent and have all your ducks in a row, with a little luck to go with it. And I am not just talking the companies who employ trigger pullers either.

all academic for me of course .

I was under the impression that the contractors were a mixed bag of nuts so to say .

[jester]

all academic for me of course .

I was under the impression that the contractors were a mixed bag of nuts so to say .

Actualy alot of contractors I know are top notch. Some have retired of military service and this is the only way they can join the fight. Others got out or were forced out durring the draw down. And they are returning in the only capacity they can. Most of the knows I know have a tour or two or more of honorable service. That is the hired gun types everyone thinks about.

I know a few others who work for other companies as medical personel, administrators and similiar.

Pretty much if you have anything on your criminal record even a parking ticket that went unpaid, or poor credit or job history forget it.

[TiggerCCW UK]

I'm a civilian. I thought about trying for the regs but as I am still asthmatic they would have turned me down. My asthma is controlled, but only if I keep taking the inhalers. I tried out for the TA as well, but was told they would only consider me if I had gone a year without using an inhaler. I did manage to serve with the 1st Ulster Marine Cadets for seven years as a cadet, a further two as an instructor and then spent two years as an instructor with the Army Cadet Force (ACF) - first year attached to 3 Company Para cadets (interesting for an ex baby bootie), the second attached to 7 (City of Belfast) Royal Irish. Sadly due to the nature of my work (shifts running a bar) I had to give up on it due to being unable to guarantee a time commitment.

[Antenna]

Served as an wheaterforecaster in the Swedish Airforce, got some on the side training that I still wonder why the hell I am in a battlezone now and then. It seems I got some weird training couse i seem to get out on recon missions now and then just for fun. =)

Antenna

[pmulcahy11b]

Served as an wheaterforecaster in the Swedish Airforce, got some on the side training that I still wonder why the hell I am in a battlezone now and then. It seems I got some weird training couse i seem to get out on recon missions now and then just for fun. =)

Antenna

That doesn't strike me as unusual at all -- in the Army (especially at G-3 in Korea and when I was at the 82nd Airborne), we often worked with your counterparts in the USAF -- the Weather Recon guys. When you're planning an attack, a good weather forecast is as vital as any other piece of intelligence. And of course, when you're a paratrooper, you really want to know the weather, particularly what the wind will be like at the DZ. CCTs (Combat Control Teams) and TACPs (Tactical Air Control Parties) almost always have at least one weather recon guy.

OT: I remember one night during Team Spirit 88 -- it was horrible weather in Korea, with a driving snowstorm. Everyone was hollering for when there would be a break in the weather. After about an hour of that, the Major in charge of the DTAC's Weather Recon Team suddenly stood up and shouted: "I predict there will be a 100% chance of weather tonight!"

[jester]

Paul, when isn't the weather horrible in Korea? When I ask when? I associate that place with nothing but misserable weather.

As for Weather, keep this in mind,

The Battle of the Bulge, the weather was a major factor in the operation. It was their weather stations in Spitzbergen I beleive that was the deciding factor.

Other aspects of the importance of weather,

The Battle of the North Atlantic and the Convoys.

Battle of the Bismark and Ark Royal and Repulse and of course the HOOD. Weather played an important part.

D-Day, the invasion of Normandy. Weather was critical and delayed the operation and only left a tiny window for it to go.

I would say that weather is of the most importance when dealing with anything involving the Sea and the Sky.

Ships have trouble sailing durring storms or fog. Same for Planes.

And the troops they disgourge are put through hell if they have to deploy in such conditions. Marines landing in a high surf or squal are wet, cold, miserable and sick and alot of them don't even make it to the beach. Paratroops well they delpoy in a fog or a storm, they get scattered and alot of them don't make it as well. So, yeah weather is of critical importance to those types of troops.

[Marc]

And of course, when you're a paratrooper, you really want to know the weather, particularly what the wind will be like at the DZ."

I served as professional paratrooper in the BRIPAC ("Brigada Paracaista", the Spanish airborne brigade). And one of the most enervating things about one particular officer was the typical " Wind zero knots over the drop zone" prior to go on board the plane. More often It was not true. Probably he had a problem with the "knot" concept. These barbaric and non-metric measure units!!!:D

[Mohoender]

I agree about weather but it does play an important role in any kind of combat including land combat.

Napoleon I experienced it during the Berezina. When the retreat started out of Russia he had about 400.000 soldiers, at the end they were only about 10.000 survivors. Most of them lost to weather conditions. By the way do you know why Trees had been planted on the side of roads in France? That was done by that same Napoleon to provide shades to his marching troops. Then, the french army would not be as exhausted as the ennemy. Next war we might not have them anymore, the government is taking them out because of cars. Trees are crossing the roads too often and people die crashing their cars in these wild trees:D . A small piece of advice then, if you visit France in a hot summer, get out of the Highway, driving under these trees is very nice and, when you have them, you can take of your air condition.:)

That was a major point during the Finnish winter war. Russians were ill prepared for that winter and soldiers were freezing to death.

When hitler invaded Russia, he could have won if not for the harsh winter of 1941. Again, you can find pictures of german soldiers frozen and still holding their weapons in firing position. After 1942, Germany built cavalry units again as Russian cavalry was able to defeat panzer units (Soviet cavalry was able to go through the German panzer line and they put a mess on the rear areas). Not that strange, a horse can charge in a harsh cold while the panzers were stuck in ice, the turrets often unable to move. Later, they were stuck in mud for months (again the soviet cavalry did fine). After the Kursk battle, Von Manstein was in turn able to put up a good defense using that same winter against Russians.

Your boys had a hell of time at Bastogne (Belgium) when Germany launched its last offensive in winter 1944. That failed but it come close to disater if that hadn't been for the Big Red One (I think it's them, correct me if I'm wrong).

Vietnam is another exemple and I believe that summer heat had been an issue during the first gulf war.

[pmulcahy11b]

I served as professional paratrooper in the BRIPAC ("Brigada Paracaista", the Spanish airborne brigade). And one of the most enervating things about one particular officer was the typical " Wind zero knots over the drop zone" prior to go on board the plane. More often It was not true. Probably he had a problem with the "knot" concept. These barbaric and non-metric measure units!!!:D

I don't think I've ever jumped with zero wind!

[jester]

I agree about weather but it does play an important role in any kind of combat including land combat.


Your boys had a hell of time at Bastogne (Belgium) when Germany launched its last offensive in winter 1944. That failed but it come close to disater if that hadn't been for the Big Red One (I think it's them, correct me if I'm wrong).

Vietnam is another exemple and I believe that summer heat had been an issue during the first gulf war.


Bastogne was the American 106th Infantry Division who were fresh off the boat and slaughtered. I read a book in the Corps based on what happened called "Death of a Division." If I recall correctly they were the ones that suffered the Malmady Massacre, had a great uncle who was part of it. He was a lucky one and was one of the few who made it out without being killed or captuered or captured and then killed.

And then we had the Airborne Boys holed up in Bastogne, and then it was Patons 3rd Army was it who came to the rescue, as well as the cloud cover lifted allowing arial resupply and air support to devestate the German forces.

As for weather, yes it plays so many roles, like stock piling of supplies before winter sets in. When does winter come this year? So we can get into a position and not be exposed to the elements.

As well as wind and humidity for artillery rounds.

Aircraft, so they know how to adjust their fuel mixtures, where to go, how much fuel and all of that.

Heck, even snipers use weather as the heat and humidty affect the perfect shot placement.

And of couse weather is also an ally if you use it right.

No one in their right minds would be out in a rain or snow storm. So you can move freely with less chance of detection ;) And your tracks will be covered. A task force of ships can hide in a squall and elude the enemy or detecion, <Master and Commander, where they entered the fog bank to elude the enemy> Scout Aircraft hidding in clouds and squals to avoid enemy anti air fire or prowling fighters.

It is an ally if used right.

And yes, temperature also affect a military, heat your people loose effectiveness, require more rest and more water. Cold they need more fuel and food. And also what needs to be done or prepared to ensure your equipment continues to work.

[Adm.Lee]

Bastogne was the American 106th Infantry Division who were fresh off the boat and slaughtered. I read a book in the Corps based on what happened called "Death of a Division." If I recall correctly they were the ones that suffered the Malmady Massacre, had a great uncle who was part of it. He was a lucky one and was one of the few who made it out without being killed or captuered or captured and then killed.

And then we had the Airborne Boys holed up in Bastogne, and then it was Patons 3rd Army was it who came to the rescue, as well as the cloud cover lifted allowing arial resupply and air support to devestate the German forces.


Close. The 106th Infantry Division (green division) was surrounded, but north of the German corps that went for Bastogne. The 28th ID (veteran division, but full of replacements after the Hurtgen Forest debacle) was the next division south, and it got hammered hard trying to hold that corps back. One of the combat-commands of the 9th Armored Division was assisting there. Another of the 9th's CCs, and then one from the 10th AD, assisted the 101st Airborne Division to hold while surrounded at Bastogne.

The Malmedy Massacre was an artillery observation battery in a road convoy that blundered into the SS armor driving forward.

/nitpick

[jester]

Close. The 106th Infantry Division (green division) was surrounded, but north of the German corps that went for Bastogne. The 28th ID (veteran division, but full of replacements after the Hurtgen Forest debacle) was the next division south, and it got hammered hard trying to hold that corps back. One of the combat-commands of the 9th Armored Division was assisting there. Another of the 9th's CCs, and then one from the 10th AD, assisted the 101st Airborne Division to hold while surrounded at Bastogne.

The Malmedy Massacre was an artillery observation battery in a road convoy that blundered into the SS armor driving forward.

/nitpick


Well, there we have it the complete picture.

[headquarters]

Close. The 106th Infantry Division (green division) was surrounded, but north of the German corps that went for Bastogne. The 28th ID (veteran division, but full of replacements after the Hurtgen Forest debacle) was the next division south, and it got hammered hard trying to hold that corps back. One of the combat-commands of the 9th Armored Division was assisting there. Another of the 9th's CCs, and then one from the 10th AD, assisted the 101st Airborne Division to hold while surrounded at Bastogne.

The Malmedy Massacre was an artillery observation battery in a road convoy that blundered into the SS armor driving forward.

/nitpick


I recently read this book -and it is excellent .Patton ,of course is a fascinating fellow -but the incidents ,facts and anecdotes are just great .After reading how many times he got lost infront of his lines etc no wonder he wore 2 handguns at all times.

He does also mention some african -american quartermaster units that fought well in the Bastogne -not that they get any mention elsewhere.

[Mohoender]

Thanks, I never looked too closely to that battle. I knew the general figure and circumstances but I obviously didn't know about the units. I drove through Bastogne about a thousand times but never stopped to look at whom did stand there.

[pmulcahy11b]

Just a little tidbit about BG Anthony McAuliffe (Acting Commander of the 101st at Bastogne): He was Christa McAuliffe's (the teacher-astronaut killed in the Challenger explosion) grandfather-in-law.

[bigehauser]

Just a little tidbit about BG Anthony McAuliffe (Acting Commander of the 101st at Bastogne): He was Christa McAuliffe's (the teacher-astronaut killed in the Challenger explosion) grandfather-in-law.

That's NUTS

^^^Pun very intended

[jester]

I read a copy of the actualy order. It was something. It was done like a regular order or piece of correspondence.

Comander American Forces Bastogne

To Commander German Forces Bastogne,

"Nuts to you!"


sincerly



I mean I read that thought "WOW!" So formal for a flippant answer.

[Earthpig]

Served twenty one years.....6 as a Combat Engineer the rest as a grunt. I spent most of my time as a Mechanized Infantry (113's) and some as Light Infantry(there is nothing light about it:evil2::D) did Korea,(yeah the weather sucks in the winter, Siberian fronts Brrrrrrr!) Ft. Riley KS., Germany(only for 2 months during a Reforger ex.) and Milwaukee;) (homeland security).

I like to make fun of Marines, Navy, Airforce and Airborne guy's:D

[jester]

Served twenty one years.....6 as a Combat Engineer the rest as a grunt. I spent most of my time as a Mechanized Infantry (113's) and some as Light Infantry(there is nothing light about it:evil2::D) did Korea,(yeah the weather sucks in the winter, Siberian fronts Brrrrrrr!) Ft. Riley KS., Germany(only for 2 months during a Reforger ex.) and Milwaukee;) (homeland security).

I like to make fun of Marines, Navy, Airforce and Airborne guy's:D

As for nothing light about light infantry, AMEN BROTHER!!!!!

However, what I don't understand is you went from engineer to grunt? What, you suffer a head injury? Most folks I know do a tour in the grunts, then we clamor for something else. Anything else, especialy things where we get to ride and stay indoors.


PAUL!!! PAUL!!!! You may have a challenger for the groups mental illness spokesman with this guy!

[Antenna]

OT: I remember one night during Team Spirit 88 -- it was horrible weather in Korea, with a driving snowstorm. Everyone was hollering for when there would be a break in the weather. After about an hour of that, the Major in charge of the DTAC's Weather Recon Team suddenly stood up and shouted: "I predict there will be a 100% chance of weather tonight!"

As usual when some friends want nice weather I only say "There is ONLY weather."

Antenna

[Ed the Coastie]

Did six years in the Coast Guard as an enlisted weapon specialist, then got traded to the Army for another 14 as a Cavalry officer.

[kato13]

Did six years in the Coast Guard as an enlisted weapon specialist, then got traded to the Army for another 14 as a Cavalry officer.

Hope the Coast Guard got a really good draft pick for you ;)

Good to see you Ed.

[jester]

Hmmm?

Again I ask, why on earth would someone downgrade?

Coast Guard=boats=no humping, and they sleep in beds and have hot food. Why on earth would anyone want to give that up for being bounced and battered in a armored vehicle, choking on diesel fumes and living in the cold or heat?

Ed, by any chance are you tall? Did you possibly bang your head on those bulkheads and do yourself an injury? Thats the only explaination I can fathom.

Oh bye the bye, glad you made it in!

[Nowhere Man 1966]

Did six years in the Coast Guard as an enlisted weapon specialist, then got traded to the Army for another 14 as a Cavalry officer.

Hey, welcome back!!! Long time, no talk!

Charles M.

[Fusilier]

11 year Canadian Army (infantry)... now happy being a teacher.

[kato13]

Yeah, I did that poll ;)

IIRC, the results (with 30-35 people voting) was pretty evenly split betwenn current/ex and never served.

Woo Hoo!!! 36 votes!!! Doing slightly better than RPGhost did makes me smile :D

[Mohoender]

11 year Canadian Army (infantry)... now happy being a teacher.

Didn't really change your job, then. You just switch the ennemies (I'm not talking about the kids of course).:D

[Earthpig]

As for nothing light about light infantry, AMEN BROTHER!!!!!

However, what I don't understand is you went from engineer to grunt? What, you suffer a head injury? Most folks I know do a tour in the grunts, then we clamor for something else. Anything else, especialy things where we get to ride and stay indoors.


PAUL!!! PAUL!!!! You may have a challenger for the groups mental illness spokesman with this guy!


Mostly because my local unit was Infantry(Guard)...I liked it actually....Mental defeciency it is then;)

[pmulcahy11b]

Mostly because my local unit was Infantry(Guard)...I liked it actually....Mental defeciency it is then;)

Oh puhleeze...I started out in the Guard, then went active duty, then went airborne! Got you beat, easily. :p

[jester]

Oh puhleeze...I started out in the Guard, then went active duty, then went airborne! Got you beat, easily. :p

Oh come on! I beat you all!

I was contract Marine INFANTRY!!!! <Later I found out I was qualed for OCS and even the naval academy which was even funnier at the time> And everytime I got to the V.A. I end up at the phsyc ward! So top that mo fos!

Whats worse, I had orthopediece surgery to remove my waiver to go back in!

HAH!!!!!


So, who is the crazier!!!!

[pmulcahy11b]

Oh come on! I beat you all!

I was contract Marine INFANTRY!!!! <Later I found out I was qualed for OCS and even the naval academy which was even funnier at the time> And everytime I got to the V.A. I end up at the phsyc ward! So top that mo fos!

Whats worse, I had orthopediece surgery to remove my waiver to go back in!

HAH!!!!!


So, who is the crazier!!!!

Well...you're a Marine -- that's enough to win right there!:D

[Earthpig]

Well it does make him dumber:D .......just chain yanking;)

[LAW0306]

16 year marine grunt. Now Marine Gunner for Americas Battalion.

[chico20854]

16 year marine grunt. Now Marine Gunner for Americas Battalion.

OOH-RAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
aka
Hoo-Ah!!!!!!!!

[jester]

16 year marine grunt. Now Marine Gunner for Americas Battalion.


Well, its about time! Remember its K-Bay, so its all laid back all the time right down to the shades and sandals! You go surfing at noon chow and one of the best beaches is across the flightline! But you have always got to be cool, at all times like me :cool:

[Targan]

16 year marine grunt. Now Marine Gunner for Americas Battalion.
You are the real deal Law. Have I mentioned before how relieved I am that we're on the same side?

[pmulcahy11b]

You are the real deal Law. Have I mentioned before how relieved I am that we're on the same side?

All true...but didn't you ever want to be airborne?:cool:

[Targan]

All true...but didn't you ever want to be airborne?:cool:
Morbidly afraid of heights. Used to do a bit of rock climbing to try and cure myself but I just spent to whole time terrified.

[pmulcahy11b]

Morbidly afraid of heights. Used to do a bit of rock climbing to try and cure myself but I just spent to whole time terrified.

I too was deathly afraid of heights -- going airborne cured me!

[Earthpig]

A little joke for you Airborne and Marine types:D :p


"Son, I'm damn pround of you", the retired Marine colonel said to his paratrooper son, slapping him on the back. "Tell me about your first jump".

"I thought I was ready, Dad, but I froze when it was my turn," he said. "Then my my sergeant ordered me to jump, but I still couldn't. Finally, he whipped out his d**k and threatened to shove it up my ass if I didn't jump".

"Well," his father barked, "did you jump?"

"Just a little, at first".



Sorry, I woke up and overdosed my smart arse pills:)

[jester]

A little joke for you Airborne and Marine types:D :p


"Son, I'm damn pround of you", the retired Marine colonel said to his paratrooper son, slapping him on the back. "Tell me about your first jump".

"I thought I was ready, Dad, but I froze when it was my turn," he said. "Then my my sergeant ordered me to jump, but I still couldn't. Finally, he whipped out his d**k and threatened to shove it up my ass if I didn't jump".

"Well," his father barked, "did you jump?"

"Just a little, at first".



Sorry, I woke up and overdosed my smart arse pills:)


Well, it sounds more like a NAVY joke to me :p

[pmulcahy11b]

A little joke for you Airborne and Marine types:D :p


"Son, I'm damn pround of you", the retired Marine colonel said to his paratrooper son, slapping him on the back. "Tell me about your first jump".

"I thought I was ready, Dad, but I froze when it was my turn," he said. "Then my my sergeant ordered me to jump, but I still couldn't. Finally, he whipped out his d**k and threatened to shove it up my ass if I didn't jump".

"Well," his father barked, "did you jump?"

"Just a little, at first".



Sorry, I woke up and overdosed my smart arse pills:)

Right before I left Korea, the G-3 Sergeant Major gave me an interesting article from his hometown newspaper. Seems some reservists were on a jump, the coordinates were a bit off, and one of them landed in a large, open tank of liquified cow manure. He drowned in shit.

He was an old 82nd trooper, and knew I was going to jump school from Korea...Sergeants Major are allowed to OD on smart ass pills!

[Earthpig]

Right before I left Korea, the G-3 Sergeant Major gave me an interesting article from his hometown newspaper. Seems some reservists were on a jump, the coordinates were a bit off, and one of them landed in a large, open tank of liquified cow manure. He drowned in shit.

He was an old 82nd trooper, and knew I was going to jump school from Korea...Sergeants Major are allowed to OD on smart ass pills!

Just one more reason for me to enjoy the fact I was a dirty, nasty, leg, Mechanized, Army puke:) ........Eeeeeewwww! liquid manure what a horrreeeble way to go.:dead:

[Targan]

Famous last words?

"Oh, shit".

[pmulcahy11b]

Famous last words?

"Oh, shit".

Oh man, I came real close to ruining my new monitor by blowing a mouthful of Pepsi on it!

[Graebarde]

No you have it wrong. They did give him champagne, but after some heroes treatment since he was a founder of modern aviation, they sent him to a POW camp, and then after several semi successuful escape attempts they took his legs away,

Just imagine that, you have no legs and you have still managed to get out of your POW camp several times.

And that makes me wonder about real life.

Today they have a Marine sniper with one eye, a kid in the 25th Division with one leg, an armor captain with one leg, and several others who are on active duty who have injuries who would precluide them from initial entry, however, they do have exemptions that so allow folks who have serious injuries to continue to serve and they have relaxed them more so these days which is a good thing, I just hope it continues rather than it being used as a political tool.

Thanks for listening to my rant,

Semper Fi

LTG Franks, commander VII Corps, the left hook of ODS, was an amputee from Nam that rose above his leg, and fought to stay on active duty as a major, rose to command a corps. There was a Sgt Maj in the Ranger training camps that was and amputee as well.

Grae

[Graebarde]

Credit for 10 years 11 months and 11 days, Five years grunt, then five in TC as traffic manager. 1968-1979 Exotic tours in SEA, ROK, and FRG (over half the total service time.

Grae

[jester]

Well there's a familiar face err um screen name! How have you been? Where have you been Grae?

[Graebarde]

Chugging along, fighting RL. Nice to get back amoung folks with common interests. Back in Texas after five years in Mizzery. Didn't really want to leave there as had a great job, but the things you do for family........

Grae

[jester]

I recall mi amigo, I dealt with the same thing. Still am well, its after affects.

Anyhow glad to see you again, so many good people have disapeared into the either, and I am glad you found your way.

Jes

[Ed the Coastie]

Hmmm?

Again I ask, why on earth would someone downgrade?

Coast Guard=boats=no humping, and they sleep in beds and have hot food. Why on earth would anyone want to give that up for being bounced and battered in a armored vehicle, choking on diesel fumes and living in the cold or heat?

Ed, by any chance are you tall? Did you possibly bang your head on those bulkheads and do yourself an injury? Thats the only explaination I can fathom...
It's a long story, but in a nutshell I had the "misfortune" of being the boarding officer on a drug bust that involved in a VERY negative way a close family member of a then-prominent United States senator. As a result, I became a political hot potato for the Coast Guard...so the Army offered to take me off of the Coast Guard's hands, put me through officer training and do it's best to hide me within it's own ranks.

It worked out pretty well for both sides. The Coast Guard was shielded from a potentially embarrassing inquiry, and the Army wound up with an officer possessing an unconventional enough background to comfortably fulfill various oddball assignments.

[headquarters]

It's a long story, but in a nutshell I had the "misfortune" of being the boarding officer on a drug bust that involved in a VERY negative way a close family member of a then-prominent United States senator. As a result, I became a political hot potato for the Coast Guard...so the Army offered to take me off of the Coast Guard's hands, put me through officer training and do it's best to hide me within it's own ranks.

It worked out pretty well for both sides. The Coast Guard was shielded from a potentially embarrassing inquiry, and the Army wound up with an officer possessing an unconventional enough background to comfortably fulfill various oddball assignments.


sounds like a hell of a plot .

what happened to the druggie /"importer" ?

[Ed the Coastie]

sounds like a hell of a plot .
*chuckling* Yeah, but it was typical of my entire career.

what happened to the druggie /"importer" ?
I'm not at liberty to say.

[headquarters]

*chuckling* Yeah, but it was typical of my entire career.


I'm not at liberty to say.

I am thinking aboout the surveillance system nSA goyt set up - what the f*** will they think when these boards come blinking up on tehir screens with all our talk of nuclear devices and major metropolitan areas ,sedition,murder and of course bomb and whitehouse.

Wonder if they ever think - hey that is a pretty good idea -put in the manual !

Anyone got a nondescript van with blackened windows on their block as we speak ? hehe

Dont worry Coastie.I get it .

The relative sleeps with the fishes .

roger that .

lol

[pmulcahy11b]

I used to wonder about that and our sites, but I figured that somebody was actually using their brains (a rarity in the government!).

[Targan]

Well it would probably help that we are all clearly patriots and not a word has been said by any of us that would suggest we are terrorist sympathisers.

[headquarters]

Well it would probably help that we are all clearly patriots and not a word has been said by any of us that would suggest we are terrorist sympathisers.

well if you look away from the fact that our chosen playground is a a USA devestated by war and split into fiefs and areas of lawless chaos with people using that Abe Lincoln monument in DC as a ritual human sacrifice spot -then yeah.

No seriously .I suppose they have just labeled us in the "harmless cookoos" category and read our stuff on slow shofts to get a chuckle .

[headquarters]

I used to wonder about that and our sites, but I figured that somebody was actually using their brains (a rarity in the government!).


they will get you for that one !

[Jason Weiser]

Then I guess mention our annual ritual "removal and burning of mattress tags"
is right out then?...Oops!:D

[pmulcahy11b]

Then I guess mention our annual ritual "removal and burning of mattress tags"
is right out then?...Oops!:D

Uh-oh...I don't burn them, I just throw them out! I guess the NSA has a lot of those charges stacked up against me, since they pick through my garbage disguised as sanitation workers all the time...

[CStock88]

On the relevant topic of the poll, no, I have never been in the military. Currently, I'm tracking myself to go into emergency services (firefighting, EMT, etc) when everything is all said and done.

Well, either that, or doing toxicology on dead people - I must confess, I haven't entirely decided yet.

And as for the NSA... "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!" and all that.

[pmulcahy11b]

On the relevant topic of the poll, no, I have never been in the military. Currently, I'm tracking myself to go into emergency services (firefighting, EMT, etc) when everything is all said and done.

Well, either that, or doing toxicology on dead people - I must confess, I haven't entirely decided yet.

And as for the NSA... "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!" and all that.

Cool, emergency medicine is a very relevant topic in T2K! But if you go the toxicology on dead people route -- are you going to be on CSI, CSI:Miami, or CSI:NY? :D

[JimmyRay73]

Well, I'm the newbie here (or would FNG be more appropriate?) so I'll chime in. When I was younger I thought about serving, talked to a few recruiters, was told that my asthma and knee injuries might be issues, and then dropped the idea to move on to college. Kept Mom and Dad happy and college sure had fewer rules than the Marines it seemed. Every now and again I wonder what might have been, but there's no sense crying over spilt milk I suppose...

[Targan]

Welcome to the forum JimmyRay. Good to have you with us.

[jester]

Cool, emergency medicine is a very relevant topic in T2K! But if you go the toxicology on dead people route -- are you going to be on CSI, CSI:Miami, or CSI:NY? :D


Hey, lets not forget NCIS or Bones.

[pmulcahy11b]

I'd pick CSI:Miami. The women on the show are hotter, and they have computer equipment so modern it doesn't exist yet!

[pmulcahy11b]

Paul's statement is why I am so glad I may actually get the unit that my avatar is....stationed BACK HOME, forty-five minutes from my house: Joint Communication Support Element.

WOOOO!!!!

Sorry...I am a bit tipsy...and am happy things are slowly starting to take shape in my life :p

Sooo...are you an Airborne computer geek or an Airborne skirt-chaser?

[B.T.]

Hi there, everybody!

I served as a conscript in the German Bundeswehr for 15 month (From 1985 to 1986). Although we were adressed as "Panzergrenadier", we were "Jäger". We were equipped with the M 113, but normally marshed without our PCs.

Most conscripts had a very bad training, but I served in an unit, that should be one of the first at the inner-German frontier, if there had been a war. Well, luckily there was none and I'm more than glad, that it came out that way.

Compared to other German units, our training was good enough.

[Ramjam]

Hi guys.

7 years as a FO in the Royal Artillary than transferred to the Royal Logistics Corps for another 4.

Some of my holiday spots included the Gulf (91), Bosnia (94 & 95) and Kosovo (99).

I always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and somehow got volunteered to go somewhere dangerous.

[weswood]

Apparently I voted in the poll but never added my experience in the thread.

USMC '85-89, USMCR 90-92. Logistics and Embarkation. Served all my active duty time with the Air Wings, picked up Corporal, did my reserve time with an Infantry Battalion (1/23), picked up Sgt.

[Earthpig]

Hi there, everybody!

I served as a conscript in the German Bundeswehr for 15 month (From 1985 to 1986). Although we were adressed as "Panzergrenadier", we were "Jäger". We were equipped with the M 113, but normally marched without our PCs.

Most conscripts had a very bad training, but I served in an unit, that should be one of the first at the inner-German frontier, if there had been a war. Well, luckily there was none and I'm more than glad, that it came out that way.

Compared to other German units, our training was good enough.


You didn't have an American M 577 attach itself to your unit in the '86 REFORGER exercise, did you?:)
If so, It was our company Operations Sergeant.:D

[Eddie]

Hello all. I looked for the best place to do an introduction and was unable to find anywhere that looked as good or better than this. So...please don't misconstrue this as an attempt to brag or beat my chest in an attempt to belittle others.

My name is Eddie Thomas. No reason to hide it as it's in the publication credits for Twilight: 2013 and it's going to become quickly apparent that I found this place through that medium.

I'm an Infantry officer in the United States Army currently on Active Duty at Schofield Barracks, HI. I've been in the Army for a total of eleven years with a small break in service to get my degrees. I started off as an enlisted man before I had said break in service and then went to OCS after completing college.

My qualifications include a myriad of things, to include Ranger School, Sniper School, Basic Airborne, Air Assault, Infantry Mortar Leader's Course, Stryker Leader's Course, Sniper Employment, and a few other piddly schools. I've served in 3rd Bn, 75th Ranger Regiment; 2nd BDE, 10th Mountain Division; 2nd BDE, 25th Infantry division; and a couple of TRADOC units that I prefer not to mention. I just returned five days ago from the [dripping sarcasm]wonderful vacation spot[/dripping sarcasm] known as Iraq. My most important claim from that deployment? The only soldier that I didn't bring back with me, I lost due to him dislocating his kneecap playing football on Christmas Eve in 2008 and going home three months early.

My non-military education includes two Bachelors degrees in Management and Finance, and I'm currently attempting to complete the last three classes I need for my Physics degree. However, it'll be some time before I'm capable of doing that without losing lots of credits through transferring schools.

Writing and publication credits to me, I've done a little bit of consultation work and minor writing up until T2K13. Most of these were with Clayton in the Spycraft line for the Militaries series of books and some of it was with the Stargate line, though most of that was pushed through by another friend.

Outside of work and education, I have three children ranging from 6-12, help out on their soccer teams and I've taught jujutsu since 2002.

So you can see, I've led a pretty eventful life and have a wide experience base to draw on. I consider myself no expert on any subject, but I'm pretty damned knowledgeable when it comes down to it.

I look forward to adding to this community and already see some names that look familiar to me.

[kato13]

Welcome aboard.

There are quite a few points of T2k13 and T2k overlap so there is a considerable amount of cross pollination between the two forums.

You have quite an interesting back story (which ironically could never be duplicated with either rule set lol ) and I and I am sure others look forward to your input.

[headquarters]

Hello all. I looked for the best place to do an introduction and was unable to find anywhere that looked as good or better than this. So...please don't misconstrue this as an attempt to brag or beat my chest in an attempt to belittle others.

My name is Eddie Thomas. No reason to hide it as it's in the publication credits for Twilight: 2013 and it's going to become quickly apparent that I found this place through that medium.

I'm an Infantry officer in the United States Army currently on Active Duty at Schofield Barracks, HI. I've been in the Army for a total of eleven years with a small break in service to get my degrees. I started off as an enlisted man before I had said break in service and then went to OCS after completing college.

My qualifications include a myriad of things, to include Ranger School, Sniper School, Basic Airborne, Air Assault, Infantry Mortar Leader's Course, Stryker Leader's Course, Sniper Employment, and a few other piddly schools. I've served in 3rd Bn, 75th Ranger Regiment; 2nd BDE, 10th Mountain Division; 2nd BDE, 25th Infantry division; and a couple of TRADOC units that I prefer not to mention. I just returned five days ago from the [dripping sarcasm]wonderful vacation spot[/dripping sarcasm] known as Iraq. My most important claim from that deployment? The only soldier that I didn't bring back with me, I lost due to him dislocating his kneecap playing football on Christmas Eve in 2008 and going home three months early.

My non-military education includes two Bachelors degrees in Management and Finance, and I'm currently attempting to complete the last three classes I need for my Physics degree. However, it'll be some time before I'm capable of doing that without losing lots of credits through transferring schools.

Writing and publication credits to me, I've done a little bit of consultation work and minor writing up until T2K13. Most of these were with Clayton in the Spycraft line for the Militaries series of books and some of it was with the Stargate line, though most of that was pushed through by another friend.

Outside of work and education, I have three children ranging from 6-12, help out on their soccer teams and I've taught jujutsu since 2002.

So you can see, I've led a pretty eventful life and have a wide experience base to draw on. I consider myself no expert on any subject, but I'm pretty damned knowledgeable when it comes down to it.

I look forward to adding to this community and already see some names that look familiar to me.

good to have you onboard - welcome to the best T2K boards on the planet !

you seem to have a full schedule there .Do you get any playing done ?

[TiggerCCW UK]

Welcome to the forum. Pull up a chair and call the cat a bastard.

[Eddie]

good to have you onboard - welcome to the best T2K boards on the planet !

you seem to have a full schedule there .Do you get any playing done ?

The only playing I've done for the last three years has been Play-by-Post stuff on a friend's website. Unfortunately, those games die out pretty quick because of RL. At least that's the excuse that we always get. Truth of the matter is, the same three people keep popping up, the pace is so slow only those three of us bear with it, and the games die. So I'll have sporadic bouts of gaming flurry, followed by long dry spells waiting to know if I can do what I'm trying to do. You know?

[headquarters]

The only playing I've done for the last three years has been Play-by-Post stuff on a friend's website. Unfortunately, those games die out pretty quick because of RL. At least that's the excuse that we always get. Truth of the matter is, the same three people keep popping up, the pace is so slow only those three of us bear with it, and the games die. So I'll have sporadic bouts of gaming flurry, followed by long dry spells waiting to know if I can do what I'm trying to do. You know?

I am blessed with a regular FtF group - we play every 3 months or so for a full weekend -yeah , RL interferes.

Tried a little Pbem with our group ,but as you say -its not the same as a good FtF.

I do understand the wait..there is the gamesessios and time inbetween..

:)

[Fusilier]

Welcome Eddie.

[General Pain]

I am blessed with a regular FtF group - we play every 3 months or so for a full weekend -yeah , RL interferes.

Tried a little Pbem with our group ,but as you say -its not the same as a good FtF.

I do understand the wait..there is the gamesessios and time inbetween..

:)

You mean: there is ftf-sessions and the dead-time between them hehe

[General Pain]

Hello all. I looked for the best place to do an introduction and was unable to find anywhere that looked as good or better than this. So...please don't misconstrue this as an attempt to brag or beat my chest in an attempt to belittle others.

My name is Eddie Thomas. No reason to hide it as it's in the publication credits for Twilight: 2013 and it's going to become quickly apparent that I found this place through that medium.

I'm an Infantry officer in the United States Army currently on Active Duty at Schofield Barracks, HI. I've been in the Army for a total of eleven years with a small break in service to get my degrees. I started off as an enlisted man before I had said break in service and then went to OCS after completing college.

My qualifications include a myriad of things, to include Ranger School, Sniper School, Basic Airborne, Air Assault, Infantry Mortar Leader's Course, Stryker Leader's Course, Sniper Employment, and a few other piddly schools. I've served in 3rd Bn, 75th Ranger Regiment; 2nd BDE, 10th Mountain Division; 2nd BDE, 25th Infantry division; and a couple of TRADOC units that I prefer not to mention. I just returned five days ago from the [dripping sarcasm]wonderful vacation spot[/dripping sarcasm] known as Iraq. My most important claim from that deployment? The only soldier that I didn't bring back with me, I lost due to him dislocating his kneecap playing football on Christmas Eve in 2008 and going home three months early.

My non-military education includes two Bachelors degrees in Management and Finance, and I'm currently attempting to complete the last three classes I need for my Physics degree. However, it'll be some time before I'm capable of doing that without losing lots of credits through transferring schools.

Writing and publication credits to me, I've done a little bit of consultation work and minor writing up until T2K13. Most of these were with Clayton in the Spycraft line for the Militaries series of books and some of it was with the Stargate line, though most of that was pushed through by another friend.

Outside of work and education, I have three children ranging from 6-12, help out on their soccer teams and I've taught jujutsu since 2002.

So you can see, I've led a pretty eventful life and have a wide experience base to draw on. I consider myself no expert on any subject, but I'm pretty damned knowledgeable when it comes down to it.

I look forward to adding to this community and already see some names that look familiar to me.

Welcome aboard,eddie ;)

[m47dragon]

Hi, new here.

I served in the USMC as an 0351 Anti-Tank Assaultman/Missileman from 1992-1997. I served on both active duty and in the Select Marine Corps Reserve: as a Dragon gunner and section leader and as a SMAW gunner and section leader.

I've worked as an armed security officer, supervisor and operations manager since 1996. I seem to be a jack of all trades, but master of none.

I haven't really touched T2000 as a player in almost 20 years, but the genre, especially the original Cold-War timeline, has always intrigued me.

I was a history major in college, and collecting militaria and weapons is my primary hobby.

[kato13]

Welcome m47dragon. I think you will find quite a few people here with a similar story and even more with similar interests. Hope you find useful information, and in general just have a good time here.

[pmulcahy11b]

A fellow Dragon gunner! I think I was, until this point, the only Dragon-qualified gunner on the board!

[m47dragon]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A fellow Dragon gunner! I think I was, until this point, the only Dragon-qualified gunner on the board!

Yep, we're a dying breed. I was also SMAW qualified (unless one is a Marine or in the IDF, then one probably has never touched one of these) as well as a demolitions man.

I'm also a NRA Law Enforcement Pistol and Shotgun instructor and Remington 870 Field Armorer...if anyone needs information on those subjects I hope I can help.

[General Pain]

Yep, we're a dying breed. I was also SMAW qualified (unless one is a Marine or in the IDF, then one probably has never touched one of these) as well as a demolitions man.

I'm also a NRA Law Enforcement Pistol and Shotgun instructor and Remington 870 Field Armorer...if anyone needs information on those subjects I hope I can help.

welcome aboard ;)

[jester]

We don't need anymore 51's and certainly not those riff raff 52's! We do need more 41's they are just the coolest of them all :D

Welcome aboard ya rocket cowboy you!

[Targan]

We don't need anymore 51's and certainly not those riff raff 52's! We do need more 41's they are just the coolest of them all :D
Oh yeah? Well I need more 69ers. But not from you guys :D

[smokewolf]

Yep, we're a dying breed. I was also SMAW qualified (unless one is a Marine or in the IDF, then one probably has never touched one of these) as well as a demolitions man.

I'm also a NRA Law Enforcement Pistol and Shotgun instructor and Remington 870 Field Armorer...if anyone needs information on those subjects I hope I can help.

Not to thread crap, but we could use your expertise over at T2K13 too. A lot of members pull double duty at both sites. But we've got lots of people who could use expertise such as yours.

[Packrat 172d LIB]

Well, let me say hello. I am the latest FNG. I enjoy T2k, but don't have a group to play it around where I live. In answer to the poll, I was in in the 80s and was attached to the 172d Light Infantry Brigade(Separate). And it is exactly right that Light Infantry AIN'T! We were the Arctic Speedbump. I was there when they stood up the 6th, but I didn't stick around long after that.

[Abbott Shaull]

I don't think I've ever jumped with zero wind!

LOL... I remember the one jump we did into Honduras in 1989. There ground controllers from what I heard gave the wind at just under what we were allowed to jump. Of course, the wind was much faster.

I remember enough jumps that happen at back at Bragg where it seemed the days when their was no wind or lot of wind gust, no was jumping. Yet, others when there was slight breeze at the barrack outside and you would see C130s and C141s take off with troops all day to make various jumps around the base.

I probably should of been rejected due to having asthma that was never diagnosed. That with seasonal allergies. After broken ankle on another jump, where the wind was marginal at Camp Blanding and getting two bolts in my ankle and still less than year in. No way I would get any training out of 11B MOS as E-2, and I was discharged. Oh well. Took 18 years to get the paper work to get the 30% disability, but a lot of that was my fault. Just glad I hadn't gotten right away, though, or the divorce from the 1st wife would of been nightmare.

Abbott

[Abbott Shaull]

A fellow Dragon gunner! I think I was, until this point, the only Dragon-qualified gunner on the board!


Hell no Paul. Ironically before the jump when I broke my ankle, I just qualified to fire the dragon to the training. The unit was suppose to be already out in the field on Thursday, but it was push back a couple days, so I get back Friday after qualifying and 35 minutes to get ready to pack and ready for the jump. It was a Corps Ready Eval. Oh well.

[Abbott Shaull]

Well, let me say hello. I am the latest FNG. I enjoy T2k, but don't have a group to play it around where I live. In answer to the poll, I was in in the 80s and was attached to the 172d Light Infantry Brigade(Separate). And it is exactly right that Light Infantry AIN'T! We were the Arctic Speedbump. I was there when they stood up the 6th, but I didn't stick around long after that.

LOL. Yeah, it amazing that Light, Mountain, Airborne, and Air Assault the gear they carry with them, it boggles the mind. Nothing like carrying your own body weight in gear.

[pmulcahy11b]

I remember enough jumps that happen at back at Bragg where it seemed the days when their was no wind or lot of wind gust, no was jumping. Yet, others when there was slight breeze at the barrack outside and you would see C130s and C141s take off with troops all day to make various jumps around the base.

I've never jumped with no wind, but it must happen -- they gave us a quick blurb on what to do if there's no wind in Jump School. (Basically, Sergeant Airborne just said, "Pick a direction to roll.")

[pmulcahy11b]

LOL. Yeah, it amazing that Light, Mountain, Airborne, and Air Assault the gear they carry with them, it boggles the mind. Nothing like carrying your own body weight in gear.

Well, I'm guessing that the most I ever humped was in 120-130-pound range (vs. my 145-pound body weight at the time), but I once had to do a 100-yard dash, with a 230-pound guy in a fireman's carry on my shoulders. All that work, and I only came in 4th out of ten...

[Abbott Shaull]

I've never jumped with no wind, but it must happen -- they gave us a quick blurb on what to do if there's no wind in Jump School. (Basically, Sergeant Airborne just said, "Pick a direction to roll.")

Yeah but Paul remember Division Barracks were protected a bit compare to the actual wind/breeze may find on any of the drop zones...lol

There were times where you wouldn't thing there was any breeze while at Division area, main post, or at Pope but take a little flight and you jump with plenty of wind... Funny how a couple miles and various elevation changes the breeze.

[pmulcahy11b]

Yeah but Paul remember Division Barracks were protected a bit compare to the actual wind/breeze may find on any of the drop zones...lol

There were times where you wouldn't thing there was any breeze while at Division area, main post, or at Pope but take a little flight and you jump with plenty of wind... Funny how a couple miles and various elevation changes the breeze.

Like Sicily DZ -- always a lot of wind there.

In jump school, the zoomies screwed up, turned on the green light at the wrong time, and overrode the objections of the jumpmaster. A stick got dropped into the wood at the edge of the DZ. They looked like a drawer of knives fell on them. But they were all back the next day to jump.

I had a lot of fun during jump week. I had gotten hemorrhoids the weekend before, and they were with me all week. Every opening shock...OUCH!

[Targan]

I had a lot of fun during jump week. I had gotten hemorrhoids the weekend before, and they were with me all week. Every opening shock...OUCH!
The OTHER kind of "roid rage".

[pmulcahy11b]

The OTHER kind of "roid rage".

Yep...Preparation-H doesn't work as fast as they advertise...:eek:

[Kellhound]

Hello to everybody.
I have already met some of you in the others T2K forums and newsgroups in these last years, but since I don't post too much (I'm very lazy in front of a keyboard :p ) I'll introduce myself again.

My name is Jose Antonio, I'm from Spain and entered the Spanish army mountain infantry back in 95.
Since then I have been an MP, and spent the last few years behind a desk most of the time (my wife doesn't let me go again on missions to the Balkans or Afghanistan anymore :o ).

[Marc]

Bona tarda!

I'm glad to have a fellow countryman here! I'm back after my summer holidays and this is a very pleasant surprise. I'm sure you will find a very friendly community here, Kellhound. I hope to read you soon.

BTW, I don't know if you are in any active Twilight roleplaying group, but given our geographical closeness, don't hesitate to contact me if you want to play with us. I know that Twilight:2000 groups are nearly non-existent. Our two playing groups have people from Hospitalet, Manresa, Barcelona and Sant SadurnÃ*.

Again, welcome. :)

[Kellhound]

Sadly, not many people knew (or knows now) about this game.
I used it mostly for one shots, since most of my players didn't like it too much, or campaigns grinded to a halt due to some players actions.
I had more luck with Merc:2000, directing a couple campaigns, and even joining players of two different game groups a couple of times.

[blaki974]

I went through a selection camp when I was 18, where they determine where you are best put to use. I scored high on intellectual and strength, so they placed me at the worst possible place: squadleader. The one who takes sh-t from above as well as below.

Squadleader: I got my first stripe after a month, at an unofficial meeting. We got the second stripe at a more official gathering, just before "our" soldiers came. We trained them in such basic skills as marching, making one's bed, saluting and using the correct terms for things. Things like "the business end of an AK-5" is called "mynning" and nothing else. and it doesn't use "bullits". It uses 5.56 mm ammunition. And you are NOT allowed to smoke if you are sitting on an ammo crate.

Our third stripe came after passing a few tests roughly about half way through our training. I was doing 10 months only, since it is (was) a concsript army. The soldiers did 7.5 months. The platoon leaders did 12 months and the company leaders did 15 months. I ended up driving a truck, and acting as a mini-supply for the entire company. I had everything on it. Tape, duct tape, pencils, compasses, T-röd, wicks for burners and so forth. All dispensed properly and in order after doing the paperwork.

We were told we would be sergeants when we got called for our first repetition, but evidently, they managed without us. I got a letter stating I had been put in the "utbildningsreserven" ("reserve"), so we never had any repetitions.

[akula_au]

Hey guys long time no see. How's everyone doing?

Cheers
Ad

[pmulcahy11b]

Hey guys long time no see. How's everyone doing?

Cheers
Ad

Do I know you?:D

[Targan]

Hey guys long time no see. How's everyone doing?

Well thanks. I got engaged on Monday. How are you?

[Mohoender]

Well thanks. I got engaged on Monday. How are you?

Congratulations and next step is: la corde au cou (I let you find out what it means).:D :)

[kato13]

Well thanks. I got engaged on Monday. How are you?


Congrats

[Targan]

Thanks!

[TiggerCCW UK]

Congrats again Targan!:D

[Targan]

Congrats again Targan!:D

Thanks again. There is a very happy girl at my house, prone to bouts of random giggling as she plays with her engagement ring.

[jester]

Well thanks. I got engaged on Monday. How are you?

Now why on earf would you go and do a thing like that?

Now life as you know it will come to a crashing halt. Well amigo, it was good knowing you. :D


Well guys, another one of us bites the bullet. And thus we few are getting fewer thanks to wives and works taking away from our important game time ;)

[Webstral]

Thanks again. There is a very happy girl at my house, prone to bouts of random giggling as she plays with her engagement ring.

Make the most of it. When it comes to wives, today's joys are tomorrow's expectations are the What,-is-that-it?'s of the day after.

Webstral

P.S. Congratulations

[pmulcahy11b]

Well guys, another one of us bites the bullet. And thus we few are getting fewer thanks to wives and works taking away from our important game time ;)

You'll always have me. I'm almost 48, never found Ms Right or had any children, and I think it's too late now.:( And dating is too expensive anyway $$$$.

[Adm.Lee]

And thus we few are getting fewer thanks to wives and works taking away from our important game time ;)

Heh. I married a gamer. Even better, she has played Twilight with me. It's the kids that keep us from gaming together now.

[pmulcahy11b]

My second girlfriend was a gamer. That's how I met her, actually, though it was D&D, as Twilight 2000 was still over 10 years in the future.

[Targan]

My second girlfriend was a gamer. That's how I met her, actually, though it was D&D, as Twilight 2000 was still over 10 years in the future.

My first two girlfriends were both gamers. They were good friends actually. We played D&D but it didn't seem to help in encouraging them to play with my sword... *ehem*

[Owen E Oulton]

I spent a few years in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Land Reserves (a.k.a. Militia), West Nova Scotia, D Company, 2 Platoon way back in the late 1970's, and reached the lofty rank of Corporal. I ran into the Morrow Project game back in 1981 when I was working at Odyssey 2000 book store in Halifax, and ran it as-is for a couple of years. I'm currently running a campaign using the Twilight:2000 v2.2 rules, set in the Annapolis Valley in 2150. My "end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it" (EOTWAWKI) is centred around Y2K and an alien incident (not an invasion). The players are the surviving 4 members of the 6-man Recce Team R-42. They've just woken up and made contact with the local Mi'kmac indians. I'm running it on-line by eMail, and the site is http://www.coldnorth.com/owen/game/morrow/morrow.htm . I've established that the "crash" of the Morrow Project has something to do with someone or something called "Krell" and that the main villians are Nazis in Halifax. I've been working a fair bit on the Nova Scotialist Democratic Action Party (NSDAP) but have't posted any of it on the site yet, as the PCs are freshly out of the tubes and have only heard vague rumours so far. To date, I have 4 players, 3 in the Ottawa area, and 1 in Costa Rica, with 1 more potential here in Ottawa. I'm not recruiting any more. I've been a member and a moderator at the Trek-RPG Forums - http://forum.trek-rpg.net - for several years and have been running a Trek game since 1983.

[headquarters]

My first two girlfriends were both gamers. They were good friends actually. We played D&D but it didn't seem to help in encouraging them to play with my sword... *ehem*

scientists have discovered a food that reduces female sexdrive by 95 % Targan..








Its called a wedding cake.

[mikeo80]

Well thanks. I got engaged on Monday. How are you?

Congrats, Targan!!

I hope for a long and happy life for you and your intended.

I've been married 24 years now. 2 kids & 5 grandkids later.....:D

My wife is NOT a gamer. Whenever I pick up my dice, she smiles, shakes her head, and wanders off to do her thing. As long as I have my share of the chores done...There WILL be swash to be buckled!!! :p

Mike

[Targan]

Congrats, Targan!!

I hope for a long and happy life for you and your intended.

I've been married 24 years now. 2 kids & 5 grandkids later.....:D

Thanks!. And well done. 24 years is a great achievement.

[jester]

You'll always have me. I'm almost 48, never found Ms Right or had any children, and I think it's too late now.:( And dating is too expensive anyway $$$$.


That statement makes me feel like the docs should up the dosage of my meds. So Paul does this mean we will be little ol men in wheelchairs at the old veterans home RPGing between naps? If thats the case, we should start working on recruiting more folks for our group now. And uh, you can GM the first campaign.:p




Hey guys, at least Paul and I now have a REAL face to face group to look forward to.......in 30 or 40 years. :D

[pmulcahy11b]

Hey guys, at least Paul and I now have a REAL face to face group to look forward to.......in 30 or 40 years. :D

That'll be an interesting game -- a bunch of senile RPGers!

[Spec6]

Served from 1969 -1973 US Army . Finished AIT as a 45k20 and sent to Nam as a 11Bush . But that was a long time ago .

[Frank Frey]

I spent three years in the army. I was in Vietnam from November 1968 to November 1969. Got an early REFRAD for coming back with less than three months left to go on my active duty commitment.
To all my fellow vets, "Welcome Home". Thank you for your service. To the others, thank you for your interest and support.

[Fusilier]

I spent a few years in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Land Reserves (a.k.a. Militia), West Nova Scotia, D Company, 2 Platoon way back in the late 1970's, and reached the lofty rank of Corporal. I ran into the Morrow Project game back in 1981 when I was working at Odyssey 2000 book store in Halifax

Halifax eh? That's where I'm from. I also spent some of my service time down in Aldershot when I was in the PLF.

Most of my hard copy Twilight books came from Odyssey 2000 too.

[perardua]

Been a member of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment for five years, deployed to Afghanistan with a regular field squadron last year as part of my gap year from university, where I was a member of the mortar Flight. I'm now finishing my degree, and whilst I was originally planning a career in the police on graduation, the current lack of police recruiting in the UK has nudged me towards volunteering for a second tour after graduating, which at least will give me something to do for a year, after which hopefully there will be a chance of getting into the police.

[HorseSoldier]

I don't think I've ever jumped with zero wind!

I've seen some wind meters held inside the back of a humvee ambulance to determine that winds were zero on the DZ. What the guys coming in on the jump actually experienced might have varied . . .

[Wereferret]

I'm the *other* Coastie on your boards here, still active duty but finishing up a two year graduate program at the University of Washington in Seattle in Marine Affairs, so essentially a little two year break from the uniform and general responsibility. I'm headed this summer to Charleston, S.C. to a Fisheries Enforcement Training Center that covers the mid-Atlantic region (and very happy, Charleston is a GREAT town). I'm at heart a marine biology/fisheries nerd, but it does occasionally pay off with cool adventures (tagging Salmon Sharks in Alaska and living on a pristine beach for two weeks in an Mexican reserve studying coral with 17 female co-ed grad students!)

Prior to that its been all ships, first a high-endurance cutter (similar to a frigate) out of Seattle doing alternating counter drug trips down near Columbia and Ecuador and fisheries patrols up in the Bering Sea. Then a patrol boat in Bahrain, doing critical infrastructure defense in Iraq and training IQ Navy/Marines, and counter piracy in Iraq and Horn of Africa. Then I was lucky enough to command a little patrol boat with a great crew in, of all places my hometown of Corpus Christi, TX.

I got into T2K recently and play with some of my fiancee's friends and a couple army buddies from high school. Enjoyed reading this thread and seeing the diversity of backgrounds. Thanks to everyone who served during our previous wars and highly uncertain times in our recent past.

- Brandon

[Rapparee]

Another FNG here lads! Couldn't resist making my first post here!

I'm a weekend warrior, student by day and in the Irish Reserve Defence Forces as part of the Medical Corp in the Southern Brigade. Pretty handy for me since my company's based in Limerick, around five miles from where I go to college, studying English and History after a tenure in Business and German. The way its going, I've the next four years in the Reserve to look forward to at least and its a fair bit of craic so I find! Thanks to the international recession, I've been capped as a 2star private, just waiting for the economy to pick up before we finally get our full qualifications!

Still its interesting. My unit seems comprised of either out-of shape wannabes or else obnoxious know-it-alls, but then again, this is the reserve. We generally get parcelled out to units on exercise according to our fitness so being scarcely two decades old and quite a spring chicken, I'm always with the infantry. I'm meant to be assigned to a section, but due to manpower constraints, usually find myself with an unexpected promotion to platoon medic which causes some friction with section commanders who find themselves equal to a jumped up private!:D

Only been in it a year, but since I've the basics out of the way, hope to get granted my Ambulance Skills and courses done over the next two summers (EFR to EMT standard). Until then, I'm relegated to carrying the basic medical kit and taking turns muling the GPMG around the place!:xyxgun:

T2K and T2K13, I only discovered in the last year or two (product of the dying months of '89, my apolagies mo chairde!) and have been trying to hook my ad hoc group of gamers towards it. They're generally a D&D crowd(which I've grown out of!) and nWoD so I've started reeling them towards it with a game of CoC, then a Delta Green campaign set in Vietnam and then hopefully, onward to T2K! Wish me luck!

Fág an Beallach!

P.S. Its interesting to hear the experiences of the servicemen from different countries here. One of the guys I climb with just finished up 12 years in the Bundeswehr and is back to college, studying over here. While there might be differences, the bullshit seems to be the same everywhere!:D

[TiggerCCW UK]

Welcome to the forum! Nice to see another Irish man on here, even if you are at the opposite end of the country:)

[Targan]

Good to have you join us Rapparee. Welcome to the forum.

[Rapparee]

Haha serious?!

Pretty deascent! Aye I do be a Munster man but its good to hear theres a fellow countryman interested in this game! Cheers for the welcome lads, good to hear!

[Abbott Shaull]

I've seen some wind meters held inside the back of a humvee ambulance to determine that winds were zero on the DZ. What the guys coming in on the jump actually experienced might have varied . . .

You mean that wasn't standard SOP for using the wind meter...lol

[Abbott Shaull]

Well thanks. I got engaged on Monday. How are you?

Little belated congrats...

[pmulcahy11b]

You mean that wasn't standard SOP for using the wind meter...lol

It's kind of like putting the wet-bulb hygrometer over the ice water bag...

[dragoon500ly]

It's kind of like putting the wet-bulb hygrometer over the ice water bag...

That was when they were still running two miles in NBC suits and protective masks...in the middle of a Fort Benning summer!

[qwerty1971]

I just joined this forum, mostly for the T2K stuff. 19 years currently in the Army. 3 tours in Iraq. Service time split between infantry and MI. Been to most boy scout schools so if anyone needs clarification on T2k stuff I might be able to assist.

[Griff]

25 years and counting. 15 active, 10 Guard. All Infantry and Cav (Scout, not real/line Cav). Now I'm on ING and trying out the Contractor line. So far so good. Not much out there jobs wise and damn sure less that I have any skills for. Attack it, defend it, observe and report on it, track it, teach others to do all of the above.

"Wind holding at 5 knots....." God that brings back some very, very painful memories.

And now thinking back on those bad ol'days.....any you other older guys (doesn't matter what service or nation, stupidity seems universal) trained to ween yourselves off water? We would constantly do these 12 milers and be expected to have full canteens at the end. Oi!

Now I tell the "Joes" drink, drink, drink...Ahh the times, they sure are a changing.

Sua Sponte

[Eddie]

Sorry for the late comings, but...

Sua Sponte, Griff?

Are you a Batt Boy? Or former Batt Boy as the case may be.

[Graebarde]

And now thinking back on those bad ol'days.....any you other older guys (doesn't matter what service or nation, stupidity seems universal) trained to ween yourselves off water? We would constantly do these 12 milers and be expected to have full canteens at the end. Oi!

Now I tell the "Joes" drink, drink, drink...Ahh the times, they sure are a changing.

Sua Sponte

Actually I was fortunate enough to have an old master sergeant as mentor who enforced 'the fill your belly with water' school of thought. 'The belly is the best canteen you have' and if your not pissing regular your not drinking enough, then if your piss is dark your not drinking enough... drink, and drink... gives you something to sweat out and puke up too.. But in basic we were required to drink on regular basis, even if not thirsty, but what most ppl don't realize, by the time you notice thirst you are already dehydrated, so it makes sense... and salt tablets... but that was in '68 when they acutally taught more subject matter to the grunts in AIT too... heck out first aid classes were what they teach Life Savers now, minus the starting the IV. I witnessed one later that I thought WTF is this? Not even how to treat a sucking chest wound! Nuff of the soap box... yes we drank and drank.. the whankers that tried to teach weaning from water needed to be run to death IMO. (Thinks of the Capt in Band of Brothers)

[Griff]

Former....waaaaay former, my first jump was off a Pterodactyl! ;)

C Co 3/75 '88-'91.

Grae'- Yep it's surprising how backwards we go sometimes. The "Joes" get taught whatever Congress and the Army seems to think is cheapest and looks good in the papers at the moment. I have no idea what they're teaching the kids today. The last couple of batchs we got......it's upsetting my sleep and I'll leave it at that.


Sua Sponte

[Eddie]

No shit?!

I was C-3/75 in '96-'98! Small world!

[Griff]

How'boutcha !!

Well now we've got a Casual Company Mafia on the boards!

Have no fear my fine little Tankers, it's only the 20th GTD & 21st MRD, Eddie and I've got it from here, you guys roll through to Lodz and link up those 20th Group boys, I can hear them crying from here.....4 GTA?....Polish BGB?..Na', no worries, here take my Scroll. If anyone stops you just tell you've got to C Co 3rd Batt Boys with ya' and show'em the Scroll. You'll be fine. Oh and don't tell Green Beanies were around (or show'em the scroll) or they'll stop worrying about the mission and worry about their hair and looking "Hard" for no one in particular.....

Let's see equipment check....Gerber, check......K-bar, check.....M-4,2 two mags',check.....1 Frag',check........550 cord,check......plastique,check............Make Shit Happen Dust..missing something.......oh found it Woobie & 100mph tape,check......Phewwww disaster avoided! Ready Eddie? Wonder Twin Powers Activate!!! Form of a modified Wedge....engage Ranger-Ninja Powers......hold on a sec' gotta piss first....;)


Sua Sponte/RLTW!

[ArmySGT.]

Army, of course.

Everything else is a support Service.

[LAW0306]

Eddie you still at schofield?

[Lundgren]

Stockholm Stadsskytte, back in 1992-1993; An urban warfare battalion. Was still a bit on the experimental stage as we where the second of the six such battalions they where to set up.

Must say it is much more fun to have done it, than it was to be there :D:p:D

[Fusilier]

Need a new poll option.

Was in the military - going back into the military.

[DCausey]

I wanted very badly to serve, but my health kept me out. I was 15 and at Culver Military Academy when I was diagnosed with BiPolar Depression. I've been disabled 100% with it for 20 years now. My meds work OK, but I'm pretty much a homebody. Leaves lots of time for hobbies, anyway.

I wanted to be a Marine most of all, and probably would have wound up around aviation or tanks, 2 things that I really love.

[Fusilier]

I wanted very badly to serve, but my health kept me out. I was 15 and at Culver Military Academy when I was diagnosed with BiPolar Depression. I've been disabled 100% with it for 20 years now. My meds work OK, but I'm pretty much a homebody. Leaves lots of time for hobbies, anyway.

I wanted to be a Marine most of all, and probably would have wound up around aviation or tanks, 2 things that I really love.

That's tough. I was on medication for depression for a few years, but was never disabled from it so I could only imagine. Best of luck.

[DCausey]

Thanks man. :) I have a good doc and a great therapist, but I'm not really getting better. I'm maintaining though, and I work hard at managing my moods and the anxiety. One day at a time.

This forum has been great for keeping my mind occupied. The more I think, the less the moods control me, and T2K and this Forum are great at being thought-provoking.

[pmulcahy11b]

I wanted very badly to serve, but my health kept me out. I was 15 and at Culver Military Academy when I was diagnosed with BiPolar Depression. I've been disabled 100% with it for 20 years now. My meds work OK, but I'm pretty much a homebody. Leaves lots of time for hobbies, anyway.

I wanted to be a Marine most of all, and probably would have wound up around aviation or tanks, 2 things that I really love.

You sound much like me; I have a subset of bipolar disorder called schizoaffective disorder. (Sort of bipolar d/o with some schizophrenia thrown in for fun.) It waited until many years after I enlisted in the Army and thought I was going places to finally floor me, but looking back, it probably started out in my mid-teens. I have a lot of problems with some pretty dark depression, and antidepressants don't have antidepressant qualities on the schizoaffective; the best thing my docs can do is stabilize me at a depressed level. I'm pretty much a homebody as well; between medication and pain I can sleep a whole day away, without artificial help from more medication.

[Legbreaker]

...and this Forum are great at being thought-provoking.

You've got that right!
We've had some very good "discussions" here over the years and most have definitely prompted a lot of thought. In my opinion a good, well thought out argument (not flame war) can be more productive than a years worth of back slapping and tiptoeing around everybody's feelings.

[DCausey]

You sound much like me; I have a subset of bipolar disorder called schizoaffective disorder. (Sort of bipolar d/o with some schizophrenia thrown in for fun.) It waited until many years after I enlisted in the Army and thought I was going places to finally floor me, but looking back, it probably started out in my mid-teens. I have a lot of problems with some pretty dark depression, and antidepressants don't have antidepressant qualities on the schizoaffective; the best thing my docs can do is stabilize me at a depressed level. I'm pretty much a homebody as well; between medication and pain I can sleep a whole day away, without artificial help from more medication.

I feel for you Paul.

I found your website soon after I got into T2K a couple years ago, and your openness about your illness there was a big help in overcoming the shame I have about my illness.

My meds don't fix either the depression or the highs totally, but they do - Thank God - make the worst of the suicidal thoughts stay away.

- Dave

[bobcat]

LOL. Yeah, it amazing that Light, Mountain, Airborne, and Air Assault the gear they carry with them, it boggles the mind. Nothing like carrying your own body weight in gear.

roger that. i remember in iraq carrying 40 lbs of armour, 60 lbs of ammo/grenades, 25 lbs of mission equipment(radio, Batteries, E-tool, etc), in addition to food and water for three days. my ruck alone weighed more than i did. oh then they also had me carry out everything we captured.
i was a veritable walking weapons cache.:D

[Schone23666]

Guess I'll add my bit here. I was U.S. Air Force from 1996 to 2000. My AFSC was Avionics for the F-15 bird, I mainly worked on the C and D models. Definitely a bird that's been aging along, but still a good bird nonetheless. Not as flashy as the fly by wire F-16 or the newer generation of aircraft like the F-22, but it's served pretty well in nearly every theatre of the world and it's got a pretty impressive kill ratio, so there. :p

I did most of my tour in Europe in Germany at Spangdahlem AFB, did a quick tour over in the sandbox at Prince Sultan AFB in Saudi Arabia, and finished my last leg at Langley AFB in Virginia. They've taken all the F-15's out of Langley (AFAIK) now, pretty much all F-22's.

Funny thing was, I joined the Air Force yet was morbidly afraid of heights. Good thing they stuck my arse behind a workstation bench I suppose. Plus, you can't beat working indoors in a very nicely lit, air-conditioned environment. :D

[Medic]

I served as a conscript a while before the millenium in the Finnish Rapid Deployment Forces (most of my basic training mates went to Kosovo after their conscript service) until my knee got busted in the service by a fellow serviceman, got transferred out for a bit over a year and ended up in the Guard Jäger Regiment, where I did the rest of my service.

I originally served as a FO in a Jäger (=Infantry) Coy and upon the re-entry evaluation I was called in front of the board, led by the then-brigadier general, who was in charge of the military district I lived in. He suggested arty for me, at which point I stated 'I've been trained as a Jäger and there's no way one can turn me in to an artillerist'. The senior lieutanant who was serving the board as a scribe looked like he'd be shitting bricks the very moment but the BG just laughed and I got assigned to the Guard, where I ended up serving overtime due to a clerical error.

After my service, I've been training other reservists in infantry weapons (from the pistols to anti-tank rockets) and even more in combat medicine, due to my civilian education in the field - the guys did laugh at me, when I had the medic patch on my sleeve and a sniper rifle on my back (then again, the Geneva Convention does not actually state, what kind of a weapon a medic is allowed to carry for self defence, I think). As a civvie, I've worked as a primary nurse, emergy medical technician (or rather, the Finnish equivalent), a paramedic, a surgical technician and a scrub nurse. I'm about to finish my Registered Nurse degree and work as a Recovery Room nurse at the local university hospital.

I'll just say, my current allotment in the reserves is with the territorial company, which means I get more active days in the service than the average reservists, though even my active days are pretty much effected by the budget cuts.

[pmulcahy11b]

Funny thing was, I joined the Air Force yet was morbidly afraid of heights. Good thing they stuck my arse behind a workstation bench I suppose. Plus, you can't beat working indoors in a very nicely lit, air-conditioned environment. :D

You know, one of the minor reasons I went Airborne was to conquer my fear of heights (which I still think is genetic -- my mother, my sister, my brother, and one of my cousins has the same phobia). And I was terrified right through Ground and Tower week -- and right until I got up to the C-130's door before my first jump -- but once I got out, I was fine. I guess that's taking aversion therapy to the max.

[fact275]

I was a Dept. of the Air Force employee--DOD civilians should have been an option.

[Eddie]

In a poll to see who is/was military? No disrespect intended but I disagree.

[James Langham]

In a poll to see who is/was military? No disrespect intended but I disagree.

It might however be useful as an indicator of knowledge.

[TicToc]

I cant agree more that contractors have something to add to any conversation about how Modern Wars are waged and supported. However being a Contractor and being military are two very very different worlds.

[Graebarde]

A LOT of the contractors are former active duty military.

[rcaf_777]

Not sure why I did not post to the thread any why here is my biref military career

Join as reserve infantry solider in 1994 with the Royal Regt of Canada (RRC) in Toronto Ontario, I completed basic and basic infantry training in Petawawa

In 1996 I transfer to Algonquin Regt in order to attend college and get bussiness admin diploma. Durring my time as reserve infantry solider I got qualifed as TOW Gunner, Machine Gunner and RTO, durring my time I called up active duty durring the 1997 Flood in Winnpeg MB and 1998 Ice Storm in Eastern Ontario

In 2000 I trasnfer (remuster) trades to Resource Management Support Clerk and attended CFSAL in Borden Ontario

2001 I transfered to Regular Force and was assigned to 22 Wing in North Bay which overseas the Canadian NORAD Region, durring this time assigned as armed guard (Wing Auxl Security Unit) durring the events of 9/11

2003 I was transfer to Petawawa to 2 Brigrade Headquarters and Signals Sqn and then to Combat Engineers, while in Petawawa I was deployed to Afghanstian in 2003-04 with the 3 RCR Battle Group and again in 2006-07 with 2 Svc BN where I was assigned to ISAF HQ/Camp Souter in Kabul

2010 - I assigned to Canadian Expeditionary Force Command where I currently work in J1 Personel Branch

Outside the Military I serve as Scoutmaster, and brother is Canadian Army who also posts on this broad

[LAW0306]

wearing my II VP shirt from A coy today around Hawaii.

[CDAT]

I am out of the Army now, having spent 20 years. Held five MOS 12F, 19K, 74D, 89D, and 91W.

Started as a 19k (M1 tank crew) and would mostlikey have been one for entire time, but clerks screwed up somthing. I was an Spc (E-4) about ready to pin on my 5 and they told me that I either had to take a reduction or find a new home as they put me in the wrong MTOE slot, so I went to be a 12F (heavy combat engineer) I was suppsed to be a CEV Gunner, about the time that I completed my training the Army decided to get rid of all CEV's so I got to be a regular combat engineer (no offense to any one who did that job and liked it). That job sucked big time, so I got out and joined the UT Guard, one of my high scool buddys was in it at the time and so I signed up to be a 91B (Combat medic, later changed to 91W Medic), I did that for a couple of years and then the Army told me to be a combat engineer again. As I was comeing up on my ETS I told my command I was getting out, when my commander asked why told him I hate being a combat engineer, so he offered me the position of being the unit 74D (NBC NCO) I did that for a couple of years. After my first deployment were we got to work with EOD I applied and was accepted as an 89D (EOD Tech), I did that for next eight years and then got out.

[stormlion1]

Air Force back in the mid 90's. Got out just before my field changed names, security police to security forces.

[Toastedted]

I currently serve in the United States Army and have been stationed at Fort Hood Texas for five years. Just got my 5 earlier in the year.

[robert.munsey]

Hi! Some of you know me from other boards (aka Muns)
I Spent 26 years US Army (all active duty). Enlisted in 1980 as a airborne tanker. Spent 3 yrs in and then got out and went to college, then when the VEAP money ran out I re-enlisted in 1985 and stayed in until I retired as a 1SG in 2008. I have served on many types of US tanks and I am a Master Gunner on the M1 series from M1A1 through the M1A2SEP (fourth MG trained on the SEP). That just means I know a bit more than the usual tanker.
Oh yeah before most of you start, that is Distinguished Armor Technician to the rest of you (you grunts types that think like is the only way to go). Only us tread heads can call one another a Dumb A$$ Tanker. The CDAT 'moniker' is just a old term that tread heads use to identify those that were Jedis and those that were not. Use of that term just dates those that use that it.

[CDAT]

Hi! Some of you know me from other boards (aka Muns)
I Spent 26 years US Army (all active duty). Enlisted in 1980 as a airborne tanker. Spent 3 yrs in and then got out and went to college, then when the VEAP money ran out I re-enlisted in 1985 and stayed in until I retired as a 1SG in 2008. I have served on many types of US tanks and I am a Master Gunner on the M1 series from M1A1 through the M1A2SEP (fourth MG trained on the SEP). That just means I know a bit more than the usual tanker.
Oh yeah before most of you start, that is Distinguished Armor Technician to the rest of you (you grunts types that think like is the only way to go). Only us tread heads can call one another a Dumb A$$ Tanker. The CDAT 'moniker' is just a old term that tread heads use to identify those that were Jedis and those that were not. Use of that term just dates those that use that it.

So how was being an Airborne Tanker? We had one guy from my OSUT go to the 82nd. I loved being a tanker and still get to live a bit of it by listing to my brother tell stories about his platoon.

[robert.munsey]

It was an experience to say the least. I had a hard ass Platoon Sergeant (who later became a CSM many years later) who would not let me go to Sat fun jumps, and wore my ass out the first three months I was there. I thought my only saving grace was that I could remember everything he and my tank commander taught me. Back then we were taught early on that we may not have the Sheridan as a Heavy drop could be called off for any reason. Also preventative maintenance was drilled into us as we were our only lifeline, if you track went down, you were basically useless to the TF commander. Things were also pretty crazy back then too. I did not know how good the unit was unit was until I returned to the Army later on.
Any particular questions?

[Man in Black]

I am a former Marine and proud of it. 9-91 to 5-98. Served in Somalia for a few months. A couple of months in Kuwait (post Desert Storm). Sometimes I miss it, then I remind myself of all the dirt and grime, deployments, early morning PT every day, bad chow, inspections, drill....

[pmulcahy11b]

Enough that it stuck with me, but not enough that I've kept up my PT!

[swaghauler]

So how was being an Airborne Tanker? We had one guy from my OSUT go to the 82nd. I loved being a tanker and still get to live a bit of it by listing to my brother tell stories about his platoon.

With that many years in a "rolling coffin" should we call you "Retread" or "Missing Link?" Thank god there are people crazy enough to do what you did for a living. In all seriousness, Thanks for your service. I guess I would be called your "poor cousin." Started my career as a 13 BRAVO (Artillery Crewman) on the M109 SP. Then I joined the 10th Mountain and switched to the Towed 198 Gun/Howitzer. Had myself a go at Air Assault School and Special Weapons training before making Ammo Team Chief (E5) during Restore Hope. Did 8 years in all. Then I got REALLY STUPID and decided to carry a gun for a living on the streets of my home town. They did tell me; "If you really want to be loved; become a fireman...."

[Ancestor]

Ancestor again - forgot I already voted. I'm currently serving as an AGR-occasional tour. Was MDAY for most of my career but sometime around 2009 I started spending more and more time on ADOS. Did my OCONUS tour, got back, hated the civilian world and threw my name in for resident CGSC, got it, quit my civilian job, and am now full time. Who knows what's going to happen after this - I'm starting to understand the politics of the NG and I'm not sure about life after this tour.

[CDAT]

With that many years in a "rolling coffin" should we call you "Retread" or "Missing Link?" Thank god there are people crazy enough to do what you did for a living. In all seriousness, Thanks for your service. I guess I would be called your "poor cousin." Started my career as a 13 BRAVO (Artillery Crewman) on the M109 SP. Then I joined the 10th Mountain and switched to the Towed 198 Gun/Howitzer. Had myself a go at Air Assault School and Special Weapons training before making Ammo Team Chief (E5) during Restore Hope. Did 8 years in all. Then I got REALLY STUPID and decided to carry a gun for a living on the streets of my home town. They did tell me; "If you really want to be loved; become a fireman...."

I only did about half my time in tanks the other half was as EOD. Now I am out and a Police Officer.

[LT. Ox]

Trained as Airborne Radio Operator.
Then to Arty OCS Fort Sill. Wanted Benning and Inf.
Then did my time as an FO with the Inf.
Then Training Officer in what was then called "quick kill" a point and shoot system with shoulder weapon, we used a m-14 stocked bb gun :rolleyes: and worked trainees down to alkaseltzer (sic) as targets.
Then law enforcement , Oakland PD then Western Colorado.
Patrol, SWAT, narcotic then strike force with CBI.
Shot and killed a perp on a SWAT call and PTSD took me out.
Hmmm lots more since but a whole 'nother track.

[rcaf_777]

Then Training Officer in what was then called "quick kill" a point and shoot system with shoulder weapon, we used a m-14 stocked bb gun :rolleyes: and worked trainees down to alkaseltzer (sic) as targets.

I have heard that term Training Officer a few time what is it? do you go to OCS?

[pmulcahy11b]

I am old enough soldier to remember when there were chocolate chip cakes in some MREs.

[Legbreaker]

I am old enough soldier to remember when there were chocolate chip cakes in some MREs.

Meanwhile in Australian ration packs we had Biscuits, Jam Filled, Pre-crushed.

[cawest]

I am old enough soldier to remember when there were chocolate chip cakes in some MREs.

but do you remember the small white spoons? or dehydrated pork patty?

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Meanwhile in Australian ration packs we had Biscuits, Jam Filled, Pre-crushed.
Oh man, I remember them! :D
The jam was the only thing stopping them from instantly falling apart when you opened the packet :p

Ah back in the days when the Aussie ratpacks had tubes of sweetened condensed milk and tubes of jam in them, and that chunky breakfast cereal block... (actually I really liked them, 'specially when you lathered them in the condensed milk...memories...).
I've still got a few FREDs in a box somewhere.

[Legbreaker]

Loved the cereal biscuits too. Could break your teeth on them if you weren't careful.
Worst thing was that god awful pineapple gel they replaced the tinned fruit with. Diabetes in a can.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Loved the cereal biscuits too. Could break your teeth on them if you weren't careful.
Worst thing was that god awful pineapple gel they replaced the tinned fruit with. Diabetes in a can.
Going from memory, weren't we supposed to soak the cereal block in a little water first to soften it?
I liked them as a biscuit and could never be arsed "preparing" them, although some of the other guys did dip 'em into their tea.

As for the pineapple gel, I don't think I encountered it. I left in 1994 and being in a regional ARes unit at the time, some of our newer ratpacks dated from the early- to mid-1980s. I don't recall ever seeing a ratpack dated after 1987 except for some of the freeze-dried ones we got via SAS whenever they used our depot for their car commander's and demo courses (we were right out in rural WA so they had plenty of space and very few spectators!)

[Legbreaker]

It didn't last long. Was issued around 94-95 I think and I got it two, maybe three times before the backlash forced it's removal and the fruit reinstated. Larger tin than the fruit, but it was basically pineapple jam (jelly for you yanks). Only knew one person who liked it, even better than the chocolate if you can believe it!
And then there was the abomination known as ham and egg, steak and egg, anything with egg really. Even starving dogs would turn their noses up to that muck!

[Legbreaker]

On another note, I'm seriously considering re-listing in the reserves and going for a commission.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

On another note, I'm seriously considering re-listing in the reserves and going for a commission.
Hey if you're still young enough for it, go for it! Can't hurt to give it a bash. :)

[Legbreaker]

Hey if you're still young enough for it, go for it! Can't hurt to give it a bash. :)

47 is young right?

[StainlessSteelCynic]

47 is young right?

Hell yeah! I plan on living to 120 so that I can claim 60 as middle-aged so by my plan, at 47 you've still got over a decade before you're at the "middle" :D

But on a serious note, like a few other Western nations in the last decade or so, the Aussie military increased the upper age limit for entry (particularly if you have desirable skills). I can't remember what the upper age limit is but I do remember being suprised by it because I think they jumped it up by quite a bit compared to what it had been in the 80s-90s.

[Legbreaker]

Yes, I remember officer entry topped out at 25 unless you had relevant and required qualifications, and enlistment was 35.
It's some ridiculous age now, up in the 50's I think.
Quick look at their website and: The maximum age for recruitment varies greatly by role, and you'll find details in each job description on this website. As a general rule you can join the ADF if you are between three and six years away from the Compulsory Retiring Age for a specific role.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Yes, I remember officer entry topped out at 25 unless you had relevant and required qualifications, and enlistment was 35.
It's some ridiculous age now, up in the 50's I think.
Quick look at their website and:
Yeah I think I had a gander at the same website. It's a shit of a site to navigate, fifty pages latter and I finally found some confirmation of the age range... okay, slight exaggeration, it was only fifteen pages...

But, example, max age for Intelligence Analyst is 56 and 58 for Air Surveillance Operator, 55 for drop-shorts & bucketheads.
And 60 for officers :eek:
So yeah :cool: the upper limit has been increased quite a bit.
Go for it Leg!

[Targan]

10 years ago I definitely was interested in going back into the reserves. I'm the same age as Leg. I doubt I would have passed the physical requirements though. 10 years ago I was still extremely fit, but I've had a bunch of motorcycle injuries over the years and some of the injuries are permanent. And then a huge hit 5 years ago (a woman ran a red light and hit me side-on at 60kph) and now I'm a shadow of the man I once was.

[Legbreaker]

10 years ago I definitely was interested in going back into the reserves. I'm the same age as Leg. I doubt I would have passed the physical requirements though. 10 years ago I was still extremely fit, but I've had a bunch of motorcycle injuries over the years and some of the injuries are permanent. And then a huge hit 5 years ago (a woman ran a red light and hit me side-on at 60kph) and now I'm a shadow of the man I once was.

Yeah, I'm certainly not in my prime, but I know many people in worse shape than me who got in. One of my best mates was accepted back in 91 with only one lung!
...and then he got pneumonia while on exercise...
...which wasn't diagnosed (let alone treated) for three months...

[pmulcahy11b]

but do you remember the small white spoons? or dehydrated pork patty?

Oh yes, and the Chicken a la King that was great heated and an abomination cold.

And they changed the crackers. To the new fragmentation crackers. You couldn't get the damn things out of the foil without them breaking into pieces!

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Oh yes, and the Chicken a la King that was great heated and an abomination cold.

And they changed the crackers. To the new fragmentation crackers. You couldn't get the damn things out of the foil without them breaking into pieces!
It sounds like ration packs are the same the world over. It doesn't seem to matter what menu they might have, there always seems to be one quite good food item, one really deplorable food item and biscuits/crackers of some sort that are always broken.
The ration pack appears to be a universal experience! :D

[Targan]

Yeah, I'm certainly not in my prime, but I know many people in worse shape than me who got in. One of my best mates was accepted back in 91 with only one lung!
...and then he got pneumonia while on exercise...
...which wasn't diagnosed (let alone treated) for three months...

Famously there was a one-armed ASLAV gunner in 2 Cav back in the '90s.

[pmulcahy11b]

Yeah, I'm certainly not in my prime, but I know many people in worse shape than me who got in. One of my best mates was accepted back in 91 with only one lung!
...and then he got pneumonia while on exercise...
...which wasn't diagnosed (let alone treated) for three months...

Well, I'm pretty much old and fat now...
There was one time in the Army when I was doing my second IBC and I had what started out as a cold. Then it turned into walking pneumonia and I kept going, despite the fact I had to sleep in the weight room because I coughing so often and hard I kept everyone awake. Then I started coughing up blood, and one of my fellow soldiers ratted me out and I ended up in the hospital for 5 days with viral bronchitis. "I fought the Drill Sergeant, and the Drill Sergeant won..."

[Hybris]

i returned to the force in 2013, next year will be my 16th year since 1999. But as a civilian since september and on the J section with much better pay i can keep the best of both worlds.But the condition has deteriorated and the uniform somehow is mysteriously smaller. Strange.

[Black Vulmea]

And then we had the Airborne Boys holed up in Bastogne, and then it was Patons 3rd Army was it who came to the rescue . . .
It was Patton's 3rd Army which very thoughtfully brought the 101st extra ammunition and hot coffee.

No one 'rescued' the 101st.


(My uncle served in 327th GIR at Market-Garden and Bastogne. He'd never forgive me if I let that pass.)

[Homer]

It was Patton's 3rd Army which very thoughtfully brought the 101st extra ammunition and hot coffee.

No one 'rescued' the 101st.


(My uncle served in 327th GIR at Market-Garden and Bastogne. He'd never forgive me if I let that pass.)
Three uncles on both sides of the family in the ETO:

First was in the 1/401 GIR which became the 3/327 GIR of the 101st ABN. Landed by sea on D-Day and by glider in Market Garden, finished up in Bavaria. He kept a framed picture of Christmas Day dinner in Bastogne up on his wall until he died. He called it the best and worst Christmas of his life. Eternally proud to have been a “glider rider” and to have used his GI bill to be the first in the family to go to college.

Second was an M4 tanker in 2/66 and 3/66 AR of 2 AD. Joined the division prewar at Benning, Africa, Sicily, and ended the war in 45 just short of the Elbe thanks to the Volkssturm. Survived two other vehicle losses and was one of two members of his original prewar platoon still around in 45. Married in to our dry Methodist family. Never drank after he came home, but (to my aunt’s discomfort) knew every local tipple from Sicily to Germany, and could recall them when he came to see my OSUT graduation at Knox.

Third was in 2/119th IN, 30th ID. Landed with them in France, through Mortain all the way into Germany. Enlisted in 43 as a private and was a SSG leading a squad across the Roer by 45.

Another uncle was an underage 40mm ammo handler on an APD off Okinawa and later prepping for the invasion of Kyushu. As soon as they were sure the war had ended his leading PO told him he was underage and headed home. He went home, finished school and college a before finding himself as an infantry platoon leader in Korea, airborne company commander in the Cuban missile crisis, and battalion commander in Vietnam before closing out the US presence in Ethiopia.

[Targan]

Being antipodean, the men on both sides of my family fought in Africa and the Pacific.

My great great uncle on my Dad's side joined up with an Australian colonial unit during the Boer War. Two weeks after arriving in South Africa, first combat patrol, copped a bullet to the temple.

His nephew, my grandfather, was exempt from service (a police officer and married with kids) but he joined the New Zealand Army during WWII anyway. He joined as an enlisted soldier, but was quickly granted a field commission. At first he was Transport Corps, but ended up commanding a company of Bren Carriers as an infantry captain. He fought at El Alamein in North Africa, and then on Crete. His war ended when a Wehrmacht bullet shot off half his moustache, but he recovered well with only a modest scar to show for it, and went back to police service after the war. He ended his career as the Commissioner of Police in Fiji.

Mum's grandfather was an Aussie ANZAC, serving in a Field Ambulance unit. He was a stretcher bearer at Gallipoli. The war horrified him so greatly he became a priest after WWI and moved to New Zealand. I was baptised in the church he built with his own hands.

My Mum's uncle was a New Zealander but served in the RAF during WWII. He was posted to Singapore, and when the garrison surrendered to the Japanese he wasn't interested in being a prisoner of war, so he joined a group of Australians in borrowing a fishing vessel and heading for Darwin. They stopped at a small, remote island in the Indonesian Archipelago, seeking food and water. Unfortunately there was a misunderstanding with the locals and they killed him.

Dad was an NZAF aircraft mechanic during the Vietnam War. He served on an airbase in Thailand.

[Ursus Maior]

Different nationalities, different war stories. Of my three grandfathers - and why I have one spare is another, albeit postwar story - two were ardent nazis. One was a cook and hotel owner in Switzerland before the war. But he was so bad in running his own business that they had to leave the country for the Reich. His side of the story always was that he wanted to go back anyway. Not sure, since debt was mounting.

He participated on two around the world trips as a cook on board German CL Karlsruhe, both of which he photo documented. This was about the only good thing for his family he ever did. During the war, he rejoined the Kriegsmarine and again was a cook on CA Admiral Hipper. After the big units were restricted mostly to harbors and fjords, he was transferred to Luxembourg were the Kriegsmarine apparently ran a recuperation site for U-Boat crews. He remained as a cook there until the Allies liberated the site and he became a POW.

Never met the guy, which probably was good for both of us. My dad grew up seeing his father beat his wife and when my dad stood up to him at the age of 16, he got beaten up to.

The other nazi grandfather wasn't known for his violence though. More a simple fellow, I guess. He was an infantry grunt in Greece after the Balkans campaign. At one point, his unit was supposed to get visited by the brass, but lacked a cook to take care of the higher-ups dropping in. Somehow, the job landed on my grand father's feet and he seems to have done a half decent job. For this or any other military bureacracy reason, he remained a cook until the end of the war.

My last grandfather, the one who wasn't a nazi, was drafted in 1939 and trained in a signalling unit. He was deployed to Finland for most of the war. When the Finns gave the Wehrmacht the boot to comply with the peace terms they had signed with the USSR, the situation heated up a bit until they had redeployed to Northern Norway. He remained there until being relased from his POW status.

He met his future wife while in the service. My grandmother was a Blitmädel, aka a member of the German auxiliary corps, handling office and signalling duties. They fell in love and when the order came that he was to be transferred to the Eastern Front after a promotion to sergeant, she talked his officer into demanding that he stayed. Certain personnel in core functions could be exempted from these drafts (known in German as "Operation Heldenklau", lit. "operation hero snatching"). My grandfather hence coined the family phrase "lieber ein lebender Oberstabsgefreiter als ein toter Unteroffizier", translating into: "rather be a living specialist than a dead sergeant". Not sticking your head out and taking the safer route probably saved him from his older brother's fate: he was a tank commander and got killed near Orel in 1943.

The third of these brothers had been a police officer before the war, got drafted during the war with his division occupying Yugoslavia. He refused to visit the country after the war, fearing they might not let him go there. No one ever knew, if these fears had a specific reason or not. However, Tito's government was known to prosecute war criminals when they could take hold of them for decades and Yugoslavia was a beloved tourist destination for Germans during the 60s and 70s.

The only sister of these three brothers served as a nurse during the war, staying in Germay. She married grandfather No. 2 - hence the connection - and became my grandmother.

My father never served in the army. When Germany rearmed in 1956, men born in several cohorts (most of the 1930s) were exempt from service. One of his school buddies joined voluntarily, though. First he entered the German Coast Guard and then, when large parts of it were transferred to the nascent navy, he switched into the Bundesmarine. He retired in 1989 as rear admiral lower half, after having commanded a fast attack craft squadron and then serving in NATO HQ in Brussels. He died in 2019. I was the first in my family to serve again, after more than five decades of hiatus. Currently in the light infantry reserve.

[micromachine]

I am from a former colony of the United Kingdom, and my family was well represented in the WW1 and WW2.
My maternal great grandfather was an NCO in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment (an infantry unit) during WW1. His service was post Gallipoli & post Beaumont Hamel (were the regiment was decimated). He brought home a war bride from the UK after the war.
One of my maternal great uncles was a wireless air gunner with Bomber Command, while the other was a Merchant Marine during the later stages of WW2.
My maternal grandfather joined the RCAF during WW2, hoping to become a pilot and see the world. Due to poor eyesight, he trained in Canada, and was posted back to Argentia, Newfoundland for the duration of the war in an admin position.
My paternal grandfather joined the RAF and was a ground based radar technician, with postings in the UK and India.
My maternal cousin is serving in the RCN as an engineering officer, and I have toured with him on the ship while in port.
Mty father nor myself have served.

[HaplessOperator]

Another prior service dude here. Signed up on my 17th to lock in a spot as soon as I could and hang out with the other poolees, moto as hell to get into the infantry to my recruiter's confusion and sadness, and did four years active in the Corps as a rifleman, 2004-2008. Drilled for a while in the Reserve through 2012.

Made the joke frequently that based on every piece of media I'd ever seen about Marines my entire life, I was gonna fight aliens here or somewhere else, but they kept sending me to Iraq.

First tour kicked off in June of '05, advance party for a relief in place of a couple units around Karmah. We ran some pretty large changes; unit prior to our arrival had been hot on running mechanized patrols with a detachment of light-skinned vehicles and a large complement of dismounts walking along, usually doing a couple big daylight patrols around the city at fairly predictable intervals. We changed things up and did most of our work at night, generally with elements no larger than a squad plus a few attachments. Ran loaded for bear most of the time; we had a solid BC and CO, and the BC had dispersed basically the entire armory down to the rifle companies, and our CO mirrored this policy, so we usually had a few M240s and a SMAW that went out with the squad being committed by a platoon for patrol to rub shoulders with the SAWs. Ran LAWs and AT4s like candy. Weapons company was formed into QRF elements in armored humvees, usually a couple trucks with .50s, a Mk19 truck, and a TOW truck with a 240 up top on the dual mount. First few weeks, I think the guys we were fighting thought they were gonna eat good, hitting a nice little squad off on its own, and then a half dozen rockets get launched, a half dozen machine guns open up, and grenades just keep flying for the next fifteen minutes, and then the QRF element rolls in, and then a squad of tanks show up, and then a couple Cobras roll in. Philosophy seemed to work well, and from my estimate was about the best way to deal with the situation we had; make as big a footprint as you can, up-gunned as you can manage on foot, lock down any element that messes with you with about as much fire as a weapons platoon could lay in, and then roll in the supporting arms. Not too much different from running contact patrols with supporting assets in the wings in a conventional fight, come to think of it, and a smart adaptation of it all looking back. Got to knock over a couple cities, Zaidon being one during Trifecta, which had a bunch of jackass bombmakers and snipers from Fallujah set up shop after they got chased out of that town a year or so prior.

Second and third tours were convoy security and raids along MSRs, with a bunch of us grunts attached to a truck platoon to give them some sack for the firefights. Ended up running a security element of a couple dozen Marines in a quartet each of up-armored humvees and 7-tons configured ground up as gun trucks that could dump heavily-armed dismounts, with a setup that'd probably make a couple of y'all T2K players jealous. I'll have to go into that sometime, but I remember thinking we'd be hell on wheels against a bunch of Russians when the 2008 Georgia thing kicked off (and still do, for what it's worth).

Saw a lot of beautiful places there, though, I'll tell you that.

I've got a year left to join the National Guard if the mood strikes. Suppose I'll see how the election turns out; might go for one last hurrah.

[Ursus Maior]

Former German armored infantry men here. I rejoined the active reserve about two years ago and now serve in a reserve infantry battalion.