Calling all GIs

[Archangel]

Call all GIs and their families; active duty, retired, former and tell how the military helped you down the road to self-relience.


For me it was being in places like Turkey and Korea, and a few other vacation places. Seeing how fast the life style can change. My miltary time has showed me the need for planning and not counting on Big Brother.

MSgt USAF retired

[bee_pipes]

Call all GIs and their families; active duty, retired, former and tell how the military helped you down the road to self-relience.

For me it was being in places like Turkey and Korea, and a few other vacation places. Seeing how fast the life style can change. My miltary time has showed me the need for planning and not counting on Big Brother.

MSgt USAF retired

Interesting topic Michael.

I was a dumb kid raised in the lilly-white suburbs when they got a hold of me. Never been on a plane, never did much traveling. Didn’t even have a high-school diploma. It was a real eye-opener.

First, in basic training, they showed me that there were a lot of different people out there from different places that grew up a lot different from me. I could work and live with them. They also showed me I could do anything I wanted, if I wanted it bad enough. I could learn anything I needed, if I wanted bad enough. And I could get by with next to nothing and still be contented.

This got reinforced over the decade that I was in the military. I saw a few of the vacation spots and saw people living with next to nothing. It shattered a lot of preconceived notions I had on what you needed to live and be contented. I did a lot of traveling and saw how folks took advantage of their surroundings in different ways, learned to watch how the natives got by on the local economy – watched what they ate and what they did – it was usually the most economical way to live and they had been learning it by trial and error for a long time before I came along.

The folks I met in the military were also lessons in life. There was an incentive to advance into technical fields as far as you could to put distance between you and the bottom of the food chain. I followed the herd in that aspect, but learned that the folks considered at the bottom rung were the most capable. Your basic grunt was like a swiss army knife when it came to meeting life on life’s terms. They were equipped with the basic tools and were master problem-solvers. The NCO’s and officers that came out of the infantry were the most capable leaders we had because they were not distracted by technical aspects of jobs and support equipment – they knew how to lead people and make due with materials at hand.

They taught me I could master any weapon I got my hands on and I could hit anything I aimed at. With moving every year or two you also learn the liability of “stuff” and how important it was to travel light. The virtue of simple living and an uncluttered life. The last lesson I learned was to think for myself, and when that lesson was learned we had irreconcilable differences and the military and I parted ways.

I went out into the job market and gave a pretty good accounting of myself. I got the habit of moving frequently from the military – always wanted to see new places and learn how people lived there. This kind of wreaks havoc with any sort of retirement. With the ups and downs in the economy I always managed to stay employed and have had a wide variety of jobs. Never got fired or laid off – I always left because I had mastered the job and gotten bored – wanted to try something new or live somewhere else. Have run the gauntlet of jobs from being a security guard at a power plant to programming automated weapon systems – all learned in the military. If I needed, I’m not too good to flip burgers at a McDonalds – I know that will keep money coming in until I can find better. I was able to retire at 47. I’m not independently wealthy, but I own my land and house and have more than I need. I don’t need all the “stuff” my siblings do, and believe I have a richer life than they do.

Since moving here I have had to learn carpentry – it ain’t pretty, but it’s functional. We are raising our own food, have a few of the luxuries but can get by without them if need be (I know this now, thanks to the military). We mill our own lumber and scavenge materials from salvage jobs and auctions. My wife also knows I’m her husband and will always have her back – no matter what – because that’s just the way it is. She knows who I am and we don’t have to play games. I ain’t pretty, but she doesn’t seem to care. That’s the kind of woman for me.

Regards,
Pat

[RocketMan]

Good topic Archangel. I retired a TSgt USAF with a bachelors degree. Focused more on college towards the end instead of making rank. I worked aircraft weapons systems, quality assurance, and safety. Now I'm doing quality assurance on parts for the Space Shuttle.
I think I learned more about myself during my time than anything else. I learned that if something needs done, you just figure out how it needs to be done...and do it. When they send you out to a broken jet and say "fix it," you go out there and fix it. It didn't matter if it was 110 degrees or -35 degrees, the jet needs fixed. The traveling, different cultures, different people, they all taught me things that I carry with me today and made me the person I am, and I'm thankful for that. I would not be where I am in life if I had not gone into the military.
How does that relate to homesteading? I haven't actually moved to my property yet, but I know when I do I'll take that "if something needs done you just do it and get 'er done" mindset with me, and I'll be okay, no matter what the economy or anyone else is doing. I see the people I grew up with when I go home to visit and think to myself, I would be in the same boat, broke, counting on unemployment, lazy and drunk, if I had not gone into the military.
My family thinks the world ends at the county line. They have no idea of the world that is out there.

[rice paddy daddy]

A tour in Vietnam with the US Army taught me a few things, like, it's better to have a weapon and not need it, than to need a weapon and not have one. I learned my limits of endurance, which were much higher than imagined. I learned what real stress is - occasions when I not only thought I was gonna die, but was sure I was gonna die. Don't take anything for granted, not even life itself. Don't get worked up about stuff you can't control. Keep a safe distance from idiots. A corollary to that is: ignorance can be fixed, but stupid is permanant.
I really dislike whiney, self absorbed, egotistical people. And, especially, people who won't carry their own weight.


But the best thing in the whole world is laying in a clean bed on a rainy night, all warm and dry, listening to the rain on the roof instead of my steel pot, with no one shooting at me. Even after 39 years, that's still the best. ;D

[RangerRick]

After a year of college I went RA grunt then scout/tracker dog handler. *Talk about poor career decisions, but it did teach me that I am responsible for the decisions I make, reliance on others and much about being prepared for the bad things that will happen. *Living and raising family on little with long seperations required a frugel lifestyle, lots of planning, faith in God, compassion, communication and commitment to the wife. *We lived on a real cash budget, tithed, saved, invested, bought in quanity, shoped at thrift stores and drove old cars. *After some years I went back to college and then a new career with the USCG as being in the lifesaving vs lifetaking business had a bit more appeal and was alot easier on my feet and knees. *We still had long seperations, followed the frugel lifestyle and the "3 C's". *Worked hard, studied hard, stayed out of trouble and finished up with 30 active as CWO4. Could have done better but my opinions were usually expressed vocally.

Rick

[MissouriFree]

RPD put it very well.

after a couple years of college ,, mostly the beer, basketball and girls and not very good grades went RA in 66- Signal Corp although it didn't really workout that way at some of the *garden spots of the east.

never take anything for granted, no matter what you have been told or promised, take care of your self and you buddies *above all. *don't sweat the small stuff.

Stayed in 10 years and in 75 it was really getting *to be a lot of BS , so I bailed went back to school , but stayed with DOD for another 26 years and never lost sight of the what we were hired to do.

I was chief engineer at an AFB,, told the kids *that worked for me every chance I had, that what they did on a day to day basis, whether it was unclogging a toilet or fixing *pothole, went to support the mission of making *the President the powerful man in world- *Bombs on target anywhere in the world on a moments notice. Still proud of what I did. *Maybe only regret was getting out.

[CanNerd]

Lived in Taiwan in the 50's & 60's as a teenager during the height of the Cold War and clashes with Red China. *Didn't think I would survive during the Kennedy/Nixon Election since Kennedy had no interest in us. *He later changed his mind, but survival at that time was on everyone's mind.

Came to the US and joined the Navy for the education opportunities. *Laos was quieting down so I figured I would have an easy time of it. *Was send to Electronics School and ultimately 6 others, the last being in Albuquerque NM. *I originally want to be in the UDT (Underwater Demolition Team, now the SEALS I guess) but the government wanted me elsewhere and I ended being a Nuclear Weapons Specialist. *Then the Vietnam Conflict and I was transferred to a War Room and did 2-1/2 tours of duty in the combat zone with that before bailing out. *Finished 12 years in the service and, like someone else said, things were getting hokey and I left the service and went to the University of Indiana on the GI Bill. *Just in time for the anti-Vietnam rioting and Kent State situation in Ohio. *Again, it became an issue of survival. *Nobody then liked anything or anybody connected with Vietnam. *I returned quietly to California.

My way of life gave me the ability to be a jack of all trades, even building my first personal computer in the 70's at the same time as the Apple guys. *Interesting times then, especially with a company called HEATHKIT and a secretive communication network being referred to as ARPANET

Now I'm retired from lots of things dealing with the internet, on my own, and learned how to preserve foods enough that I now help others. *Not bad for a guy.

[rice paddy daddy]

Gentlemen, I consider it a Blessing from the Lord that He allowed me to go to Vietnam and make it back. It taught me so much about life, death, myself, and now, looking back on it, I remember times when He held my hand and gave me the strength to soldier on.
I would do it all over again, even knowing the outcome.

You, my brothers on this board, whether we served in war or peace, on a ship or in the continental US, in combat or flying the mail, we share a bond that cannot be bought with status, money, prestige. It is a brotherhood that is earned, the way of the warrior. It is a bond with those who have gone before, those serving now, and those still to come. I am proud to have been an American fighting man!

[fancyfowl]

*I attended a military academy in Virginia for a while. I think that was harder than the actual military, them M1 Garands were heavy for a kid.When I graduated I went to Fort Hood Texas for a year with the 1st Armored Division. I knew if I could survive Texas I could make it anywhere!! Did my service across the pond with the 4th inf div as a redleg. My story is much like Ricepaddy's. especially the part about not sleeping in a fart sack in the water, I love a dry bed. Glad I had the opportunity to serve.

[ArmySGT.]

Call all GIs and their families; active duty, retired, former and tell how the military helped you down the road to self-relience.

we talking life lessons here?

Sometimes the greatest feeling in the world is dry socks.

Never skip a meal, you can't really guarantee the next is on schedule.

Water is precious, and worth carrying.

Sleep. Oh, how I have enjoyed thee.

Don't be "That Guy". "That Guy" is late for formation. "That Guy" didn't bring rain gear. "That Guy" didn't have (insert item).

That I can laugh at what would be truly miserable conditions for others, because I have lived them, and lived through them. "Singing in the Rain"

How to pack. Seriously. Rolled socks, rolled pants, rolled shirts, etc. Astounded a younger relative with socks, t shirt, undies, and jeans. Rolled into one, the size of a pregnant football. Said it wouldn't fit into his carry on.

How to mop floors, mow grass, paint walls, unclog drains, change bulbs, set mouse traps, change oil, scour brass, dig a hole, fix a leak, and a thousand other small tasks.

I learned to speak in front of a group of harsh critics.

Food doesn't have to be what you like to eat it.

Drink from cans in foreign countries.

Whether it is a car or a ruck carry your own TP.

etc etc etc

[flatwater]

Most all of the above. Our enemy was not much different then us, shoved in a war we really didn't want. I did learn not to like whiners though. They sound like girly men and nothing ever satisfies what there whining about. and I learned that there will always be someone that will give an order that has to be followed. I was just a little more creative in how I followed it. And I found out that rules and regulations are only proportional to your rank.

[sevensix]

Discipline. Old fashioned mental and physical discipline! Never mind the heat, cold, or the bug in your ear tapping on your eardrum, discipline made it all work out OK. The military taught me to push myself and find the limit (if there ever was one), help our weaker brothers and sisters, strive to be honest and courageous in all circumstances. I was told to go two doors down and to the left to see the Army recruiter. I went two doors down and to the right to the USMC recruiter. Never did learn to follow directions very well. "Sign here!", they said. I did as I was told. The rest is history and a wonderful experience I will never forget.
Semper fi,
Sevensix

[Archangel]

My Brothers you make me proud.
Michael

[MissouriFree]

Same to you Bro....and thanks for the starting this one.

[crafty2002]

The only thing they show me was I had the guts to go through basic, which was a painremoved AIT which was cake, Ranger Traing which doublde the painremoved than Basic, Sniper school, which I wish to God I never heard of, and to out right murder 3 men from way out and feel good about being able to do iy at the time.
It is 4:58 am here and I have been up for better that 2 hours because of that removedand ya'll are proud of it?
I am disabiled but I still stand strough as a rock. But I ain't a damned bit happy about what I did.
I was back then. I was Mr. Billy Bad removed himself. Yea. Bust a mans chest at 830 yards. Yea. Mr. Billy Bda removed And then run like hell.
It eats at me more every removedday. *
Ya pride yourself on it. I run off at the mouth about it, but I ain't a damned bit proud of it.
Spec 5 Phillips never to return to duty
Excuse me. E-1 Phillips. I wouldn't take the last shot. I got busted down and dischargerd.
E-1 to E-5 to E-1 all in 3 years. Yea. they taught me a lot. *

[ArmySGT.]

The only thing they show me was I had the guts to go through basic, which was a pain in the @$$, AIT which was cake, Ranger Traing which doublde the pain in the @$$ than Basic, Sniper school, which I wish to God I never heard of, and to out right murder 3 men from way out and feel good about being able to do iy at the time.
It is 4:58 am here and I have been up for better that 2 hours because of that shit and ya'll are proud of it?
I am disabiled but I still stand strough as a rock. But I ain't a damned bit happy about what I did.
I was back then. I was Mr. Billy Bad @$$ himself. Yea. Bust a mans chest at 830 yards. Yea. Mr. Billy Bda @$$. And then run like hell.
It eats at me more every friging day. *
Ya pride yourself on it. I run off at the mouth about it, but I ain't a damned bit proud of it.
Spec 5 Phillips never to return to duty
Excuse me. E-1 Phillips. I wouldn't take the last shot. I got busted down and dischargerd.
E-1 to E-5 to E-1 all in 3 years. Yea. they taught me a lot. *

Well, I will be proud of it for you.

Whole generations of Americans were born, raised, and went on to have a great life. Never afraid of bombs at the local market, snipers on roof tops, or land mines in fields. They never lived in fear of War.

This is because men like you and me, we killed people. We killed people that wanted to kill Americans, or were pawns of others, that want to kill Americans. We disrupted the plans of those that want to destroy America, and erase this country from memory. America stands against their dictatorships, and other totalitarian regimes. America stands against their evil and self serving plans.

Proud of it every day. I sleep well at night, knowing others have taken my place, and out there doing the same thing.

[flatwater]

Refer back to my original post about whiners

[rice paddy daddy]

Refer back to my original post about whiners
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

[rAcErRicK]

Gentlemen, I consider it a Blessing from the Lord that He allowed me to go to Vietnam and make it back. It taught me so much about life, death, myself, and now, looking back on it, I remember times when He held my hand and gave me the strength to soldier on.
I would do it all over again, even knowing the outcome.

You, my brothers on this board, whether we served in war or peace, on a ship or in the continental US, in combat or flying the mail, we share a bond that cannot be bought with status, money, prestige. It is a brotherhood that is earned, the way of the warrior. It is a bond with those who have gone before, those serving now, and those still to come. I am proud to have been an American fighting man!


I am in total agreement with this post. The one exception being that I did not see Vietnam. My brothers left for the beginning of that war two months after I was honorably discharged, and my heart went with them. I served for three years with the 82nd Airborne Infantry in Europe. Strategic Air Command, STRIKE Force, in preparation for the cold war with the USSR in the late 50's. I grew up as a country boy in south Fl, and was quite skilled in the art of self reliance before entry into the military, but was "fine tuned" and honed well. I learned to protect my Brothers back, and learned to trust him with mine. To forget self, and remember team. For this, I am eternally grateful.

Below is a link I borrowed from a thread Ebug started, I cannot speak of my military experience without honoring our fallen brothers, so please honor them with me. There are only a few here, there are thousands more not shown, but NEVER forgotton. For them as well.

http://patriotfiles.org/HallOfHeroes.htm



*

[MissouriFree]

My Brothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzXxWTpC1CM

[Native87]

I wouldnt trade my 10 years for nothing. 8 yrs light infantry and 2 drill sgt. I dont like some things i did but it was my job. my hats off to all you folks.

[crafty2002]

I want to apologize to all of you for popping off the way I did. I would have already said so but Oliver set me in the corner for the post and I had really forgot about it. * *
Most of you were over there in the thick of it. I wasn't. Most of you went through pure hell and I didn't. Nothing like you guys did, anyway.
At the same time most people think everyone was out of Nam before I even joined the army in 75, but they werent't. At least they didn't stay out. At least I know first hand there was a chopper and crew, a spec 4, a sargent, and a LT. there 4 different times in 76 and 77.
I just wanted to say I am sorry, and yes, I am proud of the boys that went the whole mile and especially.
I am proud that I was able to make it through Jump School and Rangers training for sure. Men a lot bigger than I was was falling by the wayside every single day but I hung in and made it.
Only because my father told me I couldn't. I was going to make it or die trying, and a few times I wondered if I was going to die but I didn't.
But the ones that sapent a year, two, three years over there are the ones that we should be proud of.
But I still don't see what I did as something to be proud of. But at the same time, if the targets as much as tortured as much as one single GI, and I knew it to be a fact, then yea, I am proud of that too. But we didn't have any mass amount of POW's come back like they promised me we would, did they??
I just feel like I was lied too and talked into doing things that still wakes me up in the middle of the night and for what??.
Again, I am sorry for spouting off.
And Rick, you never told me you were 82nd. also. A hearty Airborne Sir to you. Airborne sir to all of you.
Dennis *

[rice paddy daddy]

Never walk when you can ride.
Never stand when you can sit.
Never sit when you can lay down.
Never stay awake when you can sleep.
You never know when your next chance may come.

[crafty2002]

When I was a kid, I never walked, when I could run,
I would run when told to sit,
I only laid down when I was slap wore out,
And I only slept when I was forced too..

Today, I don't even ride unless I have to,
I couldn't run if I had to,
It doesn't do any good to lay down because I can mostly only sleep sitting up,
I sleep when I don't want to and am awake when I want to sleep,
and I never know when the next chance will come.
So what was the point in that?? ???

[madmac]

It's pretty clear actually. Maybe read it and think about what's being said. I think the last sentence says it all. It's words a warrior should live by. It could make the difference between life and death.

[flatwater]

I could walk while riding (Navy) I could sleep on cold steel and during the fire line I was pretty well cooped up in combat. And let me add one more , never swim when you can grab something that floats. ;D ;D ;D

[ArmySGT.]

When I was a kid, I never walked, when I could run,
I would run when told to sit,
I only laid down when I was slap wore out,
And I only slept when I was forced too..

Today, I don't even ride unless I have to,
I couldn't run if I had to,
It doesn't do any good to lay down because I can mostly only sleep sitting up,
I sleep when I don't want to and am awake when I want to sleep,
and I never know when the next chance will come.
So what was the point in that?? *???


Two things stand out with every reply. Reminds of why I put my Dad in the car with his medications and took him to the Doctor.

Some medications cause aggression, Depression, violent mood swings, Irritability, and other anti social effects.

His medications all taken together.

The second part was Andopause. His body was no longer producing enough testosterone. This caused most of the same effects I already listed. Along with fatigue and loss of appetite. A simply cream with testosterone that he rubs into his upper arms is all he needs.

Turned him around and he is the smiling kind hearted person he was 10 years ago.

Please have a open and very honest talk with your doctor about your medications, their possible interactions, and hormone therapy as well.

[crafty2002]

Two things stand out with every reply. Reminds of why I put my Dad in the car with his medications and took him to the Doctor.

Some medications cause aggression, Depression, violent mood swings, Irritability, and other anti social effects.

His medications all taken together.

The second part was Andopause. His body was no longer producing enough testosterone. This caused most of the same effects I already listed. Along with fatigue and loss of appetite. A simply cream with testosterone that he rubs into his upper arms is all he needs.

Turned him around and he is the smiling kind hearted person he was 10 years ago.

Please have a open and very honest talk with your doctor about your medications, their possible interactions, and hormone therapy as well.

Now what's this all about. I am still as a smiling kind hearted man as there ever was, when people stay off my toes. But I, for some reason just don't like idiots stepping on my toes.
I pretty much take what you said as an insult and that is sorta like someone stepping on my toes, but I am going to smile and go on my merry way, while biting my tongue. ;D

Dennis

[cabinman]

Great Post! 5 years RA - Ft Bragg, Ft. Ord then after a break in service 21 years in the Army National Guard and still serving. Hooah!

[rice paddy daddy]

Never walk when you can ride.
Never stand when you can sit.
Never sit when you can lay down.
Never stay awake when you can sleep.
You never know when your next chance may come.
It's the unofficial creed of the Army rifleman, crafty. Surely, if you are what you say, you've must have heard that before. Or maybe it just slipped your mind.
I first heard that in 1968.

[MissouriFree]

;D ;D

Yep I heard that on day one at Ft Leonard Wood in Jan 66. D-3-2

[crafty2002]

When I was a kid, I never walked, when I could run,
I would run when told to sit,
I only laid down when I was slap wore out,
And I only slept when I was forced too..

Today, I don't even ride unless I have to,
I couldn't run if I had to,
It doesn't do any good to lay down because I can mostly only sleep sitting up,
I sleep when I don't want to and am awake when I want to sleep,
and I never know when the next chance will come.
So what was the point in that?? *???


If you read this again, thinking of it as a joke, you'll see it was said as a joke. ::)

[crafty2002]

And if ya'll heard it in 66-68 my hats off to you because I know you went through a lot more than I did.

[MissouriFree]

Hey guys here is a good thread on another post to scan thru.

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=228264

[rice paddy daddy]

Hey guys here is a good thread on another *post to scan thru.

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=228264
Yep! That's what I'm talkin' about! ;)
There actually was one here in town that gave the keynote address for POW/MIA Day at Naval Air Station Jacksonville!!! He got busted wide open and was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted under the Stolen Valor Act of 2005. ;D
I love it.

[snake]

Hey guys here is a good thread on another *post to scan thru.

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=228264

Good site MissouriFree.....thanks!
Bill

[MissouriFree]

Snake.
check this out.

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/07/25/1694899-former-nj-mayor-gets-probation-in-war-lies-case

mofree

[crafty2002]

How in the hell do you lie to the VA about what you did in the military. They the ones that has the records to start with. They can tell you what you did.
Excuse me. I could be wrong about that. My medical records were lost and I had to take all my damned shots all over again after I got to Ft. Bragg.
But then again, on the other hand, they never believed anything without paper work to prove it. They damned sure didn't take my word for it that I had already been shot full of holes.
Did they use those,,,,, whatever you call them. Dang it. The high presure guns they stuck to you arem and pulled the trigger, to give ya'll your shots.
Hard to believe this BS. They don't give you a dime without proof.
Dennis

[NavyBubba]

I learned how to try get things right the first time because you don't always get a second chance--especially when a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant is screaming insanely at you with veins popping out of his neck... :o

[Bones]

How in the hell do you lie to the VA about what you did in the military. They the ones that has the records to start with. They can tell you what you did.
Excuse me. I could be wrong about that. My medical records were lost and I had to take all my damned shots all over again after I got to Ft. Bragg.
But then again, on the other hand, they never believed anything without paper work to prove it. They damned sure didn't take my word for it that I had already been shot full of holes.
Did they use those,,,,, *whatever you call them. Dang it. The high presure guns they stuck to you arem and pulled the trigger, to give ya'll your shots.
Hard to believe this BS. They don't give you a dime without proof.
Dennis


Quite a few record of service were lost in a St Louis Fire years ago.
http://www.nvlsp.org/Information/ArticleLibrary/ServiceRecords/MILREC-1973FIRE-LOSTRECORDS.htm (http://LINKADDRESS)
The Fire

A fire at the NPRC in St. Louis on July 12, 1973, destroyed about 80 percent of the records for Army personnel discharged between November 1, 1912, and January 1, 1960. About 75 percent of the records for Air Force personnel with surnames from "Hubbard" through "Z" discharged between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964, were also destroyed.

What Was Lost

It is hard to determine exactly what was lost in the fire, because there were no indices to the blocks of records involved. The records were merely filed in alphabetical order for the following groups:
# World War I: Army September 7, 1939 to November 1, 1912

# World War II: Army December 3l, 1946 to September 8, 1939

# Post World War II: Army December 3l, 1959 to January 1, 1947; Air Force: December 31, 1963 to September 25, 1947

Millions of records, especially medical records, had been withdrawn from all three groups and loaned to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prior to the fire. The fact that one's records are not in NPRC files at a particular time does not mean the records were destroyed in the fire.

Also I hated those guns. Boot Camp lined up like cattle getting hit with those things. Corpman (well in training to be one because the school was near the bootcamp so they used us to train them to draw blood and shots) any way one I was near the end so the corpman reached up to pull me closer and then let go just as he pulled the trigger. Reaction I was already stretched out so when he let go I moved and today I have a nice scar on my arm where that high pressure medicine was injected across my arm.

[flatwater]

I hated those also. They told you before you got the shot that if you moved it would cut your arm off. Nice thing to say to a bunch of dumb 18 year olds. They also told me that I wouldn't get sea sickness on board ship. (I must have been a pretty smart kid) I proved them wrong there also.

[crafty2002]

I guess that explains how some one could lie about being in service and getting away with it.
And I was just wondering, really how far back those guns went in time. There was a soldier, I don't recall what his rank was, but he was yelling as you said, don't move or I'll cut you. I didn't hear exactly what he said or maybe just don't remember it, but one of the recruits said something to the one running the gun and his mouth and the jerk laid a gash in him and that little man went off on the big man. Beat the dickens out of him before they could get them seperated.
And then the little man (Bob Clinton, not Bill, LOL.) ended up being my BIL for about 10 years, until my little sister kicked him out, but he was a tough one.
I was picking at him one day in the mess hall and reached as if I was going to take something off his plate and he stabbed me with a fork in the hand.
That time we beat the s*** out of each other. He's the only man I ever fought smaller than I was but he was a hand full. That would have been a good fight for Sat. night TV.
We laughed our butts off about it later but at the time, we both had our hand full. And Lord, talk about mad. I was just picking at him but don't ever act like you are going to touch anything on that mans plate while he's eating.
That is the worse fight I ever saw, betwween the guys getting and giveing the shots, and the worse I was ever in, was with Bob. We never fought again. I don't think either one of us wanted any more of the other one, LOL.
Bob was about 2 inches shorter than I am but weighed about 10-20 lbs more and it wasn't fat.
Thought I was fighting a wildcat. And that's actually what he told me afterwards. But it went both ways.
Anyway, letting E-3's and E-4's use those guns was dum. From everything I saw, even an E-3 PFC thought he was God with it in his hand.
Dennis

[snake]

Snake.
check this out.

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/07/25/1694899-former-nj-mayor-gets-probation-in-war-lies-case

mofree


Atlantic City...why am I not suprised! :-/ Oh well...at least he was exposed. Darn shame though if he actually did 2 tours in the bush.

[Penny_Plinker]

My post was off topic so i edited it and took it off.

Penny

[huckelberry]

former marine,name something...probably been there done that...confidence.....only thing needed ta say.....huck

[swampyankee]

all totaled 8 yrs army infantry, definately helped me with my "mental stamina" that was certainly lacking when I was a younger man.

[ggkblackwater]

The Corps taught me so many things it's hard to pick out how it has affected me this late in my life. I can only say it taught me self discipline and things are never that tough...not ANYTHING. that you couldnt get thru.

How to survive when most would give up...5 years as a sniper/scout E-5.

[carugoman]

After High school tried college for two years got an associates degree and joined the USAF before I got drafted. the year was 1967; was in RED HORSE at Bien Hoa, but that was just to get our equipment/material and off we'd go. After two consecs and two yrs in West Germany;I went into the Army Guard AD regular + college. After 4 yrs. I had my 1st master's in electrical Engineering and went from being a WO-3; to being an OE-4, with specialty pay. After 25 years I retired O-6 with my silver eagles.

What the military instilled in me, besides discipline and duty to tasks and commitment to your troops first and foremost, no matter how tired , hungry nor aching I may be. Iwas instilled with a strong sense of self- worth. What I do; can and will make a huge difference in the daily lives of many people affected by decisions and advice that I make now the today and tomorrow the future! Through positive mental toughness I can accomplish many things others may consider to difficult, too hard or just impossible to complete! When met with adversity, IF I develop a plan with the tasks br0oken down in simpler terms; I will endeavor to persevere!