"Did you serve in the military?" Topic

A USMC

A, 6 yrs. proudly served in the 82 Airborne.

A, wore the uniform for 26 years, still volunteer off and on to be a training aid.

Wow quite a few lifers here! And I know of more who have missed this post – Royal Marine, Paul S, Provost to name but a few…

quite a body of knowledge and experience across all arms, services and nations…

A. Naval Intelligence

Dave

A. USN, USMC.

A USN

Gunny

Hey Major Mike go me thinking about how long were you in the military. I have not meet many who stayed so long and I work with the VA every day.

VR
James Mattes

H

A US Army Infantry – 1st ID then branch transfer – MI – 9th ID

A – 21 years retired U.S. Air Force Security Forces.

P.

A – 20 years U.S. Air Force – 6 Short Tours, 3 Long Tours and 2 CONUS assignments. 14 years as an U.S. Air Force brat.

Reference the query about "Walter" and the "balcony", one category missed was z- The Want to be/Wannabe/Walter Mitty who appear all over the world with a chest full of medals and decorations and stories of bravery and heroics in action, when if they did actually serve it was in the mobile bath and laundry unit!

The balcony is in reference to the SAS storming of the Iranian Embassy in London 1980. If the amount of people who claim to have been there were totted up they would not fit on a rugby pitch let alone the balcony!

Tally Ho!

Nick,

I'll have you know that it's a man's life in 49 Para Mess-tin Repair Company!

A

30 years, retiring this month a combination of active duty and reserve.

All who served are my brothers, and I am honored.

The balcony is in reference to the SAS storming of the Iranian Embassy in London 1980. If the amount of people who claim to have been there were totted up they would not fit on a rugby pitch let alone the balcony!

Well, I, for one, was not there.

Just in case, y'know, you were wondering.

R Mark Davies wrote:

I'll have you know that it's a man's life in 49 Para Mess-tin Repair Company!

Somewhere I have the certificate that attests to my membership of 49 Para.

Not as good, though, as a certificate a wargaming pal of mine picked up from the unpleasantness in the Falklands. He has a certificate making him an Honorary Submariner in the Argentine Navy. See, if your ship's flight bags an Argentine sub, and you capture it, complete with a bunch of blank certificatres from a recent Navy Day and the official ship's stamp, this is one of the spoils of war.

All the best,

John.

A) 4 years US Army Armor branch (Germany 87-90), 6 years reserve.

I wanted to go to Woodstock for the Rock Concert. I met a guy in a green uniform with a flying saucer hat and I thought he was the bus driver so I said sign me up. I developed a taste for SOS so I put in 20 years, active and reserve.

John,

Who can possibly match that? I was always quite proud of my 'RAF Future Pilot' sticker until now.

5.5 years USN, medical discharge.

Qualified in Submarines on USS Georgia (SSBN 729)(GOLD) and USS Kentucky (SSBN 737)(GOLD).

Hide with pride, going 4 knots to nowhere!

I'll have you know that it's a man's life in 49 Para Mess-tin Repair Company!

I thought the best unit for living the man's life was the Royal Women's Auxiliary Balloon Corps…According to Captain Darling, at any rate…

Hide with pride, going 4 knots to nowhere!

'No sea too rough,
No muff too tough,
We dive at five!'

a) Yes, I volunteered

Entering service on 28 May 1980 as a 19 Delta, Armored Cavalry Scout, and completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky in B-6-C-1.

First assignment was to Combat Support Company, 2nd Battalion 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized), in Mannheim Federal Republic of Germany, as a scout observer and scout driver from September 1980 – September 1982.

Next assigned to Combat Support Company, 1st Battalion 18th Infantry Regiment, and B Troop 1st Squadron 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), at Fort Riley Kansas from October 1982 – August 1984. As a scout driver and Squad Leader. And attending Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC).

Assigned next to C Troop 3rd Squadron 4th Cavalry Regiment, and A Troop 5th Squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks Hawaii from September 1984 – January 1988. As a Squad Leader and Section Sergeant. Completing Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course (BNCOC) at Fort Carson Colorado, Nuclear Biological and Chemical Defense School at Schofield Barracks Hawaii and the Combat Tracking Course at Pulada Malaysia during this assignment.

Returned to Fort Riley, Kansas being assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) being assigned as a Section Sergeant from March 1988 – February 1989.

Next assignment was to the Scout Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 63rd Armor Regiment, 177th Armored Brigade, (32nd Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment, 60th Guards Motorized Rifle Division, Opposing Forces), Fort Irwin, California from March 1989 – February 1990. As a Section Sergeant, Completing 13 force on force rotations.

Returned to Germany and was assigned to A Troop 1st Squadron 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fulda Federal Republic of Germany as a Section Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant from March 1990 – February 1993. During this tour he was a Bradley Gunnery Trainer for Camp Colt Federal Republic of Germany to train Individual Ready Reserve Scout Platoons for Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and as a member of Operation Positive Force, Doha Kuwait, also completing the Combat Life Savers Course.

Returned to Fort Irwin California, and was assigned to the Scout Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 63rd Armor Regiment, 177th Armored Brigade, and the Scout Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, (32nd Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment, 60th Guards Motorized Rifle Division, Opposing Forces) from March 1993 – June 1996. As a Section Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant and S-2 Intelligence Operations Sergeant Completing 39 force on force rotations.
Attended the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course (ANCOC) at Fort Knox Kentucky.

Next assignment was to the 4th Region, Reserve Officers Training Corps, Fort Lewis, Washington. With duty at the University of California at Los Angeles, as a Military Science Instructor. Assigned July 1996 – May 2000.

And retired from active Duty 1 June 2000.

Awards:
THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL (1st OAK LEAF CLUSTER)
THE ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL (2ND OAK LEAF CLUSTER)
THE ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL (6TH OAK LEAF CLUSTER)
ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL (7TH AWARD)
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE MEDAL (1ST BRONZE STAR)
HUMANITARIAN SERVICE MEDAL
NCO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RIBBON (3RD BRONZE NUMERAL)
ARMY SERVICE RIBBON
OVERSEAS SERVICE RIBBON (3RD BRONZE NUMERAL)
KUWAIT LIBERATION MEDAL
THE ORDER OF SAINT GEORGE (Bronze Award)

A, US Army, retired, now working as an Army civilian.

You beat me to it Sparker, "Women's Auxiliary Balloon Corps."

11 years, USAF

Wow, 11 ACR, respect!

Sparker

ROYAL NAVY LONG SERVICE MEDAL
QUEENS GOLDEN JUBILEE MEDAL
'BLUE NOSE' ARCTIC SERVICE CERTIFICATE
'I RAN THE ROCK' GIB ROCK RACE CERTIFICATE
200 METER SILVER SWIMMING CERTIFICATE
BRONZE CYCLING PROFICIENCY MEDAL
BLUE PETER BADGE
TUFTY CLUB ROAD SAFTEY BADGE(WITH CROSSED SWORDS AND OAKLEAVES)

A. USMC 0311 2/6 1985-1988.

I was thrown out of the Tufty Club for shoving. :(

B (&A)

"Do no harm, do know harm – way of the war shown by that red cross man."

269 570 – Kathryn, I miss ya.

Â, two years.

C. It was my dream to be in the Army but was rejected to my everlasting shame.

A.

US Navy Gunner's Mate 1st Class (Surface Warfare Qualified)
1990-2000

USS Frank Cable (AS-40)
USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG-34)
Fleet Hospital Camp Lejeune

A

US Cavalry – Retired

C Troop 7-17 Cav
B Troop 5-17 Cav
D Troop 2/1 Cav
R Troop 4/3 Cav