Frothers Did It Anyway | 19 Nov 2005 1:33 a.m. PST |
A conversation about this at my local club made me wonder what % of wargamers have actual military experience and how many of us are wannabes? I guess I count as a wannabe although I was briefly in the TA (the British Army reserves) many years ago. One guy at my club is currently in the Army although he's about to be downsized. That was it – about a 10% ratio. How about you guys? Have you? Are you? Do you wish you had? |
Gungnir | 19 Nov 2005 1:35 a.m. PST |
Served in the Dutch army, but that was when there still was a draft. Sargeant, signal corps. Never regretted it. |
Privateer4hire | 19 Nov 2005 1:36 a.m. PST |
4 years active army (grunt) – enlisted 4 years nat'l guard (grunt) – enlisted 7 years navy (med. svc corps) – officer – currently still in |
basileus66 | 19 Nov 2005 2:12 a.m. PST |
I served in the Spanish Navy. As Gungnir as a draft. Caporal. |
PC473RG | 19 Nov 2005 2:15 a.m. PST |
12 years in the RAF as a weapons technician. |
tonysilvs | 19 Nov 2005 2:27 a.m. PST |
Still going after 15 years in a British tank Regiment. The Army has a wargames association who put on a anual show in Germany. |
Lowtardog | 19 Nov 2005 2:35 a.m. PST |
I served 7 years in the RAF, Environmental Health Technician. Our Club is near an RAF base and the membership grows and shrinks with service/ex servicement from time to time. Currently around 10% of membership |
CaesarCovi | 19 Nov 2005 2:36 a.m. PST |
USMC – 5 years active, 3 years reserve: Gunner on a Cobra HAWK Missile System tracking radar tech. Marksmanship instructor Never regreted a single day
John Coviello Owner/Public Relations Manager shopofmagic.com |
Prince Prints | 19 Nov 2005 2:49 a.m. PST |
Royal Navy 4 years back when we had a navy, early 70s |
Two Ducks Pond | 19 Nov 2005 3:00 a.m. PST |
27 years in the Australian Regular Army. Retired March this year as a warrant officer class two. Infantry all the way through! God Bless the Royal Australian Regiment Helen |
Mainly28s | 19 Nov 2005 3:12 a.m. PST |
Two years' full time in the South African Air Force, followed by several years of month-long camps (refresher courses). |
ataulfo | 19 Nov 2005 3:13 a.m. PST |
18 months in the Portuguese artillery. |
Dhugal | 19 Nov 2005 3:27 a.m. PST |
U.S. Army, '83 – '87. 2 years 82nd Airborne, Infantry – 4.2 inch mortar. 2 years OPFOR – tank gunner, tank driver, tank commander. SP-122 "The Peoples Artillery". And just in case your wondering why an infantryman would be operating a tank, EVERYBODY in the OPFOR has to learn how to drive a tank, even the cooks and pencil pushers. It was a great experience! |
Ironwolf | 19 Nov 2005 3:43 a.m. PST |
US Air Force Security Police. Active duty 1986 – 1990. Reserve from 1990 – 1992. Had its up and downs but over all I enjoyed it. Since next year would be 20 years if I had stayed in. Could retire next year so wonder if I should have stayed in
:-) hahahaa. |
Griefbringer | 19 Nov 2005 3:57 a.m. PST |
Done my time in the Finnish military (we still have a conscription based one) as signals in an anti-aircraft unit. Griefbringer |
Formerly Regiment Games | 19 Nov 2005 4:28 a.m. PST |
Since 1978, USMC reserve, Army National Guard, and currently a mobilized Army reservist. Military police, Redeye gunner, armor, engineer. |
mmitchell | 19 Nov 2005 4:31 a.m. PST |
There was a poll on this a few months ago, if memory serves me right. Oh, and I haven't served, but have done my best to support those who have. |
Cold Steel | 19 Nov 2005 5:23 a.m. PST |
12+ years as an Armor officer. Commanding a tank company in Korea was the best year of my life. |
HodsonJ | 19 Nov 2005 5:54 a.m. PST |
US Army 83 to present and pround of it! Hooah! John |
ioannis | 19 Nov 2005 6:02 a.m. PST |
23 months in the Greek Army as second lieutenant
Nice times, except for the first two months in the boot camp! |
Nohrmann | 19 Nov 2005 6:13 a.m. PST |
I'm serving as a captain in the Signal Regiment in the Danish Army. Never regreted a single day
so far, but things are getting tighter because of cut downs. My respect to all serving in Afganistan and Irak. Claus |
10thArgos | 19 Nov 2005 6:13 a.m. PST |
I just wanted to thank all of you for serving in your various armed forces. It takes something special to sign up and follow through! 5 years active duty with the U.S Army, was then recalled for Operation Iraqi Freedom and subsequently released to care for my sick wife and our children. |
GlacierMI | 19 Nov 2005 6:22 a.m. PST |
4 years active army U.S. – Armor 10 years U.S. army reserve – Ordnance unfortunately left due to being diabetic |
edmuel2000 | 19 Nov 2005 6:31 a.m. PST |
Armor Officer, 20 Years, US Army (since been promoted to civilian ) |
Padraig | 19 Nov 2005 6:36 a.m. PST |
Currently serving as an officer (2Lt)in the 1st Hussars Canadian Forces, has been two years so far |
Signals2 | 19 Nov 2005 6:49 a.m. PST |
Up until now 14 years active service in the Danish Army drafted private, (mechanized infantry) regular sergeant, (mechanized infantry) regular officer, (Signals and Electronic Warfare) Now rank of captain. Tours in Bosnia and Iraq Still love my job, would not want any other
|
Barakvarr | 19 Nov 2005 6:59 a.m. PST |
7 years in REME (Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers) as a Clerk from 86-93. I know it's a cliche, but as they say, best years of my life (so far!). |
Saber6 | 19 Nov 2005 7:02 a.m. PST |
US Army 22 years active and reserve. Retired in 2000. Scout, tanker, trainer and staff officer |
Ted Sett | 19 Nov 2005 7:02 a.m. PST |
86' to present, US Air Force. |
vojvoda | 19 Nov 2005 7:05 a.m. PST |
I think there was a poll on TMP not too long ago. As to us a good example is the board of HMGS-East. Three Retired Military guys two who were in the military, and one who still is. Also our seventh board member works for the Coast Guard. (Ok I joke they are not really part of the military But in fact they are!) VR James Mattes USA Ret |
Inari7 | 19 Nov 2005 7:15 a.m. PST |
Ironwolf where were you stationed? US Air Force Security Police. Active duty 1986 – 1992 USANG 1984-1986 I was an M-42 "Duster" Crewmember. I joined the Army National Gurad when I was a junior in High School. Took boot camp durring the summer before my senior year.
.Doug |
Atomic Floozy | 19 Nov 2005 7:22 a.m. PST |
USMC artillery – 3 years active, 3 years reserve – 1971-1977, way back when I was trying to live in a different gender. |
hetzer | 19 Nov 2005 7:24 a.m. PST |
13 years U.S. Army. Airborne infantry, UH-1H crew chief. |
Highland Guerilla | 19 Nov 2005 7:29 a.m. PST |
8 years in the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry. |
Harbinger343 | 19 Nov 2005 7:30 a.m. PST |
6 years as a combat engineer in the Canadian army, 8 more years and still counting as an airforce firefighter. |
mrwigglesworth | 19 Nov 2005 7:31 a.m. PST |
U.S. Army Infantry 11C 1986-1994 |
jimbeau | 19 Nov 2005 7:37 a.m. PST |
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LAP1954 | 19 Nov 2005 7:38 a.m. PST |
12 Years Service – Vietnam Veteran US Army Regular 1971 – 1974 US Army Reserves 1975- 1983 Still serving veteran's and community today through American Legion and Veteran's Of Foriegn Wars! Proud to have served! |
Rudysnelson | 19 Nov 2005 7:40 a.m. PST |
James is correct , it has been a poll question in the recent past. US Army, Captain, Armored Cavalry Sqdn, Armored Bn, Military Intelligence Bn, 1st Cav Division G1, S & S Bn, VIICorps G1. |
goneaway | 19 Nov 2005 7:48 a.m. PST |
1971 Active duty USAF Medic/Ortho. Clinic Tech (Made E-6 at 6 years) total time 7 years, 3 months, 12 days (story about that.) After Tech school all in Sacramento, CA at one hospital/base. Sweet! Reserve USA (ROTC cadet 1 year then remained as 76Yankee – supply – enlisted) Seattle, WA, in maybe the only remaining Basic Training Unit left in USAR at the time. Different, left for physical problems. Now work as civilian Regional Analyst in National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency with responsibility for DOD/IC support over selected SE Asia countries. Pay is good, work can be either heaven or hell. Gracias, Glenn/Warbeads |
KenofYork | 19 Nov 2005 7:52 a.m. PST |
Hey Duhgul, I was in the 1st Cav from 84-87 and I went against the OPFOR 2 times during that span. I was a mechanic on helicopters, but still was judged killed a few times if memory serves me. I still remember the gun flashes of your tanks from across some dry lake bed or something. A neat experience, being killed and talking about it. |
ajbartman | 19 Nov 2005 8:05 a.m. PST |
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(I am Spam) | 19 Nov 2005 8:13 a.m. PST |
20 yrs US Air Force. Retired in 2000. |
Ted Schuenemann | 19 Nov 2005 8:14 a.m. PST |
11 years U.S. Navy (1976 – 1988) Intelligence Specialist 1st Class 8 years of that on Sea Duty (and people ask why I got out) |
tberry7403 | 19 Nov 2005 8:16 a.m. PST |
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sneakgun | 19 Nov 2005 8:24 a.m. PST |
4 years US Navy 1965-1969 16 years US Air Force and US Air Force Reserve |
CommanderCarnage | 19 Nov 2005 8:27 a.m. PST |
Regular Army and National guard 8 years. CC |
jizbrand | 19 Nov 2005 8:29 a.m. PST |
USAF 3 years, 1971-1974, as a Russian linguist. US Army 11 years, 1977-1988, as an Armor officer. |
elrondorio | 19 Nov 2005 8:32 a.m. PST |
4 years US Regular Army 1981-1985. |
McKinstry | 19 Nov 2005 8:32 a.m. PST |
USAF Security Police 1970-1974. |