"How many TMPers have actually served in the military?" Topic

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?

Served in the Dutch army, but that was when there still was a draft. Sargeant, signal corps. Never regretted it.

4 years active army (grunt) – enlisted
4 years nat'l guard (grunt) – enlisted
7 years navy (med. svc corps) – officer – currently still in

I served in the Spanish Navy. As Gungnir as a draft. Caporal.

12 years in the RAF as a weapons technician.

Still going after 15 years in a British tank Regiment. The Army has a wargames association who put on a anual show in Germany.

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

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

Royal Navy 4 years back when we had a navy, early 70s

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

Two years' full time in the South African Air Force, followed by several years of month-long camps (refresher courses).

18 months in the Portuguese artillery.

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!

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.

Done my time in the Finnish military (we still have a conscription based one) as signals in an anti-aircraft unit.

Griefbringer

Since 1978, USMC reserve, Army National Guard, and currently a mobilized Army reservist. Military police, Redeye gunner, armor, engineer.

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.

12+ years as an Armor officer. Commanding a tank company in Korea was the best year of my life.

US Army 83 to present and pround of it! Hooah!
John

23 months in the Greek Army as second lieutenant…Nice times, except for the first two months in the boot camp!

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

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.

4 years active army U.S. – Armor
10 years U.S. army reserve – Ordnance
unfortunately left due to being diabetic

Armor Officer, 20 Years, US Army (since been promoted to civilian )

Currently serving as an officer (2Lt)in the 1st Hussars Canadian Forces, has been two years so far

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…

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!).

US Army 22 years active and reserve. Retired in 2000. Scout, tanker, trainer and staff officer

86' to present, US Air Force.

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

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

USMC artillery – 3 years active, 3 years reserve – 1971-1977, way back when I was trying to live in a different gender.

13 years U.S. Army. Airborne infantry, UH-1H crew chief.

8 years in the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry.

6 years as a combat engineer in the Canadian army, 8 more years and still counting as an airforce firefighter.

U.S. Army Infantry 11C 1986-1994

63

that's just a guess

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!

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.

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

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.

16 yrs US Air Force

20 yrs US Air Force. Retired in 2000.

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)

6 years USN (72-78)

4 years US Navy 1965-1969
16 years US Air Force and US Air Force Reserve

Regular Army and National guard 8 years.

CC

USAF 3 years, 1971-1974, as a Russian linguist.

US Army 11 years, 1977-1988, as an Armor officer.

4 years US Regular Army 1981-1985.

USAF Security Police 1970-1974.