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

USAF '86-'90

Of the eight "regulars" in my gaming group, four have served. We had a ninth who served in the Army National Guard… but we lost him in Iraq nearly two years ago. :-(

4 years US Army '68-'71

20 years in the Canadian forces. Now with them as a civilian.

Ken

US Navy from 1981 until 2002, got my 20 and gone! I was a weapons geek; Tomahawk, Phalanx, Harpoon, 5 inch "54", etc.
I always felt it was best to "reach out and touch someone".

"Go Navy, beat the Salvation Army!"

Not me, I'm afraid. I've often thought it would have been a good experience, but my health issues (legally blind without corrective gear, amongst other things) made me an unappealing prospect for the recruiters back in the 80's, when I might have joined.

Hmmm…I wonder if all that wargaming is just me sublimating an unfulfilled desire? Nah…I just like pewter minis too much. :)

Rich

NZ Army for nine years. Almost got to go to Figi for the first coup.

Started with Army ROTC. The Army started shifting divisions to reserve status (pre-Desert Shield); my Col. got the word that even those cadets that had already gone to Ranger school (Purdue's battalion was infantry all the way) would not get active duty that year. The Col. helped arrange my transfer to the USAF. After Desert Storm, my squadron was RIF'ed. Finished my obligation in the IIR.

US Army, Military Intelligence '78-81
& proud member of VFW ever since…cept when I forget my dues!

From reading wargames-related mailing lists and forums lists over the years it would seem that current or past military service seems more common in US contributors than those from the UK. I can't speak for contributors from other parts of the world. I may be wrong, though. Our club runs at about 15% active or ex-military.

I have neither served, nor had any desire to, but do support an arm of the UK military in my current job.

USMC '68-'94 Artillery and logistics. You can take the boy out of the Marine Corps, but you can't take the Marine Corps out of the boy.

As my moniker says USA 1968 -70 served in "EYE" Corps in SP 175mm Arty in the Ashau.attached to 101st in 24th Corps

USMC 1948-53

Rifle Squad Leader – Korea 1950
H Company, 3rd Btn., 5th Marines

Pusan Perimeter, Inchon Landing (Wolmi-Do), Han River Crossing, Wounded on Hill 296 Seoul

Roll high, guys!

Larry Brom

U.S. Army active duty enlisted 1969-1972,SP5, Army Security Agency, now INSCOM, 3 years, mos 98J20J1

West Virginia Army National Guard, enlisted as SGT, served 3 1/2 years 1977-1981 as MP

West Virginia Army National Guard, received direct commission as Military Police 2LT 1981(prior service plus a master's degree)served 1981-1995, retired as a Major in 1995

Service overseas in Turkey with ASA, 1970-71, short tours in Germany, Japan, Honduras, and also served in Desert Storm from Jan to Jun 1991 with 4 months in Saudi Arabia

And proud of all of it, but not sure I want to repeat all the experiences. ;-)

USN 6 Years 68-74, sonar tech, ssn.
Only two kinds of ships, submarines and targets!

Sitting around the gaming table a few weeks back with Mr. Wiggleworth and 2 of our friends. Thought I'd use some Psych-Warfare on Wiggles, so I said, "Hmmm…3 of us down here have College Degrees".

Wigglesworth looks at me and replies "One of us felt he should serve his country……

I've never been so humbled as in that moment…….

Thank you all who've served your country, both at home and over seas. You should be proud..

Dave

8 months in Austria 1982-83: 3.Kompanie, Gardebattalion, 4. Zug.

Seem to have most of N.A.T.O here.

Royal Military Police 1980 > 1986

Falklands
N.I (Northern Ireland)

US Army (Active and Reserve) 1986-1992, and enjoyed it immensely

Lots of local gamers are military vets Interestingly, the local game shops (Tucson) are heavy into WarMachine and Warhammer/WH0K, and probably half the guys I see in there as regulars are active USAF from the local base.

A lot of the ROTC types in college were board wargamers, as I was. Did miniatures for RPGs and such, but did not get into miniatures wargaming as such until some of us got into 1/285 armor. I remember a lot of miniatures gamers among the British troops we worked with in Germany and Belgium – don't remember many German gamers.

In my local group about one third have some military experience. I served as a battalion surgeon for a US Army Reserve Artillery battalion, 1990-95, until the unit(3/83 FA) was stood down. I was called up for four months during Desert Storm, served at Eisenhower and Madigan Army Medical Centers. Never saw a wounded soldier, just active duty in the Alaska-Washington-California area, and dependents. When asked by the Chief of Sugery at Eisenhower if I would be willing to go to the Theater of Operations, I answered yes. The Army then sent me as far from the Middle East as you can go in the Army Medical Dept.(Madigan). After my unit was stood down in 1995 I was in the IRR. Resigned my commission in Feb.1998.

Radiotelegraphist Royal Dutch Artillery (Gunner First Class), 1966-1968 (draftee).

Luc.

7 years as an NCO (1st Sgt) in the Belgian Air Force
9th Wing Air Commando Sniper /Recon team.

KenofYork,

I had a blast serving in the OPFOR. I especially enjoyed attacking, which was most of the time. I think I survived about 20-25% of the over 150 battles/scenarios I participated in. We provided a very target rich environment. One outstanding memory I have, is of watching an A-10 line up on a column I was in during an attack and thinking "Oh…we're done" (having seen A-10's live fire at Bragg several times). It took out a good number of us, my tank included.

Being BLUE FORCE isn't much fun though, I was BLUE FORCE one rotation with the 82nd. Turns out, light infantry being overrun by tanks isn't all it's cracked up to be.

9 years with the Canadian Electrical & Mechanical Engineers as an officer. 2 years as a reservist, Regt Tech Adj, 30 FD RCA. Retired as a Captain.

US Army, 3 years, Ft. Benning.

U.S Air Force '87-'91. I was a crew chief on F16s. Served in the first Gulf War. Served in Japan, Philippines, U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia. Left as a Sgt.

24 years US Army, retired as LTC, Cavalry, 3d ACR, tank co cdr, Chief of Plans V Corps for Bosnia, Desert Storm as Regimental S4. Now DA civilian teaching at Fort Leavenworth. GREAT life, great experience — recommend to all. (and managed two masters degree and a PhD all financed by the Army!)

10+ years of active duty followed by 11+ in the reserves. Never forget the times in the field training in Germany in the early 80's, visits to West/East Berlin.
Nothing beats being on a tank cruising across the country side and having a civilian look up at you with a broad smile, that says, "Thank you for being here!"

Mike Peccolo, Armor, the combat arms of decision

US Air Force from 1996-2000. Active duty for about a year and a half, then Air Guard for the rest of my term. Didn't hate it, certainly didn't love it, and I didn't re-enlist.

I missed both gulf conflicts, but one of the Wargods players in my group is over in Iraq right now.

Oh, and I joined up to travel the world, put in for overseas duty – and where does the Air Force send me? Eielson AFB, 22 miles away from my home in Fairbanks (Alaska)!!! I got a short trip to Japan and another to Turkey out of it, though.

US 7th Army, 71st Artillery, 1962-1965.

USMC 79-86 fixing EA-6Bs (an ECM tech)
USNR 86-94 fixing P-3s (an ASW tech, then a module tech)
Defense contractor 86-90, 94-96 (for the USN, fixing/launching drones for surface to air and air to air training)

National Guard. 13B (Artillery) and 72E (Comcen). '88-'94.

Scout team leader(red3) USMC, 1992-1996

USAF, Law Enforcement Specialist, 1976-80

4 years US Army, 94-97 23rd Eg BN Combat Engineer, 3 years in Germany and a year in Bosnia.

Sergeant, Combat Engineers
United States Army, 1991-1997

10 years USAF – communications

4 YEARS USMC AND THEN 15 YEARS TO DATE ARMY SPECIAL FORCES. I RETIRE IN SEVEN MONTHS. I LOVE BUILDING MODELS AND WARGAMING. I DO NOT LOOK DOWN UPON ANYONE WHO HAS NOT SERVED BUT I DO RESENT CANNON FODDER JOKES FROM PEOPLE WHO NEVER HEARD A SHOT FIRED IN ANGER.

11 years USAF – Computer Programmer/Analyst

In my club we have about

49 % reservists
49 % soon to become reservists
1 % dumb and blind
1 % ethically challanged

Finland have a conscript based army where i lost 12 months of my life.

I can still not forget the feeling in my gut when firing 8500 kg of cold war love that I am trained in using.

These Photos bring back my miserly sweet memories

picture
link
link
link

Suddenly I feel myself looking forward to my next reservists-trainingcamp

USMC. Ironically though, it wasnt til I was long out of the Corps that I got wounded.

Thanks to those who still serve.

Semper FI

Almost seventeen years in the Canadian Army Reserve. The only time I have had a weapon pointed at me in anger was in a 7-11 holdup this fall.

SMc.

8 years AD Navy – Green Side Hospital Corpsman.
2 years Reserves.
Currently living the good life as a Navy contractor.

British Army, 9+ years

20 Years and 3 days

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.

Just a bit over 20 years in the USAF. From 16 Aug 71 thru 1 Jan 92.

Tom Dye, Msgt., USAF (ret);and Capt., CAP
GFI

Wow surprised to see so many US Air Force Security Police members on here. Inari7 I was an LE, now the SPS is combined into one. On active duty I was stationed at Lackland, Tx. Chanute, IL. went TDY to Little Rock, Ar. Goosebay Labador Canada and Simbac Germany. Then while in the reserve was assigned to the reserve base behind Chicago airport. Went TDY to Saudi for the first Gulf war. Did we ever run across each other??? :-)

I was thinking about the French Foreign Legion….

link

USAF 1988-1992 – A-10 Avionic Specialist

Stationed: Bentwater/Woodbridge, England & England AFB, LA.

Lieutenant in Royal Australian Signals Corps till '92. Now a volunteer in the Emergency Services for 12 years in what used to be civil defence.