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

Wow, what an amazing turnout. Definitely seems that US gamers are more likely to have served than elsewhere. Respect to you all.

20 years serving Her Majesty all over the world, one big advantage, in Germany the Wargames clubs all have great accommodation, and arte well attended! Still hope to be more settled now, I have a wargames room in my new house and my girlfriend has a double garage for when I move in! By the way any jobs for an intellihence analyst going in about 2 years preferably in the South West?!!!!

Almost 6 years in the USAFSS as a linguist (Mandarin)
between 1960 and 1966.

Our gaming group includes USAF, USA, USMC, USCG and USN,
a few of whom are retired but most of whom did their
bit and returned to civilian life, like me.

US Army 85 to 88 the IIR for a few years.

"PzGeneral 19 Nov 2005 9:38 a.m. PST
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……."

THATS why we do it! Not so you have to feel "humbled" but that you are free to do so. :-))

USMC 1976-1983, 11th Marines- two tours, 1st MAW, and 9th Comm. Bn.

Semper Fi

25+ years in and they want to try and promote me to LTC. Hell, I was surprised (and quite pleased!) when they bumped me up to Major. We'll see what happens!

First In, Last Out!
Signal Corps

15 yrs USMC. 6 active duty with 6th Marines, rifle plt cmdr, wpns cmder, XO and CO of a rifle plt.
Rest in the Reserves (arty and infantry).

I'm going to be the first to report from the other side of Iron Curtain :)
1985-1987, long-ranged 122 mm artillery operator, telephonist,radio operator. Finished my term as a junior sergeant. Spent most of my time between Ladoga lake and Finnish border. Providing that I've been drafted after the first year in my institute, I wasn't too happy. However in a long perspective :) may be it wasn't such a bad time…

25 years in the Belgian Army at this moment. Senior NCO in the Combat Engineers. Will retire in 12 years if the politicians let me. ;-)

Dtaraight out of Hight school and did six years as a U.S. Army helo pilot (OH-58s); got my degree, got smart, went active duty Air Force (HH-53s & MH-60s) for ten years, now in USAF Reserve as a Colonel where all I fly is paper airplanes (PP-1s). Would not trade a moment, especially since they paid for law school also! My club is all ex-mil, some were drafed, some were/are vol., but all are proud they served.

2 years as a platoon commander in a medical company in the Belgian Army's medical corps.

Cheers,
Koen

2yrs USMC Infantry. TOW gunner

I was in the USAF from 1886 – 1990, Air National Guard from 1990 – 1994. I was deployed to Desert Storm while in the Guard. I would still be in there, but 1 month before I got married in '94 they activated my unit to send us back to Saudi Arabia, and my wife decided that she no longer liked the military.

The sad thing is that if I would have stayed in, I would probably be retiring next year!

That should say 1986, as opposed to 1886.

U.S. Army, 1st Cavalry Division 1982-1984
Massachusetts National Guard 1984-1988

Combat Engineer, Mechanic, Special Ops Support

Don't be so hard on yourself Humwawa about being a "wanna be." Nowadays, with all the peace-freaks and appeasers out there, moral support from "wannabe's" shouldn't be under-estimated. Thanks for your support.

1LT, U.S. Army Field Artillery 1988-1991; USAR (IRR) 1991-2004 with one year (2000-2001) with a QM Army Reserve unit.

Fort Sill, OK (FA OBC)
Hanau, Germany (Third Armored Division, 4-82 FA)
Desert Storm (3AD, 4-82 FA)

My two major experiences in the 3-year time-span that I was on active duty were the fall of the Berlin Wall and Desert Storm. Hard to top that much activity in such a short amount of time!

Not all good days, but most of it was pretty damn interesting. I have no regrets.

Four active army in a strategic Psyop unit and four in a reserve tactical Psyop unit. 1992-2000. Bosnia tour with shorter trips to Germany and Guatemala.

26 years in British Army (infantry, intelligence corps and armour) – regular and TA.

Now retired and just playing with toy tanks instead of real ones…

:-(

Barrie

I Just want to say thank you and God bless all of you who served in your countries armed forces. It takes a lot of courage to join the military. thanks,
andy

Second that. Never served, but worked in the defence industry and occasionally do consultancy work for a national military museum. I have seldom failed to be impressed by the people I met who have worn the Queen's uniform.

"…every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier…"
[Dr Samuel Johnson]

four years Royal Australian Engineers 1987-91, medical disharge after Parachute accident (or I would probaly still be there, just loved it!!)

cheers

Matt