I did my four in the USAF as a 462 (Load Toad.) Spent my whole tour at Elmendorf AFb, Alaska from '93 - '97. Loaded missiles on F-15C and D models for the (now-disbanded) 54th Fighter Squadron. Got my incentive ride in 1996 during a TDY to Cold Lake Air Base, "near" Edmonton.

I got pics if anyone cares.

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- Flamberge

4 years USMC 69-73, Infantry Vietnam with Fifth Marines. Then Lejuene and a Med cruise.

82 to 87 in the Army.

16 years NJARNG Infantry Platoon SGT/ 4.2 in Mortar Platoon SGT.

US ARMY - 1984 to 1988 (64Charlie) Motor Transportation.. Ft. Dix N.J.

HMMMMM....1984-1988? Why does that sound familiar?

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1988 Formula 2.8L V6 5 speed Getrag
(Runs smooth, shifts crisp, red and shiny all over!)

HHB 2/138 FA BN,Kentucky Army National Guard, 1999-present. 19D Cavalry Scout/13F Arty Forward Observer/anything else I can get into! I spend about four months a year on voluntary active status.

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85 2M4(Lil' Bit)

[This message has been edited by 85Josh (edited 01-25-2002).]

[This message has been edited by 85Josh (edited 01-25-2002).]

USMC '83-'96. Clerk/Typist, AV-8B pilot, Forward Air Controller, TA-4J flight instructor, Aviation Safety Officer.

quote Originally posted by Butter: Originally posted by Butter: I haven't noticed anyone from any other country but the US so far on this thread. Are people from the United States the only folks that are proud to serve their country?

Yeah, I saw that as well. My friends who have enlisted in the Canadian armed forces have had a lot of negative experiences with the military. Almost everyone complains about the outdated equipment, the lack of of amenities as a simple as a uniform that fits, and I don't know if all military do it but, there have been some extremely grotesque hazing ritual stories. The three guys from my hometown have all told of similar stories where upon completion of training you are covered in feces and urine and forced to eat not so nice things. There was a big thing on the news about five years ago when the whole thing was exposed and the military basically pleaded ingorance to the whole ordeal even in face of substantial evidence. Prior to hearing about this I had spent five years in cadets during high school in preperation for joining the airforce, but I lost any desire to join after hearing of how my friends were treated. I feel that if one is going to serve their country, they should at least be treated with respect and should not have to put up with such degrading treatment. Since then, the one fellow is now a firefighter at Cold Lake AB, the other has left the military, holds the Canadian superheavyweight kickboxing champion title, and is soon to be on UFC. The last guy, Anton, is in a coma right now in a hospital in Saskatoon after being found unconscious in a ditch on his military base in Manitoba. They still haven't been able to identify the persons or soldiers responsible for beating him into this condition.

[This message has been edited by loafer87gt (edited 01-25-2002).]

quote Originally posted by WampusCat: USMC '83-'96. Clerk/Typist, AV-8B pilot, Forward Air Controller, TA-4J flight instructor, Aviation Safety Officer.

Talk about a rank grabber!! That's a pretty high jump-from clerk/typist to Harrier pilot-to Aviation Safety Officer!! Did ya leave out CMC?

I am an active duty Senior Chief Petty Officer in the USN. Been in 17 years this April, just 3 more to go until I retire. Been stationed in Jacksonville, FL - Hawaii - San Diego - Omaha, Ne - Bahrain (Persian Gulf) - and now in Norfolk, Va.

Rob

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"DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT"

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Talk about a rank grabber!! That's a pretty high jump-from clerk/typist to Harrier pilot-to Aviation Safety Officer!! Did ya leave out CMC?

That Enlisted Commissioning Program was a pretty good deal. Went from LCpl to Butter Bar, never made NCO. I was one of those captains without a college degree until just before I got out when I finally racked up enough night school credits.

Regular Navy Scope Dope riding Guided Missle Destroyers in the 2nd and 6th Fleets from 1966-1970, and driving my 65 Sunbeam Tiger back and forth to Norfolk VA when I wasn't.

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Notchbacks Rule
85GT(show car)
88Coupe (daily driver)
84 Coupe(project car)

1883-1987 Ensign US navy.
In charge of all reserves in SanDiego Ca.
Was on land duty , but every six weeks wed train crews on a voyage of 2- 3 days.
I hated the navy but Love this country.
I served for my country with pride

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All Stock plus goodies

USMC 86-91 7Eng and 3rd Combat Engineers.
Gulf, and a little uprising in PI.

Almost have to laugh at some of the Navy guys. (yes I have some friends that were squids) But in 5 years in the corps I had more sea time than over half of them...

Well, I would join and serve the Canadian forces, however, I don't feel like going to the afgan desert dressed in jungle camo. Something about sticking out like a green tumb just dosen't appeal to me. Besides, my Prime minister is a senial old bum and can't do anything right, and the military is underfunded, so I would probably end up taking the Fiero over due to the lack of equipment. Oh well, maby next day.

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Hel* Jesse, all ya need to fight over there is a stick anyway. There's plenty of trees for sticks up in Canada, aren't there? Plus most of the bad guys are in Cuba now, so you wouldn't have to go that far after all. Besides, if you wash those green camos enough, they look kinda grey after a while. You'll blend right in.

Flamberge,

Yes! The incentive ride! I got mine in a F-15 over the Mediterranean while TDY to Deci, Italy. Did the max climb, then on to a dart mission. Hit the target twice. Of course, I was just baggage in the back seat at the time. I did take a camera with me and should scan the pics.

Wade

84-95 US Army Military Police. Ft Jackson -> Wiesbaden and Frankfurt Germany => Ft Polk (Just Cause, Shield and Storm) -> Taegu ROK (the "last" Team Spirit exercise) and finally Ft Davis, Panama. Was that enough service?

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Canadian Navy 20 years next Month. Served in the Atlantic, Pacific and Med, two tours as an Observer in the Middle East and one tour in the Bosnia. And I was ashamed to read the comments from my fellow Canadians. One day they will learn to truly appreciate the men and women that are willing to risk it all for their freedom.

Army and NG, 22 years, 2 months and one day total time.
Medically Retired, (active duty) Oct. 30 1997 due to injuries sustained in aircraft misshap.
DAMN!> That hurt!

Proud to serve your country... That's something American I guess. I did think about joining the Dutch Airforce for a while (we fly kites over here ) but just as part of my Finance study. Nothing to do with "proud to be serving my country".

I'm not all that patriotic. Also because I'm not really from one country anyway, I see myself more as "European" probably...
Here in Holland everybody is really proud of their soccer team (well, was anyway, we didn't even make the World Cup, bunch of losers ), but that's as patriotic as it gets. And I don't really like soccer, so, dah well, you get the picture!

quote Originally posted by maryjane: [QUOTE]Originally posted by cadero2dmax: [b]I am a retired Marine - it would take forever to tell my military history. But suffice to say I did 3 full tours in 'Nam served in the Dominican Crisis, and my last gig was the Hostage rescue attempt where my squadron left some scrap aluminum that used to be CH53 helicopters in the sand.

I was with HMH-463 @ MMAF. Have you been to http://www.popasmoke.com/

32 yrs ago, just south of DaNang. Yeah, we were all young and sharp at one time.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 01-25-2002).][/B][/QUOTE]

I was with VMO-6 at Quang Tri in 1968 - 1969. HMH 463 was a neighbor squadron, actually was just to the north of us on the "patch". I was, at that time, NCOIC of the Hydraulic Shop and Gunner (wouldn't let me be a crew chief, having both a shop and an airplane at the same time). Our squadron also had OV10 Broncos, with which enlisted could fly back seat as observers. The most boring mission was "Rocket Watch" from dusk to midnight (where we were relieved by one of our squadon's O-1 BirdDogs).

I am a member of PoppaSmoke.

Going to the reunion in Pensacola?

G

Lets see, June 30th of this year a will finish my 20 year 14 day tour of duty with the USN (I will join the blue card club) .

3 ships /instructor duty /recruiting .

9 Med's, 1 Unitas.
Was in almost everything starting with Greneda in 83 to Kosova/Bosnia fun!

Its all good!

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"If you want to blend in, take the bus!"

[This message has been edited by FieroHarry (edited 01-26-2002).]

quote Originally posted by cadero2dmax: I was with VMO-6 at Quang Tri in 1968 - 1969. HMH 463 was a neighbor squadron, actually was just to the north of us on the "patch". I was, at that time, NCOIC of the Hydraulic Shop and Gunner (wouldn't let me be a crew chief, having both a shop and an airplane at the same time). Our squadron also had OV10 Broncos, with which enlisted could fly back seat as observers. The most boring mission was "Rocket Watch" from dusk to midnight (where we were relieved by one of our squadon's O-1 BirdDogs). I am a member of PoppaSmoke. Going to the reunion in Pensacola? G

George, I'm a member of Popasmoke too, tho not exactly in good grace with em over the readyroom and Osprey debate. I post in ready room & NOTAMS. I've got some replys there now, in ready room, concerning the new USMC commercial. I post as Don York there, & I hear from Will Reeves daily thru email. The 463 unit you referred to in Quang Tri was Det A, I believe. I remember an OV-10 sqdrn accross the runway at Marble, cant remember who it was. Dam*, those little things could fly! Noisy tho. Yep I'm headed to Pcola this year. Good to hear from you. Semper Fi!!

8 years USAF Two in Bermuda, four at Eglin AFB Florida, and two at McConnel AFB Wichita Kansas. 1962 through 1970 Currently active with the Coast Guard Auliliary, five years and counting.

I guess I never got into it as hard-core as you guys. I joined the Communication Reserve when I turned 18, spent two years with 763 Comm Regt as a Radio/Teletype Operator followed by 6 months with 2 Intelligence Pl. as an Intel Op. I got out b/c it wasn't paying my student bills.

In my 3rd Yr of University I joined the naval reserve and spent 2 years in.

I'm now considering enrolling full-time, since I've just found out that the CF has changed its policy on retirement age. You can apparently extend until age 65 now, meaning that I could join now and still get max pensionable time(35 yrs service) when I retire.

It's true though, being in the CF isn't the same as joining the military in the US. Our military has been savaged so badly by government cutback, morale is really low. Our equipment is crap. There's still pride in serving your country, but there's little sense that the country or government appreciates what the military here does.

Just my 2 cents.

It's not just Canada where morale can be a problem in the Armed Services or where there is little respect for military members. When I reported for duty in Washington, DC in 1982, the local uniform regulations (for Navy folks at the Naval Security Group HQ anyway) had just changed so that you were allowed (required) to wear your uniform to work everyday. For years prior to that time, you were required to wear civilian clothes every day but Fridays (and you wore civvys to work and changed into uniform after arriving). That was because there was strong anti-military sentiment in the DC area.

It really all depends on the particular time, circumstances, political party in power, etc. I would guess, though I have been retired since 93, that the morale has gone up quite a bit with the departing of Bill Clinton as C-in-C and the support the military is currently enjoying after 9-11.

When I was stationed in Maine in 74-77 and made a couple trips up to Canada, the Canadian military guys that I met had great things to say about their lives and careers in the military.

Geez, reading some of you alls posts I feel like a puppy. I'm proud to know all of you though. Even though there is that whole branch to branch ball busting thing lol.

Thank you for doing what you did (are doing) I don't know about you guys but sometimes it just seems like there is no real respect for us people who have (or are) serving.
I love going on road trips and stopping to buy smokes and when they ID me I pull out my Military Id, it usually blows the cashiers mind trying to figure out where the birthdate is.hehe. Sometimes they even say thank you for serving..now that's a good feeling.
Too bad the people and businesses in military towns act like we shouldn't be here when in reality if it wasn't for the base their little sh!thole store wouldn't exsist.

Ok, Sorry, got a little off topic.

Later,
Jeff

I just graduated basic his past friday in Ft. Benning, GA for 11B training. I'm serving in the NJ National Guard.

From 1991-1995 I was a Combat Engineer (12B) in the US Army. Right after basic training, I went over to Saudi for a 6-month tour, then back to Fort Lost-in-the-Woods ( Ft. Leonard Wood ) for the remainder. Not exactly glamorous or exciting, but I got to work alongside Special Forces and Ranger units a few times. Got quite a few rides in Blackhawks, too.

I also had the distinction of being the smallest M60 gunner in my entire batallion (5'7", 160 lb). Talk about bragging rights...