Veterans: Stand up and be recognized.

[derekf]

After reading through the "Thanks to the veterans" thread, I figured we needed a thread for the veterans/current military to tell us about their service and be properly recognized.

So... step up!

[bobbaganoosh]

No one? I have some co-workers that are Vietnam vets & I made sure to say thanks. One of them said they were proud of me for what I'd done & he had done two tours in Nam (I never saw any combat). That completely blew my mind.


USMC, 1993-1997

[TonyL]

I'm a Vet. I served from 1990 to 1998 in the Air force. I loved every minute of it. I still miss it. My job was a "structural specialist", I fixed the buildings, and built tent cities, and fixed runways during wartime. (though I never actually saw war type duty.)

[70TWO NOVA]

Im currently serving in the Air Force Reserve. Im POL which stands for Petroleums, Oils, and Lubricants. We refuel/defuel all the aircraft in the Air Force as well as handle all cryogenics (liquid Oxygen "LIN"/liquid Nitrogen "LIN") used by the aircraft for life suppourt etc.

[rocketrod]

I served on active duty in the Air Force from 1986-1994 and then in the Air National Guard from 1995-1998. I was a radar technician on F-4Es and later an avionics technician for F-15E doing component level repair. I spent some time in Saudii Arabia and Iceland, plus several stateside assignments. While I was in went to college and earned an Associates and Bachelors degree. Overall a great experience!

[Finch]

US Navy from 87 to 93. Served 6 months in the gulf during Desert Storm.

[Damn True]

I was in the Coast Guard from 1989 to 2000. I'll list the units and some highlights below. Mostly in hopes that someone might have been at or near the same place at the same time.

1989-1991 - US Coast Guard Cutter Iris (WLB-395) home ported in Astoria Oregon. Photo is not the Iris, but it's the best WLB pic I could find
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/11/uscgblackthornphoto01-1.jpg
The week after I reported we deployed to the Valdeez AK oil spill.
I served as a deck crewman and small boat coxswain.

1991-1994 US Coast Guard Airstation Brooklyn, Brooklyn NY.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Interesting place. It was on the former Floyd Bennett US Naval Airfield and right across the bay from JFK airport. The Coast Guard first operated there in 1939 in an anti-submarine (German U-boats) capacity. After the war it was handed over to CDR Frank Erickson (USCG) and Igor Sikorsky and became the first Helicopter Training Unit in the US Military. CDR Erickson was the first official Helicopter Pilot in the US Military. Sikorsky built the first Helicopter flight simulator in the hangar. The support structure for it is still there. Pretty cool.
I served as an HH-65A Aircrewman and Mechanic.
Flew during "The Perfect Storm" - We started out looking for the goofball who was sailing to VA, and wound up spending most of the night searching for the crew of the Suffolk ANG HH-60 that was forced to ditch at sea while looking for the same boat.
Numerous deployments to the North Atlantic (fisheries patrol), Carribean (drug enforcement) and Panama.

1994 - 2000 US Coast Guard Airstation Barbers Pt. Barbers Pt. HI
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Co-located with US Naval Airstation Barbers Pt. on the SW corner of Oahu. Tough duty, I know.
Served as HH-65A Aircrew, Aircrew Flight Instructor, Primary Quality Assurance Inspector and Mechanic.
Numerous deployments in the North and South Pacific.
Two 6mos deployments to the Persian Gulf to enforce UN restrictions on the Hussein regime.

[Project69]

:usa: :usa: :usa: :usa: :usa:


:twothumbs

[Tom Welch]

1987-1996 U.S.Army Infantry. Desert Shield/storm, then SF, then medically disabled from training injury.

[ZZ430]

US Navy 65-69.

Radioman 3rd class.

Viet Nam 66-67, stationed in Danang. Operated voice radio and teletype.

(yes, I'm older than dirt)

[65elkyprotour]

US Navy ET3 91-97 (Satellite Communications)

[Young Gun]

thank you vets =)

[va72mlibu]

US Army Officer and AH-64A aviator, 1999-present
Deployments to Kosovo and Iraq, currently teaching Senior ROTC at the University of Richmond.

Anybody got smart kids interested in selfless service to the nation who want full college scholarships?:usa:

[customcarpainter]

Vet here.U.S.Army 1986-1990,stationed in Ft.Sill,Ok.,Ft.Hood,Tx.,and 2 years in Germany.

[SatisTraction]

US Navy Submariner!!! Nuke ELT for 6 years 94-2000 on the USS Tucson.

[LUCKINFOU]

Navy Seebee 81 to 97 I did the early retirement.

[Rolling_Thunder]

I'll post for my buddies sinse he doesnt have time for the whole net forum thing

Jimmy - USAF CCT, Service in Afghanistan & Iraq, CA National Guard, Airborne/Ranger, Current Green Beret

Kyle - USMC Force Recon, 5 years Voluntary in Afghanistan & Iraq, wounded 7 times, currently drill instructor

[BA.]

USMC- Tactical Data Comm. 1984 - 1988, recalled in 1991 for Desert Shield. (connecting AWACS planes and ground radar and HF/UHF radio with those large screens that display maps of everything)
Got to see some nice places like Denmark, Okinawa, Korea, and a ton of places here in the US.
In 1985 I bought my 69 Camaro RS during electronics training in 29 Palms Cali. from one of the Crypto. teachers. :)

Here's me totally worn out in Korea, flashing the "L" sign which stood for The Love Hotel/Bar. 'Nuff said.

[OHCbird]

Navy 88-present, first 11 enlisted in Special Warfare (SWCC guy). '99 'till now, Naval Aviator (P-3Cs). I just got back from 9 months in Iraq working in my previous profession. That was my 4th trip /deployment there in support of OIF.

I've had the pleasure of being part of Desert Shield / Storm, Restore Hope (Somalia 93/94), and a bunch of other Ops in the middle-east and Asia. Since going to 'the dark-side', I've been flying in support of Bosnia / Kosovo, OIF, OEF, and a bunch of stuff you've never heard of (or probably care about). I can't believe I'm getting paid to do some of this, even though not seeing my family has gotten real old.

The best part has been the people- by far. I cringe everytime we lose quality guys...

[65MALI]

USMC, served 1998-2002, was with the 15th MEU on a west pac when 911 hit,I was withone of the first units in Camp Rhino.I met alot of good funny people.Urrrrr

[go-fish]

Seabee here. USN "dirt sailor".
First two duty stations was a SpecWar Unit and SEAL support. (I worked on the crap they broke. They break alot of stuff. LOL)
I have one more deployment to do in Bahrain but I have a package in for something else for when I get back.
After reading what Damn True wrote I wish I woulda went CG. How cool would it be to chase drug smugglers in a helo with an M2 or M240G.

[derekf]

USMC, 0313 (LAV Crewman) 1989-1993

Does sound like we've got a lot of jarheads here.

[gmjj13]

Army 93-00 active, currently reserve.

[carterhickmandesigns]

National Guard 1988-2006 Medic Desert Sheild/Desert Storm activation and Oklahoma City Bombing activation.

Carter

[Josh]

My hat is off to all you guys, past and present, for the service to us all. As a Physical Therapist in a VA hospital, I see first hand the sacrafices made and the courage these guys have to overcome life changing injury, THANK YOU!

[Damn True]

Seabee here. USN "dirt sailor".
First two duty stations was a SpecWar Unit and SEAL support. (I worked on the crap they broke. They break alot of stuff.)
Now I am in a Constructtion Battalion. Been to Iraq too many times and would prefer to never return to that God forsaken crap hole.
I have one more deployment to do in Bahrain but I have a package in for Dev Group for when I get back.
After reading what Damn True wrote I wish I woulda went CG. How cool would it be to chase drug smugglers in a helo with an M2 or M240G.

We never had any sort of offensive capability in the HH-65A. Heck, even when flying around Southern Iraq and Iran the only thing we had was sidearms.

[go-fish]

Another reason the CG appeals to me is the smaller commands. You would be hard pressed to find a unit or command in the Navy that is under 100 people. At the SpecWar Unit it was about 50 strong and the comradery and cohesivness (sp) was good as opposed to a Seabee Battalion where it is 700 strong and at times seems cut throat and full of pole smokers.

[texasdvldog]

GYSGT US MARINES Aug 1984-Apr 2006

Motor Transport Maintenance
MOS's 3521, 3522, 3525, 3538, 3529

1984-1987 MCMWTC Bridgeport, CA
1987-1988 3rd Maint Bn, Camp Kinser, Okinawa
1988-1991 MWSS 247, MWSG-27, Cherry Point NC
1991-1994 4th LSB, (I&I Duty) Lathrop CA
1994-1994 9th ESB, Camp Hansen, Okinawa
1994-1997 1st Maint Bn, Camp Pendleton, CA
1997-1998 MSSG-11, 11th MEU Served on the USS Denver
1999-2000 MSSG-11, 11th MEU Served on the Mt Rushmore
2000-2002 MWSS 471, NAS JRB, Ft Worth, TX
2002-2006 4th Maint Bn (I&I Duty) Sacramento, CA

Me and my best friend went to look for the Marine Recruiter when we were Seniors in High School, we enlisted on 25 Oct 1983....2 days AFTER the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.

[bobbaganoosh]

GYSGT US MARINES Aug 1984-Apr 2006

Motor Transport Maintenance
MOS's 3521, 3522, 3525, 3538, 3529

1984-1987 MCMWTC Bridgeport, CA
1987-1988 3rd Maint Bn, Camp Kinser, Okinawa
1988-1991 MWSS 247, MWSG-27, Cherry Point NC
1991-1994 4th LSB, (I&I Duty) Lathrop CA
1994-1994 9th ESB, Camp Hansen, Okinawa
1994-1997 1st Maint Bn, Camp Pendleton, CA
1997-1998 MSSG-11, 11th MEU Served on the USS Denver
1999-2000 MSSG-11, 11th MEU Served on the Mt Rushmore
2000-2002 MWSS 471, NAS JRB, Ft Worth, TX
2002-2006 4th Maint Bn (I&I Duty) Sacramento, CA

Me and my best friend went to look for the Marine Recruiter when we were Seniors in High School, we enlisted on 25 Oct 1983....2 days AFTER the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.

What company were you in on Camp Pendleton Gunny? MTM here (I was a 3522), I was there from 1995-97, out in the sticks of Las Pulgas. Semper Fi.

[NovaPwr]

USAF here, served from 1975 thru 1979. Worked as a jet fighter mechanic. Worked on F-4C's, F-106's, F-15's, F-111's, T-38's and lastly A-10's. Appreciate the sacrifices the vets have made and continue making.

[texasdvldog]

What company were you in on Camp Pendleton Gunny? MTM here (I was a 3522), I was there from 1995-97, out in the sticks of Las Pulgas. Semper Fi.

I was "roughing it" over in Del Mar..GSM CO! :smoke: I was a 3521 at the time but they had too many Sgt's over at H&S Co so they gave me a choice of going to MTM or GSM. I asked them where they were at and the Gunny said, well..MTM is right across the street and um GSM is by the beach. That's all he had to say! I'm trying to remember who I knew from MTM back then...hmm. What rank were you when you were there?

[bobbaganoosh]

I was a Corporal then, I worked in the LVS shop under SSgt Ted Turner. He went to the drill field and his spot was taken over by SSgt. Jaime Ramirez.

[slck6t9]

MSgt in the USAF 89-present here. Just returned from a remote tour in Korea. I am a crewchief on fighter aircraft and had been a little bit of everywhere in the world.

[Pro-touring towncar]

US Air Force 83-92 Security specialist, ABGD, EST. gulf war vet

Tim

[chicane67]

USMC 89-93. I was a mushroom and have been in the dark ever since...

[shep]

USN 94-98
Aviation electronics technician
Naval air station Brunswick ME. P-3c's VP-10
May sound strange but I miss it most during the holidays.

[texasdvldog]

I was a Corporal then, I worked in the LVS shop under SSgt Ted Turner. He went to the drill field and his spot was taken over by SSgt. Jaime Ramirez.

I ran the LVS Engine section at GSM. SSgt Turner sounds familiar. I knew a SSgt Ramirez but he was tracker. You remember a SSgt Lamb? Oh and I KNOW you worked for a CWO McNevin????

[camaro_68]

USN ET2 from 96-02
USS Briscoe for 4.5 years
since 02 I've been working for Northrop Grumman, continuing to support the military by building lasers for the Army.

[groove22]

USAF 90-present. 4 years as security police and the rest as a C-141/C-17 loadmaster. Have participated in everything since then.

[absintheisfun]

United States Marine Corps 95-99
Military Police.

I served in D.C. protecting the Navy Command Center in the Pentagon for about 2 years and served in Okinawa for my last year and a half.

Next to marrying my wife, the USMC was the best desicion of my life--it literally saved my life and got me straightened out and out of trouble.

I got into a whole lot of trouble growing up...a WHOLE lot. When enlisting, my recruiter new about my past and asked about the request for Military Police...my response?

Hey, I've been on the bad side of the badge my whole life; let me see what its like on the other side!

[Z06killinSBF]

I know this is an old post but I was gone when it was around.

USN Submariner 04-now. Currently a Missle Tech baby sitting Nuc missles all day on an SSBN.

Submariners like it long, hard and deep....errrrrr.......:sick:

[69stang]

I only joined this board recently and haven't seen this.
USAF 1980-1990 Jet Engine Tech (hence the pic in the upper left)
http://profile.military.com/member/view.do?memberId=7777356

My son is a USN corpsman currently working at the hospital at Beaufort Marine Air Station/Parris Island in SC.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Submariners like it long, hard and deep....errrrrr.......:sick:

I though that was how all you Navy guys liked it :rotfl:

[SPECWARSQUID]

USAF Reserves (1994-1997)

910th ALW, 76th APS "YO Bird" C-130H's
Air Transportation Specialist (AFSC 2T251)


USN Active Duty (1997-2005)

Electronics Tech.

NAS Norfolk
SEAL TEAM FOUR
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE GROUP TWO
NSW LOGISTICS AND SUPPORT UNIT TWO

MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM/DET

"COMMUNICATIONS, WHEREVER......WHENEVER"


Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[go-fish]

Squid, did you ever make it down to Naval Special Warfare Unit Four in Puerto Rico? I was down there and worked with alot of Team guys going through there. Mostly pulling 'chutes and fast rope stuff in Air Ops and driving Zodiacs. It was a great gig down there. Wish Panama was still open.
Here is a gift I got from Peruvian Fuerzas De Especial.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[67rsssls]

United States Army from 1990-1994 as an armored crewman. I had the honor of driving the first M1A2 Abrams tank off of the assembley line in Lima, OH.

[SPECWARSQUID]

Squid, did you ever make it down to Naval Special Warfare Unit Four in Puerto Rico? I was down there and worked with alot of Team guys going through there. Mostly pulling 'chutes and fast rope stuff in Air Ops and driving Zodiacs. It was a great gig down there. Wish Panama was still open.


I never got out to PR, but interfaced with alot of personel from there in communcation shots. Also we inherited alot of equipment and people from there at Littlecreek when Unit Four shut down.

While I wasn't a Rigger i did my share of retreving chutes from duck drops and so on. One of my fondest memories was washing the salt water out of chutes used in a duck drop. AirOps at the time had outdoor tanks (for those who don't know, these were totally exposed stainless steal water tubs) and it was early Febuary, 20 degrees, outside. The water was warm when first pumped in but the Jump kept getting delayed so 5 hrs later the water was nice and chilly. I had my wet suit on but it only works when submerged so I spent all night in the tank waiting for the chutes to come back. I heard the guys out RHIBs had it worse. Some of the team guys would hand the harness to the boat guys instead of the center of the chute creating a giant sea anchor and getting all wet in the process.

Good times...I miss every minute of it. Was just happy to be there.

I went to Panama while I was in the Air Force. I had a great time at Howard. I even remember when down at Howard I supported some Spec War groups going "down South". Little did I know later I would be a part of NSW.

Shay
_____________
Semper Fortis

[instro84]

USAF from 1984-2006
My son USAF from 2007-presend EOD tech, stay safe guys:usa:

[smhigh]

USMC 66-68
Viet Nam
Tet 68
60mm Mortars

[69stang]

I went to Panama while I was in the Air Force. I had a great time at Howard. I even remember when down at Howard I supported some Spec War groups going "down South". Little did I know later I would be a part of NSW.

I was TDY at Howard 3 times as part of the 305th air refueling detachment through the second half of the 80s.

[OLDFLM]

Active Duty Air Force from Oct 85 to present and still love the Air Force way of life... not ready to retire any time soon...

[motorheadmike]

The ratio seems about right: 100:1 American troops to every Canadian. :D

Infantry Officer
Canadian Forces (PRes)
Platoon Commander for the Lorne Scots P,H & D Reg't & Training Officer for Basic Skills (Basic Training) Coy 32 CBG LFCA
Ontario, Canada

Eclipsed my 3rd year late last week.

[derekf]

With another Veteran's day rolling around, let's hear from the new members who have joined over the past year who served.

[ironworks]

Hay guys thanks for your hard work and service to our country. I wish I could by a round of beers right about now.

Thanks

[WILWAXU]

I'm an Active Duty Navy, Chief Hospital Corpsman. HMC(SCW/SW/AW/FMF)

Currently with the Seabee's out of Port Hueneme, CA. Will be transferring to Bahrain middle of next year.

[Bishop73]

Master-at-Arms Second Class USN 1993-1998. Proud member of the USS Independence (CV-62) decomm crew.

[rlplive]

I have been in the Air National Guard from Jan 2001 to present day. In that time I have done about 3.5 years active duty for various deployments. I am in Aerial Transportation, we drive heavy equipment to load/unload cargo and passengers. Getting deployed sucks, but every time I get home I miss it. Hats off to the guys out kicking doors in and doing convoys. I love this damn country and I will gladly go anywhere they tell me to do my part.
Ryan

[70TWO NOVA]

Air Force Reserves, 2004-present. Fuels journeyman.
Thanks to all the guys out there putting their lives on the line for this country.

[130fe]

Active duty Air Force, 1988-present. I was a jet engine mechanic for the first 5 then have been C-130 Flight Engineer for the past 15. Currently I am on MC-130s down here in FL.

Many thanks to all veterans past, present and future and especially to everyone who supports us for what we do!

[Yenkostyle]

1T071 (SERE Specialist) 96-present....
love what I do everyday!
Thanks to everyone for their support of the military!

[69stang]

I'm an Active Duty Navy, Chief Hospital Corpsman. HMC(SCW/SW/AW/FMF)

Currently with the Seabee's out of Port Hueneme, CA. Will be transferring to Bahrain middle of next year.

You near San Diego? My son (USN corpman) is heading there at the end of the month for a few weeks before heading off to Kuwait.

[WS6]

Thank you all veterans and currently enlisted people. I greatly appreciate it.

[4OfaKind]

I'm a Vet. I served from 1990 to 1998 in the Air force. I loved every minute of it. I still miss it. My job was a "structural specialist", I fixed the buildings, and built tent cities, and fixed runways during wartime. (though I never actually saw war type duty.)

Hey Tony we served the same time! :cool: But different locations. I was an electronics technician working radar repair in remote locations like Montana and S. Dakota. We tracked and simulated agressived actions against B1s, B52s, and FB-111s for their bombing run training.

Mal proud AF vet. Thanks to all fellow servicemen.

[megaladon6]

USN EM3, made the mistake of going to nuc school.
and i'll put in one for my dad: USMC, corporal/radioman, 9th batt 3rd div vietnam 67-69, tet, khe-sahn, hue, name a sh!thole and he was probably there.

[WILWAXU]

You near San Diego? My son (USN corpman) is heading there at the end of the month for a few weeks before heading off to Kuwait.I'm a couple hundred miles north of SD. What unit is he going to?

[mikey]

USAF 1982-1990 I was in vehicle maint. I spent a wonderful 2 1/2 years:lmao: in Minot N.D. then 2 years in Guam. Then 2 years in the wonderful state of New Mexico at Cannon afb. Then the place that finally broke me was The Rock Shemya Ak. All in all I relly enjoyed my time though winters in N.D. really suck the last winter I was there the high for 3 weeks was -3 the wind chill on the flight line hit -109 once. Guam was great scuba diving everyday plus the scenery on the beaches:naughty: was great. Shemya if you've been there or heard about then no explanation needed.

[Dave 70]

seabee UT2 1987-1993

Iceland, NMCB-5. port hueneme, CBU 421.mare Island.
Reserves 00-05 RNMCB 18. DET portland. great times. Do i miss it yes and No.

more bees here than I would have guessed.

[69stang]

I'm a couple hundred miles north of SD. What unit is he going to?

Don't know, he doesn't tell us much. He usually lets us know after the fact cause my other half worries a lot. He says in Kuwait he'll be assigned to a multi-branch field hospital.

[Serpa69]

I was in the Navy from 1990 till 2001 served on two ships as a fire controllman (RADAR type) I was stationed on USS FOX CG33 and USS Mitcher DDG 57 and had a great time.

[WILWAXU]

Don't know, he doesn't tell us much. He usually lets us know after the fact cause my other half worries a lot. He says in Kuwait he'll be assigned to a multi-branch field hospital.Ahh. Probably EMF Kuwait (Expeditionary Medical Facility). He could be there or one of it's branch clinics on the bases throughout Kuwait. Pretty good place to be. I left Kuwait in February.

[69stang]

Ahh. Probably EMF Kuwait (Expeditionary Medical Facility). He could be there or one of it's branch clinics on the bases throughout Kuwait. Pretty good place to be. I left Kuwait in February.

Cool. He was supposed to go back in june but they canceled that one. He was really disappointed. He's looking forward to going. He loves his job. Says he's seen some guys from high school go through marine boot camp as sometimes he does the vaccinations and pulls duty at the Parris Island clinic.

[nvmyss]

USAF 96-present
2W2(Nuclear weapons) up until June-July of this year
1N0 (Intelligence)from here on out
I've only been 2 places Vegas and Belgium now I get to go back to Vegas as soon as I'm done cross training

Thanks to all those that have served before and never forget them

[go-fish]

The navy sent out a camera crew to the my unit and made a commercial to try and boost recruits into the SWCC community. I am a CM2 and really dig this gig. I will be boarding for the Expeditionary pin to get locked into the community but following my next deployment I will be going to the schoolhouse.
The command is waayy back in the swamp and the locals lost more teeth than they have but I wake up every day and can't wait to get to work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7Bctymq4bE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E9dngGRmd4

[YancyJohns]

US Air National Guard in Dayton Ohio from 91-99.
Weapons Specialists, arm and de-arm nuclear and non-nuclear munitions. Awesome job, I wish they had a F-16 fighter group in Tennessee, I would still be in today.
Salute to all the other Veterans.
Yancy Johns

[gmjj13]

7 years active army, 2 years reserves. currently in the reserves, with the possibility of going back active. i'm just an old Airborne radio guy.

[ANIMOSITY]

US Army 92-present

19D recon in germany and Ft Carson Loved every second. Got married tho.
63B Mech now Ft Carson And now IL
Soon to be Intel

Served in The land of yugo's and Iraq, Hoping for Afgan.

[instro84]

Hey Tony we served the same time! :cool: But different locations. I was an electronics technician working radar repair in remote locations like Montana and S. Dakota. We tracked and simulated agressived actions against B1s, B52s, and FB-111s for their bombing run training.

Mal proud AF vet. Thanks to all fellow servicemen.

i was stationed at the 49th test for 11yrs and made a few bomb runs thru the SD canyons in B52s and B1Bs

[OLDFLM]

Active Duty Air Force 1985-present and still an E-8 for another year! LOL CMSgt/E-9 results came out Wed and I wasn't on the list... oh well... there's always next year! (c:]

[62Savoy4dr]

Came back and got sicker and sicker.. Eventually the DAV told me I was one of 68,000 NAVY vets with all the symptoms of Gulf War Illness. Yet the VA never diagnoses it as that, or the NAVY. They list you with 18 or 20 conditions and make you fight for your benefits. Now I got a growth that is probable cancer and selling my projects my sons were supposed to finish and inherit. If you or any veteran was in Gulf War Era know that Congress found that even stateside servicemembers may have been exposed to toxic nerve agents in the mystery shots and pills they forced us to "voluntarily" take, lest we face Captains Mast. Or if you were near Scud missiles, or oil smoke that carried scud missile fallout. I served on a ship and was outside when we went through the suez canal as the oil smoke of Kamisaya (SP) was all around us. And I fight for us veterans, my sons and I. We need to band together and demand the VA rate all Gulf war veterans with illness as this exposure instead of just a bunch of possibly related conditions. Otherwise as we die, our kids wont get their benefits. And as for some of their civil servants who treat us like trash, they should be the ones feeling guilty for milking their jobs and benefits and falsely judging and denying us and our families our promised benefits,makining us feel belittled, and being mean to us. Most of the VA people are great, but some of them almost killed or at best injured me because they dont listen to the patients, or ignore more accurate civilian records. Everyone please call your congressfolks and ask them to require the VA accept all civilian records and stop sending veterans to so-called outside impartial evaluators. One of them tore ligaments in my ankles because she didnt believe my foot wouldn't move that little! A week later MRI at VA showed torn Achilles tendons! And the guy next to me had his shoulder torn up by the same doctor!

[62Savoy4dr]

If any Gulf War veterans, or family members want to join in together to fight for better care, benefits and to expose the wrongs done to us, please email [email protected]. Do it for our kids, if not us. And hurry up because I hae some serious health issues, dont know how much longer I can fight.

[David Sloan]

Thank you!
From the bottom of our hearts.

[tom65elky]

U.S.ARMY 1975-1980 SGT.
1976-1978 Advanced Marksmanship Unit Ft Hood
1978-1980 West Germany
Loved every minute
it

[derekf]

It's Veteran's Day once again, so if you're a vet and haven't posted up, now would be the time. Stand up and be recognized!

[Yelcamino]

I thought I posted on this thread but it appears that I didn't.

I'm currently a LT in the Coast Guard and this is how I got there...

1987 – Cape May, NJ, Basic Training
1987-1988 – Cape May, NJ, Training Center Fire Dept
1988-1989 – San Diego, CA, Fleet ASW Training Center, Sonar Tech A School
1989-1990 – Alameda, CA, Electronics Support Detachment
1990-1992 – Alameda, CA, USCGC SHERMAN
1992-1993 – Phoenix, AZ, Civilian Status
1993-1994 – San Diego, CA, Small Boat Station
1994 – Petaluma, CA, Radioman A School
1994-1997 – San Diego, CA, Group/Air Station
1997-2001 – Phoenix, AZ, Recruiting Office
2001 – New London, CT, Officer Candidate School
2001-2002 – St. Petersburg, FL, USCGC RESOLUTE
2002-2006 – Arlington, VA, Recruiting Command
2006-2009 – Huntington, WV, Marine Safety Unit
2009-present – Arlington, VA, Recruiting Command

I also want to thank those that went before me and those that will follow in my footsteps! Happy Veterans Day!

[YancyJohns]

USAF 1991-1999, f-16 Fighter Group in Dayton, Ohio. Hats off to my brother-in-law Ryan for his 4th tour right now in Afganistan. :machine:
Come back home safely!!!

[Scott Parkhurst]

1984-1988 USAF 63 FMS Norton AFB - San Bernardino, CA. I was a C-141B flight control/cargo door/landing gear tech. Aero Repair shop- hydraulics/pneumatics/electro-mechanical controls.

A great way to get from age 17-21~!!

[My427stang]

Active Duty USAF here - 1995-present

[OLDFLM]

1985 - present... Happy Veteran's Day!!!!

[Finch]

USN 1987 - 1993, served 6 months in Bahrain during the first Gulf war.

[Damn True]

I thought I posted on this thread but it appears that I didn't.

I'm currently a LT in the Coast Guard and this is how I got there...

1987 – Cape May, NJ, Basic Training
1987-1988 – Cape May, NJ, Training Center Fire Dept
1988-1989 – San Diego, CA, Fleet ASW Training Center, Sonar Tech A School
1989-1990 – Alameda, CA, Electronics Support Detachment
1990-1992 – Alameda, CA, USCGC SHERMAN
1992-1993 – Phoenix, AZ, Civilian Status
1993-1994 – San Diego, CA, Small Boat Station
1994 – Petaluma, CA, Radioman A School
1994-1997 – San Diego, CA, Group/Air Station
1997-2001 – Phoenix, AZ, Recruiting Office
2001 – New London, CT, Officer Candidate School
2001-2002 – St. Petersburg, FL, USCGC RESOLUTE
2002-2006 – Arlington, VA, Recruiting Command
2006-2009 – Huntington, WV, Marine Safety Unit
2009-present – Arlington, VA, Recruiting Command

I also want to thank those that went before me and those that will follow in my footsteps! Happy Veterans Day!

Semper Paratus my friend


Coast Guard chief hails Calif. crash victims
(AP)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Thousands of family members, friends and colleagues said farewell Friday to seven Coast Guard members who died when their plane collided with a Marine helicopter off the San Diego coast.
"No ceremony is as difficult as this one, at this place, at this time," Adm. Thad Allen, the Coast Guard commandant, said at a memorial service at Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento, where the crew was based.
The Coast Guard members were on a C-130 plane searching for a missing boater when the aircraft collided Oct. 29 with a Marine AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter on a training exercise. The two Marines in the helicopter also died.
A joint Marine-Coast Guard board is investigating the cause of the crash.
Capt. J.J. O'Connor, commanding officer of Air Station Sacramento, eulogized the Coast Guard members as smart, caring people who loved to fly.
Lt. Cmdr. Che J. Barnes, commander of the crew, was a wonderful teacher who made colleagues laugh, O'Connor said.
He said Lt. Adam W. Bryant, the co-pilot, loved football and fishing and liked to joke.
Petty Officer Monica L. Beacham volunteered time in the community. Petty Officer Jason S. Moletzky was new to Sacramento but fit in immediately and always wore a smile.
Other Coast Guard members who died were Chief Petty Officer John Seidman, Petty Officer Carl. P. Grigonis and Petty Officer Danny R. Kreder II.
"We remember you," O'Connor said.


1989 – Cape May, NJ, Basic Training
1989-1991 – Coast Guard Cutter Iris, Astoria Oregon
1991 – Elizabeth City, NC, Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, Aviation Machinist Mate A School
1991-1994 – Coast Guard Airstation Brooklyn, NY
1994-2000 – Coast Guard Airstation Barbers Pt, HI

To those who have gone before me and to those who stand in harms way today, I thank you. To those who will take time today to recognize my brothers and myself. You are welcome. But I ask that you take up the words of our oath to Support and Defend the Constitution of The United States against ALL enemies both FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

Happy Veterans Day!

[Yelcamino]

Semper Paratus my friend

Right back at ya True! :twothumbs

[Mean 69]

Thanks you ALL for your support of this fantastic country. Despite many of the issues we face in terms of policy, politics, and all of the other issues, this is still the best damn country in the world. We should all be thankful for that.

US Army 1985-1989, Ft. Jackson, Ft. Eustis, and Stuttgart Germany
1993 Desert Storm Reserve Recall to Active duty.

And today? I am at work. Not right....
Mark

[Mkelcy]

US Navy - 1963-1966, ended up an ATR2 - Aviation Electronics Technician - Radar, Second Class Petty Officer.

Great Lakes - boot camp
Memphis - technical school
USS Intrepid - Altantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Suez Canal, Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Pacific, South China Sea.

3 years, 3 months, 2 days.

I liked a lot of it a lot. In particular, there's nothing like being deep in the ocean at night on a darkened warship. Makes you appreciate your very, very small place is the cosmos.

[The Stickman]

I am a veteran but wasn't in long. I signed up for a 2 year stint and got out due to reasons that had nothing to due with the military. It was something I liked. I had strongly considered going back in after 9/11 but always worried my migraines would present a problem so I didn't persue it. My dad was a Korean war vet and got a Purple heart. We will be taking him out to Outback tonight. My Uncle Paul was a WWII vet. He passed not to long ago and was a Bronze Star reciptiant. Funny he never really told anyone. Even my dad didn't know for a long time. They are both like that in the same respect. They do not talk about their time in the war and don't expect anything for it. My oldest brother was a lifer in the Airforce. My other brother was a sargent in the Army.

[sniper]

US Army from 1994-2002.
Infantry B4

The one thing that always had and has me in amazement is how wars in the past have been faught. The lack of technology, but the immense Heroism, bravery and balls for lack of a better term of those that served and faught in wars with not much more than their weapon, will, and instincts. As I would do manuevers, no matter the situation, I would always think about how this would be going, if I were in say WWI.
I appreciate everything our military affords this great country.

[Desert68]

US Air Force, 1976-1980, 2037th Comm Squadron, Luke AFB, GCA Radar Maint. Thank you fellow Vets.

[65convertSSl79]

2000-2008 USMC 4th Mar Div 1st Bat 23rd "Nasty Reservists" SGT.2001-2002 Cuba 2004-2005 Iraq

[obengston]

Currently stationed at Camp Lejeune NC. 1 Tour OIF, and 1 OEF, trying to go back over sometime after the Holidays before I retire. Thanks to all my brothers and sisters serving past and present.

MSGT

[The Stickman]

US Army from 1994-2002.
Infantry B4

The one thing that always had and has me in amazement is how wars in the past have been faught. The lack of technology, but the immense Heroism, bravery and balls for lack of a better term of those that served and faught in wars with not much more than their weapon, will, and instincts. As I would do manuevers, no matter the situation, I would always think about how this would be going, if I were in say WWI.
I appreciate everything our military affords this great country.


So true. My Uncle Paul recieved the Bronze star for repairing telephone lines in plain site of the enemy. He was under intense hostile fire and pinned down twice by motar and artliilery fire. Inspite of all that he continued till the lines were once again up. Sounds exactly like what you are describing. And almost no one knew about it because he never talked about it. I know I was amazed when I found out.

[drflex]

active army 86-91
national guard 06 till ? leaving for iraq in 3 weeks.

[BRIAN]

Anybody currently deployed or anybody heading there PM me a working address and I will gladly send some car mags to you. I do it it for quite a few guys and gals on other sites and it seams to lift some spirits.

Just a small thanks knowing you are providing me the freedom to play with my rides.

[Chuck Byram]

Naval Reserve here. Dental Corps 1974-1982 Active duty Naval Regional dental Ctr Guam. Ran dental clinics in hooches on an old Japanese fighter strip for South Vietnamese "evacuees" after the collapse of their country. Intense but no gunfire or explosions. Finished active duty at Long Beach Naval Facility. Was proud to serve, made great friends and wouldn't have missed a minute of it.

[PT Sportwagon]

USAF Security Specialist 1983-1992 Persian gulf veteran, Cold war veteran.

Tim

[instro84]

USAF, 1984-2006 weapons test/development.

[eburke]

I was in the Army from 1973 through 1993 serving most of my time in Germany in Heidelberg with most of my jobs being in automation. When I came in the Vietnam war was going on and we had the draft and my number was around 10 so I joined and got married. During 3 of my last 4 years I worked in the casualty and congressional diviion for 1st PERSCOM and during my first week we had the Pan AM Crash to work and also had to work the plane crash on Ramstein Air Base and remember everything that happened to this day from the notifications to the family of the deceased helping the wounded, notifying families, processing benefits and trying to find families that had gotten on the Pan Am flight to only find out later they had caught another flight and then towards the end of that tour we had the responsibility of reporting every soldier that was med evac'd from Desert Storm/Desert Shield doing the same things we were really lucky because at the time that this kicked off we were really expecting a lot more deaths and injuries and were not prepared for what we were expecting to happen in fact we were all scared. And if I haven't learned my lessons since my retirement from the army I have gotten back into the casualty notification/casualty assistance area which can be depressing but at least you have an opportunity to help the family from the notification, to the funeral, honors and making sure that they receive any entitlements that they have. On the other hand sometimes it can be depressing and hard to deal with depending on the family structure and how the soldier died but again my satisfaction comes from being able to help the family and being around the military and last of all it has been a good life for me and my wife of 36 years.

Ed

[73X]

USAF 91-present- Nuclear Missile Maintenance-Grand Forks, ND 91-97; Civil Engineer (Electrician) 99-present, Colorado Springs, CO; Kunsan, ROK; Hill AFB, UT; Hurlburt Field, FL. Currently on my 3rd trip over the pond in Afghanistan. Thanks to all others who have gone before me so I can still volunteer to protect this great nation.

[1968Maro]

US. Army Infantry

Active 2000-2007
Texas NG 2007 - present.

OEF / OIF VET

Holy crap,

I can't believe how many vets are on this site! What is it about veterans and muscle cars? Anybody else see the similarity's to WW2 vets and their love of motorcycles & hot rods after they got home?

HEY MODERATOR,
How about sticking a poll on this thread, I would be really curious to know what percentage of our community is a veteran.

[Damn True]

Done.

[Roger M]

USMC 1983-1987 :usa:

MCRD San Diego,CA(Boot Camp)
Camp Lejeune,NC(Training)
MCB Okinawa,Japan
Twentynine Palms,CA
Fort Bragg,NC

[wingman]

I was drafted into the Vietnam debacle - 1965-67(yes I am a geezer). I served for two years; never made it overseas. I ended up driving a bus in Oklahoma. In those days all they taught you in the Army was to kill people and break s**t. I'm glad to see the current crop of warriors getting their well-deserved recognition. Hooyaa!

[page2171]

Active duty USMC 1995-present.

[fordrule]

active duty

15t. UH60 crewchief/mechanic
joined mar 02 - present.

headed back to iraq for the 3rd time

currently in C co 7th-101 Avn Regt .
used to be 50th med (medevac company)

[65protourgto]

Im not a Vet but THANK YOU everyone, you need to give yourselves a pat on the back. I appericate everything you have sacraficed for this country it means a lot to me.

[SCOTTS66]

I was an Airborne Cavalry Scout with the 82nd Airborne.I did long range forward recon.My son is currently in training for Intelligence with the Army.

[Z06killinSBF]

I just got back from sea two weeks ago. That may be my last patrol, I don't know if I should re-enlist or not. I have less than a year left if I don't.

Recommendations?

[fordrule]

what do u do and how do your military skills work in the civilain sector? benefits? family and all of that? what does house hold 6 say. this is my 5 deployment including a 1 yr stay in korea.one thing i learned its not your career its our career.....catch my drift..you coast guard or navy

[Z06killinSBF]

I am a Missile Technician and basically maintain and operate equipment on nuclear weapons.

My job (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/mt.htm)

[Wicked58]

Gulf War era vet, USAF. Been out since 2001. Thanks to all of those that served before and continue to serve today! You're commitment and sacrifice for this great land is awe inspiring, thank you, thank you, thank you!

[IDOXLR8]

Shaun,

Now this is only my "Opinion". I spent 24 years in the Navy as an Aircraft Mechanic. I just retired as a Chief back in January 09. I have also watched several of my Sailors get out or retire and we are all looking for permanant full time work still. The economy has made it difficult to find work. If I was not forced out (HYT) then I would have stayed at least through this reccession.
I would give the Navy at least another 2 years enlistment to wait out the current crisis. Especially if you are married and/or have children.
I will say that alot of employers that I have interviewed with here are either scared of retired/ex military due to "Combat Issues" or they feel intimidated by the experience and ability that we bring and won't hire based on that (I have been turned down for jobs based on "Over Qualified" or More Qualified than the supervisor for the open position).

So consider the current market and your living arrangement before leaving a paying, secure job.

Again just my "Opinion"

[tmadden]

U.S. Army 1983-1985. Basic training Fort Sill
AIT Fort Gordon Ga.
Stationed at Fort Stewart 24 Infantry Division, 24th Signal Battalion
1 stop in Grenada 2 trips to the Desert

[Z06killinSBF]

Shaun,

Now this is only my "Opinion". I spent 24 years in the Navy as an Aircraft Mechanic. I just retired as a Chief back in January 09. I have also watched several of my Sailors get out or retire and we are all looking for permanant full time work still. The economy has made it difficult to find work. If I was not forced out (HYT) then I would have stayed at least through this reccession.
I would give the Navy at least another 2 years enlistment to wait out the current crisis. Especially if you are married and/or have children.
I will say that alot of employers that I have interviewed with here are either scared of retired/ex military due to "Combat Issues" or they feel intimidated by the experience and ability that we bring and won't hire based on that (I have been turned down for jobs based on "Over Qualified" or More Qualified than the supervisor for the open position).

So consider the current market and your living arrangement before leaving a paying, secure job.

Again just my "Opinion"
This is the same story I keep getting across the board from other people in our field. Looks like it is the best choice to stick it out just a bit longer. Thank you for your opinion and it is nice to hear this from a non-biased (family/co-worker) person. Guess I will be trying to get down in P-Can.

[Over Actor]

Active duty Army from 99-2005, 1st batt- 504th pir Red Devils in the 82nd airborne division. Deployed to afghanistan after 9-11, then to iraq, Fallujah and Abu Ghraib.

Left active duty and have been strung along in a reserve combat camera job since still waiting for them to unass themselves and get me into a unit where I can do my job, or put me out.

Thanks to the other vets and active duty soldiers, airmen and marines, navy, and coasties out there getting it done, more especially the ones that own the night.:machine:

Airborne!

[oorange67]

I am a US Army Veteran I was active duty Military Police from 1985-1991 and Army National Gaurd Military Police from 91-96. I was deployed to Panama for Operation Just Cause, and Deployed to Saudi/Iraq for the Gulf war.

[bergsvette]

U.S. Army, 101st Airborne, Pathfinder Company, Airborne Infantry, 2001 - 2005, Iraq Feb. '03 - Feb. '04. I am now a State Trooper in Pennsylvania and I miss my brothers in arms everyday!

I am the one behind the gun in the pic.

[FoxGranadaChuck]

I will frankly admit that I never had the privilege of serving in our nation's armed forces. However, I am a son of a Navy medic vet who did several tours in Korea and Vietnam.

God bless those who serve our country!!

[eburke]

Joined the Army in 1973 serving in various jobs with most of my tours being in Germany 1977-1980 and then again from 1983-1992 with four of those years being assigned at 1st PERSOM Casualty Division having the responsibility of insuring that the dependents of soldiers who are wounded or injured were notified and if they were killed or died having to insure notification was made and all of their entitlements were processed, probably one of the most depressing jobs but also rewarding knowing you are able to help someone at the worst time in their life which if anyone recalls during that time frame we had the Pan Am crash, Ramsein Air Crash and the start of Desert Storm Desert Shield. And after retiring from the Army got a job at the Casualty Diviion here at Fort Bragg with the same responsibilities to include making the arrangements for all funerals for Active Duty Death, Veterans and Retirees for the state of North Carolina which runs about 175 per month so we stay busy. But I do enjoy what I do knowing that I can help someone and that is enough for me.

[shmoov69]

Thank you all!

Can we get. Sticky for this?

[LSx_88_Ciera]

Desert Storm here I never hit the beach though, just floated around in the Gulf for a few months playing gas station on a replenishment ship. Carried 9mil gal of diesel and jet fuel and it took almost every bit of it to get the battle group over there, ship felt like a bobber my the time we got there.

[Off Duty]

Former Coastie (PS) 1983-1994, all reserve time, with a lot of TEMAC/AD.
On the local level, taught weapons, officer survival, Boarding tactics, Search & Siezure, use of force, constitutional and criminal law (CFR's).

Travelled with the Active GM's to various stations to qual/re-qual Active and reserve personnel, both on land and UW.

Contributor-Station counter terrorism op plan.

Organized and comanded the stations 1st Honor/Color guard. Used for station, group and off station civilian events.

Developed and/or participated in numerous Public Relation events (rah rah shows:lmao:).

1984-Olympic Anti-Terrorist Task Force
1990-91-Desert Shield/Storm.

For a native Floridian, it was a great time overall!:smoke:

Thanks to all who served and/or continue to serve!

[DaviRotten]

I am currently a reservist in my 9th year of service.

[Off Duty]

I am currently a reservist in my 9th year of service.

Cool! What branch?

[FoxGranadaChuck]

Bump for our veterans.

[megaladon6]

taught ..., officer survival
ohhh god why????? the last thing we need is for officers to survive!!!



just kidding! :)


EM3 (nuc) Scheer

[go-fish]

ohhh god why????? the last thing we need is for officers to survive!!!



just kidding! :)


EM3 (nuc) Scheer


WTF is Officer Survival? Teaching how to write bullets for their FITREP's?
:poke: