Military Service

Gargamel · 04-01-11, 10:00 AM

From reading the posts, a lot of your histories intrigue me. I'm curious as to a lot of your military backgrounds.

For the poll, if you were in a Coast guard type unit, answer Navy, as while they are (at least in the US) separate branches, they encounter similar risks and adversities.

And if you'd like to leave a little story, go ahead.

And please, this is not US only. All nations (correct?) have some form of military.

Takeda Shingen · 04-01-11, 10:05 AM

I have never been in the armed forces, but I admire those that had the moxy to serve the your nations. That goes double for the sizable number of vets that we have here on SubSim. You guys are the best.

Feuer Frei! · 04-01-11, 10:14 AM

World-wide, this?
Anyways, i voted Army, served 4 years in the Regs, Infantry, achieved Lance Corporal.
Joined when i was 17 and a bit.
Not much chance finishing High School at that stage, so, off i went to start the process.
Back then, here in Australia, in 1989, it was 3 months in Kapooka, then you had a chance to chose 3 Corps that you wanted to join, from 1 the most to 3 the least.
My choices where 1=Armored, 2=Arty and 3=Infantry.
I got 3.
So, off i went to Singleton for 3 mths, for Corps training.
Then, i was posted to my final destination.
Townsville Lavarack Baracks.
Never went overseas in my stint.
Closest i came was a 24 hr standby with footlocker, webbing and rifle all at the ready on the parade ground when Bougeanville was flaring up in 1990.
Some of the clowns around me were saying crap like: Cool, let's kill some blacks, or idiotic stuff.
Idiots didn't realise that this was the real deal, and that the natives knew their jungles better than we would.
Or maybe they did know better and just didn't care for the consequences.
Anyways, we didn't have to go, can't remember why now, too far in the past.
I was grateful we didn't have to. Who knows what would have happened.
Would i still be alive, sitting here typing this on SUBSIM?
I got out because i had had enough. 4 years was enough. Some people are born to stay in the forces for a long time.
Not me, i wanted a change. I enjoyed a lot of things in the army, ofc the manly stuff like firing all kinds of weapons, repelling out of Black Hawks, hitching rides on armored vehicles while doing live fx's, meeting some really inspirational people, medical and travel benefits, travel to other parts of Australia, the list goes on.
Was i glad i joined? Yes.
Was i glad i got out? Yes.

Herr-Berbunch · 04-01-11, 10:25 AM

Royal Air Force, when we still had something to fly, just.

I was in tactical communications and had the best years of my life travelling and living in both tents and hotels. When they moved me to a desk job it was time to leave! I miss it like hell, being a civvy is nowhere near as fun or exciting.

My advice to anyone joining any of the forces is to take every opportunity that comes your way, if there is a skiing exped - do it, if there is a freefall course - do it, play a sport you've never tried before, if there is a volunteer needed for some shtt detachment - do it because it will never be as bad or boring as you think. I look back on what I did and what I could (should) have done and regret not doing so.

I've worked closely with the British Army and the Royal Navy and it was always a good experience - being RAF I got away with sooooo much more than their own people could ever do. I've also worked multinational and still the Air Force of all nations seems to be that little bit more 'individual' than the others.

MaddogK · 04-01-11, 10:31 AM

U.S. Navy
S-3A crewman (ASW Operator)
CVW 11
VS-37
1st deployment-U.S.S. Enterprise WESTPAC 1982

Betonov · 04-01-11, 10:35 AM

my asthma prevents me from serving. Anywhere.

At least I'm in the civil protection

04-01-11, 10:38 AM

28-years in the Canadian Field Artillery, retired as a Warrant Officer (E-7 for those in the USA).

Served at various times as gun detachment commander, Troop Sergeant Major, Technical Warrant Officer, Battery Commander's Technician, Assistant Instructor in Gunnery and Regular Support Staff training officer for the artillery reserves.

No regrets, glad I served but equally grateful to be retired now with most of my sanity.

Sailor Steve · 04-01-11, 10:54 AM

US Navy, 1969-70. Apprentice radioman on a WW2 retread destroyer, 3 months off the coast of Vietnam doing escort duty for carriers, lifeguard duty off the Hanoi coast, and fire support for the marines. Loved life at sea, hated the Navy in general. Part of me wishes I'd never gone in, and part of me wishes I'd never got out.

Lots of entertaining memories, and I still remember a lot of them.

Polak · 04-01-11, 11:21 AM

Army - Specialization recon and electronic warfare. Best years of my life.

MaddogK · 04-01-11, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Loved life at sea, hated the Navy in general. Part of me wishes I'd never gone in, and part of me wishes I'd never got out.

Lots of entertaining memories, and I still remember a lot of them.

+1

Happy Times · 04-01-11, 11:49 AM

One year in the FDF, reserve and voluntary reserve training since.
Sergeant in a Jäger Brigade recon company/platoon/team, specialization forward observer and assistant team leader.

Allways liked the great outdoors with good friends.

Schroeder · 04-01-11, 12:09 PM

Normal draftee in Germany, served a normal tour of 9 months with the mechanized infantry, had a desk job after recruit training though.

P.S. I have a higher rank than Hitler ever had.

Oberon · 04-01-11, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

P.S. I have a higher rank than Hitler ever had.

This explains everything.

Me? Never served, and in a way I'm glad because I don't think I would have made the mold. Was invited, by the army of all people, Signals too...but no, I'm not really fit for military service both mentally and physically and I acknowledge that. I have a lot of respect for those who have and do (including Schroeder...but don't tell him I said that).

mr chris · 04-01-11, 12:53 PM

Just over 5 years in of my career in the British Army.

GoldenRivet · 04-01-11, 02:32 PM

Didnt Serve, wish i had.

I was 18 yeard old and entering college when i got involved in aviation.

The first place i went was the US Navy recruiting office to ask questions about flying fighters off carriers.

I had Lasik Surgery just weeks prior, and they werent taking people with Lasik at the time is what i was told.

same with the USAF

so i went the civilian route.

Im approaching the max age to do the Navy thing - still thinking about it even if not as a pilot.

View Poll Results: Which Branch
Army	18	22.50%
Navy	18	22.50%
Marines	3	3.75%
Air Force	5	6.25%
Didn't serve, Wish I had	22	27.50%
Didn't serve, Glad I didn't	14	17.50%
Voters: 80. You may not vote on this poll

04-01-11, 10:00 AM	#1
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	Military Service From reading the posts, a lot of your histories intrigue me. I'm curious as to a lot of your military backgrounds. For the poll, if you were in a Coast guard type unit, answer Navy, as while they are (at least in the US) separate branches, they encounter similar risks and adversities. And if you'd like to leave a little story, go ahead. And please, this is not US only. All nations (correct?) have some form of military. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design. Last edited by Gargamel; 04-01-11 at 10:12 AM.

04-01-11, 10:14 AM	#3
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	World-wide, this? Anyways, i voted Army, served 4 years in the Regs, Infantry, achieved Lance Corporal. Joined when i was 17 and a bit. Not much chance finishing High School at that stage, so, off i went to start the process. Back then, here in Australia, in 1989, it was 3 months in Kapooka, then you had a chance to chose 3 Corps that you wanted to join, from 1 the most to 3 the least. My choices where 1=Armored, 2=Arty and 3=Infantry. I got 3. So, off i went to Singleton for 3 mths, for Corps training. Then, i was posted to my final destination. Townsville Lavarack Baracks. Never went overseas in my stint. Closest i came was a 24 hr standby with footlocker, webbing and rifle all at the ready on the parade ground when Bougeanville was flaring up in 1990. Some of the clowns around me were saying crap like: Cool, let's kill some blacks, or idiotic stuff. Idiots didn't realise that this was the real deal, and that the natives knew their jungles better than we would. Or maybe they did know better and just didn't care for the consequences. Anyways, we didn't have to go, can't remember why now, too far in the past. I was grateful we didn't have to. Who knows what would have happened. Would i still be alive, sitting here typing this on SUBSIM? I got out because i had had enough. 4 years was enough. Some people are born to stay in the forces for a long time. Not me, i wanted a change. I enjoyed a lot of things in the army, ofc the manly stuff like firing all kinds of weapons, repelling out of Black Hawks, hitching rides on armored vehicles while doing live fx's, meeting some really inspirational people, medical and travel benefits, travel to other parts of Australia, the list goes on. Was i glad i joined? Yes. Was i glad i got out? Yes. __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

04-01-11, 10:25 AM	#4
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Royal Air Force, when we still had something to fly, just. I was in tactical communications and had the best years of my life travelling and living in both tents and hotels. When they moved me to a desk job it was time to leave! I miss it like hell, being a civvy is nowhere near as fun or exciting. My advice to anyone joining any of the forces is to take every opportunity that comes your way, if there is a skiing exped - do it, if there is a freefall course - do it, play a sport you've never tried before, if there is a volunteer needed for some shtt detachment - do it because it will never be as bad or boring as you think. I look back on what I did and what I could (should) have done and regret not doing so. I've worked closely with the British Army and the Royal Navy and it was always a good experience - being RAF I got away with sooooo much more than their own people could ever do. I've also worked multinational and still the Air Force of all nations seems to be that little bit more 'individual' than the others. __________________

04-01-11, 10:31 AM	#5
MaddogK XO Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago, Ill. Posts: 409 Downloads: 15 Uploads: 0	U.S. Navy S-3A crewman (ASW Operator) CVW 11 VS-37 1st deployment-U.S.S. Enterprise WESTPAC 1982 __________________ May fortune favor the foolish

04-01-11, 10:05 AM	#2
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	I have never been in the armed forces, but I admire those that had the moxy to serve the your nations. That goes double for the sizable number of vets that we have here on SubSim. You guys are the best.

04-01-11, 10:35 AM	#6
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	my asthma prevents me from serving. Anywhere. At least I'm in the civil protection

04-01-11, 10:38 AM	#7
Randomizer Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	28-years in the Canadian Field Artillery, retired as a Warrant Officer (E-7 for those in the USA). Served at various times as gun detachment commander, Troop Sergeant Major, Technical Warrant Officer, Battery Commander's Technician, Assistant Instructor in Gunnery and Regular Support Staff training officer for the artillery reserves. No regrets, glad I served but equally grateful to be retired now with most of my sanity.

04-01-11, 10:54 AM	#8
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	US Navy, 1969-70. Apprentice radioman on a WW2 retread destroyer, 3 months off the coast of Vietnam doing escort duty for carriers, lifeguard duty off the Hanoi coast, and fire support for the marines. Loved life at sea, hated the Navy in general. Part of me wishes I'd never gone in, and part of me wishes I'd never got out. Lots of entertaining memories, and I still remember a lot of them. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

04-01-11, 11:21 AM	#9
Polak Grey Wolf Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Poland/Sweden Posts: 808 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Army - Specialization recon and electronic warfare. Best years of my life. __________________

04-01-11, 11:49 AM	#11
Happy Times Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 2,950 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	One year in the FDF, reserve and voluntary reserve training since. Sergeant in a Jäger Brigade recon company/platoon/team, specialization forward observer and assistant team leader. Allways liked the great outdoors with good friends.

04-01-11, 12:09 PM	#12
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Normal draftee in Germany, served a normal tour of 9 months with the mechanized infantry, had a desk job after recruit training though. P.S. I have a higher rank than Hitler ever had. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

04-01-11, 12:53 PM	#14
mr chris Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Herefordshire, England Posts: 3,562 Downloads: 216 Uploads: 0	Just over 5 years in of my career in the British Army. __________________

04-01-11, 02:32 PM	#15
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	Didnt Serve, wish i had. I was 18 yeard old and entering college when i got involved in aviation. The first place i went was the US Navy recruiting office to ask questions about flying fighters off carriers. I had Lasik Surgery just weeks prior, and they werent taking people with Lasik at the time is what i was told. same with the USAF so i went the civilian route. Im approaching the max age to do the Navy thing - still thinking about it even if not as a pilot. __________________