Military Service

[MaddogK]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[GoldenRivet]

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.

[Hakahura]

Over 22 years service in the RAF for me.

Joined whilst still a boy at 16 and haven't grown up since.

Spent my time fixing aircraft including VC10's, Tristars, Nimrods and GR Tornado's.

More importantly just a few more months and I'm de-mobed.

No stories to tell till I am a Mr again. Then the floodgates can open.

3 rules to obey on detatchment

1 No camera's,
2 No Drinking and Dialling,
3 Always have the party in someone else's room!

[UnderseaLcpl]

2001-2009 UnitedStatesMarineCorps, sir!

14th Marines Headquarters Battery. E-4. 0621 Field Radio Operator/0622 Digital Wideband Comms Operator. NCOIC, Forward Combat Operations Center. NCOIC, Communications Equipment. NCOIC, Local Security.

Attached to 2nd BN/ 2nd Marines and deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom II and III. MTVR Operator. NCOIC, Advance Party. NCOIC, MTVR squad. NCOIC, armoury, 14th Marines truck det. NCOIC, Convoy Communications. NCOIC, General Non-Combat Logistics, 14th Marines Truck det. May, 2005-March 2006

War stories? I have many but all are long and I tend to tell them here from time to time, whether anyone wants me to or not.

Overall, though, I'm kind of amazed that I'm even alive. I am the only M-249 machine-gunner out of four in my platoon that made it back from OIF intact. Of the five trucks that were my personal mounts, three were utterly destroyed, and two of them burned until there was nothing left but piles of slag. R.I.P. "Optimus Prime", R.I.P. "Caboose", R.I.P. "Sandwagon". Somehow, I managed to not be in any of them when they were hit.

I had the vehicle in front of me IED'd. I had the vehicle behind me IED'd on another occassion. I've had (admittedly poorly-aimed but still a little close for comfort) mortars shot at me and my vehicle. I have been on foot patrols where I was placed ahead of the guys with the metal detectors in areas known to be mined. Well, it was just one foot patrol, but it still sucked. Speaking of foot, I almost shot my own off while clearing my weapon (bad sear pin, never got fixed). I've been shot at without the ability to return fire on a few occassions. Two other Marines, and I were left in very close proximity to enemy lines, if you could call them that, for hours because the convoy left and forgot we were still posted on the perimeter of our operations area. And those are just the fun stories.

[antikristuseke]

Estonian defence forces, recon infantry.

[Torvald Von Mansee]

You left out Coast Guard and National Guard. I suspect there's an analog for those in every country, too.

[Dowly]

Would have served if I could've (knees).

Was stationed at "Konabeach" for 3 weeks in the winter of 2006, before I had to give up. Tried again the next winter at Kainuun Prikaati, lasted for 2 weeks before it got too painful to even walk without biting teeth.

Liked it a lot, probably would've ended up as trying out for a career there.

[momo55]

Navy from 1974-1980

1974 : served on 2 MSI (Mine Sweeper Inshore) M477 and M476 as a sailor (electrician) http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/...php?lid=430871

1975 : Petty Officers school. Ended with succes as 2MR (second master=sergeant)

1976-77 : served on 2 American made MS(H)O (Mine Sweeper (Hunter) Ocean ) as a petty officer (electrician) M903 (Hunter) and M906 (sweeper).
http://www.mso-belgium.org/en/7_mso/m903_en.htm

1977-1980 : served on fregat F911 (section N.B.C.D.) with her first crew she had and made her maidentrip and first big voyage to the middle east .

http://www.losbarcosdeeugenio.com/ba.../bel_F911.html

1980-2000 : reserve as a MTR ( master= 1 sgt )

Memories ...memories ....Oh sweet mem......seems like it was yesterday ...damn...it's 31 years ago when i changed uniform to civilian