So You Served!!

[108625]

US Air Force
Nov '87 - Dec '07

Structural Craftsman, mostly in RED HORSE, building the bases in the places nobody wanted bases built. (Lots of time spent in deserts and jungles).

[k75sprint]

USMC
1989-1993
CH-53 A, D and E models, sheetmetal mechanic, aircrew.
Stationed in Tustin CA with HMH-361 1989-1991.
Stationed with HMX-1, Marine Presidential Helicopter Squadron, Quantico VA 1991-1993 changed MOS to full time CH53E Naval Aircrewman, Crewchief. Probably the best enlisted Marine Corps job a person could want. I still miss it, best time of my life.

[BUDDINGGEEZER]

Army National Guard 1970-1976. Before the 6 years were up, I wish I had been drafted. Made buck sargent, discharged spec 4. Guess I wasn't NCO material.

Ralph Sims

[mfifer]

No service for me . Was sole surviving son.
Thanks to all who have served and continue to serve!
I did have many friends , past and current ,who died or at minimum were affected for life.
Mike

[kgadley01]

U.S. Navy 1971-1975 then 1980-1984 I didn't get enough the first time. LOL
USS Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16)
USS Holland (AS-32)
Shore duty, NAS North Island,
USS Peterson (DD-969)

[ricks01]

i served in the "gentleman's" branch of the military, USAF from 1978 to 1983. was a law enforcement drug/patrol dog handler. man it was great! started at Langley VA, barely got broken in and was sent to Spangdahlem Germany for two years. that is where i learned to love beemers. only got to ride a stinkin MOPED on the german highways though. lusted after many euro bikes while i walked or bicycled nearly everywhere... last base was eglin fla, wonderful duty, beach patrol w/the dog! had it not been for the possibility of going to korea, i'd still be in probably. now i still serve as a police officer in williamsburg va. been a great ride, literally. my one great wish before the dirt-nap is to ride in europe...

[bigrider]

US Army, 1976-2003. Counter-intelligence agent, Area Intelligence Officer for Middle East & Latin America. Shhh don't tell.

Dave H
San Antonio, TX

[jmbiii]

U.S. Navy - 1961 > 1970 ASW aircrew SH-3A helos - USS Intrepid, USS Wasp, USS Yorktown
Virginia Army National Guard - 1 year - electronics maint. UH-1 "Hueys"
U.S. Coast Guard Reserve - electronics tech. CGAS Elizabeth City NC, TraCen Yorktown VA

Finally retired from the military in 2003 after 42 years.

Oh, and before all that I was in the Civil Air Patrol. That makes four out of the five services . . . . I did go drinking with some Marine buddies. That sort of counts.

JB

[SQUEAKY]

Served from 1955 to 1975. One tour in Viet Nam '67-'68. Retired.

Bob Schrader
Wentzville, Mo.
'K1200LTC

[bubbagazoo]

Canadian Forces 1977-95 wearing a nice sky blue Air Force uniform. Communication Research (USN equivalent CTR, CTO, CTI, CTT) . Spent last 2 years of service doing radiation safety and NBC stuff.

[warredon]

USN - Sept. 65 - Jan. 70 Served aboard USS Saratoga in Fighter Squadron 31 (F4 Phantoms) as a mechanic. I was an AME which included working on ejection seats, canopies, air conditioning, pressurization, liquid oxygen systems, and bleed air systems. I believe this picture was taken somewhere in Malta.

[Fritzc]

Does ROTC count??
I served bravely at Michigan Sate College from 1953 to 1955. Narrowly escaped serious injury by a speeding bicycle who was illegally riding on sidewalk!
I was an M.P. and directed traffic during weekly parades down Grand River St. in East Lansing on Thursdays. I was never shot at but I didn't go to West Virginia Tech.

[Mudbug]

U.S. Army - June 11, 1970 to February 24, 1972, MP, 4th USASA Field Station.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office - February 1973 to April 1993, numerous assignments, retired a Lieutenant. Very political. On very rare occasions you get to make a difference in someone's life.

Most of the time neither was enjoyable. But it was worth it. I learned a lot about people.

When I was 33 years old my oldest son told me that I was very old. He was 5.

The happiest day of my life was the day first son was born. The day my second son was born tied that.

[PHMARVIN]

USN 1968-1972
QM2(SS)
USS Nathan Hale SSB(N)623 Gold
I was on a submarine; the rest of you were on targets!

[ladybmer]

US Navy 78-84 OT (Argentia NFLD, Keflavik Iceland, Centerville Beach, CA)
US Army 86-00 Signal (Ft Hood TX, Darmstadt GE, Ft Gordon, GA)
DOD Contractor since 2000