Military Service?

[Bradley]

I'd like to start by thanking anyone here who has served in the United States armed forces. My dad was in the Air Force for 20 years, and I know a lot of sacrifices are made by men and women everyday for our country. I'm interested in hearing from anyone who'd like to share their job title in the military, as well as any stories they remember. I've been considering enlisting for a few years and have been attending a state university in the mean time. If I join the service my intentions will be to further my education in the next few years, but possibly remain in the military for a long while. I've mostly been looking at the air force, however if I decide to pursue fire protection I could go into any branch. Fire protection seems like a good route because in the civilian world there are many opportunities, especially when you have a long list of certs on your resume. I've also considered IT specialist, sensor operator, and air traffic controller. I'm interested in what jobs you guys think are cool, or if there are any you wish you could've done at some point.

Thanks for reading! -Brad

[Doc Dan]

If you are in college, I would get an education, first, if you can. Then, I would not enlist. I would become an officer.
I was in the Army for 7 years and was offered a commission three times and turned it down. I was young and did not have any direction. I would accept the commission today, being older and wiser.

[enduraguy]

I've always approached military service as a subjective thing. I served for 4 years in the Marines 1996-2000. I joined out of high school but didn't really go anywhere. Kings Bay,GA. Then 29 Palms, CA. We all join knowing what we are potentially going into. A lot of us are facing nothing better to do, or avoiding incarceration otherwise. I met men in boot camp, in the latter situation. I don't feel like I'm a hero just because I served out a contract for 4 years. A lot of people do plenty of jobs others won't and don't get labeled "hero", or thanked for their "service" for doing so. ****, many people in the military do nothing but sit behind desks while in active duty. No need for most of us to be thanked for our so called "sacrifices". Not without pre qualifying us first in my opinion. I didn't earn any medals, never saved a comrades life, never forced democracy down someone else's throat, etc. It actually kind of bugs me when someone hears I was a Marine and thanks me for my service. I left with an honorable discharge, but again, I did nothing spectacular while I was in.

[yablanowitz]

Things may have changed a lot since I was in the Navy (1976 - 1982), but back then the Air Force had the slowest promotion rate of any branch of the service. I met one OSVET (other service veteran) that had served six years in the USAF to get to the paygrade I was when I enlisted (E-3). Granted, I went in with a Nuclear Power guarantee and completed the training so I was promoted a little faster than average, but I made E-6 before I got out, in the same time it had taken him to get to E-3.

Another thing to look at that may be different now is that back then, the Navy was the only branch that would guarantee a specialty rather than a field. That OSVET had enlisted with a guarantee of electrical field, thinking he would be working on the electrical systems of aircraft. He ended up changing bulbs on the runway lights. Whatever your recruiter may say, if you don't have it in writing, you don't have it at all.

[Water Bug]

First, join the military because it's something you want to do. For me, I was inspired by my father to join and serve my country. I earned my commission through the ROTC program.

The military isn't an easy life and it's not for everyone. Many times I was frustrated and wanted out, but I chose to hang in there because I felt it was the right thing to do and it certainly helped me support my family.

Yes, you can certainly further your education by joining the military, but to me that should not be the main reason why you join... to me, the additional education provided is a benefit that comes with being in the military and is something you earn. And, whatever it is you choose to do, it should be something you want to do, NOT what others tell you is a cool thing to do.

Now, whether you get that particular specialty or job you want is another thing as there's no guarantee that you'll get to do the job you desire... that said, I know one enlisted member who wanted badly to be an officer doing preventive medicine work; however, she needed a master's degree. I was a career field manager and she contacted me for advice on how to meet her goal. She'd just completed her bachelor's degree (earned while on active duty), but needed a master's degree just to be considered for the job she wanted. She kept in contact with me over a six-year period of time seeking advise on what she needed to do to acquire her master's degree. During that period of time she enrolled in a distance learning program for a master's degree through a university, she did this while still on active duty and doing this on her own time and her own dime, and earned her advanced degree... all the while she continued to be the best she could in her current military job. After 14 years of total enlisted service, she finally met the qualifications for consideration for a commission and the job she wanted, and was selected for the job she dreamt about for all those many years. So, her dream did came true... and, it happened because she took the initiative to make it happen along with doing the hard work that went along with that initative... and, if you were to ask her, she'll tell you those 14 years of enlisted service were not a waste.

Anyway, I felt military service was certainly worth the time... I served my country, I got to go places and do things that most people can only dream about, and I got to help people along the way to make their dreams come true.

[The Mastiff]

I was Army during the cold war from the end of the hollow army era under Jimmy Carter through the build up of the greatest and most powerful army ever beginning with R.Reagan. VII Corp in Germany than 4 ID (mech) back in Ft. Carson Colorado. We had more army troops in Germany then then there is in all the armed forces combined now ( not counting reserves now).

M60A3's were beginning to be phased out for M1 Abrahms. Still had M113 PC's. Back then an American Armored division was 10 manuver battalions. 5 each Mech infantry and 5 armor bn. Mech ( heavy )Infantry divisions were powerful units with 6 Mech Inf Bn's, and 5 Armor BN's.

Armericas main ground combat forces were the two corps, Vth, and VIIth. Each had two Mech infantry divisions and one armored division, plus assorted Corp units like 2nd Cavalry and 11th cav ( black horse), 1 per corp, Corp Artillery Brigade, Corp Signals, MP Brigade, as well as other units both combat and support.

There was a forward Brigade of 4th Mech Inf not attached either corp as well as POMCUS sites that had full sets of armor and mech inf equipment for reinforcing Europe during time of war. Reinforcements would be placed on 747's and flown over to meet up with their waiting equipment kept ready to go at all times. That should have been 2 more divisions in 48-72 hours.

In theory. In reality those and the Nuke sites were pre plotted for nuclear and chemical attacks by the soviets first day of war.

I'm glad it never happened. We called ourselves "doomsday grunts" because if we saw warfare in north central europe it would be doomsday.

England and Germany also kept forces at high readiness however on paper anyways we were outnumbered by Warsaw Pact forces By 3-1 or more in some local areas.

:)

joe

[Evil D]

I've always approached military service as a subjective thing. I served for 4 years in the Marines 1996-2000. I joined out of high school but didn't really go anywhere. Kings Bay,GA. Then 29 Palms, CA. We all join knowing what we are potentially going into. A lot of us are facing nothing better to do, or avoiding incarceration otherwise. I met men in boot camp, in the latter situation. I don't feel like I'm a hero just because I served out a contract for 4 years. A lot of people do plenty of jobs others won't and don't get labeled "hero", or thanked for their "service" for doing so. ****, many people in the military do nothing but sit behind desks while in active duty. No need for most of us to be thanked for our so called "sacrifices". Not without pre qualifying us first in my opinion. I didn't earn any medals, never saved a comrades life, never forced democracy down someone else's throat, etc. It actually kind of bugs me when someone hears I was a Marine and thanks me for my service. I left with an honorable discharge, but again, I did nothing spectacular while I was in.

I see both types of people, but it's refreshing hearing this from a serviceman. My ex for example spent about 7 months or so in the National Guard before pulling out because she was under age and they couldn't stop her. She gets in line for the veterans free dinners at restaurants and actually believes she's a veteran. She even tried to have our son speak about her at school for veteran's day.

I think there's definitely a generation gap with this mentality, as the elder men I grew up around never spoke of themselves as heros. You went into the " service " because that's what you did, like it was a standard expected thing. Now it's all about how much money you get and how it's going to set you up for school or whatever.

I was approached in high school, my ASVAB scores were "off the charts", but I stayed out for various reasons. I'm older now and my body is junk and wish I could go back and change that decision.

[MacLaren]

My dad was in the 101st. I wanted to join out of high school. Wanted to be Air Borne too. My best friend went to the 82nd. A lot of my football buddies went. But, of all people- my dad talked me out of it. I wish I would have went now.

[OldHoosier62]

14 yrs. USMC, retired medically after getting busted up in a training operation.

Grunt for a long time, Ordnance instructor for just about as long. Would not change a thing except to fulfill my full 20+ years.

Traveled the world and did/saw tons of amazing stuff. Was in Beirut for the terrorist bombing of the Marine Barracks, did Gulf War I and Somalia...not a hero because all I was doing was my job, taking care of my Marines. I loved them more than family.

I am very uncomfortable with all of the "thank you" stuff going on, if you want to thank a Vet, hire one, talk to one about PTSD, raise **** with DC and make them fix the VA. THAT would thank a vet.

[Water Bug]

I served in the military for 30 years and I don't consider myself a veteran nor a hero... HOWEVER, when someone thanks me for my service, I smile and I thank them for their kind words and move on.

I believe when people see somone in uniform or know the person has served, they understand, whether it is through what they hear on the news or because they have a loved one that wear the uniform, that there are issues that military members have to deal with... and, I believe they want to show their appreciation and support to those who wear the uniform by thanking them for their service. It matters not that you served in combat, provided reachback support for those on the front line, or were back at home base supporting the family members of those deployed... all of us who are wearing and that have worn the uniform did our part for the defense of the United States and the freedom of its people... and, if the free people of the United States, who we've sworn to defend and protect, wish to thank us, the very least we can do is smile, accept their gracious compliment, thank them for their kind words, and live up to their praise and expectations.

And, for those of us who feel that we who wear or have worn the uniform should not be thanked for our service because we "didn't do anything but fly or drive a desk," think about this... the very least we can do is accept those generous thanks from these gracious people ON BEHALF of those who we feel have earned it... afterall, it matters not which service you signed up for, the bottom line is we're all on the same side and we're supporting each other.

[Michael Janich]

I served 9 years in the Army as a Chinese-Manadarin and Vietnamese linguist and intelligence analyst. My language school (Defense Language Institute) also served as a foundation for much of my college credit toward my degree. My military service and experience led to me being recruited to work for the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting--the organization that focused on resolving the fates of American POW/MIA in Southeast Asia. My total government service time was about 15 years before joining the private sector.

I am no hero, but I do take great pride in my service. My wife is also a veteran and we met and got married while on active duty. When we are thanked for our service, we genuinely appreciate it, because we are both old enough to remember how servicemen returning from Vietnam were treated by the public. Although that treatment was a reflection of our society's turmoil at the time, it was still incredibly unfair. It's reassuring to see that we have moved beyond that and people in general have learned to appreciate military service.

I agree, we're not all "heroes," but I think taking pride in one's service is a good thing. Honest appreciation of the service of others is also positive.

Stay safe,

Mike

[sdedalus83]

I was in the process of enlisting in the Navy in 2007 when the recruiter asked me to fill out the paperwork again, omitting a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome from my medical history or go see a psychologist they provided contact information for. After speaking to a few active duty personnel, I discovered that what was being recommended by the recruiter could result in discharge and potential criminal charges if it were ever discovered.

I have a great deal of respect for service members, but am extremely disturbed by the recruiting process based on my own experience. Be wary of promises made regarding assignment and be complete and honest regarding your history.

[All-R-Crazy]

I have to agree with all prior service that what I'm doing in the service is my life I choose and since being in I haven't done any thing worth being thanked for and even with pre deployment training coming up with the possibility of being deployed ( I do want to but I don't at the same time it's wierd) it'll be for my buddies and my sergeants and because I choose this lifestyle and not to be a hero but what I am a soldier.

[Fred S]

3 yr hitch from 88 to 91. Didn't do anything real spectacular, was in Iraq for first Gulf for about 6 or 7 months. I did end up with a bunch of college $$ (you got double for combat vet status) and used every penny. Got a pretty fair education for free. Best thing I ever did.

[RanCoWeAla]

U.S. Army 27 years during which I was all over this Country with time in Germany, Central America, and Southwest Asia.

[The Mastiff]

I look at the time I was in as much more interesting than me, or what I did though I was very fortunate in duty assignments ( like Bertchesgaden in Bayern, Colorado Springs, etc.)

There were still some WW2 launched ships kicking around getting ready to be scrapped back then. lots in fact. In the AF Reserve they still had some aircraft that went back to the 50's and 60's like the F105 (Thud), F106, the delta winged aircraft was the continental US's first line of defense, F100's, F4, and others. In Germany I recall seeing F104 , English Electric Lightning, and many more now only in history books that our allies still used.

I never got to see any M1's, much less the 120mm M1A1, no bradleys, no Apaches, nor blackhawks. Just M60A1 & A3, M113 ( still in service. Korea 2 inf div still had old M48's ! They looked like those old tanks from old Godzilla movies. I guess the army reserve had some too as there was a tank park at Ft. Carson with those korean war era tanks.

When we were moved around in air assaults- air mobile stuff we had the old two bladed hueys (UH1) that make that famous "whop, whop" sound so familiar from the movies. The twin bladed Chinooks were fun . It was like flying in a grayhound bus 30 ft over the treetops at 180mph ( they were the fastest helos then. Not sure about now.) They moved better than they looked like they could. It always seemed like the back was higher than the front as you were flying like an old 60's muscle car with a lift kit on the back.

When I got to germany there was lots of problems in the barracks. I saw my first racial problems I'd ever seen in my life. They were dangerous places at night and on weekends and even the unit NCO's tried not to go to certain areas. Drugs and crime were rampant . It was as mean and dangerous as the prisons I would make a career in later in my life. Quite a shock to me. The older guys were walking around counting down days talking about how "short" they were. As in" I've got 47 days and a wakeup before it's back to the land of the round door knobs", or "the big PX". By the time I was getting ready to ETS the guys weren't disappearing on their days off, or getting arrested by the MP's but the new recruits were studying leadership manuals and going for runs with backpacks stuffed with weight on their off days.

The transition to a very motivated, highly professional army came about in around 3 to 4 years for the culture of professionalism to replace the lazy, just getting by types. It was something to see. By Desert Storm in 91, when they pulled VIIth Corp from Germany I knew the Iraqi's were going to see a bad day! The largest, most professional, well equipped military in history was ready to do things the world had never seen before. They now had M1A1 120mm guns, Bradley M2& M3, MLRS, Patriot AD system, on down to the HUMMVEE to replace several vehicles including the M151A1 (jeep) .

The F15 and F16 had the bugs out of them and really came into their own. We saw Laser guided bombs from "stealth Bombers" , as well as cruise missiles.

Oh, and 24 hour news on CNN to watch the war live because I was out by then. :)

Amazing!

Joe

[jackknifeh]

13 years in the USAF here. In 1992 congress decided there were too many people in the military. Most people's jobs had a formula that gave a percentage that they were going to have gone by the end of the year. The group I was in was going to loose 50% of the people. If you volunteered to get out they would give you money. They had a formula for that too. After 13 years I got out. To this day I don't know if I made the right choice.

I was in communications. Specialty was telephone systems. But my first assignment (as a 21 yr old single man was Patrick AFB (Cocoa Beach, FL). Yee haw. I worked at Cape Canaveral. It was great! I got bored after seeing so many Shuttles take off. We could see it on the launch platform when it launched. Tourists had to wait for it to clear trees or whatever. We installed communications equip. on the launch platforms, in the control centers (they are not big like on tv :)). Not the ones at the cape anyway. I didn't know that NASA was Fed-Ex or UPS for space. If you needed a satellite in space for your communications company you paid NASA to ship it up there. :) That's over simplified and not the whole story of course. But rockets took off a LOT more often than just when someone decided they wanted to walk around on the moon and gather a couple of moon rocks. :) I surfed for 3 years. I went to Alaska (Shemya AFB) for a year. Then to Eglin AFB FL for 4 years. Bought a house and live in that house now. After 4 years back to Shemya. Then to Columbus AFB, MS. Got out in 92. For the most part everything was great. Desert storm happened but I didn't go over there. That was the only war type thing during my service. I did go above and beyond the call of duty one day. I had to work through a coffee break. :) I had it REALLY easy. My dad was in the USMC for 22 years and spent a year in the Korean conflict (enlisted guy) and a year in Viet-Nam (Major) both. He was the REAL DEAL. No doubt about it. I did leave the military with one **** of a resume. When I decided to join my only considerations were the Navy and the AF. I figured they were most likely to give me training I could then use as a civilian. For me it worked out. Not for everyone though. It can be hit and miss. In 13 years I had lots of electronic training and lots of supervisory experience. That and the discipline companies hope the military gives people make job hunting pretty easy. Do I think you should join? I have no friggin idea. One thing is for sure. You might be involved in things that have global impact. Yep, you. The same person that was in your cap and gown at high school graduation could be directly involved in some situations they make movies about. As fire fighter??? OH MY GOD!!! There's no telling where you might go or what you might do. The military is not like the Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin movies. Well, some of it might be. :)

Jack

[Officer Gigglez]

I've always approached military service as a subjective thing. I served for 4 years in the Marines 1996-2000. I joined out of high school but didn't really go anywhere. Kings Bay,GA. Then 29 Palms, CA. We all join knowing what we are potentially going into. A lot of us are facing nothing better to do, or avoiding incarceration otherwise. I met men in boot camp, in the latter situation. I don't feel like I'm a hero just because I served out a contract for 4 years. A lot of people do plenty of jobs others won't and don't get labeled "hero", or thanked for their "service" for doing so. ****, many people in the military do nothing but sit behind desks while in active duty. No need for most of us to be thanked for our so called "sacrifices". Not without pre qualifying us first in my opinion. I didn't earn any medals, never saved a comrades life, never forced democracy down someone else's throat, etc. It actually kind of bugs me when someone hears I was a Marine and thanks me for my service. I left with an honorable discharge, but again, I did nothing spectacular while I was in.

This was a very humble and honest post. I tip my hat to you for it.

[Officer Gigglez]

I was so serious about enlisting at one point that I was at my local recruiting office's door when I decided I would be better served going to college for my intended career (Law Enforcment), despite the fact that having military experience is pretty much a free ticket into most LE agencies. I am on the fast track to being hired by several PDs in my area, and it is only a matter of choosing which one I like the most. That being said, I think it is a very big decision, and you should treat it as such. This is a potentially life or death decision, so make sure you know what you're getting into.
Just my thoughts on it.

[Bodog]

I'd like to start by thanking anyone here who has served in the United States armed forces. My dad was in the Air Force for 20 years, and I know a lot of sacrifices are made by men and women everyday for our country. I'm interested in hearing from anyone who'd like to share their job title in the military, as well as any stories they remember. I've been considering enlisting for a few years and have been attending a state university in the mean time. If I join the service my intentions will be to further my education in the next few years, but possibly remain in the military for a long while. I've mostly been looking at the air force, however if I decide to pursue fire protection I could go into any branch. Fire protection seems like a good route because in the civilian world there are many opportunities, especially when you have a long list of certs on your resume. I've also considered IT specialist, sensor operator, and air traffic controller. I'm interested in what jobs you guys think are cool, or if there are any you wish you could've done at some point.

Thanks for reading! -Brad

I would strongly suggest something in the intelligence community. Get a good degree in accounting or something with cybercrime or some other trade type field. And learn a second language. And keep a clean record. You will not be short of opportunities in life if you pick up these skills and knowledge and have some experience to prove that you can do something. When/if you decide to get out you can basically write your own ticket because so few people can do these things. It's not impossible, just requires some dedication.

Oh, and being a firefighter hardly pays well enough to support a family. That's not a place you want to be when you're trying to figure out how to put your kids in college. And air traffic controllers have very high stress jobs. Not something you want to base a career on. IT work is plausible. That's just a short and dirty response. Honestly, if I were you, instead of the military, I'd think about being a Border Patrol agent or CBP Officer. They pay close to 100 grand a year within a couple of years and you can do quite a few different things in your life and still serve your country and retire in about as much time as a position in the military. And you'll actually be here in this country directly helping the people of this country and making a much better living than the military. Just something to think about.