This thread should be all of our recollection of military memories we feel like sharing. Shit I’ve got a few LOL
Interesting story, I got to hang out with some Canadian infantry dudes in Afghanistan. You fellas talk silly, but super nice.
I had the option to be a tanker, nope, I'll take my chances walking...however, it would have been nice to have a vehicle to carry all my crap around rather than my knees and back.
Most people want to know about combat experiences, but damn, barracks parties, nights out hogging, training was where I have the best memories. The shear stupidity of young men full of rage and alcohol, yet, here we are, still kicking.This thread should be all of our recollection of military memories we feel like sharing. Shit I’ve got a few LOL
It always amazed me that we could come in from the field, dragging-ass and were ready to go out on the town after a quick bite and a shower, just looking for booze, women and trouble, in no particular order.Most people want to know about combat experiences, but damn, barracks parties, nights out hogging, training was where I have the best memories. The shear stupidity of young men full of rage and alcohol, yet, here we are, still kicking.
I really miss that part of the Army, you get super close to people.
As someone who served as an 11 Bravo (Infantry) in the U.S. Army attached to a Stryker unit (I'm assuming you know what a Stryker is), I'd love to hear the rest.
I have both fond and miserable memories of the Army.
I spent 28 years in service to my country. I joined the US Army in June 1978 3 months after I had turned 17. I was never very good in high school so I had been kicked out when I was 16. So I joined the Army to get an education. I was a generator mechanic 52D. But once I got into the Army I found I liked it and was even really good at it. I did 14 years 2 months on active duty when after the first Gulf War they decided to reduce the size of the military. So they offered to buy me out and I got off active duty. Spent 18 months in the inactive Reserves and then joined the Oregon National Guard. I was a 19K M1A1 tanker at this point. Spent 3 years shooting tanks and had a blast.
Then I transferred to the Washington National Guard and went back to being a mechanic. That was in 1998. In Aug 2003 my unit got activated to go to Iraq and they made me the 1SG for the Security Company that guarded the main gate of the camp I was on. In Oct 2004 I got shot in the right thigh so my military career was over. In June 2006 I was medically discharged from the Army 10 days shy of 28 years.
I know all about the joys of working on armored vehicles and pulling the pack. Breaking track isn't any fun either. Keep on with your story.
My Dad spent 26 years (if I recall correctly) in the Navy, and retired an E-9 (MCPO). Sometime in 1979, I believe it was, us kids brought home our report cards from school, and as always, we discussed them with our parents. Only this time, my Dad announced that he had a report card, of sorts, that he wanted to discuss with the family. It turns out that he had been recommended for the position of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON). There is only one such position held by an E-9, and they are considered the most senior enlisted member of the U.S. Navy. Dad told us that it was quite an honor, but that he wanted to know how we all felt about moving from Whidbey Island, Washington, to Washington DC for what was a minimum of two years, and a maximum of four years (length of term). We all said that we wanted to stay on Whidbey, to which he also agreed. DC wasn't for him, either. Therefore, he drafted a letter respectfully declining the position. He kept the notification of the recommendation framed and hanging on his wall for years. We were all so proud of him. We lost Dad on April 15, 2012. My brother now has the notification.
I never served, myself, but admire each and every one of you who do, or did. @Evathetj, I really look forward to reading more of your story. Please, do share. Can't wait to see where it goes!
You're an excellent writer @Evathetj. It's interesting hearing about the military experiences of our allies. I spent time in the USAF as an aircraft maintainer, and I absolutely loved it (retrospectively anyway)... I was a regular car mechanic for several years right out of highschool, was always a gearhead growing up. I enjoyed working on cars but wanted to take it to another level. So, I joined the Air Force and got a gig working the weapons system on F-16s, and from there messed around with A-10s and F-15s as well. Military flightline maintenance can be a real meat grinder; mechanics are on the hook 24/7, rain or shine, cold or heat... Fixing a jet in the middle of the night on yet another 12 hour shift outside while it's snowing to get it ready for A.M. goes really has a way of motivating you to consider other career paths lol.
Anyway the active duty life is not for everyone, and that included me. But, I leveraged every opportunity afforded to me by signing on the dotted line, got an aerospace engineering degree and now get to play with some of the coolest equipment on the planet. I've also gotten to spend time working with different branches and various foreign partners, and I love seeing how everyone does business in their own way. I have not spent a lot with you Canadian types, though I did once go to Cold Lake for some type of joint exercise. Beautiful country!
Interesting story, I got to hang out with some Canadian infantry dudes in Afghanistan. You fellas talk silly, but super nice.
I had the option to be a tanker, nope, I'll take my chances walking...however, it would have been nice to have a vehicle to carry all my crap around rather than my knees and back.
Just watch... he'll never come back again and finish his story. The ultimate cliffhanger
Thank you so much for the kind words regarding my Dad, @qslim. As the anniversary of his passing approaches, I've been thinking a lot about him. He was a good man, and I miss him...Dude that is a badass story about your dad!!! What an honor, and what a stand up guy to turn that down for the sake of his family. Speaks volumes about what he really valued.
...And I can tell by reading your posts here over the past year that many of his great traits have indeed been past on to you, dude!Thank you so much for the kind words regarding my Dad, @qslim. As the anniversary of his passing approaches, I've been thinking a lot about him. He was a good man, and I miss him...
Don't do that to me, man...(sniff) (Thank you, @cliffish)...And I can tell by reading your posts here over the past year that many of his great traits have indeed been past on to you, dude!
NTC flashbacks!
NTC Flashbacks. They had the brilliant idea that we were going to Drop into NTC. So first we flew to an airport outside of NTC. Rigged for a jump on the tarmat. Then waited, waited, and waited. Jump got cancelled so then we climbed into trucks and "Dropped" via LMTVs. After that NTC was a blast for me. Was the S3's Driver so spent most of my time driving around his HUMVEE that I prepped out before going. Didn't have to deal with trying to get the NTC motorpool to take it back.