Military Service

[acornct_dad]

How many of you served in the military?

I served in the U.S. Navy from October 1982 to January 1989. I was stationed on board the U.S.S. Sumter (LST-1181) and made two Med cruises, one WATC/Unitas cruise, and a North Atlantic cruise. I also had the pleasure of going to Gitmo in 1986. Good memories. My favorite port was Copenhagen, Denmark. The wildest ports were Istanbul, Turkey, Rio De Jainero, Brazil, and of course, Amsterdam.

acornct_dad

[jdeanski]

In 1968 I enlsited in the US Navy only to be released four days later for a medical condition that still lingers today. I still remember that corpsman looking up and asking me "how long have you had............." It totally changed the direction of my life but I have never lost the respect and admiration of those who have served. In my family there have been those that have served in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WW II.............even a relative that served on the USS Constitution! May God bless and protect you all!

[acornct_dad]

My great grandfather on my mom's side was at Appomattox when they signed the surrender to end the Civil War. He served in the Confederate army from Georgia. My great uncle served in WWI & WWII.

My son is with the Army. He is an 11B with the 10th Mountain Division out of Ft. Drum, N.Y. He has been to Iraq & Afghanistan and was wounded in Afghanistan.

I wouldn't trade my experience and time in the U.S. Navy for anything. I work at Ft. Belvoir here in Northern Virginia and get razzed from some of the Army guys I now work with as well as my son when he comes home for leave. I tell 'em all that I got to sleep in a bed at night and got three decent meals a day. I didn't have to go out in lousy weather and have to eat MRE's and sleep in the cold and rain and mud. Most of 'em usually say that they didn't want to get sea sick. I never got sea sick. I got queazy once, but after that the rockin and rollin on the ship wasn't that bad. It was fun watching Marines turn as green as their uniforms. If it's not the sea sickness they say that they didn't want to be stuck on board ship with no where to go. You got used to it after a short time. Not so bad.

acornct_dad

[krygny]

... but I sure do appreciate those who have. I've worked in the defense industry on and off for most of my career and had direct contact with all branches of the military. I couldn't help but develop a healthy respect for almost everyone in uniform I met. (Even the hard@$$es who browbeat me. )

[Roger]

USN, 1986 to present.

Served on the USS Benjamin Franklin (SSBN 640), USS Lousville (SSN 724), USS Hartford (SSN 768), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and am on my way to the USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

I'm a Nuke LDO LT.

[colorider]

I served in the US Navy from October 1962 until April 1967. After boot camp in San Diego, attended school (FTG) in Bainbridge MD and was then stationed aboard the USS Midway (CVA-41). After 2 1/2 years on the Midway, I was transferred to the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) for my final year of service. Made a total of three WESTPAC cruises, two of which were during the Vietnam war.

As acornct_dad stated, I would not trade my Navy experience for anything. It forced me to grow up in a hurry and provided the basis for my education.

My son also served over 10 years in the US Navy and was aboard a frigate in the Persian Gulf war.

[acornct_dad]

I've worked with quite a few bubbleheads. They are a different bunch to say the least. I always hear the same from them. "There are two types of ships - subs and targets."

Being in the Gator Navy had it's own experiences as well. Attached is a picture of my "bucket of bolts" as we called her.

acornct_dad

[robrecht]

I did not serve in the military but very much respect and appreciate the service of you guys. My Dad was in the Navy during WWII, first invading Europe and then in a submarine in the Pacific (USS Hackleback). To hear him tell the story, once he had pretty much won the war in Europe, he still needed to win the war against Japan. Other times, he would say he heard the food was better on submarines. In actuality, he was just hired as an engineer at Caterpillar where he worked on Diesel engines and they needed his expertise on the Diesel-electric submarines. It's amazing how much of our population mobilized for such an all-out war effort. It's a damn shame how poorly we treat our veterans today. From what I hear, the GI bill has been gutted and most people don't even realize it.

[rockman19762001]

I served in the US Army from 1969-1973, I served one tour in Vietnam until I was wounded in 1970. I served in the Ninth infantry division, 2 Battalion, 47th Mechanized infantry, Bravo 'B' Company Mobile Scouts.

[GlennD]

I was with a 105 howitzer company in Dong Tam in the Ninth Division from dec 68 to dec 69. I do not miss the Army at all!

[Golgi]

Hi all,

I did not serve, but I am a County Veteran Service Officer. We help veterans and surviving spouses access VA benefits which were earned through the veteran's military service - typically accessing VA health care, service connected compensation and non-service connected pension.

(FYI, Compensation is basically like workers comp for the military - it is available for any current, chronic health condition which has its origins in military service; Pension is a needs-based safety net for veterans who served during a wartime era (only matters when you served, not where). This benefit most often comes into play when a veteran requires long-term care, but it may be available at other times based on the veteran's health and financial situation. There is also a surviving spouse pension to help them out - also, typically, when long term care is necessary.)

Thank you all for your service and if you have any specific questions or need help locating a Veteran Service Officer in your area, feel free to PM me.

J Reiley

[evarsallona]

In 1961, I enlisted in the US Navy reserve and served 1 year and then signed up for active duty and was sent to San Diego, Ca. for boot camp, During boot camp my appendix rupture and was taking immediate to balboa naval hospital for surgery and later after being released only to be discharge for medical reasons with a Honorable discharge

[John G]

I served in the Navy from 1961 till 1982. Was on a DLG, and 'gators' with 3 years as a vent rider on 'boomers' out of Port Canaveral. The best duty was the Amphibs. I retired as CHELECTECH W-4. Regards to all the military and ex'es on the forum.

[Kalbo607]

U.S. Army 1990-1996
U.S. Air Force 2001-Present

Thanks to all who have served, and too those who support us.

[Preludetundra]

Served in the USAF from 1962 to 1966.

Son, a young Army officer flys the Apache Longbow. Currently on 15 month tour in Iraq. Previously spent 12 months at a remote site on Afgan/Pakistan border.