The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot Legion Hall When and Where Did You Serve

USAF, 1967-75. Stateside assignments at Little Rock AFB Arkansas and Castle AFB California, but most of my time was in Okinawa, Thailand and the Phillipines. Most of my time was spent in SAC, working on B-52's and KC-135's. On flying status for airborne electronic maintenance. I was an electronics specialist on compass systems, automatic flight controls, and celestial navigation gear, plus a few oddball nav systems on specialty aircraft like SIDS on the RC-135 and the AWADS cargo drop system on the C-130's that supplied the guys who weren't there in Cambodia.

Got out in 1975 as an E-5, trying to salvage a bad marriage (didn't work) or I probably would have been a lifer. Everybody needs to serve his country in some way- - - -either military or public service. To take advantage of our freedom and not give something back is shameful! Now I ride with the Patriot Guard Riders, honoring those who serve, living or dead. We ride tomorrow, leading the Nashville Tennessee Veterans' day parade.

Jerry

US Navy, PT-3, USS Ticonderoga CVA14, 1968-1970. Two Westpac cruises. Then 6 months at NAS Whidby Island.

U S ARMY 69-72 Drafted in Feb., enlisted delayed entry program to graduate High school. 4 days after graduation sent to Ft. Jackson,SC. On to Ft. Belvoir VA. Then to Ft. Benning for jump school. Ft. Mc Clelland AL. News Years Day 1971 found myself in The Republic of South Vietnam. Spent most of the year in the Delta. 3rd generation Combat Veteran. Returned home to hold a daughter 6 months old.
No re-enlistment for me ,,,got tired of getting shot at, shot down and shot up. 1 purple heart. WOW !!! 41 years ago.
I thank God everyday for another day of life......
Did the 25th Anniversary Ride of Rolling Thunder in DC this year.

USS Acadia AD-42 San Diego,Ca, 1986-1990 with 2 west pac cruies + 5 yrs active reserve in Huntington, W.Va.

Nothing exciting or even very interesting to tell. When someone learns that I was in the service and asks "Did you kill anybody?" I change the subject after saying, "Gee, I hope not!" Then, if pressed, will relate some buddy's or family member's interesting tale. As the old Chinese curse goes, "May you always live in interesting times."
My four years active duty (there's another kind?) let me cross off that little patriotic chore that should be required for full citizenship. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower had the right idea with universal conscription or volunteer service sometime between the ages of puberty and forty. If the armed services won't fit, then you put in your time where best and most needed...except for basic training; no way to avoid those eight to ten weeks.

Oops! Fell of the soapbox.

Time was 1969. Went straight into the first training class available after I graduated WVU with five years school, four years ROTC, and a commission in the Army and eleven months of marriage. Since my first choice of branch was Armor, I strolled onto a parade ground in AOB (Armor Officer Basic Class #14).

The purpose of that course was to be sure we all had mastered the important stuff to being an officer. That would include when, who and how to salute, where the "O" club was, and a bit about the equipment we would be expected to have mastered. We learned how to do almost everything!

Such as "Gentlemen!" (That's the way we were addressed. I think that was because the act of congress had bestowed upon us a commission also declared we were "gentlemen".) "If you ever have to fire your personal weapon in a combat situation, you probably have screwed up because you are being distracted from your leadership role by the act."

The most valuable insight that I used a great deal in the next four years was to approach a difficult problem that I needed to attend to by prefacing the command I was about to give with, "Now Sergeant (name), we want to (the command)." Then step back and let the men do what ever they were trained to do. Of course I had to check on them from time to time and heap praise where deserved. In the highly unlikely event that things weren't going as planned, I knew that I had assigned the wrong man the wrong task.

The where? Ah, stationed at Ft Knox, KY; Ft Riley, KS; Camp Casey, ROK; Ft Jackson, SC. The last was to "get a company command." A training company, either Basic or Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Really?

Although I had had an interesting and thoroughly enjoyable time, with a fairly rapid advance to captain rank and the pay was adequate (the best that I would have for quite a long time, in fact), I didn't think that I would be suited for a peace-time career in the service. So I bailed.

I've never regretted serving (well, my right arm is still numb from elbow to wrist, but it functions as well as ever). Likewise, I have wondered what course my life might taken had I remained in uniform. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! I can say that I wouldn't be the same person that I fortunately am today.

And yes, yes, there were TDY assignments, attachments, and duty that required civilian clothes on occasion. I did carry a loaded sidearm...once with the most remote possibility that I might have to use it defensively, should I find myself in an interesting situation.

So I know that I simply was fortunate. Certainly more fortunate than that many of my friends who's names are now carved on a glossy black granite wall, many with marks of great bravery, dedication, and willing sacrifice that follow. None of them got up that morning thinking that it was a good day to die. But they found themselves in situations that demanded their lives. One was a pacifist and conscientious objector. He was awarded the MOH, posthumously.

Many more who served and survived carry grievous scars, often their obvious wounds are easier to heal than those unseen that will never heal.

To me, that's what this is all about.

To all Veterans.....Thank You.

I did my service 1960-1964 USN. Three years on a radar picket in North Atlantic .
Ship was a converted Liberty Boat . Fifty years ago Cuban Blockade Nov.1962. Remember it well, Thanksgiving dinner was GREEN Bologna, we were out of food after 40 days at sea. This year it will be turkey and dressing.

US Army 83-86 basic at Fort Sill OK FA Pershing Missiles
1/81 FA B/Btry Neu Ulm Germany

1966 Lorado, TX
1967-70 Barksdale AFB, LA
1970-71 CCK Taiwan (really Vietnam but wasn't there---)
1972-92 Barksdale AFB (A-37s and A-10s)
1992-98 Warner Robins, GA
Allen C

Served 4 yrs. in A F 64-68 March afb ca.17 mon.,Eilson afb Fairbanks alaska,27 mo. Walked to work one mmorn.,55 below 0. Got picked up by fellow AF person. Huge misquetos up there.

Lackland AFB, TX Sept-Nov 2001
Sheppard AFB, TX Nov 2001- March 2002
Mountain Home AFB, ID Mar 2002-Sept 2007
Keesler AFB. MS Sept 2007-Nov 2007
Mountain Home AFB, ID Nov 2007-April 2009
Minot AFB, ND April 2009-Sept 2011
Kunsan AB, ROK Sept 2011-Sept 2012
Mountain Home AFB, ID Sept 2012-Present

Throw in Temporary duties all over the world and 4 tours in support of OIF/OEF/Operation New Dawn.

I enlisted as an Aircrew Egress systems maintainer but was foreced to cross train to Command and Control(which i hate).

Enlisted 1975 to 1977, Ft Leonard Wood MO, Ft Belvor VA, Ft Carson CO. Atomic Demolition Munitions was my job, this was after Viet Nam so I didn't have to test my work. Army

US Marine Corps Reserve, 1969-1975

Basic in San Diego 2/69 - 4/69
Trained as Embarkation clerk on Coronado Island 4/69-5/69
Orlando, FL 5/69-8/69 Assisted the Officers to make Casualty calls to parents and families for duration of active duty. Helped with funerals of our fallen Marines.
9/69-2/75 Active Reserve.

Army Veterinary Corps, Vietnam '71/72 Only vet in IV Corps

New to these forums but will be here a lot from now on. Just got my '49 Chevy 3100.

Air Force heavy lift helicopter crew chief (Glorified gas station attendant) 80-84 Hulbert field Florida Osan S.Korea Elmandorf Alaska

Joined Air Force in 1973. First station was Andrews AFB, then finished my enlistment six years later at Offutt AFB. Joined AF Reserves in 1984 and stayed for 2 years.

Vietnam 70-71

My thanks to those who served before me, with me and the ones after me.

"For those who have fought and almost died, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know".

Enlisted Dec 1965 USN, boot camp San Diego, BEEP school, Submarine sonar school /ASW school SD, Submarine school Groton CT. Reported aboard USS Abraham Lincoln SSBN 602 while in the yards at Electric Boat Co. Groton CT, completed overhaul and shake down cruise, qualified in Submarines, made 4 Strategic deterrent patrols out of our overseas home port in Holy Loch Scotland. Discharged in '69. Member VFW and USSVI Sub Vets.

Army 78-81. Ft Carson CO and Germany.
Army National Guard, FL and CT, 83-01. Germany, Korea, Saudi Arabia.
Helicopter crew chief.

Served October 1972 till october1975 , U.S. Army, Basic and AIT at FT. Leonardwood, then shipped to Italy where we did supply and long haul cargo Ops . Was to go across the sea the other way, but thankfully Vietnam war ended , Everyday I think of the true combat vets and cannot imagine what they went through. OOH RA!

Signed up Navy in '61, wouldn't take me till I turned 17 in '62. Did time in VP-42 flying anti-sub patrols from Baja to Kodiak Alaska out of NAS North Island. From there to three tours in the Tonkin Gulf working catapult launch crew on the USS Kitty Hawk, CVA-63. "Retired" in '66 after being extended three times as a "critical rate". Thanks Lyndon!

I'm not at all a religious man but God bless all those who served.

Active Army, over 26 years now. Stationed at Ft. Campbell KY for most of my career but been all over.

69-71 Lenard Wood Mo. Fort Knox KY. Indian Town Gap Penn. Germany.

US Navy 85-91. Sailed aboard the USS Antrim (FFG-20). Fire Controlman second class. Thanks to all who served.

US Air Force 79-89 mostly stationed at Kirtland AFB, NM as an Avionics Navigation tech. It was an honor and really changed the course of things for my family and I.

Whenever someone complaints about daily life, having to work an 8 hour day, what comes to mind right away, without any hesitation whatsoever is...

Assholes and Elbows Airman! You clearly better UNF*CK yourself or you will find my boot shoved firmly in yer [censored]!!

US Army, Air Defense Artillery, Ops and Intel.
Served with the 5/6 Air Defense, Baumholder West Germany Nike Hercules radar site 77-79, and later at the 32AADCOM Missile Command Center (MCC- Missile Country Club)79-80. Proud to fly the flag on Veterans Day. Mike

Here there and every where in between,when we weren't busy playing in the woods/climbing up and down mountains and playing in the snow,or sweating in the sand during the day and freezing in the same sand at night.
We entertained ourselves by parachuting out of anything that would get us far enough off the ground!
To be young again!
Sua Sponte

Hey Ranger (ZMAX)

Which BN? Years?

RLTW!

Bco 1/75 83-91,too many tdy's to too many hell holes to count.
Onr of these days Ill figure out how to post pictures on here!

MCRD San Diego 29 Sep 78 - 21 Dec 78
APG, MD Jan-Feb 79 MOS 2141/2145 M60A1 Tank Mech
1st Tank Bn, CampPen, CA Feb 79-Mar80
Marine Barracks Ground Defense Force GTMO, Cuba, Mar 80-81
MCLB Barstow, CA Mar 81-Jun82
APG, MD, Tank Turret Course (1982)
Ordnance Maint Co, 1st Maint Bn, 1st FSSG, CamPen Jun 82-Jun83
LAV Training Course, ITS/SOI, MCB CamPen Jun 83-Jan 87
(Yes 5 Units in 5 years)
SNCO Academy, Quantico, VA 1985
WOBC 1987, Quantico VA
Ordnance Officers Course, APG MD
1st FSSG, SOI, 3rd AAV BN, Okinawa, 4th LAR Bn; 87-02
Camp Fuji, Japan sept 02 - Oct 03
11th Marine Regt OrdO Oct 03-Jul 04
Assault Amphibian School Bn, Jul 04-Nov08
Retired
PMO/SES - Marine Corps Police Camp Pendleton Mar 09 -Aug 15.

United States Air Force

Basic training, Lackland AFB San Antonio Texas/ July to Sept 1983
Tech school, Heavy equpment operator Ft Leonardwood Missouri/ Sept to Nov 1983
First duty station, Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson Arizona/ Nov 1983 to Mar 1988
819th Red Horse Squadron, Wethersfield England/ Mar 1988 to Aug 1990
Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, New Mexico/ Aug 1990 to June 1994
554th Red Horse Squadron, Osan AB, South Korea/ June 1994 to June 1995
Vandenberg AFB, California/ June 1994 to June 2004
Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada/ June 2004 to April 2007/retired
Plus all of the places in between. Was a good ride and would do it again!

Joe

enlisted after tries and being told I was 4f. I figured out how to get in 4/72. (keep your mouth shut and answer as few questions as possible). H.D in 75, and labeled 4f again.
I consider serving a fundamental obligation of every person over 18. It should just be a normal thing to do and not glorified so much.
I am pro-vet, very much, and I am currently ready to get back in it if we need me...
I pray God will bless you all. Now back to MW3.

1998-2003 Germany, and middle east was a 67T then re designated 15T UH-60 helicopter mechanic/crew chief

'68-'74 USN Top Secret Signals Intelligence work, boot camp in San Diego, BEEP school in San Diego, ET school in San Francisco, stationed at Cape Hatteras, NC (2 & 1/2 years) and Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada (2 years). Never set foot on a ship. Mustered out as an E6 eligible for Chief.

lucky you, I spent 4 yrs on same ship and often dealing with
1500 marines..

Thanks to all/ 1977-1998 grunt retired now work on Fort Knox cant get out i guess only 4 more years and i will maybe be done and can work on old chevy trucks. Ha.

OLDCOOT1212, welcome to the Stovebolt. Hey, you are not alone. Many of us here have been in the same situation. Just hang it there and in the mean time start buying up parts you think you may need.... before the prices go up.


.....I'd say use a little of that gold in Fort Knox but I hear its all gone now!!!

USMC 73 - 77
6072 GSE mechanic

USAFSS 1964 to 1968...292xx--15 months Peshawar Air Station, 15 Months Shu Lin Kou AS..Then Kelly AFB. Went to College, built a Business. Retired to Sun Valley ID, in 2003, Taos NM 2016..Living the dream 49 1/2 ton 3100..Bill

US Army Infantry, 3rd/1st 11th LIB 197th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Basic Training at Fort Polk, LA, Home of the Combat Infantry Soldier Bound for Vietnam. That was an encouraging arch over the entrance to North Fort Polk. Annnnd it was true. Spent 1969 and 1970 in Vietnam hiking thru the jungles and sloshing thru rice paddies. Carried an M-79 grenade launcher my entire tour. Came back to the States with all my extremities intact and a new perception of liberty.