Have you served in the military?

[cynatnite]

'86-'90 I was an active duty medic. From '90-'93 I was a flight medic in a reserve unit.

I think it's important for all of us to acknowledge good people serve now and have served in the past. Let's recognize those DUer's who have put on the uniform. Remember that those who are now in the military are serving their country in what may be considered one of the worst times in our history.

[evlbstrd]

1. USN, 1974-1979

[JohnnyLib]

18. draft baby

Army 70 - 74, in the States. No choice about it, learned a lot.

[evlbstrd]

27. Glad you made it through.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. no choice for 'almost'?

I wanted too, in the early 90's, but I would have had to sign custody of my kids over to my mom. That, and being away from them so long... I just couldn't do it in the end.

I have great respect for everyone who has worn the uniform(s).

[CanuckAmok]

3. Well, not in *your* military.

Does that still count?

[Wonk]

5. Good question. IMHO, it should count if it was in any NATO countries mil.

Opinions may vary. Honesty of various respondents may vary as well.

4 years Army Reserves here, never saw any front line action.

[CanuckAmok]

7. Hmm... no "front-line" here either, but...

Some pretty intense posts: Cyprus (twice), Bosnia, (very briefly) Somalia, London (admittedly London was intense but in a more hedonistically enjoyable way). I managed to dodge any stint at the Golan, or in Africa for any significant period of time, thank goodness.

Mostly freezing it up on Canuck soil: Trenton, the aptly named "Cold Lake", and Goose Bay Labrador (where I probably met some DUers if you ever stopped-in to refuel a Germany-bound Starlifter, Herc or Galaxy).

We had a unifed force up to quite recently. One could join the land-forces, air force, or navy, and switch to any other branch of the service, depending on rating and demand. Or you could stay in your branch; it was pretty flexible at the time. Now they've gone back to a distinct Army/Navy/Air Force scheme, so I don't think you can do that anymore.

I was in Mobile Command (Army), Diplomatic Service (Army/Air Force) and plain old Air Force each for a while. 1983/4-1994. Don't miss it a bit, although I resent having to pay for haircuts now.

[cynatnite]

6. It counts

:hi:

[hwmnbn]

4. US Army....1966 to 1968......

1969 to present= :hippie:

[demosincebirth]

8. U.S.A 101st Airborne Div '56-59

[LeftCoast]

9. Nope. Not allowed.

Their loss.

[Rockholm]

31. Nope. Not Allowed Either.

[TahitiNut]

10. (Again?) (sigh) USArmy 68-69; USARV HQ Co. Long Binh '69 E-5 draftee

:shrug:

[SeattleVet]

11. USAF 1972-1984

(Should my poll answer be "No", since I was in the Air Force instead of the military?) :toast:

[Johnyawl]

13. We'll let you slide on it this time...

...:7 We always referred to the USAF as the 'saluting civil service', but it was mostly jealousy, as you guys lived much better then we did. (I'm ex-Marine)

where in Seattle? I'm in So King county.

[sgxnk]

16. ex-marine?

every marine i've ever met says FORMER marine, and makes sure to include NEVER "EX" MARINE

[Johnyawl]

30. Semantics

That's basically saying the same thing. I've described myself as an "ex-Marine" for 35 years now.

[sgxnk]

32. fair enough

it IS semantics. but it is one that, to a "t" every marine i know abides by, and i know dozens

not criticizing you dood

[Johnyawl]

36. Once a Marine, always a Marine

...But how we describe that we're no longer IN the Marines, while retaining our spiritual connection is a matter of choice, and fad. All the Marines I knew (WWII, Korean and Vietnam era vets) used the term ex-Marine, and nobody thought much of it. Replacing that with "former-Marine" is a relatively recent fad. <shrug> As I said, means the same to me.

[OneBlueSky]

12. no . . . but I feel like I have . . .

my dad was a career Army officer, which makes me an Army brat . . . while I never served myself, I grew up on military bases and it's an ingrained part of who I am . . . I knew a LOT about the military -- which is probably why I never decided to follow in Dad's footsteps . . . well, that and my opposition to war as a life principle . . .

funny story that would give one pause if it happened today . . .

when I was in junior high, Dad commanded a Nike Ajax missile battery in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area . . . on weekends and during the summer, I'd frequently accompany Dad to work to play on the basketball courts, work in the hobby shop, or just generally hang out . . .

now the Nike Ajax as an anti-aircraft missile designed to shoot down invading fighters and bombers . . . (hey, this was the early 60s) . . . the launchers were assembled in groups of eight -- four on one side, and four on the other side, of a huge elevator . . . the launchers slid on rails onto the elevator, which moved them underground for storage on an identical launcher assembly . . .

one of the perks of being the CO's son was that I could pretty much do whatever I wanted, and no one would interfere . . . so I was in the habit of going down into the underground storage areas every so often (you descended on a ladder in a circular shaft) just to, well, hang out . . .

on one particular day, I was standing on the elevator as the GI's were loading the missiles for a trip to the surface in a routine drill . . . the elevator was controlled by a hand-held "Up/Down" button . . . I don't know why, but on this day I asked the guy controlling the button if I could try it . . . "Sure," says he . . . big mistake (and undoubtedly thoroughly against regulations) . . .

so there I am, 12 years old and responsible for moving four million-dollar anti-aircraft missiles . . . unfortunately, I was so anxious to get going that I pushed the "Up" button before the last of the missiles had been secured . . . so as the elevator's going up, the damn thing starts sliding on its rails toward the edge of the elevator -- and oblivion . . .

fortunately, the GI (who was now thoroughly regretting his decision) was on the elevator as well . . . he lunged at the missile and by sheer brute strength managed to halt its slide . . . the world was saved, and neither the offending GI nor I would have to explain to my father just exactly how we had wrecked one of his missiles . . . (and he, in turn, wouldn't have to explain it to his superiors) . . .

following that indicent, I was no longer welcome below ground . . . at least not for a couple of months . . . :)

[Johnyawl]

14. USMC 1968-71

Vietnam, 1969-70

[ErisFiveFingers]

15. I could not make that sacrifice, unless it was truly needed.

If we were ever actually invaded, my ass would be on the front lines, pronto. Hasn't happened in the last hundred years. Until then, I'd rather not kill people, or work for a company that does.

But I'm also a Jeffersonian, who believes that having a standing military leads presidents into opportunistic wars.

At the same time, I realize that the people who sacrifice their souls, and are willing to 'kill on command', are giving something precious to their peers that I wonder if I could ever give.... sure, I could kill if if I *have* to defend my lands, but if it's for another country? Another land, where they may just install another dictator? Some war that seems to do nothing, other than kill people and leave things the way they are?

It has to be rough. Hell, even.

I do not honor them for what they have, I honor them for what they have surrendered, for the benefit of the rest of us.

Warriors are not heros when they "win".
Warriors are heros because they (hopefully) choose to fight, and even if they don't make that choice to fight, they choose to sacrifice their humanity in order for groups of humanity to survive.


P.S. Hug a Homeless Vet

[Random_Australian]

17. Nope, I recently turned 18.

[genie_weenie]

19. USMC 2000-2005.

[jonnyblitz]

20. 10 years in the navy,Desert Storm vet, "far left" anti war activist

If you do war I am against you no matter who you are. I dont give a fuck if you were a once oppressed people.

just felt like ranting though it had nothing to do with the OP. sorry. tensions are high and I am pissed.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. Marine Crotch - '61- '65.

AKA - "The Suck" by the inmates of that time.

[Homer Wells]

22. US Army 1968-1971

Fort Sill 68-69
RVN 69-70
Alaska 70-71

[alfredo]

23. USASA 65-69 O5H20 4th USASAFS Asmara.

[sueragingroz]

24. I tried to join RMC

(Royal Canadian Military College) to pay my way through University but I had too many things wrong with me orthopaedically.

[Toots]

25. US Army '67-71

I was there and did not like it...

[GalleryGod]

39. When I see your Screen Name I think of only one Icon...

[Joe Fields]

26. I have the utmost respect for those that have worn the uniform, and

I truly feel sorry for any who were in the armed forces when Bush and his madmen took over this country. I'm sure no one could have possibly realized what they were in for.

But those Americans who have signed on, after knowing that Bush lied to get us into the Iraq war need to have their heads examined.

[AnnieBW]

28. No, but

I've worked for DoD as a civilian for 19 years. Does that help?

[BlueAlert]

29. Currently Active Duty USAF

since 2004. No regrets joining. I got the job I wanted (Computer Programmer) and free tuition for college (unless I go to a school thats really expensive). Only problem is that they stuck me in Alabama.

[5thGenDemocrat]

33. One more time...

Communications Center Specialist (72E20), United States Army Communications Command (USACC), Fort Monroe, Virginia, 1974-76.
John
My job doesn't exist any more and neither will Fort Monroe after some point next year. The post is more valuable as real estate than as an army installation. I saw lots of great concerts at Hampton and Norfolk and never suffered a wound worse than a paper cut.

[lpbk2713]

34. I probably would not have enlisted had there not been a draft.

It was 1965 and Viet Nam was starting to heat up. I thought I would enlist for four years and get just a little choice in what they did with me rather than wait to be drafted for two years and have no choice at all.

[China_cat]

35. No, but I have a son who is now retired from the Air Force

and one that was in the Marines.

[pscot]

37. 14th Armored Cav

now reconstituted as a Stryker brigade and serving in Iraq. Back in the day we kept an eye on the Fulda gap. (No, it was not a chain of German clothing stores.)

[MrSlayer]

38. No. I never responded well to authority.

The thought of voluntarily shaving my head, having some dude scream at me continuously and getting up at 5 am to go running seemed insane. I know it was not for me.

[Redstone]

40. No. but I've worked for them, and been in combat. And wounded.

Don't ask.

Redstone

[Uncle Joe]

41. Marine Corps 76-80 n/t

[NJ Democrats]

42. No

The only way I would be in the Military is if the US was invaded and we had been fighting a war for many years and were running out of troops. (I'm to young)

[michreject]

43. Yes

US Army- 1970-72.

[steely]

44. Army 74-76, USAR for several years afterwards

[Elwood P Dowd]

45. US Army draftee 1970-72

:grr:

[MoseyWalker]

46. I still feel as though I did

My dad died during the Vietnam War, and my life has been defined in many ways, if not primarily, by that.

I know it's not the same, but I'm collateral damage.

[Ravenseye]

47. They wouldn't take me

Blew out my knee playing football and they basically told me to just forget it.

[outofbounds]

48. U S Army

83-86 Ft. Bragg N.C.