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US Army, '69-'71. Never went overseas. Trained in Special Electronics Repair, in the Army's way of doing things, never worked a minute in it. Was sent to Ft. Leonard Wood, figured just until shipping to Viet Nam. Inprocessing Sargent asked if I could type, had me type a few sentences, and said, "Your job here is to repair pop-up targets on the rifle range in mud up to your a$$. That guy over there is my typist, he's ETS-ing in 2 weeks, so you can fix targets or be him. "Where's my desk?", I said, figuring it was only temporary. Never went anywhere else... Joined a great off-road riding club, it was wide-open territory in Missouri then, not a fence in sight...
Served in the 1st, 7th and 8th Infantry Divisions as well as the 1st Armored Division; also as a Combat Trainer at the National Training Center. My service took me to just about every European country, 49 states, Canada, S. Korea, Iraq Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Brief visits to North Africa and a few other places. There is no place like the United States of America. Airborne-Ranger!
I joined the Air Force in Sep '79 and stayed in until Jun '94 when I crossed over to the full-time Alaska Air National Guard. I just retired from there this past Aug. I worked avionics the entire 29 years and have been all over the place. During that time I've manage to repair and launch KC-135 aircraft from -72 degrees all the way up to +135 degrees. Not very fun at either end but a lot of fun in the middle. It still feels like I'm on leave, I haven't quite figured out yet that I don't have a job! Oh well, I'll enjoy it while I can.
U.S. Army 1982-1986 E-5
13-B, 13-E, Field Artillery 8 in. SP Howitzer, Ft. Sill
101st Airborne Air Assault, Ft. Campbell
Air National Guard / U.S. Air Force 1986-2006- Firefighter E-6
Operation Just Cause-Panama
Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Forced into retirement due to line of duty injuries. I miss being with my brother's.
Almost made it a career, and many times regretted not doing so. Two brothers air force, and a third was a Navy lifer and his son followed his footsteps and now retired.
Thanks to all who have served and especially to those who now serve.
USN 1965-1969
Specialty Aviation Ordnance
Served in an aircraft squadron, and deployed on several carriers.
Squadron base NORVA and Oceana
Member Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club
Separated 11/69 as an AO5
USN 1964-1970
Electronic Technician specializing in Radar and Navigation equipment
Went to ET school on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay (no longer a naval base). Served aboard the USS Klondike - a repair ship - primarily in the Western Pacific (Japan, Taiwan, Philipines, etc.)
The Klondike was a WWII ship that had been decommisioned then recommisioned for the Viet Nam war. I loved being at sea and loved seeing all the different places and enjoyed most of the work I did. When I got out I was about 6 months away from making Chief and was offered a sizable re-enlistment bonus. I thought seriously about staying in. If I had, I would have been able to retire about 20 years ago, had another career, and been able to collect a Navy pension. But I would have missed the adventures of being a police officer, a police academy instructor, a paramedic, and a college professor. I would almost certainly have a different wife - or no wife at all.
One always wonders about the road not taken, but the ones I've traveled have been great.
Mississippi Army National Guard
AVCRAD (Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot)
Depot level repairs on all Army aircraft
Enlisted E8 / Supervisor
24 Years
OIF 06-07
First Sergeant
C-23 Sherpa Fixed Wing Company (My heroes)
July 1966-Drafted
US Army
Jul-Aug Basic, Ft Leonard Wood, MO
Sep-Oct AIT Ft Sill, OK
Dec-Assigned to 6th Bn 15 Artilllery, 105mm Towed
May 1967 Vietnam
1st Inf Div
Lai Khe
Discharged May 1968
I am totally amazed there are't more Vietnam veterans in this organization.