The military service thread

[infernalis]

I know all my neighbors, most of us are retired military and get along wonderfully. But there is always that one that is ALWAYS around and whining about their life. Those are the ones that aggravate me to no end. Normally, I love having a cup of coffee on my front porch while reading a book (I get up at 0430) but had to stop because one neighbor decided that since I was outside I wanted company....every morning...




I Love the pic of your son testing the leaf blower. That's awesome!

0430 yep miliary blood. ;)

Most of my family served, I was born with a heart defect, back in the day that was grounds for "not eligible" , shame too, I would have grown up faster and had discipline before I was 35.

Another huge disappointment, I was six foot four by age 15 and was flat out told by the air force recruiter that I would never fit in the cockpit of a fighter jet.

So I took a factory job soon after I graduated. Spent most of my younger life being irresponsible and reckless.

[ZARADOZIA]

Same here, My husband's family are all Navy, including our Nieces and Nephew. My son is probably going to join as well and gain free ride into John's Hopkins Bio-cellular programs. I did tell him that the Army and Marine Corps are off limits. They wouldn't let him make it to the science sector; he's built like a defensive back.

Personally, I think everyone should serve at least 3 years. There are enough much positions within the military that everyone could do something, even if there are "defects." Not all the positions require great physical exertion.

Wow you are taller than my husband and he towers over me. Don’t regret being young and foolish, you lived, learned, and are now passing that information onto your children. Sometimes, some of us learn best by attending the School of Hard Knocks. I graduated at the top of my class with Honors…LOL

My biggest dream is to ride in one of the Fighter Jets. Mmmm Spppppeeeeeeeed. It’s possible; I’m just waiting for the opportunity to arise! That is certainly a very way cool profession!

[blindfireak40]

I have a cousin in the Air Force and an Uncle who was an Air Force pilot; if I had gone in that's what I'd have done, but I'm colorblind :no:. They won't let me within 20 feet of a cockpit hahahaha

[infernalis]

My family history of military goes all the way back to the Wallace clan in Scotland..

I did not know that until my uncle died, it was told in his eulogy.

Nothing wells up my eyes faster than a group of young marines folding a flag and a 21 gun salute.

Then they pass out the spent rounds to the family members.

Both grandparents had siblings stationed at Pearl when the bombs fell. My great aunt (Grandmas sister) hated everything Japanese until the day she died.

Spent one summer at Norfolk when I was 14 at my uncles place.

[Lankyrob]

My father was the first non serving generation but was brought up by an Army sergeant (Drill instructor/Army Driving Instructor/Gunnery Sergeant) so i was brought up with a military discipline in the household (including getting the belt - but only when i deserved it and never in anger).

We are hoping to take the good things from the discipline but to add in lots of love and cuddliness in bringing up our daughter.

I personally think that anyone leaving education who doesnt have employment within 6 months should be drafted into the forces for a 3 year period as in my opinion this will cut down on the amount of antisocial behaviour in society, whilst also giving then self esteem and something to do rather than sit around drinking and getting into drugs etc.

[infernalis]

Sadly my father was messed up in Vietnam, so he was a poor example of a parent.

[blindfireak40]

I personally think that anyone leaving education who doesnt have employment within 6 months should be drafted into the forces for a 3 year period as in my opinion this will cut down on the amount of antisocial behaviour in society, whilst also giving then self esteem and something to do rather than sit around drinking and getting into drugs etc.

OMG THIS!!!!

The only issue with actually doing that is this: The vast majority of the non-employed grads are in various liberal arts fields, and would almost indubitably "conscientously object" to service...in today's political climate, there would be no way whatsoever to actually get them to serve if they didn't want to.

I like the idea so much though...reminds me of Starship Troopers (the politically charged, excellently written book. Not the gross-out, gore-fest, poorly adapted and acted movie). Say what you want about Science Fiction as a genre, some of the greatest commentaries on humanity (and greatest ideas for government) were penned by the likes of Heinlein, Asimov, and Le Guin.

[Lankyrob]

Its very simple to stop the conscientious objectors - if you object to combat then you do office work but still for the military - they still have to learn the drill, comply with the rules, be disciplined but never pick up a weapon.

[ZARADOZIA]

I have a cousin in the Air Force and an Uncle who was an Air Force pilot; if I had gone in that's what I'd have done, but I'm colorblind . They won't let me within 20 feet of a cockpit hahahaha

Don't feel bad, I'm partially colorblind as well. My hubby just LOVES picking on me about it. It’s the funniest when we play “Punch Buggie” (I think it’s called “Slug Bug” for the Yanks), because some of the colors, I can’t tell what they are so I roll out with, “Punch Buggie weird shade of possibly blue, grey, or green” yea…hubby laughs at me.


My family history of military goes all the way back to the Wallace clan in Scotland..I did not know that until my uncle died, it was told in his eulogy.

That is very cool!



Nothing wells up my eyes faster than a group of young marines folding a flag and a 21 gun salute. Then they pass out the spent rounds to the family members.
It is beyond hard. I went to Arlington when we moved back here in 09 and visited my friends (paid my respects) and there was this one young woman lying on top of her husband’s grave crying. I started crying with her and shared my tissues, hugged her, kissed her cheek. I still tear up remembering her and thank the Good Spirits I wasn’t her. Then I went to the 9/11 memorial and cried some more. I make sure I take extra stones with me too, just incase if at the last minute one of my friends ask me to drop a few for them.

I never understood the importance of saying the Pledge when I was growing up. It held no true meaning to me, same for Independence Day. It was just a day to party; the true meaning escaped me until I met my son’s dad.

I was 19, pregnant, and my husband took me to D.C. for the 4th of July. That is when I finally began learning the importance of both. I was surrounded by Vets, POW survivors, active duty etc. The Star Spangled Banner began playing, my husband began singing (he has a great voice) and I join him, fireworks begin going off and then I understood. Next thing I know both of us are singing and crying, I look around, and so is everyone else. There was such a deep feeling of family, love, loss, pride, strength, determination, and perseverance in the air that night. And 17 years later I still cry on the 4th of July, more so now since I have buried some of my friends.


Both grandparents had siblings stationed at Pearl when the bombs fell. My great aunt (Grandmas sister) hated everything Japanese until the day she died.
Spent one summer at Norfolk when I was 14 at my uncles place.


I can relate. I went through my phase of anger too.

[lady_bug87]

The only Military History my family has is my great grandfather served in the Italian Army (all males had to do service for 5 years once they hit 18) and him and his brother were both serving during WWI and were in service to the Pope

I am only a second generation Canadian

[Snakefood]

My gramma served in WWII, overseas and just behind the lines as a nurse. She witnessed EXACTLY what war is. And to this day at (almost) 92 years old, she is still very sensitive about it. One rememberance day we took her to the movie "saving private Ryan", she cried through most of it, but watched it. Then on one of our family dinners, we turned on "Pearl Harbour", Gramma LOST IT!! she demanded it be turned off and for the next half hr kept muttering to herself and us "That's NOT what war is"

My Uncle served in Vietnam, he won't speak of it to ANYONE, ever!! It affected him badly. I never even knew he had been to war until one summer when I wore thongs into the barn. The sound of the "flip flops" sent him into a flashback and i found him curled up in the fetal position in the corner of the barn. Scared the hell out of me!! After running to get Aunty, she pulled me aside and explained what had just happened. I have NEVER worn thongs to my uncles since then.

I know I never want to go to war myself, although I am sure there are reasons in which I would willingly (but heavy-heartedly) go. I have the utmost respect and gratitute for those who put themselves in danger so my son and I can sleep safe in our beds. Veterans day and rememberance day (and all others like them) are imperative in our world, for if the world forgets what happened, that is when it will be allowed to happen again.

[infernalis]

A true love story...

My Grandfather on my biological dads side was a serviceman during WW2 and his unit liberated one of the Nazi death camps, He fell for Anastasia (My grandmother) who was scheduled to be gassed.

Her only crime was being Estonian. They got married in Europe and she was automatically granted US citizenship.

I used to love listening to her talk, she had the sweetest accent, the way she rolled her R's was really cool to listen to.

They were together all the way to the end.

[infernalis]

Since this discussion has taken off on it's own, I spun it off to it's own thread.

[Jenn_06]

I been around the Army almost all my life, my dad was in the army until late 2008 was in Iraq in 02-03, I was going to go in 02 but had a change of heart when i met my husband who is in the army now for 8 years and going overseas early 2013 :(

[Snakefood]

A true love story...

My Grandfather on my biological dads side was a serviceman during WW2 and his unit liberated one of the Nazi death camps, He fell for Anastasia (My grandmother) who was scheduled to be gassed.

Her only crime was being Estonian. They got married in Europe and she was automatically granted US citizenship.

I used to love listening to her talk, she had the sweetest accent, the way she rolled her R's was really cool to listen to.

They were together all the way to the end.


Aww, that's awesome!!

My grandad was in love with gramma since they were kids, she was pretty much clueless to his feelings until he followed her to war. Unfortunately, she was stationed overseas and he was stationed here in Canada. They married as soon as they came home after the war. They used his captians pay for the wedding and his boat, and her seargents pay to buy the house they raised mamma in.

[redsided]

A few people in my family served. Air Force mostly.:)

[spots]

I got a grand father severed in armored, father and 2 brothers served in Infantry, I served in Navy for 2 years.

[lady_bug87]

I got a grand father severed in armored, father and 2 brothers served in Infantry, I served in Navy for 2 years.


Thank you. For serving that is.

[Nismo89]

I was all ready to join the Marine Corps. had already been talking to a recruiter and everything when I was 17. When I sat down and told my family about it my mom looked at me and pretty much said in not so many words if I joined she would disown me. Her father served and she swore she wouldn't never let her kids serve. I was upset she wouldn't let me do what I wanted with my life but I stayed home because a relationship with my mom is more important then anything. Now that I'm 3 years older I'm actually glad that my mom stopped me. Not only have I become extremely ill in the past few years and service would have been horrible I never would have met my fiancé or started my reptile collection. When it all comes down to it everything happens for a reason and I was obviously meant to stay home. I have the utmost respect for anyone who serves no matter what country it is it takes a truly brave person to do it and I thank you all for your service. In my mind every soldier should be saluted and treated like royalty but really the US government screws over a lot of ex-soldiers and don't help them and not enough people respect them. I have multiple friends who have done tours and currently have a friend over in Afghanistan. Anyone who is a soldier is my hero.

[infernalis]

Where is randyrhodes? this is his kind of thread...

[Jenn_06]

I had someone on my mom side in a Germany army in ww2 that went MIA still don't know what happend to him.

[ZARADOZIA]

Wayne,
Thank you so much for splitting the threads. That was very touching.

Jenn,
Hang in there love. I know it's hard and it gets harder before it gets easier. I use to turn the volume on my PC to full blast, fall asleep with the speaker next to my ear, just incase my husband was able to log in and message me. I still get heart flutters when I hear the AOL sign on noise. The memories are bitter sweet. Bitter because we spent so much time apart, fearing when (if) we'd get to hold each other again, and Oh - So Sweet because we may have lived our days separately, but we lived them for sole chance to talk at the end of the day. We still have all the letters and emails we wrote when he was over seas.

Everyone else,
I love seeing the support you have voiced and the stories you have shared. The good and the bad. It means a great deal to the long timers. And I thank you on behalf of all our Service Members.

[infernalis]

We have a young man here on the forum who was shot in Afghanistan, He has stories to tell...

[ZARADOZIA]

We have a young man here on the forum who was shot in Afghanistan, He has stories to tell...

99% of my friends are Military and sometimes they make me cry like a baby. Other times it takes years to get them to open up and those are the worst [stories].

[infernalis]

I just watched WW2 in HD.

Spectacular. I was weepy eyed through most of it.

Bizarre thing is I felt for the casualties on all sides.

Germany was all but destroyed because of the ideals of ONE MAN, and a good percentage of the Nazi soldiers (many committed suicide) were only following the orders handed down to them.

Same with Japan, The residents of Hiroshima & Nagasaki did nothing wrong, but their entire cities were obliterated. Dropping the nukes was a necessary military strategy, and all I can say is I am forever thankful for our modern technology that permits "surgical strikes" to military targets with minimal collateral damage.

This is a fantastic recount of one of the worlds darkest hours.

See it if you can. It's soul stirring.

Much of it was narrated by the recently deceased Andy Rooney.

Andy Rooney dead at 92 - CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57319150/andy-rooney-dead-at-92/)

[spots]

You should feel for the losses of both sides. It doesn't matter what side they were on it's someone who was lost :( (a Son, Father, Brother, Husband, ect)

Like you said it Wayne it's because of one persons idea's that so many good people were lost.

[shaunyboy]

Sadly my father was messed up in Vietnam, so he was a poor example of a parent.

my father was messed up in kenya back in the day

he was a sniper for his 8 year stint in the millitary

i had the pen in my hand just about to sign the enlistment papers when.....

i realised the guy from the army resembled my father and i thought i've been shouted and screamed at all my life by a guy just like this

i put the pen down and walked out,part of me often wonders where i'd be now had i joined up

cheers shaun

[infernalis]

The sheer history that was destroyed during times of war is sickening.

England still has some rubble piles that used to be castles and historical structures that were knocked out by the Luftwaffe and buzz bombs.

[shaunyboy]

The sheer history that was destroyed during times of war is sickening.

England still has some rubble piles that used to be castles and historical structures that were knocked out by the Luftwaffe and buzz bombs.

there is still evidence of 2 bomb craters a mile or so from my house

the germans were bombing rosyth naval base 10 miles from me and the clyde shipping yards 60 miles away at glasgow

cheers shaun

[infernalis]

Even sadder yet, acid rain is melting the limestone castles.

[KORBIN5895]

I have an Uncle (my foster mom's brother) that served in Nam. He was part of a special forces team that destroyed Vietcong villages and blamed the Vietcong. He lost his mind over there and the army in its infinite wisdom sent him home without any help or support. Because of some circumstances at home that he was unaware of he literally lost it and spent 40+ in maximum security prison. His family never knew he saw active duty until he told me 7 years ago.

[RandyRhoads]

Where is randyrhodes? this is his kind of thread...


Here I am :blink:

Sadly my father was messed up in Vietnam, so he was a poor example of a parent.

Sorry you had to go through that. I can only imagine, but I think I can do so with a decent idea of what kind of hellish toll that would take on a kid. (or soldiers wife, oops:hmm:)

A true love story...

My Grandfather on my biological dads side was a serviceman during WW2 and his unit liberated one of the Nazi death camps, He fell for Anastasia (My grandmother) who was scheduled to be gassed.

Her only crime was being Estonian. They got married in Europe and she was automatically granted US citizenship.

I used to love listening to her talk, she had the sweetest accent, the way she rolled her R's was really cool to listen to.

They were together all the way to the end.

That's a beautifull story Wayne. Reminds me of Enemy at the Gates, only way more romantic and rare. :blink:



2-506th Infantry Band of Brothers, CURRAHEE!!! Haha....

[RandyRhoads]

Most of my family on my dads side (Grandfather and his brothers) served in WWII. The family house had 6 stars in frames. My grandfather was merchant marine. His 5 brothers were Army/Navy. The other brother got into a vehicle accident preventing him from joining. My mother was also in the army...for a short time before she turned into a dirtbag deserter. My great grandfather on her side flew a Mustang P51 and was shot down over enemy territory and hidden by locals. My grandfather on her side did retired after 20 years as a Chief Warrant officer in the Army. I also have 2 cousins in the army. One of wich was a Sergeant First Class at my recieving unit. Funny having to stand at parade rest for a family member lol...

Sure wish I was older while they were still alive to hear their amazing stories.

[Norm66]

I never served, but I have unlimited respect and admiration for those who have or currently do serve.

My mom's dad was in search & rescue (Army Air Corps) in the South Pacific while both my Dad's parents were Navy in WWII (it's how they met). Plus my dad and his brother both served in the Navy during VietNam but neither actually went to VietNam.

None of my grandparents were willing to talk all that much about their service time. My mom's dad would tell me stuff about being in camp and a little of the shenanigans bored guys got into but not much about what he actually did (he was a spotter in a S&R bird). All my dad's dad would tell me was that he was a store-keeper onboard a ship but I've been told by other guys that store-keepers were often the guys on deck manning guns or running ammo during general quarters. My dad just tells me stories about ship-board life and some of the ports he saw (the Med mainly).

I have had the huge pleasure of knowing a guy through my wife's family who was a 2nd Lieutenant platoon leader for an infantry platoon in Europe in WWII. He was one of only a few survivors from some of the combat he saw. He had a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. Sadly, Gene just had a major stroke last week and is in Hospice care now. I'm glad I got to know him.

Randy (love the name BTW), Band of Brothers was great. I own the box set and watch it at least a couple times a year. Major Richard Winters was my favorite character (funny, I had to edit to say Richard instead of the short version, lol). A buddy of mine was in the 101st for the first Gulf War. 3rd of the 187th if I remember correctly. They called themselves 'Rakassans' whatever that is.

[shaunyboy]

Here I am :blink:


good to see your back mate

cheers shaun

[RandyRhoads]

They called themselves 'Rakassans' whatever that is.


Ah the Rakkasans. A Currahees rival lol. On run there were always alot of nasty words shouted between brigades.

[Lankyrob]

I was chatting to an "old guy" i met through the Pain Support group i am in on the weekend. He is well into his 80's yet looks about 55!! I could tell he had some military in him just by the way he conducts himself and talks.

OVer our Xmas meal and a glass of scotch he opened up a little about his career and experiences - man i could have listened to him for DAYS!!

Turns out he cant say much as he is still restricted by the Official Secrets Act but i know enough about how the military works to figure out his "code" for what he was doing.

Basically he joined up as infantry, ended up as a PT instructor for the Marines, transferred to "4-man squad work" (Special Forces or SAS) and ended up bodyguarding for royalty and also for Margaret Thatcher!!

He learnt to pilot aircraft, drive pretty much any motorised vehicle from bikes to tanks and "did and saw lots of things that i wish i never did, and wish that i can forget" (a direct quote)

That man had a life that we can only imagine, gave 40 years of his life to Queen and Country, was shot, blown up and experienced unimaginable things and yet he lives in a basic flat, has no help, lives in constant pain, has parkinsons :no: :(

It is disgusting that those that give so much receive so little support when it is most required, if i had my way he would be living in the lap of luxury and looked after 24 hours a day by a squad of nurses/chefs etc and be able to see out his life this way.

I wish i could write his life story so that when he goes there will be something to remember him by...........