How long did you serve?

[fossilman]

US Army-"73"-"76" most of tour in West Germany.....Got to see alot of the world,so I guess I enjoyed it....

[pbrdog]

20 years US Navy. 83-03. Retired Gunners Mate First Class.

[JLC]

72-76 U.S. Navy, Fighter Squadron VF-32
Aviation Electrician out of N.A.S Oceana
I made 2 Med cruises on the Kennedy.
73 cruise we had the F-4B's and the 75 cruise we had the F-14A's.

A site a few friends and I made from the 2nd cruise with the Tomcats.

http://www.geocities.com/vf32ae2too

Jack

[waldo2382]

So far it has been two days, 6 hours and counting in the USN. Just got commissioned Saturday.

[gwhunter69]

I tried enlist in the USAF just before I graduated from college. The recruiter wanted me to lie about my asthma and I refused (fearing a dishonorable if I had an attack). They turned me down.

I had a friend who enlisted in the Army to help him get a law enforcement career. It is a great way to get the experience. BUT as everyone has said, "GET IT IN WRITING." My friend got it written into his contract that he would go to MP school. After basic, they tried to ship him off to the infantry. He said that he was supposed to go to MP school and they said "after 1-2 year in Infantry." He whipped out his contract, and told them to "either honor the contract or give him an honorable discharge on the spot." He was in MP school lickety split. They really tried to put the screws to him to take the infantry. SO, GET IT IN WRITING!

[sportyg]

2 years 69-71. USMC. 2nd Recon, then 1/7 & 3/5 in Nam. would have done 20 - 30 years had I not gone there...

[Shasta Sam]

12 Years Active Duty (64 - 76) then 8 years in Reserve (80 - 88). Now waiting until age 60 to receive my $300 in retirement. Heck, that is like being paid to have fun.

Seriously. If you do not have a real direction in life, the military is the best place for any man or woman to go. You learn to accept disipline and work as a team. All necessary ingrediants to be successful in life. You cannot be a true leader and expect disipline if you cannot accept it also. Where else can you get a multi thousand dollar education and get paid at the same time. In my field, (Biomedical Engineering) the school is long, demanding and truly a road to maturity. There are other fields in the military, but remember to choose one that is related to a civilian field real closely. There are not too many needs for tank drivers in the civilian world. (Hospitals are hospitals. Electronic Repair is Electronic repairl. Cops are cops. Etc. etc.)\

Now, which branch. I have one thing to say on that!

THE AIR FORCE IS THE ONLY BRANCH THAT SENDS IT'S OFFICERS OUT TO GET KILLED INSTEAD OF ITS ENLISTED FORCE.


Enlist and begin to enjoy life as a real individual working with a team.

[Storm25m]

Air Force, 1998 to present. I guess that's six years and counting. My job is Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). I get paid to blow stuff up! (and deal with the BS that goes along with it). That's not all we do, so if you do come in, ask for a copy of the job description and give it a look. I'm happy I did.

It's been said before, but I'm going to say it again. If you come in, make sure you have a guaranteed job!! If you don't have that, don't sign the papers until you get it. I've seen a lot of people get stuck with a job they didn't want because they came in with "open general" on their job sheet.

No disrespect to the AF Security Forces in here, but I'd try to avoid that job. If you want to sit in a box and gaurd a plane or be a gate gaurd.....be my guest. The average shift for a SF troop is 12 hours (at my base). That doesn't include "gaurd mount" which can add an hour before and an hour after your shift (yes 14 hours at work). The majority of the SF jobs aren't like civilian cop jobs. In the end, you'll have to make the choice. But don't say I didn't warn you about becoming SF!

[ISAIAH53]

I served 7 years, 9 months, 2 days (1973 - 1980) USAF. Air Traffic Controller, with a couple of years as a Combat Controller (jumping out of planes, hiking through the woods, etc). Combat Controllers have been very active the past couple of years in Afghanistan and Iraq, calling in air strikes and providing air traffic control services in forward operating areas. There is a need, should any of you be so inclined. Skills translated very nicely into well-paying FAA job the past 24 years. That said, I wish I had stayed in CCT, although I'd likely be long retired now. I failed to recognize it at the time, but that was the finest time I've spent, and the finest folks I've worked with.

[almtnman]

Originally posted by YoungHunter88@Dec 12 2003, 07:37 PM
I was just wondering how many of you served and if you did how long? or are you still?######

I served 3 years 3 months and 3 days in the U.S. Army. Now you're thinking why such a funny number. I was almost ready to get out after my 3 year tour when Castro started setting up missiles in Cuba, so they extended everyon an extra 3 months. The 3 days was, I couldn't make it in the be discharged as we were out in the field doing 14 weeks of intensified comabt training getting ready to invade Cuba.

I served 13 months in Korea (160-1961) at Hq & Hq Co 2nd Engineer Group (const) close to Kimpo Air Base K-14 near the village of Oso-ri. I have put together a website about my engineer group and have a good many former members listed on there along with a history of the group.

You can find it at: Hq & Hq Co 2nd Engineer Group (const) Korea

Take a look around that site and see if you know any of the members listed. If you were a member of the group, I'd like to hear from you.

[OpusX]

20 years and 1 day in the Air Force. Never did get to see the world though - all stateside assignments. The only time I left the country was a day trip during an exercise at Fort Bliss, TX. Went to Juarez and bought some tequila from a liquor store not many visitors go to. In all I enjoyed my time in the service, and I still work on an Air Force base.

[i make oil]

6 years 10 mos USMC stateplatoon 86 to 93. 3/6 2nd Mar Div and 1/2 2nd Mar Div. Finished up as Marine Cadre at NSA New Orleans. Best years of my life. Only hope all of my kids do a tour in the service. My wife was in the Army around the same time.

[dsrtsniper]

Its not bragging if you can do it?
Well I can't do it any more but I will tell you any way.

I served 5 years in the Air Force but most of my training was performed through the Army. During Operation Desert Storm I was assigned to a S.O. Joint Task Force Unit - Combat Support Elusive Concept (Forward) and Emergency Force Team <- Long Name. I was the base trainer for Air Base Ground Defense at the rank of E- 2 due to my training, a position usually held by E-5 or greater. Due to my service in the military, Desert Storm, and other activities I received the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation included in 12 ribbons with clusters. My commander forced me to wear either BDU's or carry a print out that had proof that I had the right to carry my ribbons. This was an insult by the way. The Department of the Army also presented me with a certificate of Outstanding Leadership and the Achievement medal, I couldn't wear it because it was from a another branch of the military. I served hard and well.

I am disabled and unable to work, drive, and spend most days in pain. But, I support that war as I do this war. And I believe that if anyone has a choice in choosing if this war is honorable or not is the veterans that must suffer the consequences of it for the rest of their lives and not the people that fear risking their life and health as I have.

dsrtsniper

[Barnes]

4 years with the marines, trained on the island ( dont do it the bugs are worse than the instructors) wanted tank comand, but since i can swim i got AAV. i drove the trackter on land, my crew did the rest while in the water. team sniper when needed (armed with a PSG1, got that hook up from my gunny said i had talent and didnt want it wasted on some m-16, i didnt argue) bronze star and a purple heart in iraq, retired as a corporal, and now on with collage (for free baby yeahhh!!!!!) semperfy first to die

[hitchman]

Just wanted to say "Thank you" to all of those that have or are serving in the military.

Thank you

[lugnut]

1999-present (E-5)

I've been in 6 1/2 years as a radio operator in the Air Force. I was stationed at robins air force base with 116th ACW flying on J-STARS. I just got orders and have relocated to Eglin but I am with the 16th SOW out of Hurlburt Field in florida.
I'm now flying on the MC-130P (Combat Shadow). It's a really fun job, but the war is keeping me gone a lot and it's hard on my year old daughter and my wife. If you're thinking about joining the Air Force, it's an awsome experience. If you want to fly, and you like getting shot at in all kinds of different countries, Shadows are for you. AFSOC all the way.

[bubba]

10 years in Navy...Navy Nuke...USS Salt Lake City (SSN-716) last four years.

[remibadboy]

!2 years active duty Marine Corps. Getting out in October.

[Archer32]

1997 to present...

I'm an Aerial Porter aka pallet pusher, box kicker. Anything within DOD that moves on a USAF jet goes through me. Cool thing is I work more with the Marines and Army then I do with my own. Been to just about everywhere with a "istan" in it and Iraq twice.

Best decision I ever made and I love my job. Like everyone says good and bad. All's I know is I retire at 38 years old. Then I'll open up my bowshop and guide service.


Hats off to everyone here!

[brknarrow]

4yrs semper fi.

[BigDog]

Served just a hair under 12 years. 2 years in the Army. Then I got smart and went into the Navy. Spent a tour on the missle submarine USS Tecumseh and one on the fast attack USS Permit.

Like many have stated before, every youngster in this country should have to spend some time either in the armed forces or in prescribed public service. IMHO.

[CaliDuckPro]

Currently serving in the Army as an MP. (stuck in an MI unit ) Stationed at Camp Humphreys in South Korea. I'll hit my 2 year mark on 7 July 06. My contract ends 28 Aug. 07.. and right now I intend on getting out and looking into something in the LE field.

QUOTE

Just sign up for the minimum tour 2-3 years. As backcountry said, you can do that standing on your head. You may not like it, but then again, you may stay for 20 years.[/b]

YH88 -
Very true that you can serve a minimum of 2-3 years. The Army even has a 15 month contract that comes with a cash incentive. (I strongly do NOT recommend that option.) However, when you enlist in ANY branch of the military, you're signing an obligatory 8 year contract. Sure, you may have a contract for 2 years of active duty, but at the end of those 2 years, if you opt to get out, you'll be put into the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) for the next 6 years. You're not required to do anything while in the IRR, you're a civilian, however, you can be called back up at ANY time. It doesn't matter what your MOS/job is. They WILL call you back up if they need people, and they will even retrain you and reclass you into a totally different MOS/job. Right now, the chances are pretty good for people on the IRR to get called back up. It's pretty much like playing Russian Roulette.. you just have to take your chances.. unless you decide to stay in for the 8+ years.

YH88, if you have any specific questions about any branch of the military, feel free to shoot me an email. I'm in the Army, but I have friends in every branch, except for the Coast Guard. By no means am I a recruiter, and I will not just tell you what you want to hear. I'm very opinionated about the military. Lots of good, lots of bad. I strongly recommend you talk to someone currently serving, or who has recently served before talking to a recruiter. Recruiters only care about getting yoru signiture on that paper.

CDP

[cubanpete]

USN 1980-81 ALMOST joined the marines, but the navy recruiter was better at B.Sing then the marine. i was a boiler tech and i got to see alot of the world, which is what i wanted. i know there was a lot of b.s to deal with and a lot of times i regretted it, but now i can only remember the good times.
best 4 yrs of my life.

[perdizgunner]

Four years in the Army as a grunt (the army recruiter got to me before the Marine recruiter). 1978-82. 2yrs with 3rd Infantry in Germany and 2 yrs with 1st Cav in Texas. The service is a great stepping stone for your ultimate goal especially if its law enforcement (local or federal). Pick your closest service partners carefully and get as much training/travel as you can get. if you can get into a position that requires a classified clearance (Division or brigade HQ) , all the better. make the most of it, learn to deal with the BS and play the game...

[Redneck75]

13+ active duty years in the Navy and counting!! Wouldn't trade it for the world. Good days and bad of course but I wouldn't still be here if it was too bad.

Most of what these guys are telling you applies but some of it is a bit outdated. Most of the info can be checked out on the internet if there's a question about the recruiter. I was a recruiter for 3 years a few years ago, but that's done with. I can answer some questions if you have them since I've seen it a time or two.

[fdkay]

24 years and 29 days, Navy all the way. They made me retire. The Navy and Air Force are still downsizing.

[scr83jp]

USAF SAC 4 yrs active and 4 yrs ready reserve .Discharged in Sept 1960.

[dwagoner]

U.S. Army, Sgt 12 years , Bradley Turret Mechanic, Served in Ft Knox, Baumholder Germany, Ft Irwin CA. Currently a civil service employee for DOD at USMC base in Barstow, CA

I would never be where im at now without some great military training and experience it truly gets you a good start in your life for a career and path. 2 or 3 years active or even starting off reserve to see how you like it, theres always the option to go active from a reserve status.

[jiminpa]

14 years us air force.clinton gave me a early retirement.i was stationed in korea,nebraska,michigan,new york and alaska. best time of my life.

['Ike']

Little over four (4) years in the Air Force! Law Enforcement/SP had both AFSC's...Traveled a bunch and loved it...Also got my degree, while in!