How long did you serve?

[SCREWLOOSE]

84-88 U.S.Navy, USS Meyerkord (FF1058). Had a better time than my brain dead friends that stayed at home. Actually quite a few of my high school buddies joined the military. Mostly the Navy. And when we all get together the military guys all have something in common the the non-military guys just don't have.
I know this post was started a few years ago but what did Younghunter decide to do?

[majkowskid]

2000-2005 USAF stationed at Goodfellow AFB. Communications Computer Systems Operator. do the same thing as a defense contractor with General Dynamics now.

[Brettski]

October 2000 - Present time. I'm enlisted with the Vermont Air National Guard, and hold an AFSC of a 2W071 (ammo troop). I build bombs, maintain missiles, and handle the stockpile of our bases munitions. I've loved every minute of my time in the military, and have seen some amazing places, and met some great people. IYAAYAS

[sawyerrt10]

Retired USAF Security Forces (SF) after 20 years and 4 days. Lived in Italy, Germany, Montana, New Mexico and finally home to South Carolina. Had several side trips along the way to include Turkey and the last one Iraq.

Now to put some clarification on some of the previous posts.

USAF has SPs (Security Police) which are now pretty much infantry of the USAF. We always picked on them since they were wannabes back inthe 1980s but they have gotten much better with their training and weapons they are issued. They also have LE's (Law Enforcement) which are the beat cops who man the gates, patrol the base and write traffic tickets etc.

Couldn't agree more. USAF SF are the USAF infantry we get all our base defense training right out of Army Fm 7-8 (Why try and reinvent the wheel). Our weapons are slowly getting better. The career fields (security and Law Enforcement combined in the late 90's) We still do a lot of LE stuff while at home base, but while deployed we are running the gammut of things with a lot of ILO (in lieu of the Army )tasking, giving the Army the chance to use their folks more effectively. We are running convoys from Kuwait to Iraq daily, performing detainee Ops duties and yes even patrolling off-base right along side the Army, kicking in doors and such.

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!

No disrespect taken, but as the old song goes "times they are a changing". At most USAF bases we now have civilian guards on the gates. The entire career field is going through change now. Making us more of a combat force than a security guard). Yes we work 12 hour shifts but it is a 3 days on -3 days off schedule. We deploy for 6 months at a time, and come back to work 12 hour shifts and get ready to go out again in another 6 months. (God bless those that have to stay longer than that) My personal opinion is that when youy deploy over there you should go for a year. It would save money I think. Just my $.02

[CaliDuckPro]

QUOTE

We deploy for 6 months at a time, and come back to work 12 hour shifts and get ready to go out again in another 6 months. (God bless those that have to stay longer than that) My personal opinion is that when youy deploy over there you should go for a year. It would save money I think. Just my $.02[/b]

Personally.. I think 6 month deployments would be a better option. I don't think you'd have as many complaints. I'm sure there would be more frequent trips over there, but it would give you more time in between to be with your family. A lot of deployments now surpass 12 months. Some going to 18 months. There's even talk of the Army wanting to extend some units up to 24 months. But of course, that's just my two cents as well.

[sawyerrt10]

Yeah I know what you mean, it's just the bouncing back and forth every 6 months that is killing the familys. The divorce rate is through the roof! Feel sorry for the kids you know..

[MULEY51]

9 years in Uncle Sam's Navy...1971 - 1980. Made E6 in 7 years (different rules back then), but had enough after 9 and went civilian.

[therev_46]

currently E5 in the airforce, only have a couple months left though on my 6 year commintment. gotta go over one more time in a couple weeks to the sandbox. will only be there 6 weeks though this time so not too bad.

[Gunslinger 6]

Been in 8 years so far. I am an Army tanker. I love it and couldn't think of a better way to make a living.

For all the vets out there, thanks for everything you've done. Any man that makes the decision to risk his life for his freedoms and for his fellow countrymen is a hero in my book.

Hooah!

[quack_head]

US Navy 88-91 Desert Storm. Worked with some USMC Force Recon. EOD.

[butcher2510]

4 years and some (stop loss) USMC
0331 3/5 get some

[Amax]

6yrs Navy 1115 Aegis tech. got to see the world and then some. did some counter drug ops in South America and MEO in the Gulf when Iraqi freedom first started. i miss it some days, and i get chills when i see the commercials for the CORP. now i want to be a Marine, but the wife isn't having it. i feel like our country needs us.

[gun_nut01]

i havent served but planning to join and try to get into special forces. every generation of my family has been either SEALs, CCTs, Green Berets, Rangers, Scout Snipers, Recon, or SOAR pilots. im looking forward to carry on that tradition.

[RR1]

Four years USAF 1952-1956 as an air traffic controller. It was a great four years with a little far east travel and the background for a great career after discharge.

[Valley Hunter]

8 Years US Army 1988-1996 12B Combat Engineer then to 92A Supply. Did Basic/AIT in Ft. Leanorwood (Lost in the Woods) or (Missery) stationed then at Ft. Sill, Ok. served the 1st Iraq war with C co 299th Eng Battalion attached to the 2/69 Scouts. Came home and moved the Battalion to Ft. Carson (Ft. Cartoon) then served 4 years in Germany and loved it. First child was born in Germany and decided to get out and raise my boys with a Dad in the house. My heart pours out to all the men and women serving today... God Bless and stay strong.... your doing it for a good cause.

[chuckslayer]

55-57 Basic, Ft Dix, Tank training at Ft Knox then off to Ft Hood ..last few months spent at Ft sam Houston

62-65 Cuban missle crisis, re-enlisted..Ft Jackson..then off to Pirmasens Germany..very wet there ..continually..

NG & Reserves before, during & after regular service.....

Might have stayed, but I had a wife & two sons..rough on families..

Now have a grandson (USMC) now finishing his second deployment in Al Anbar..and another grandson preparing to swear into Army.

[fresnodukhunter]

I did 6 years in the Navy as a FC (Fire Controlman) 2000-2006. Been on the following ships: USS BOXER LHD-4, USS MILIUS DDG-69, USS FIFE DD-991. I decommissioned the FIFE. Been to too many places to list. BUT was an awesome adventure. Got out due to family, career was getting too demanding.

[gatorfan]

I've been in the Navy a little over 20 years now. Almost my entire career has been spent in San Diego. I don't regret any of it. Every meal is not a feast and every day is not a holiday but I know a lot of people that couldn't hold the same job for 20 months let alone 20 years. I've spent time on ships, with SPECWAR, recruiting, teaching and with the PHIBCBs. I'm a Chief Boatswain's Mate, little brother was a Radioman, Dad was an Electrician's Mate, one Grandfather was a Boatswain's Mate and the other was a Boiler Technician. You could say it's all in the Family. They're running out of shore duty jobs in San Diego and I'm up for orders to go to shore so I might have to pull the plug this coming summer.

[chuckslayer]

Five years Army 1955-57 Tanker 1962-65 Transportation..several years NG & reserves

Considered lifer..but Army was rough on families then (wife & 2 boys) so I opted out.

My grandson just completed his second deployment, both in Ramadi/Fallujah area ..Marine Spec Ops..and has re-upped..
will be perm party for 2 years at Parris Island ...unless the baloon goes up unexpectedly..

He has become Gramp's hero..those hi-speed Spec Ops guys are "Major league"..and he has shared
some "war stories" with me..

I have concluded, after visiting him and his wife at home near Camp Lejeune, and long chats with
him and his fellow Marines; that we now have perhaps, the most professional, dedicated, motivated and
capable military we have ever fielded.

[ltdann]

Navy, 1983-2005, some 22 1/2 years.

[berkeleycarlos]

Army 3 years as a 19D Cavalry Scout(Bradley, no horse sorry) I was with 1-1 CAV in Germany. The unit has since been deactivated. Good times. Thinking about the USCG Reserve now.

[macktruckturner]

4yrs and counting, currently on my 8th month of stop-loss in Iraq. Over half of my enlistment has been served in combat.

Anthony Martinez, SGT
USA, IN

[Ormsby]

Did 3 years active duty infantry: 1-8INF 4th ID '93-'95; 1-5 INF/1-9 INF 2nd ID Camp Hovey, South Korea '95-'96.
National Guard 155mm Artillery '96-'01
National Guard Supply '01-'05
National Guard Rocket Launcher Chief '05
National Guard state HQ Supply '05- Current
Hated Korea while there, great memory with age. Should have done more sight seeing.

Thanks to all of you for your services. The only comrades closest to my heart are the fine soldiers of this wonderful nation.

[1fitspirit]

3 yrs, USN, E4 (Avionics Tech), '85 to '88, VF-1 Wolfpack deploying aboard USS Ranger CV-61.

[559hog]

Currently serving the last 2 months of my 4 year enlistment. Uss Kitty Hawk (CV 63) 2005-2008, Electricians Mate 3rd class. Good times and bad times but the bad times surely outweiged the the good times :-/. Been to countless places, always loved it when we pulled into a liberty port .

[aw1262]

Still serving! Been in the Marines for 12 years and still going strong and having fun doing it!! 8 more to go right... Wouldn't change a thing!!!

[chuckslayer]

Five years US Army...Tanker

Have fun ribbing my grandson when he gets home. He's a Marine Sgt. 2 tours Iraq.First deployment with 22nd MEU Spec Ops.
combat nearly every day.
Second deployment milder..the surge is really working.

[Supertac45]

20 years, 1966 -1987.

[knowledge]

Over 8 years in the USAF as an aircraft mechanic(on the U-2). 1998-2006

[jsjthernandez]

just passed my 6 year mark Air Force. i'm a Crew Chief on a KC-135.