How many vetrans are out there?

Post by **Casey 65** » September 1, 2009, 1:37 pm

How many old Flyboys, Popeyes, Jarheads, Coasties and Grunts are there in Slicks 60s? I know a bunch of you must have served, I can tell by some of the posts you've put on this website. Mac, I forgot "Digger" for your service "down under" That's what we Grunts called the Aussies... LOL

I'm a Grunt...
Regular Army, MP. 77th MP Detachment, Sandhoffen Germany 63-66

"Ain't no use in goin' home,
Jodie's got your girl alone. ..."

Gritsngumbo · Post by **Gritsngumbo** » September 1, 2009, 2:45 pm

I served in the U.S. Navy from 1966-1970 as a member of the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club.
Three years and nine months sea duty. (Only land-based duty was Boot Camp in San Diego.)

USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5)
USS Providence (CLG-6)
USS Ranger (CVA-61)

Post by **Casey 65** » September 1, 2009, 4:07 pm

the "Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club" I love military humor

I spent two weeks as a guest of the Navy on a troop ship. It was called the Patch. I was told it had been sunk in the harbor twice. Didn't make me feel real secure as we skirted a storm in the North Atlantic.

tbritt · Post by **tbritt** » September 1, 2009, 4:16 pm

Did my time in the Gulf too,65 to 68 Stoddard and Golbough both out of Pearl. went on a tour with the sub Blackfin and in late 68 got my butt to the east coast did Scotland and Rota and back to Charleston. I started a tread for Retired Military but we're all Vetrans and thats what counts. Glad to know you guys.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » September 1, 2009, 7:41 pm

Well, I'm a participant of the Southeast Asian war games myself. I was on the second place team as a civilian chopper pilot.
I either got there to soon, or to late to save the war.
It depends on which war protester you talk to.
Jan. 68- Oct. 69.
You guys know the difference between a fairy tale and a war story?
A fairy tale starts out, "Once upon a time......".
A war story starts out, "Now this is no shit.....".
ROTFLMAO
U@ss

grump · Post by **grump** » September 1, 2009, 8:07 pm

Uncle sam asked me to join his travel club in 1969. He then allowed me to tour sunny southeast asia in 70-71 in a battalion recon platoon. I can't say it was the most fun I ever had but I wouldn't ever trade the experience. It helped me grow up and pointed me in the right direction.

Gritsngumbo · Post by **Gritsngumbo** » September 1, 2009, 8:58 pm

As a former boss told me, "I wouldn't do it again for a million dollars, but I also wouldn't take a million dollars for the experience.

dotcentral · Post by **dotcentral** » September 1, 2009, 9:01 pm

USAF from 1982-86. I enjoyed my co-workers and the experience in general, but most of the higher ranking NCO's were a large pain in the backside and the main reason I didn't make a career out of it.

twotone · Post by **twotone** » September 1, 2009, 9:10 pm

I served 22 years in the Georgia Air National Guard in the communications field. I was a guard bum for about 5 years. For those that don't know what that is, it is a person who pretty much serves on as much active duty as they can per year, usually being unemployed. I also work civil service at Robins AFB Ga. so I also accumulated military leave and was still able to serve on more than average days of active duty. I was mobilized in 2003 for Iraqi Freedom. I retired in October 2006 as an E-7 Master Sergeant.

Long63 · Post by **Long63** » September 2, 2009, 7:38 am

Canoe Club 1990-1996.
DD-990 in Pearl Harbor, HI
CG-57 in San dog, CA

Two visits to the Persian Gulf.

First ship was insistant on sinking. Ran aground in Sri Lanka, then four months later hit a oil tanker head on in Straits on Malaca. Two and a half months in Singapore getting repaired.

Pics in album.

DD-990 got her wish in 2005 as Naval Target practice and now resides at the bottom of the Pacific north of the Hawai'ian Islands.

fmartin_gila · Post by **fmartin_gila** » September 2, 2009, 7:45 am

I started out in Army Reserve in 56, switched to USMC in 57 thru 67. I also 'enjoyed' some of the earlier fun and games at DaNang and ChuLai in 65 and 66.

Fred

Activated Org 64 · Post by **Activated Org 64** » September 2, 2009, 7:56 am

USN 1957-1961

Ray

Fanatic · Post by **Fanatic** » September 2, 2009, 5:05 pm

I would NEVER put myself in the "Veteran" category, since I was in the USAF from 76-80. This was just between conflicts. However, I am GRATEFUL AND PROUD of you guys and all of the rest that kept and continue to keep us free.

Thanx, Tim

Long63 · Post by **Long63** » September 2, 2009, 8:23 pm

The times and sites I experienced in the Navy were amazing. I think everyone should be part of their country's defense force. But it's a choice.

Singapore makes it mandatory for citizens to serve two years. That was back in '92, not sure what today's policy is. I believe it should be voluntary as the US is. To me it seems to make a better quality Defense Force when its something the person choses to do. I would encourage young people to join a service, but if they chose not to, that's fine. It's the freedom of choice that is the best about this nation.

Long live the "Pursuit of Happiness".

65f100_Thug · Post by **65f100_Thug** » September 4, 2009, 4:24 pm

They gave me two choices at the MEPS station to be a grunt or air traffic controller in the Army. the pictures of the ATC guy was wearing his class b's and drinking coffee. I chose ATC! Was assigned to a tactical unit in Hawaii with a bunch of old duce and a halves we worked on constantly along with 15 kw generators after air assault school. I was a little confused weather I was a mechanic ,Truck driver or grunt. enlisted sep 17 of 87 Ft Dix basic ,Ft Rucker Al AIT and off to sunny Hawaii for two years. then back to Ft Rucker and got out after desert Storm and did 2 years in the Guard, Henderson TX ,Phoenix Az and Little Rock Ar (so i moved alot LOL)

What did I learn.......Hooha is a word, 3Am is too darn early to work out. I actually turn GREEN and puke flying (NOE) nap of the earth in a black hawk.(but never refused a chance to do it.) theres no (trick) to shinny boots its just alot of work.....com som home da is korean for your face is ugly.
As long as your dry and warm and got a little food LIFE IS GOOD! hooah!

Oh ya having never had to be actually shot at (on purpose the idiot at the range was a different case) I want to thank all you guys who put your @sses on the line for all of us REMFS and peace time troops A Special THANKS!!

DukeRoche · Post by **DukeRoche** » September 10, 2009, 3:58 pm

Army medic from 2003 to present. Clear Ft. Hood next week and moving on to civilian life. anyone need a medic?

stronger66ratfink · September 12, 2009, 8:20 am

hesitated to join in on the post, but darn it I am a veteran,
just yesterday had a Marine recruiter pass me by and gave me the thumbs up! guess he noticed my United States Marine Corp 1971-1977 sticker on the tail gate, served during Veitnam but never had to go in, but feel like I did since my platoon was 40% guy who had 2 and 3 tour duty in and where mustering out mostly, no pat on the back for any of us back then. was a 0331 Machine gunner, sat my rear in the target seat of Huey's and other things, but spent allot of my time in North Fork teaching Mid Shipmen how to use Thompson sub machine guns! OK Bugzy that's enough!

Brians1966 · Post by **Brians1966** » September 12, 2009, 1:34 pm

USAF
1972-74 Craig AFB Alabama
1974-76 RAF Lakenheath United Kingdom

Michelle · Post by **Michelle** » September 12, 2009, 2:17 pm

Brians1966 wrote:USAF
1972-74 Craig AFB Alabama
1974-76 RAF Lakenheath United Kingdom

You should see Craig AFB now. It would make you sick. It sat deserted for years. I passed by Craig on Hwy. 80 this past June and the base housing had been converted to low income housing. It looked like a dump.

USAF 1965 to 1989

65_Slick · Post by **65_Slick** » September 13, 2009, 7:51 am

Air Force from 78 - 94. Worked as an crew chief on tankers. KC-135's. Stationed at Altus AFB and Minot AFB. Traveled the world tdy, but they didn't move us too much.

This is one of my favorite pictures.

Yes it was a lot of work!
Yes it was Fun!
Marty