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[Custom 68]

Thank you ALL for your service

[davischevy]

489th Engineering Battalion, Company D, Demolition Specialist
(reservist) seven years.

I spent the first part of my time learning to blow up bridges, and the last part building bridges.

You regular army guys have my respect, and thanks for your service.

[davischevy]

489th Engineering Battalion, Company D, Demolition Specialist
(reservist) seven years.

I spent the first part of my time learning to blow up bridges, and the last part building bridges.

You regular army guys have my respect, and thanks for your service.

[82C10step]

Thank you for your service!

[mikebte]

Well... I'm not as old as half of you, but I was Navy getting off Active duty in 2012 and transferred 1 tour in the Navy Reserves.
During my time I was stationed with the Iron man Squadron and enjoyed it for the most part.
Only Photo I have was my A School. Also a good time.
I drove my 59 Chevy threw my entire enlistment

[71sierragrande]

US Army 1986-1988
Fort Leonard Wood Basic and AIT Honor Grad
Combat Engineers, Bridge erection Lead boat operator
8th engineer bn, 1st Cav Division, Fort Hood TX and Germany

[davischevy]

Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

If you don't like the weather, wait a couple of hours.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by davischevy

Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

If you don't like the weather, wait a couple of hours.

My son's going there for basic December 31. He's definitely not going to like the weather.

[kingsolver72]

The guy I learned to install flooring from was a drill Sargent in 1969 at Ft. Lostinthewoods.
Even in his 40s he could call cadence.

[RustyPile]

US Army 1964 - 66.. After Basic Training, I was trained as 16B.. Assigned to UASREUR, NATO Forces in Germany. 5th Army Artillery Group, 42nd Artillery Detachment. Real hush-hush classified stuff so I can't say much about what I did and saw.. Nuclear warheads all around me...

What I can say is it wasn't a fun assignment by any stretch of the imagination.. Because of strict clearance requirements, we were constantly understaffed. Constant alerts.. Training, inspections, and evaluations all the time.. Almost no leaves, and very few passes..

[72supr]

To all the men and women that have served and are serving this country my hat is off to you.Without you this wouldn't be the best place to live in the world.Thank you very much.

[Feel the 'Pane]

US Navy 88'-98'
Primary NEC: 4956 - Nuclear power plant components welder
Secondary NEC: 9594 - Nuclear SUBMARINE repair
Service connected disabled veteran

*NEC - Navy enlisted code

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by kingsolver72

The guy I learned to install flooring from was a drill Sargent in 1969 at Ft. Lostinthewoods.
Even in his 40s he could call cadence.

I took my basic at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. in June of '67 thru August. Hot and dry SOB for sure. That Missouri clay was like concrete. What was the former drill Sgt's last name, do you remember? I had a Sgt. Shanks, (he could run all dry and proved it many times) , Sgt. Monahan, and a Staff Sgt. Burns. Funny how you remember names after almost 50 years but they did tend to make an impression on everyone, LOL. Still remember some of the cadence we called but definetly not for tender ears !

Charlie-Five-Three aka "Chargin' Charlie" C Co, 5 Batalion, 3rd Brigade

[kingsolver72]

Yeah Ironhorse,His name is John Bigley. I’ll never forget him. He lives near Spring Hill Ks. I stopped by his place about 4 years ago. I hadn’t seen him for probably 20 years prior to then. He gave me some of his carpet/vinyl tools and supplies he had in his shop. It was great to visit with him but I wasn’t prepared for how he had physically changed.
I had more fun working for John. He taught himself how to install flooring when he left the Army. He still hand sewn some seams when I first started working for him. He coined a few terms that I use to this day.
We went wet bulb for at least a week and a half in August of 81 at Ft Sill. We had a native American drill sergeant who would run backwards and call cadence after pt. I don’t think I ever saw him sweat. We rappelled Medicine Bluff/Geranimos Cliff. I don’t think the Army has used the Cliff for training since the mid 80s.
The 3rd Herd

[cayoterun]

Originally Posted by davischevy

Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

If you don't like the weather, wait a couple of hours.

Weather: Here in the Okie Panhandle, we tell people "it isn't the end of the world, but you can see it from here".

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by cayoterun

Weather: Here in the Okie Panhandle, we tell people "it isn't the end of the world, but you can see it from here".

I may have told you this story already but, WE were headed home on our bike and spent the night in Clayton, NM. The next morning we headed east. I didn't put a jacket on and it was chilly. WE stopped in Guymon, OK for breakfast and the weather was pretty nice. WE left Guymon and spent a day from hell on that motorcycle. From Guymon to Tulsa was absolutely the hottest, most miserable day I ever spent on a motorcycle.

[Steeveedee]

US Navy, '72 - '76. Got to my first ship (a destroyer) right after it returned from a WestPac. Transferred to a reserve ship which was then sold to the Korean navy, transferred back to the first ship, which then became a reserve ship. In all, maybe 45 days out to sea between the two. Then, to a ship that was in the yards. By the time it rolled off, I saw refresher training, and a trip to the hospital for a hernia, then out of the Navy. Joined the Navy to see the world, and the only way I know that we were more than 50 NM from (US) land is because we were allowed pump the bilges.

[58pan]

U.S. Army 1975-78
11B10P4
Infantrymen/towgunner

[68C15]

Aside from basic and AIT in Fart Lost in the Woods Missery (the arm pit of the nation) my career memories have faded. About the only thing exciting I did was help clean up after Huricane Andrew in Homestead FL. I don't consider myself a veteran, I just worked for the US government

[kingsolver72]

I believe you are correct, I think federal law states you must’ve been active duty to be considered a vet. I’m not sure there is a specific amount of time. I enlisted when Iran held our people as hostage. We were told we were going to Iran, it never happened and I’m glad but, I would have gone. I serve my country as a reservist but if this thread wasn’t to include reservist than I apologize. I’m not trying to steal any valor.

On side note the guy that I used to work for would tell me that he’d rather his daughter was a hooker than have a son that was in the reserves. He always said what was on his mind.

[jeffahart]

If you have a DD214 and were honorably discharged, you are a Vet. I took my DD214 to the county register recorder after ETS. Only showed it once for employment.


j

[ednerin]

USAF Jet engine mechanic F-16 and F-15E 24 yrs...

[Shorty Cox]

National Guard and Reserves get a DD214 at the end of basic and AIT. It only shows documents the length of time served on active duty. If the time is less than 180 consecutive days of active duty, the soldier is not a VET.


Yes, a couple years ago, DOD did pass a rule that allows National Guard/Reservist to be classified as a lesser Vet. Non-benefit eligible Vet.

Most non-prior service National Guard and Reservist can serve their entire time and never get 180 consecutive days of active duty.


As I stated above, I am Army retired with 27 years of service, yet I'm not a Vet. My DD214 only shows my active duty from 24 Feb 71 to 03 Jul 71.

[jeffahart]

Learn something everyday. I thought the active reserve guys and NG were Vets too. Go figure. How do you retire then, there's a pension for active reserve?

When I got out of active duty, I still had three years inactive reserve hanging over my head. I was happy when the day came I couldn't get called back. I felt like I should have been allowed to fully move on with my life after ETS with no worry of going back. But it was a six year commitment, three active and three inactive reserve.

Being a civilian is good, if it's raining and: you don't want to march around in the rain, try to smoke a cigarette in the rain, sleep in the rain, or eat rained on food.... you can just go inside... NICE!!!

Anyhow, anyone who hangs for 27 years in the active reserve or NG is a VET in my eye. I don't think anyone would criticize you being called a VET.


j

[Shorty Cox]

Jeff, Yes, one can retire from the NG/Reserve after accruing 20 "retirement years" of service. The soldier accrues "retirement points" for each day of service, schools attended, etc. There are many ways to earn retirement points. It takes 60 retirement points per year for that year to count as a "retirement year." After 20 years, one can retire, however one is not eligible for retirement pay/benefits until age 60 years old. Between the date of retirement to age 60, the soldier is classified as a "grey area retiree". After age 60, the soldier receives benefits just like any other regular soldier retiree. The amount of pay is based upon the total number of "retirement points" accrued.


Disclaimer: What I just said is over simplified.


Also, to all Vets on here, I didn't mean to hi-jack the thread.

Thanks to all you actual vets for your service.

Shorty