Have you served your country?

[CGSteve8718]

Well I'm not talking reservists down cause I was one. I was simply joking to myself as far as the whole active/reserve animosity goes. It's ok to say here in the States, and I agree with that since I didn't serve full time, but things can be way different over there.

We were doing our RIP left seat right seat thing with unnamed Marine unit and these active duty guys already had several negligent discharges at the gate before leaving the wire on a 240. We were thinking to ourselves, don't these guys do this all the time, not to mention the workup and all the training they just had for Iraq? Their knowledge of other equip like the radios and this thing called the Blue Force Tracker was also not so hot. I don't know, maybe it's a bigger picture problem with the military in general but they didn't seem to know what was going on, and we had a real simple job.

Bottom line comes to common sense. Some people got it and some don't. It doesn't matter the service or the status (active/reserve). Sure, some have less than others most of the time but in general that's all it is.

[dixierifleman]

active duty United States Marine here.

[OJ]

Well I'm not talking reservists down cause I was one. I was simply joking to myself as far as the whole active/reserve animosity goes. It's ok to say here in the States, and I agree with that since I didn't serve full time, but things can be way different over there.

I guess my post came across more serious than I meant it.

Reservists have always been the real thing, though, when the bacon needed to be saved. Most here weren't alive at the time and, thus, wouldn't remember that the "Heroes of Bataan" - those troops defending the Bataan Peninsula (1941-42) - were mostly (I think at least 80%) activated National Guard units and Reservists. They did a great job of fighting, ended up on the infamous Bataan Death March, and in the horrible Cabanatuan prison camp.

Our full time troops ( all services) are the greatest and our reservists aren't second class! I've been on both sides.

[support_six]

The 29th Infantry Division that landed on Omaha Beach 6 June 1944 was a National Guard Division. It still is.

I've served in the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard. All have their advantages and disadvantages. Anyone who looks down on any of these components has not served in one yet.

[tuckerdog1]

If you raised you hand, took the oath, and were prepared to do as asked, you served. IMHO.

Tuckerdog1

[Mike U.]

Yes!

USMC 1980-84.

[Big Don]

If you raised you hand, took the oath, and were prepared to do as asked, you served. IMHO.

Ditto that from me. You wore the uniform, you served, whether it was over there or over here. I served with National Guardsmen who had to hear "NG means 'No Good'" from the regulars (mostly draftees) and I'll tell you who I wanted to be around: NG. Thank you again, one and all, for your service, be it past or present. You make me proud to have worn the uniform.
Don

[Slideman]

Given few decent choices, I served the US Air Force in 1968 - 1972. It was okay for me as I was a computer operator before any of you knew what a computer was.

I served my country far better in 2002 - 2006 as state chair of the Libertarian Party of Idaho and as candidate for Governor who won* two debates on state-wide television.

*according to my biased fans

[helpless]

Just wanted to say thanks to all the vets here.

I am not one, so I appreciate all you guys taking time to serve the rest of us. My little brother is a vet though and I am proud as hell of him, he just got back from Iraq about 1.5 years ago and signed back up for the reserves.

1st Cav, he is a good kid/man

[Tac1911]

No, and I seriously regret not doing so now.

To all that have and do, many thanks.

[surjimmy]

Usmc 84-88

[5whiskey]

USMC 2003-2007. 0351 turned 0311 squad leader because my job is obselete. I'm proud as hell and would do it over, but I am tired so I decided to get out. Thinking of joining the AF reserve as a combat controller, but not yet. Thanks to everyone for the support, and to brothers still over now... God bless you. I will continue to pray for you and will not rest "Until they are all home".



A couple of the boys are missing from this picture, importantly "uncle Spinner" who usually advised me to not flip out when I was about to.




Here's me with several close friends. Taken at cax in May of 06. Rapavi was shot and killed by a sniper, one of the few good pictures I have of him... God rest Rapavi

[mcmoyer]

Usn 1973-79

[Twycross]

Just graduated from Infantry OSUT at FT Benning, currently waiting in line to get into Airborne school.

[MikeG]

U.S. Air Force 1976 - 2000.
Contractor on a local base now, guess I like the military.

[flynlr]

US Army 1984-1988 UH-60 Crew Chief
USAF Reserves 1989-1997 C-130 Crew Chief
USAF Reserves 2004-2006 Logistics
Utah Air National Guard 2006-Current Logistics.

Also A Full Time USPS employee.

[ArfinGreebly]

USAF 1968 - 1972

Radio Relay Equipment
UK, Germany, Greece

Uneventful tour. Chalk it up to dumb luck.

Acknowledgements to others who served in combat:

My best friend from high school was USMC.

After 30 years of believing him dead, I finally found him in San Francisco a couple of years ago, in good health and living well.

First kid I ever picked a fight with (5th grade), and who soundly trounced me, and who is, outside my family, the person I've known longest, went with the Rangers. Multiple purple hearts and other salad. Retired as Lt Col.

My own dad, "communications" (radar) officer in England, manning a German bomb target.

All saw more action and did more than I.

And for this they all have my complete respect.

[Ftom14cat]

USMC
now

[WeThePeople]

US Army Active Duty 1991-->1997. Cav Scout. Sergeant. 1/11th ACR, 6/16th Cav, 3/7th Cav. SCOUTS OUT!

[ch47gunner]

U.S.Army -
2/1969 - 1/1972
One year stateside - training me (aircraft maint. & gunner school), then training WOC's (17 & too young for RVN), at Ft. Rucker, Ala.
One year RVN - CH47C & Super C's, Doorgunner/Crewchief (what else?). 1st Aviation Brigade, 213th ASHC (Black Cats), III Corps/Phu Loi.
One year Germany - 421st Medivac Company, 7th Medical Brigade. Waaay too much fun over there.
Welcome home all.

[Mat, not doormat]

Nope, couldn't swallow my pride long enough to swear to obey orders from a CinC like W. Came very close, but he got elected about the same time I turned 18, and I backed out.

~~~Mat

[safronlove]

I really pledge to them those get opportunity to serve I did not get but if will get will be my pleasure of life.

[Sgt.Fathead]

Marine Corps, 1987-1992, 0331, Machine Gunner

Semper Fidelis!

[fivepaknh]

Nope, couldn't swallow my pride long enough to swear to obey orders from a CinC like W. Came very close, but he got elected about the same time I turned 18, and I backed out.

That's kind of weak. You serve your country, not a man.


Army infantry 1983-85 and 1989-1993

[mushoot]

US Navy, CT2 1968-72
US Army MSG 1975-1991