How many military bubbas here?

[Alan]

US Navy - 6 years
US Navy Reserves 11 years
3 years till retirement

Go Navy

[jfellrath]

My tale is much the same. I was ROTC (did join a reserve unit my junior year), and then graduated with my comission in 1990, the year Bush the first and Sec of Defense Cheney deciced that the military didn't need people anymore, so I did not get the active comission I had planned on. Then my reserve unit (and most others) was placed on hold from accepting officers.

I ended up being in the IRR as well (after a couple of years, I had job related issues that kept me from finding a reserve unit as well). So other than 5 months for training, I haven't really served either (but not from lack of trying).

Still, cavalry leads the way...

Adam

Ironically, I was an Armor officer, so I could have gone Cav just as easily. Spent my 4 months at Fort Knox and did the 10-Day War in January. That was fun.

Thanks for posting this, Adam. I've always felt sort of guilty about this and I'm glad I'm not the only one that was in this situation. (Not that I'm glad you were in this situation, just glad that it wasn't limited to ME).

[David White]

I missed the draft for Vietnam by about 1 1/2 years. Went and registered
but nothing. My Dad is 82 years old and 100% disabled WWII vet, he was a F/O in a Cannon Co. Stepped on a land mine lost a leg. He's my hero and a good Dad and friend.

Have family that served back to the RevWar here in the US.

I'm a proud member of the Son's of "Son's of Bitche".
Honorary member of Cannon Co., 398th Infantry Regt., 100th ID. Also
Fox Company 398th Infantry Regt., 100th ID. I still get tears how these men have been kind to me.

www.100thww2.org

Heart felt thanks to all that have and are now serving.

[turpin]

It'll be interesting to see if the spread on this poll statistically reflects current distribution of troops across the armed forces. 3 years active Army.

[caig]

Not counting many years with cadets, I served 10 years in the Territorial Army, Royal Army Ordnance Corps (now the Royal Logistic Corps). My father served in the Border Regiment and later the Royal Artillery.

[switchblade5984]

wow this thread has taken off!

[Retro Red]

I volunteered for the U.S. Air Force in March 1976; served 4-yrs active, 2-yrs inactive reserve. Considered the Navy, but with a last name of Saylors, figured that'd be too confusing!

Weird time to be in the service seeing as it was just after Vietnam (though strangely the VA considers me a 'Nam era Vet, but hey, that's VA logic for ya), the draft had ended just a couple years earlier & Jimmy Carter would soon be president & drastically cut back on our military. I helped operate the computer that provided the status of all our (& our allies) nuclear forces to the SAC battle staff. If you ever saw the movie, War Games, with those big screens showing launch sites, trajectories, targets, etc. - that was my computer providing that information on the screens. Married me a USAF nurse while I was in (still married 29-yrs later); she was a Lieutenant, me a 2-striper; never did have to salute her in uniform (though there were many times she had me standing at attention, as it were ). Glad I joined, though 4-yrs was enough. Personally, I think we should still have universal conscription; I think it'd do a lot of good for many of today's young 'uns.

Off we go into the wild blue yonder...

[davedove]

Granted not many have voted yet, but the sample we have shows something very interesting. While (roughly) only about 10% of the current US population has any military experience, the vast majority of those who have responded have served.

Now, like I said, it's a small sample. Also, maybe those who have served are more likely to answer, since most ex-military are proud of their service. Maybe being in the military and wearing kilts is a natural match. Who know, but it's very interesting.

[Woodsheal]

US Army
4 years active duty, 4 years reserve, Field Artillery officer (got out as a Capt.).

Father: US Navy WWII & Korea
Uncle: US Army Air Force (15th AF) WWII
Uncle: US Army 33rd Inf Div WWII
Grandfather: US Army WWI
Great grandfather: US Army SpanAmWar
Great-great grandfather: US Army American Civil War (50th NY Engineers)

...and a further family tradition of service going back to colonial days...!

[Vince]

Vince, when were you on the Plunger? My dad was the COB a LONG time ago on that boat (early 70s).

I was on the Plunger from '79 through '81 so I missed your dad by at least one COB.

For you non-Navy people, the COB is the Chief of the Boat and the most senior enlisted man on board.

Oh, I forgot to list the USS Denver (LPD9).