Brothers in Arms

[Pull Ya]

I like the idea. Will it be open to everyone on the forum or exclusive to only those with the "Military" bar?

Anyone can look through the thread, but it is designed specifically for military vets. Hopefully others will respect that however there is no way to stop others from posting. If someone has something substantive or specific to add to a conversation then I'm fine with that but the thread was designed specifically for vets . What do you think?
Jay

 

[huntergreen]

USAF 1972 - 1976

After basic training in Texas & tech school in Colorado, I was assigned to the Strategic Air Command, stationed at Castle AFB, California with the 93rd Bomb Wing. I had a great duty assignment there but that only lasted 5 months before I was placed on orders for a series of 1 - 2 month long schools in South Carolina, Florida, Idaho, Washington before being deployed to Thailand at Udorn RTAB and points North.

On my trip over the Pacific I took the opportunity to call my former barracks roomie, a personnel specialist, in California and see what he could find out about my next stop. Apparently he didn't have sufficient clearance to get any details.

Eleven months later I returned to the good ol' USA, right back to Castle, with a few new holes scattered here and there on my person. Not enough of them to send me home nor not enough to kill me but surely enough to **** me off.

From there my duty assignment did not change, filling a Procurement & Contracts position in support of the bomb wing, the 924th ARS (KC135 tankers), the 84th FIS (General Dynamics F106 Delta Dart), the pilot training simulator group and the base Civil Engineering group.

As my enlistment was winding down I was paid a visit by the base NCOIC, a CMSGT with every service stripe, diamonds and other ribbon devices you could possibly own. His name was Richard K. Draves and I'll never forget that lovable ******* for as long as I live. We had a history that stretched back to my tech school days in Colorado. But that's a story for another time.

Raising my hand and taking the oath of enlistment was a singular moment in my life. It was my privilege to have served our country and I've never regretted my decision to enlist.

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

An oath that we are never relieved of. Hope factions of the government understand this.

 

[huntergreen]

mcbroom sorry to hear of your accident.

 

[ETX Ram]

Claud - knew there was something that happened since you retired after 12 years. Had enough respect to wait until you told your story instead of asking like some NFG. Know it sucks to have gotten injured that way.

Okay - in for a penny / in for a pound.

12/88 RTC - Orlando, FL
02/89 SERVSCOLCOM - Orlando, FL
07/89 SERVSCOLCOM - Great Lakes, IL
04/90 NAS Memphis - Millington, TN
03/92 PRECOM Unit Cape St George
04/93 USS Cape St George CG-71
07/95 NAVAIRTECHTRACEN - Millington, TN (BRAC move)
03/96 NAVAIRTECHTRACEN- NAS Pensacola, FL
07/98 EAOS

Fortunately no extra ventilation holes since was not a combat veteran - for the most part anyway.

Lee

 

[aces-n-eights]

Anyone can look through the thread, but it is designed specifically for military vets. Hopefully others will respect that however there is no way to stop others from posting. If someone has something substantive or specific to add to a conversation then I'm fine with that but the thread was designed specifically for vets . What do you think?
Jay

I was thinking there may be vets that want to share an experience or something they may be struggling with and prefer not to share it with the "world" - just with fellow vets. Our own "safe place", as you said. We already have the Military Roll Call thread where you can post your service dates.

I don't know how it would work from the forum admin side - how to limit the membership in a sub forum.

I don't want to make it hard... just thought i'd toss out the suggestion and see if it makes sense to others.

 

[Pull Ya]

I think "our" thread has a good start. Looks like we're going to have some place to come and visit and solve the problems of the world!!! LOL
Jay

 

[Pull Ya]

I can check with one of the mods and see what they think.
Jay

 

[Fitz-0518]

My military life began, as many did in the mid 60's. I was in college PT, working PT and focused on cars and girls FT. Had a student deferment. We did not think the government could track our grades or that the school would provide them that information. Ca mind set of the 18 year old in 1966. 90 days after our grades dropped, 8 of us got drafted in 8/1966. Went to Ft Bliss TX for basic. Most of what I remember about that time is,,, Mexican. Sent to Ft Huachuca Az for MOS. Truck Driver. Liked the work and loved the area. Nogales was memorable. Most of our class went to Vietnam. Wilson and I went to Germany. Assigned to the 81st Airborne as troop transport drivers. Got selected for the "cherry job" in the Army back then. VIP driver. Was assigned to a full colonel. Robert E Lee Barracks in Mainz Germany. He was airborne I was a leg draftee. He never liked that. Drove him to and from work. Took his daughter to school and his wife shopping. Army issued him a brand new 66 Chevy 4dr Biscayne. Olive drab green. 283 2 barrel, 3 speed on the column. Radio, air and carpet delete. But it had a heater. Pure luxury in Germany. Ate in officers mess, had a class A pass and secret clearance. We did not listen to or hear what the officers spoke about sitting behind or next to us. Wilson and I were so smart and heads up that we got blind drunk one night and volunteered for Vietnam the next morning. Passed out in front of the Captains office. When the company clerk told our company commander what we wanted to see him about. He told clerk Harrington to have us picked up and taken over to the mental hospital. The head doctor told him we were fit, E-3 idiots and eligible for service in RVN. 30 days at home R&R and we arrived in RVN 12/67. About 30 days later Charlie welcomed us to Vietnam with his TET offensive. We were 19 years old but tuned 50 in the next 12 mos. Thought I would share that year in other post's. Enjoy the weekend. Fitz

 

[turkeybird56]

I think you already have that thread right here, Jay, and I'm in!

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WELL, guess I will jump in.

SAM's Air Circus, the land of the proverbial "checklist". Think SAC had a plexi-glass checklist for everything, LMAO, MAC, Civilian, US Army 12 years, retire, Civilian LEO, retire, hee hee..Retire twice and still struggling, gotta luv Democracy... I would not leave it for all the money in the world tho. Proudly fly my Flag every day too......


ADDED: I am a member of the post Vietnam retiree club. Almost all service peacetime, not counting peacetime moves: like Gitmo for Cuban Refugee and such. Actually did my 20 years in 2 services and never under fire. I managed to get under fire after I retired and spent many years in LEO, to include 2 shootings Ft Hood (11-5-2009) the big one and another one in Housing Area, which was not pleasant, so I cannot relate to any wartime stuff, just respect the Men/Women that did so and Honor their service.....

 

[turkeybird56]

I began life as a Marine at Mars San Diego,Ca. Dec 03 1988.
12 years later I was retired with full benefits due to a incident on an aircraft carrier. I was fast roping from a helo the pilot got out of tune with the ship and waves.
So long story short.
As I came down the rope the ship came up. Both of my legs were hyperextended a full 90* cracked both knee caps and tore almost all the tendons. I couldn't do job so I got out with my full retirement.
I had just signed my reenlistment papers for another 6 year tour.
This accident was in 2000
I'd never have gotten out if it weren't for the accident.
I still miss active duty.
A few years later I was diagnosed with PTSD from combat in desert storm and other places I've been in. My mos's were 0317/8541/8542/0311
Rank SGT E-5 I'd have had my rocker but couldn't go to SNCO school because both legs were in imobizers.
When my injuries happened I had my snco slot set and was going to the drill field right after that.

So 19 years later I'm still a Marine...
I'm not as lean
I'm just as mean
I'm still a Marine!!!
SEMPER FI BROTHERS

Most of my family has served in the military several uncles in the army and Daddy was air force(mp). Great great uncle served with Teddy Roosevelt in Cuba. He was a medic.


Thank each and every one of y'all for your service to an ungrateful country.
Vietnam vets welcome home.


Blue Mule

NOTE: One of my friends retired E7, US Army. he was a 11B (Infantry) and did 2 tours RVN, second tour he was a ******. I still cannot out shoot him with a long gun. NE way long story/short. He was "sprayed/exposed" numerous times to Agent Orange. He is suffering many debilitating problems from that. He is now 100% disability, and 50% paralyzed, and I think may not make the year. But not much I can do for that. I can just stay in touch and such. (neva fast roped from a Helo per say, but have rappelled from a UH-1. Of course too old now, but I NEVA gonna do that again), just a saying.....(Felt like a bobber on a fish line)..

 

[Pull Ya]

Good morning everyone!!! Was thinking of a couple things the other day so I got a couple of questions for y'all.
*When you go out to run errands do you ever wear anything to ID yourself as x military like a hat or shirt?
*How does it make you feel when someone says, "Thanks for your service"?

I have a favorite Marine Corps hat that I wear when ever I'm out and about. Just seems like a habit to put it on before I leave the house.
Most of the time when people say "Thanks for your service" I usually answer by tell them "thank you" or "it was an honor". I am glad that people have recently begun to recognize military members and their families.
Thanks to everyone that has shared their military background with us and hopefully as this thread continues to grow we will see more vets participate.
Semper Fi
Jay

 

[Rado]

I have 3 ship hats that I wear a lot. A Jacket with the POW/MIA Patch on it and a ARMY sweat Shirt in honor of my son's and Grandson !And yes it is nice to hear Thank You for your service unlike in the60's and 70's !!! And the reaction I get if I mention Hanoi Jane is priceless Amazing how many people do not like her lol
I also have Boot Camp T Shirts from my boys ! and Now added my Grandson's shirt to the wall I also have pictures of the 4 ships I was on ! Also on my wall

 

[huntergreen]

Good morning everyone!!! Was thinking of a couple things the other day so I got a couple of questions for y'all.
*When you go out to run errands do you ever wear anything to ID yourself as x military like a hat or shirt?
*How does it make you feel when someone says, "Thanks for your service"?

I have a favorite Marine Corps hat that I wear when ever I'm out and about. Just seems like a habit to put it on before I leave the house.
Most of the time when people say "Thanks for your service" I usually answer by tell them "thank you" or "it was an honor". I am glad that people have recently begun to recognize military members and their families.
Thanks to everyone that has shared their military background with us and hopefully as this thread continues to grow we will see more vets participate.
Semper Fi
Jay

I have a few ballg caps I wear once in awhile. Things were so bad in the mid seventies we were advised not to wear uniforms off base. I/we got in the habit of not calling attention to ourselves. Of course the short hair was a give away.

 

[McBroom]

Depending on how I'm feeling or where I'm going kinda dictates which cover I wear. Its very seldom that I go places by myself. I have several different covers.
1 says "heavily medicated for your protection"
Another says "disabled veteran" with the EGA in the center
One says "desert storm veteran" and has my 3 campaign medals on it.
I have a ton of USMC T shirts and a couple of jackets which none fit anymore because I've lost a lot of weight.
When I go to the VA for dr appts I usually wear a Marine t shirt and my Ram cover.

A lot of times people come up n say thank you for your service. I respond with "thank you" for the privilege or something to that affect.

I love that I served and wish everyday that I was still in.
I miss the doing the job I had.

I'm sure that there's still people on this planet that need a good killin.


Humm I think that I'll go out on my range and do some shooting while this pigs ass is in the smoker getting ready for supper.

I've got plenty so if you're in the neighborhood and wanna shoot then have a feast ... co.e on up here. Denison Texas ain't that far away.

Blue Mule

 

[Fitz-0518]

Depending on how I'm feeling or where I'm going kinda dictates which cover I wear. Its very seldom that I go places by myself. I have several different covers.
1 says "heavily medicated for your protection"
Another says "disabled veteran" with the EGA in the center
One says "desert storm veteran" and has my 3 campaign medals on it.
I have a ton of USMC T shirts and a couple of jackets which none fit anymore because I've lost a lot of weight.
When I go to the VA for dr appts I usually wear a Marine t shirt and my Ram cover.

A lot of times people come up n say thank you for your service. I respond with "thank you" for the privilege or something to that affect.

I love that I served and wish everyday that I was still in.
I miss the doing the job I had.

I'm sure that there's still people on this planet that need a good killin.


Humm I think that I'll go out on my range and do some shooting while this pigs ass is in the smoker getting ready for supper.

I've got plenty so if you're in the neighborhood and wanna shoot then have a feast ... co.e on up here. Denison Texas ain't that far away.

Blue Mule

Read it twice. Thanks

 

[Fitz-0518]

I have two ball caps, that have the flag in silhouette. Some of you will remember that coming back from Vietnam in the 60's was not welcoming or pleasant. Truth is most of us kept our mouth shut. Put that time behind us and focused on the future. But today, it is in fact different. Trump has raised the awareness/sacrifice of military service. Men and women of honor have spoken up about their service and love for their country. Today, they wear their service time proudly.
Jay is right. The recognition that we get/enjoy is quite surprising.
* Reserved Veteran parking at Lowe's. 10% off.
* 20% off at Dickie's BBQ for Veteran and over 65.
* Veteran discount at Trump International Hotel.
* The thank you for your service, is to me special.
Fitz

 

[michael harpe]

2001 basic at ft. Knox, Ky. Ait @ APG,MD
army resevea with 352 CSH camp parks, ca
2002-2006 3ACR ft carson, co
Deployed Al Asad airbase, iraq 2003-2004
Deployed Tal Afar, iraq 2005-2006
2006-2008 4ID ft carson. Co
Deployed camp taji/sadr city iraq 2007-2008

Army reserves 2010-2012 ft Carson, co, okmulgee, ok & Sacramento, ca

National guard 2012-2014 san Antonio texas.

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[michael harpe]

Jay reading through just today's response, I believe your question has been answered and this will be another interesting active thread.
Timing is interesting. Just got back from trip to see our son in Henderson NV. I open up our forum and find Jay's latest work. Some of you know that I finally got around to filing for VA disability benefits in 5/2019 for the two combat injury's I had in 1968. Nothing like what Claude suffered. My back and neck injury which doctors have said is classic to the mouth and jaw injury. Been treated by private doctors and Insurance since 1970. Have letter from VA acknowledging this 1968 injury and authorizing the VA to replace the teeth that were knocked out. The injury can no longer be treated with conventional methods. Today I got their approval/denial. Approved the hearing loss because of my MOS and assignment. 20% rating. Completely denied the back and neck injury claiming that the injury took place before I was drafted in 1966. Unbelievable. Ready for a hard core war with them,,,but need to be smart. Going to do some inquiry and research first. I was warned that the VA does not like "late in life" claims. Have what looks like a qualified law firm that specializes in VA disability denials. Need to also check out if they will be needed and how hey get paid. Will see and post progress.
Hotrod,,,, you were spot on regarding our memory of USARV and MCV location at Long Binh. Was doing some research on the histroyhub and found a 1967 picture of USARV at Long Binh. They were, the ones on the hill overlooking our company's motor pool. NOT MACV. Fitz

You will need a va disability lawyer to speed things up. The va does not like late in life claims at all. Disability lawyers are no cost up front and usually take a percentage of the backpay you are awarded if anything. You can do the appeals yourself and just keep appealing every time you get a decision you dont like as well.

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[Fitz-0518]

You will need a va disability lawyer to speed things up. The va does not like late in life claims at all. Disability lawyers are no cost up front and usually take a percentage of the backpay you are awarded if anything. You can do the appeals yourself and just keep appealing every time you get a decision you dont like as well.

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Thanks Mike. I think you are right about the timing of when you get an attorney to represent. At the beginning is always better. Fitz

 

[michael harpe]

@Fitz-0518 Amy questions feel free to pm me. I had to get one for social security after I got my 100% ptsd rating.

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