Sound Off!!

[Road-King]

USAF, 1980-84, a 4 year wonder. Joined the Air Force to see the world and they sent me to the END... (END=Enid, OK)

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by Road-King

USAF, 1980-84, a 4 year wonder. Joined the Air Force to see the world and they sent me to the END... (END=Enid, OK)

Ahhhh Vance. Several TDYs to that garden spot. Let's see: there's the Walmart; then let's see... there's the Walmart. When you get bored, well there's always the Walmart...

[calberry]

Semper Fi.

USMC
Mar. '66-Jan '69
Dec. '66-Aug '68, Hdqtrs. Bat., Radio Plat., 1st MarDiv, Da Nang

Steve

[HorseyHauler]

My son completed flight school at Vance years ago. He is the Flight Commander of a KC-10 now. We went to his graduation in July. We brought our horse trailer with LQ, though parked it and stayed at the Holiday Inn. Wife said it was way too hot (100's). Enid, OK . . . ha ha.

My wife and I served U.S. Army stateside and Europe in the 70-80's. I finished my time as a Reservist.

Just pre-spent my retirement on a new trailer. Really enjoyed our first trip up by the Wisconsin Dells.

[Sunwalker]

Well the wrong question was asked. What branch of the service were you in? Of course the Army, Air Force, Navy, an Coast Guard would be the common answer. Now us Jar Head, you know the United States Marines, well now "we were in the military, all you others were in the service. :-) LOL
I proud of each and every one of you.
"All of us gave some, Some some of us gave all."

[TravelTracer]

I was in the USAF....1966-1970. Proud of all that have served and those currently serving!!

[djmac1964]

7.5 Yrs Army, (Re enlisted 6 months early is why it's not 8yrs).

Apr 84-Oct 91,

Ft Leonard Wood MO for Basic & AIT,
Ft Benning GA for Jump School,
Ft Bragg NC,
Ft Knox KY,
Desert Storm.

[Phil57]

USMC 75-79. 2111
Camp Lejeune NC

[WEMig]

Army National Guard, 1987 to Present. 2 tours to Iraq, traveled the world, no regrets.

[handbuilder]

Awwww Sunwalker, why'd you go there? haha... dont overlook the fact that the Marine Corp is a Dept of the Navy... ;-) LOL

Spouse and I both retired from the Navy (I always stationed with the Marines, hence my good natured teasing) and spouse retired from the Submarine force. Go Navy!

Regardless of which service one has volunteered for - its awesome that they have and continue to voluntarily give themselves to support our country with their slefless patriotism as well as their courage, spirit and skill sets...Bravo Zulu to all

[ShebaGinger]

Wife and I both are retired USAF E-7s. Just finished our 2nd careers and starting to enjoy our new TT.

[SD10]

US Army: Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bosnia, Korea, Germany, Italy. Sitting by the campfire at night next to my camper is definitely healing and I am blessed just to have the opportunity. God be with our service members standing point world wide. HOOOAH!

[WEMig]

Originally Posted by SD10

US Army: Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bosnia, Korea, Germany, Italy. Sitting by the campfire at night next to my camper is definitely healing and I am blessed just to have the opportunity. God be with our service members standing point world wide. HOOOAH!

SD, I do that everytime I'm out; relaxing and realize how fortunate we are now that I'm not deploying all over the world anymore. Makes one appreciate life so much more. God Bless Our Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines.

[rowdydog77]

Retired USAF E-7

[Capt. Mike]

U.S. Army, 1968-1971....and the VERY PROUD Dad of a career Navy officer who just recently was promoted to Commander. I got to pin on his collar insignia at the promotion ceremony.

[miki512]

Air Force Retired, 1971 - 1994 and loved all but one year of it. If I could go back, I would do it again.

My hat is off to all who have served, are serving or about to serve. There is absolutely no better experience in life that a stint in the military, no matter what branch.

Thank to all who have served.

[Superchief]

Retired Navy Submariner (E-9) & Spec War. (1965-2007) - thought you all might enjoy this:

YOU CAN LEAVE THE MILITARY -- BUT IT NEVER REALLY LEAVES YOU.

This article sums it up quite well.
Col. Robert Whitener, USMC, ret.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Occasionally, I venture back to one or another military post, where I'm greeted by an imposing security guard who looks carefully at my identification card, hands it back and says, "Have a good day, Sir!" Every time I go back to any Military Base it feels good to be called by my previous rank, but odd to be in civilian clothes, walking among the servicemen and servicewomen going about their duties as I once did, many years ago.

The military is a comfort zone for anyone who has ever worn the uniform. It's a place where you know the rules and know they are enforced -- a place where everybody is busy, but not too busy to take care of business.

Because there exists behind the gates of every military facility an institutional understanding of respect, order, uniformity, accountability and dedication that becomes part of your marrow and never, ever leaves you.

Personally, I miss the fact that you always knew where you stood in the military, and who you were dealing with. That's because you could read somebody's uniform from 20 feet away and know the score.

Service personnel wear their careers on their uniforms, so to speak. When you approach each other, you can read their name tag, examine their rank and, if they are in dress uniform, read their ribbons and know where they've served.

I miss all those little things you take for granted when you're in the ranks, like breaking starch on a set of fatigues fresh from the laundry and standing in a perfectly straight line military formation that looks like a mirror as it stretches to the endless horizon.

I miss the sight of troops marching in the early morning mist, the sound of boot heels thumping in unison on the tarmac, the bark of drill instructors and the sing-song answers from the squads as they pass by in review.

To romanticize military service is to be far removed from its reality, because it's very serious business -- especially in times of war. But I miss the salutes I'd throw at senior officers and the crisp returns as we criss-crossed with a “Good Morning Sir” or "By Your Leave sir".

I miss the smell of jet fuel hanging heavily on the night air and the sound of engines roaring down runways and disappearing into the clouds.

I even miss the hurry-up-and-wait mentality that enlisted men gripe about constantly, a masterful invention that bonded people more than they'll ever know or admit.

I miss people taking off their hats when they enter a building, speaking directly and clearly to others and never showing disrespect for rank, race, religion or gender.

Mostly, I miss being a small cog in a machine so complex it constantly circumnavigates the Earth and so simple it feeds everyone on time, three times a day, on the ground, in the air or at sea.

Mostly, I don't know anyone who has served who regrets it, and doesn't feel a sense of pride when they pass through those gates and re-enter the world they left behind with their youth.

Face it guys and gals who have worn the uniform - we all miss it............Whether you had one tour or a career, it shaped your life.

[SYE]

US Navy 83-93 (ET2 SW)

[ShebaGinger]

Well if you are in Fla. let us know. We have trips planned to Collier-Seminole SP in March and Paynes Prairie SP in April. We are working our way through FL SPs.

[VenturaBill]

In the mid-60s I served in the US Navy aboard the destroyer USS Hamner DD718 during the conflict in Vietnam. We saw a lot of action firing on shore to assist troop movements as well as providing plane guard support for the aircraft carriers USS Corral Sea and USS Oriskany.
It was hard work but I will always treasure my days serving this country. I do think about it often when I sit around the fire, about how lucky we are to live in this nation...