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Old 11-29-2014, 06:18 PM   #41
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I still regret not serving. Graduated on 1975. Peace time. No registration. No selective service. So I went to college. Even after 33 years in law enforcement an a year in Baghdad as a dod police contractor, I still feel like I've missed something by not serving in the armed forces. Thanks to all who did including my Dad (seabees) and brother (Vietnam), and many other relatives who did also.

You have done nothing to be regretful for. Serving in Baghdad as a Police contractor was a damn good piece of work. Thanks for your service.
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Old 11-29-2014, 06:35 PM   #42
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One of my biggest regrets in life is not enlisting when I turned 18. My dad, the lifer, talked me out of it as Carter was the President and he had butchered the GI Bill to try and balance the Fed budget.
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Old 11-29-2014, 08:13 PM   #43
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X2 on tetsurvivor comment. Honorable service is honorable service.

-----

mwoods - not to be political but I was serving then and Mr. Carter was awful. Inflation was terrible, force cuts were terrible. I was on my way to the Korean peninsula about the same time and probably would have agreed with your dad.

PS: I spent 22 years - four of the worst with Mr. Carter as CINC. Old soldiers (that includes Navy, USMC, Coasties and even the AF) rarely tell all the stories so while most of us lifers have no regrets - there were some tough times. So thank you for your respect shown by regrets but it isn't a life for everyone.
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Old 11-30-2014, 08:19 AM   #44
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mwoods - not to be political but I was serving then and Mr. Carter was awful. Inflation was terrible, force cuts were terrible. I was on my way to the Korean peninsula about the same time and probably would have agreed with your dad.
I totally agree. I was in Korea when Carter was elected and lived through his cuts to the defense budget, 6 billion the first year alone. Beginning the end of 77 we had no repair parts and no ammo and fuel for training.

I served in the Army and have been a contractor since retiring from active duty over 20 years ago. I have no regrets about serving this nation and would do so again.

My only concern is how we are destined to relive our past. We are again cutting budgets and troop strengths to where we will have the hollow force we experienced after Vietnam.

Thanks to all who are serving or have served in the past.
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Old 11-30-2014, 09:24 AM   #45
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my last tour in Vietnam was in 70-71, we got our marching orders to go from DiAn north to the DMZ for Dewey Canyon II and Lam Son 719, our V100 Commando Cars came up courtesy the USAF. When we went to Da Nang to get them, one was not there, it got off the plane and went AWOL. We found it in the Security Police Motor Pool (chop shop). hey hadn't screwed it up yet, so after some fairly crude words we took it and went north, As far as getting replacement parts, they were only for the ARVN's. We took a B40 round in the right rear tire, never knew it, Our motor Sgt said sorry bout that, and that there were none available. I took a 3/4 ton and a lrrp pack and went to the ARVN compound, I spoke with a Dai We and made a trade, lrrp pack for tire, he agreed and had his guys take a tire w/rim off one of their V-100's stuck it in the 3/4 ton and off we went. We also could not get replacement solenoid switches for our electricfire 73's, my wonderfully resourceful crew made a manual one, GI ingenuity. I think thats enough on RVN. Sorry for all of this.
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Old 11-30-2014, 10:55 AM   #46
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Thought maybe. Got a number of friends that celebrate like they borrowed the time after a 1968 New years. Spent my OCONUS time in the wonderful land of the morning calm. A bit interesting for the early time - nothing like 1968 for you though. Peace
bigben, I was in the Land of the Morning Calm in 1968-69, at the comm center at 8th Army HQ. I only served 3 years active duty, and wish now that I had stayed until retirement, but that's water over the dam.

I've very proud of my Navy son, an O5, who has just over 18 years in.

Thank you for your service, sir!
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Old 12-02-2014, 12:47 PM   #47
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Funny thing about hind sight - always looks fairly rosy. Capt. Mike - we all have walked our different roads and now we often are out on the same American roads enjoying our lives. I ever so thankful for the time.

I remain proud to have served but even prouder for those that are still serving. Good Lord knows that I would probably be in the stockade for some of my old stunts. That is the rosy stuff for me.
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Old 12-02-2014, 01:02 PM   #48
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I'm a 100% disabled vet. Even after being drafted in 1968, I would do it in a heart beat. I don't care if you served 1 week or 30 years, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, Women and Men....
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Old 12-02-2014, 01:47 PM   #49
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USMC 75-79. I don't regret going in and don't regret getting out. I did my best and worked hard. I will second the President Carter as CIC being a total train wreck. As Marines we never got anything new it was all hand me downs from the Army. When I got out in 79 the Marines were still using the
106mm recoilless rifle. The Army had dumped them so we ended up with them. You aimed it then fired a 50 Cal tracer round to check the impact then fired the 106. I'd love to fire one again. The are old and outdated but very cool.


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Old 12-02-2014, 02:41 PM   #50
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Wish I had done it earlier and stayed longer!!! Maybe LDO!
Master Chief, you didn't say what you just said.....did you? LDO, really?
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Old 06-12-2015, 12:40 AM   #51
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Yes would do it again! 10 years in the Worlds Finest NAVY!! I'VE walked the streets of Jerusalem, I've touched the massive stone blocks if the Great Pyramids of Giza, I've seen the sun rise, and set on many of the 7 seas! Yes, yes, to be twenty again!
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Old 06-15-2015, 09:04 AM   #52
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As many of you have stated, I would do it again if I were to start over. With that said, I did my 20 and would not want to go back in now. I am past the 30 year mark of my first enlistment. I am good... Lol
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Old 06-15-2015, 09:30 AM   #53
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During the Vietnam era and the draft, my number was 5. I went in the Army on the 3 yr. plan on the day of my 19th birthday, and celebrated my 21st " in country " Served with 229th AHB, 1st Cav. I learned a lot and carry those "priceless experiences" with me. To say it was a character building endeavor is an understatement.
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Old 06-17-2015, 01:20 PM   #54
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During the Vietnam era and the draft, my number was 5. I went in the Army on the 3 yr. plan on the day of my 19th birthday, and celebrated my 21st " in country " Served with 229th AHB, 1st Cav. I learned a lot and carry those "priceless experiences" with me. To say it was a character building endeavor is an understatement.
THIS!
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Old 06-17-2015, 01:34 PM   #55
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^^+1^^ However, I would be smarter about it. Instead of just doing my 2 years of being a grunt and going to Viet Nam, I would have joined the Air Force and learned to fly... after graduating college. Yep... that hindsight thingy kicks in sometimes...
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Old 06-20-2015, 07:50 AM   #56
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Well I was drafted at age 23 and did not regret the time I did serve. Yes I gave up things when I went in but I sure learned a lot also. I still think all men should have to serve at least 2 years in the military as our country may be a lot better place than where it is today.

The only problem today serving is most trying to find a job. Here I was lucky as I was guaranteed my job when I got out. Later RJD
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Old 06-20-2015, 08:00 AM   #57
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[QUOTE=jeff64;893892 I learned a lot and carry those "priceless experiences" with me. To say it was a character building endeavor is an understatement.[/QUOTE]


X2.

Also unlike too many young people today. I know what it means to be a "BEST FRIEND"
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Old 06-20-2015, 10:14 AM   #58
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My brother was drafted in '62 and spent 18 months in Germany as an MP. He called it "A million dollar experience that I wouldn't give you a plugged nickel for."

I enlisted in the Navy and spent 4 yrs as a helicopter electrician and for the most part, I had a great time.

Like a lot of other things in life, I think a lot of it is attitude.
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