Fresh post - Were You ever in the Armed Forces?

[southernhorizons]

I did a search, so I know this question was asked before, but the thread got turned into a bunch of off topic arguing. So I would like to ask the question, were you in the Armed Forces, and do you have any stories to share? Please don't add any religious (or anti-religious) stuff to it, this is a simple, non-religious post. (unless you happened to be a chaplain or something!)
Anyway, unfortunately I never was. I have bad allergies, so I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been accepted, but I do regret not having tried. But it is useless to mourn over regrets that can't be changed, so instead I try to donate to veterans groups like the DAV as much as I can.
So, how about all of you?

[tammypete]

I never have been in the military but my husband is now!  I appreciate and am thankful for all of our military men and women.  They do not get the appreciation that they deserve.   Whenever I go through our closets for clothes, toys, etc., I donate everything to the AMVETS....100% of the profit from the store goes to military families in need!!!  Its a great organization!!!

[brum7814]

Yeah, I was in the Army Reserves as a Medic for a little over 10 years.  My brother was in the infantry in the Marines and currently is in the infantry as a active duty Army National Guard member. 

I have a few stories, but I all ready put a long one on the other post.  So, I'll make this one shorter.  My ambulance was from around 1988 (one of the introductory army hummers) that I was using in Iraq during my deployment in 2005.  I had to drive it around to do missions and during one mission the radiator cracked, leaking out all the fluid.  You can't stop in middle of a convoy, so I spent the next hour driving it back to base because we'd all ready made our supply run and were on our way back to our FOB.  By the time I arrived, it was just like being in a movie, the thing was smoking all over.  I pulled up to our aid station, my platoon sgt was standing out in front with a few other soldiers, and I hopped out of my ambulance and walked up to them and said with thumbs up "Well, WE MADE IT!"  Then it caught on fire.  =-P

[falcon9]

I did a search, so I know this question was asked before, but the thread got turned into a bunch of off topic arguing.

The thread was initiated by a religious adherent as a platform to disparage those who served in the armed forces.  Others dissented and the "off-topic arguing" ensued.

So I would like to ask the question, were you in the Armed Forces, and do you have any stories to share?

Yes.

Please don't add any religious (or anti-religious) stuff to it, this is a simple, non-religious post. (unless you happened to be a chaplain or something!)

It's humorous, (in a sardonic way), how you somehow believe that you get to dictate the content of other people's replies just because you started an off-topic thread.  Gues what, 'sunshine', you don't.

[hitch0403]

Well i am the guilty party that started this thread and my first post was how i was fortunate to NOT have gotten drafted back in 1970 even tho i passed my army physical while Vietnam was going on.

Nixon had a birthday lottery going on and i guess mine fell high enough to not get called.So i can say i did hit the lottery in my lifetime.

Thats my story and im stickin to it.

[stretch1967]

No but I have family and friends that have.

[jwallbank]

Yes! I spent 22 fulfilled years in the Military. I entered in 1971 and retired in 1994. I had quit school in Florida in my Junior year of HS in Florida, I moved to Ohio in 1970 to try to attain a trade, Back then they did have programs to train individuals for a trade, gave you a salary (lower than minimum wage and you worked and trained at the same time). I had to register for the draft when arriving in Ohio because I turned 18 and was classified 1A, meaning I was the first group to be called up for physical testing. I received a letter from My local meps station (Military Entry Prep station) to report for testing in 3 weeks. I then had to suspend my training or job and try to get into any other branch other than the army. I went to the Air Force and they had a 6 mos waiting list so there was a navy recruiter next door, so I went to talk to him. He said I could leave in 2 weeks. I signed the papers. My first duty station was Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. I did attain my Ged prior to entry in the Navy.

[debidoo]

No, I was never in the armed forces.  When I was a junior in high school my intent was to go to school to be a nurse and to join the navy.  I had to go for a physical my senior year and they didn't accept me because of scoliosis and surgeries I had to treat it.  I was very disappointed however later I realized I really wasn't cut out for nursing and life went on..... 

[southernhorizons]

Yeah, I was in the Army Reserves as a Medic for a little over 10 years.  My brother was in the infantry in the Marines and currently is in the infantry as a active duty Army National Guard member. 

I have a few stories, but I all ready put a long one on the other post.  So, I'll make this one shorter.  My ambulance was from around 1988 (one of the introductory army hummers) that I was using in Iraq during my deployment in 2005.  I had to drive it around to do missions and during one mission the radiator cracked, leaking out all the fluid.  You can't stop in middle of a convoy, so I spent the next hour driving it back to base because we'd all ready made our supply run and were on our way back to our FOB.  By the time I arrived, it was just like being in a movie, the thing was smoking all over.  I pulled up to our aid station, my platoon sgt was standing out in front with a few other soldiers, and I hopped out of my ambulance and walked up to them and said with thumbs up "Well, WE MADE IT!"  Then it caught on fire.  =-P

Wow, you had a lot of "interesting" experiences in the Army! I did read your other post in the other thread as well.
After you got out, did you go into the medical field as a civilian?

[articx]

No, I was never in the armed forces.

[bigedshult]

I tried to join the service I joined the Marines and was discharged out of boot camp because I was psychologically unfit for military service I said I don't know what that meant I is had trouble marching! Then a few eco-beers later I tried the Navy and they kicked me out to set up a psychological thing so I don't know what that man either a set I can't serve I tried my best to do what I could to serve my country. I think every makeup man should serve his country in some way or another if they don't want to go to the military. They should go on to serve in some other place like the Peace Corps service to America to show respect and with the country that they live in. I too wish they would let me stand I've often wish that but they didn't so I guess it was the Lord way of making sure I was home when they else should administration the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints came calling and I join that's the church of Jesus Christ later on!

[vp44]

I was never in the armed forces, but my Father and Brother were. They have told me of their experiences of being in the Navy my Brother and Air Force my Father. Some great things they have experienced and places I will never probably get to visit. Like Japan, Korea or even being on a Big ship or a Airplane flying into battle.

[mgint]

no but my dad was in the airforce during Korean war

[kapeh12]

I've never been in the military, but my father was in the Army Reserve (long since honorable discharged).  I have a brother-in-law who is currently in the Coast Guard.

[dcrotteau]

I've never been in the military, but my Dad was a Marine and was lucky enough not to have been called up for Vietnam.  I have an Uncle that went though.   Too many wars, too many people lost.