For All Who Serve

[O'Searcaigh]

There have been some threads and quite a number of posts that include reference to military service. A very recent one posted by a former U.S. Marine (“Semper Fi) got me wondering about the various services represented by our members regardless of country. I know the kilted ranks of XMarkers include Royal as well as U.S. Marines and surely also airmen, guardsmen, sailors and soldiers. My hope is that we can reach beyond the boundaries of both nations and services to learn more about ourselves as brothers and sisters of the kilt. I also recognize that the saying “They also serve, who only stand and wait” is not just a cliché but also, like many clichés, based in a truth; there are many ways people serve their nations, fellow countrymen and the world independent of military service. If you would like to represent your service here, please indicate above your “branch” or type of service. Unfortunately, the formatting for this type of thing does not allow for every possible branch in every potentially possible nation, let alone all types of service. Therefore, if you would or wish, please also note in a post the nation and branch or type of your service. May we all take pride in, celebrate and appreciate “all who serve.” [P.S. it will also no doubt be the case that many of you could “check off” more than one category. In that case, check as many as you wish and tell us about them in a post .]

[xman]

I never served as such, but received training in the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. Important training. Learned many skills which generally add up to self discipline and leadership. For that I am grateful.

[LANCER1562]

I checked Army and Law Enforcement/Firefighter because I served four years active duty and two years Active Reserves U.S. Army Infantry, upon getting out of the military I started my career in the Public Safety field as a Security Guard (still doing it 28 years later) I was also a Reserve Police Officer in San Francisco for a little better than a year.

[BoldHighlander]

[P.S. it will also no doubt be the case that many of you could “check off” more than one category. In that case, check as many as you wish and tell us about them in a post .]

I served as an 11B (Infantryman) in the U.S. Army (1990-91) before a training injury cut short my military career (& nearly cost me my left leg from the knee down). I've also served in the Ministry as a youth leader/pastor and like Lancer in the Public Safety field as both a Private Security Guard (1980s-2009) & on "loan" to Homeland Security (2007-2009). Currently I'm in school studying for a Bachelors in Criminal Justice (with an emphasis on Criminal Psychology) to take it up a notch or two in the criminal justice / law enforcement field.

Thus I marked 3 categories (Army / Law Enforcement / Ministry).

[longhuntr74]

It's nice to see Army in the lead!!! LOL.

Most of you probably already know by my posts...but I currently have nearly 15 years under my belt in the US Army.

I believe very strongly in service to one's nation, community, etc. Too many people take their freedoms and quality of life for granted...service to others helps keep one "grounded" and makes one a contributing member of society.

[ccga3359]

Volunteer firefighter 5 years, Coast Guard auxiliary for 12 years. Enjoyed every minute of it, perhaps more so as it wasn't a job.

[Dixiedog]

Hey Y'all ~~ John Rickman here...
My Father, a Proud Hardcore Korean War Marine... when I told him that I was going to follow in his footsteps and join the Corps after I came home from college... told me to join the Navy. He said that with the Navy, I'd "See the World" like he never got the chance while he served with the Marines. And was He ever right!!! My first 4 years as an Operations Specialist (Scope Dope) aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) took me on 2 West-Pac Deployments to every Far-East Port I could ever think of.

After I changed Rates to Aviation Electronics Technician, the Commandant of the Corps pulled all the Marines out of the Naval Security Roles after the Bruit Barracks Bombing, leaving the CNO with no Security Forces other than DoD Police (No Marine Security on Navy Bases). The Commandant then sent out his Best Security Police Instructors to train Myself and the first of many other Navy Security Volunteers, and 3 to 6 months of Specialized Marine Corps Training later, the New Naval Security Forces (NSF) were born. The NSF was composed of both Sailors and Marines working as One Joint Force, for One Mission... "The Safety & Security of ALL Navy & Marine Corps Assets, Both Personnel & Material, Ashore & Afloat, Stateside & Overseas." A pretty BIG Order for such a Newly Established Security Force. But the Sailors & Marines worked together to "Get It Done!!!"

I retired after 21 years in the Navy, not regretting one moment of the time that I served. But the most memorable time of my career, was the decade I spent with the Sailors and Marines that I served with as a member of the Naval Security Forces (NSF). Even though the Sailors and the Marines of the NSF all started out in different services, we all came together as One Unit to accomplish the mission. We Uniformed, Trained, Ate, Berthed, PT'ed, Sweated, Froze, Worked and Served Together as One Unit... Just as the (Multi-Force) SEALS do today.

Now Retired, In addition to my Family Tartan (MacKenzie), I wear the Leatherneck Tartan !!! NOT Only to honor those Sailors & Marines that I served with in the NSF, but also to Honor the Greatest Marine I ever knew... My Father... SGT. John Wm. Rickman, Sr. (Radio Operator / USMC-Dec.).

Anchors Away & Semper Fi... To All Who Served To Keep Us Free!!!

[Macca]

Australian Army Officer-in-training here. If you want to split hairs then no, I haven't exactly served ... yet.

[Madadh]

3 years Active Army 11C (Infantry Mortar Crew Man)
6 years NY Army National Guard
25+ Years US Department of Defense

[Chas]

Royal Air Force - 12 years.

At a time when the RAF was not overly active round the world I was lucky/unlucky to have been involved in two conflicts. And lucky to have come out alive.

I was a radio operator for a foot patrol during the troubles in Northern Ireland. We were the victims of a controlled car bomb. I was the only one out of seven to survive. I lost three weeks in a coma in Nocton Hall Hospital.

At the end of my service, I was recalled from demob leave to go down to the Falklands. I was sitting in a large tent with some army guys, miles from nowhere, in a supposed safe area. I bent over just as an Argentine bullet whizzed through - I felt the draught on the back of my head. When I sat back up, I could see the bulletholes, on either side in line with my ears. A split second - one way or the other - the difference between life and death.

Yes, I was a very lucky Airman.

Regards

Chas