How many military bubbas here?

[Fearnest]

That may have a lot to do with being in the tank, being on the ground behind the tank is no fun. But on second thought I'd rather be behind the tank than in front of it.

Been both places - I'll agree with you there! (And the "best" was watching our signal officer ride the back deck for night fire... when that first round went off, he thought the tank had exploded, and took off running! I don't think his feet hit the ground until he was a good ten feet behind the tank, and he didn't stop running until he was WELL past the tower.)

On a sad note - it was a bad decision to do away with the external phone when we went from the M48/M60 series tanks to the M1 series... but the gas turbine engine's exhaust is ALSO something you don't want to be too close to (says the man who lost his eyebrows and forearm hair to one).

[BEEDEE]

Reserve service 1965 - 1969 - Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment with attachment 1967 - 1968 The Royal Green Jackets (UK)

Brian

[SoldierSpike]

US Army, Active
Bradley based Air Defense - 2000-2004
MI Systems repair 2004-Present

[PaulX608]

I was one of the first men in my family not to serve due to a childhood farm equipment accident that left my left arm badly damaged. I tried to enlist three times, got as far as going through processing but had to get a special orthopedic consult which put the final word on it. Permanently disqualified from all branches. Family history:

Father USCG 1968-1993 Retired as Commander

Paternal Grandfather US Army Air Corps/USAF WWII Bomber Mechanic in Europe Korean War POW

Paternal Great Grandfather USN WWI

Paternal Great Uncle USAF Korea PH

Maternal Grandfather USAF Korea

Maternal Great Uncle AS Army Vietnam

Wife's Father USN Korea

Wife's Brother USAF Major (Ret.)

[Matthew J. Greene]

I served in the U.S. Army from 1990 to 1994. I was a 75B Personnel Admin Specialist. I was stationed with the 46th AG Reception Station on Fort Knox, then spent my last year in the 304th Signal Battalion located on Camp Colbern, South Korea.

[gage092879]

Marine Corps scout sniper. contractor now for dod doing the iraq, afghan thing.

[Steve53]

USAF 9 Yrs, 8 Mos, 26 days. AFSC: 30770 (Telecom System Specialist) [Under 4 presidents (71-81): Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan.]

[Sean_the_Kilted]

US Army 1999-Present. Orignally an Air Defense Officer then switched to the Signal Corps
Been Stationed at :
Fort Hood 2000-2003
Germany 2004-Present
Iraq 2005


My father was in the USMC Reserves in the 60s for 6 years

My Maternal Grandfather was in the Navy in the Pacific during WWII

Several others in earlier generations in earlier conflicts

Random Note: Sorta on the topic that Arlen brought up a few days ago about Military insignias and tartans. Would it be weird to mix a leatherneck tartan (USMC) with an Army belt buckle or Kilt Pin to honor my father's service and to represent my own service or vice versus Army tartan with Marine Accessories? What do you guys think?

[brandycr]

Wasnt in military was in C.A.P in high school that count.(civil air-patrol).

[terraedwin]

Long line of military in my family. I would have retired from the Marine Corps ('86-'90) 3 months ago had not Bush 1 and pals decided to downsize. Got out during Desert Shield. Primary job was Meteorology for Field Artillery. Also served in the ANG in infantry, armor, and signal before resigning at OCS. My dad graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and served 10 more years when my mother passed away. His father went from Amy Private to Air Force Colonel, retired. My moms dad was a Navy radioman aboard submarines before transferring to NIS, retired. My ex-wifes father is a retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major and her husband is a Marine Corps Major serving in Iraq. My son just last week swore into the delayed entry program for the Marine Corps. He graduates high school this year, but promised his mother he wouldn't leave for boot camp until her husband returned from Iraq. I cherished my military service and applaud those who serve and those who chose not to.