For All Who Serve

**Riverkilt** · 3rd January 12, 08:47 AM

Thank God for 'multiple choice'. Another aging cold warrior who moved on to law enforcement and fire dept crisis wagons.

kiltedwolfman · 3rd January 12, 08:57 AM

I spent half my career as an infanteer, then finished out with the armoured corps. At the same time when I could find the time I volunteered as a fire-fighter/paramedic.

**GMcNab** · 11th February 12, 11:30 AM

I was a JRO2 in the Royal Navy for a short while and then a REME VE attached to C Squadron Royal Yeomanry for a couple of years. I know work in law enforcement and have done so for 12 years.

**drum bum** · 11th February 12, 12:23 PM

25 year retired CPO from the US Coast Guard, currently
A Deputy Sheriff in Virginia. Along the way put in 8 years volunteer Fire Rescue in Maine. Mom and Dad stressed service to others, don't know any other way.

**David H** · 12th February 12, 07:51 AM

I have a total of just over 30 years of service in the USAF and USAF Reserves. I started out as a Security Specialist on active duty. I then joined the Air National Guard as an undergraduate in college. I cross trained into Aerial Port. After doing that for about eight years, in both the Air Guard and Reserves, I had the chance to cross into the intelligence career field with another Reserve unit.
Of the 30 years of total service, about 15 have been on active duty. My original enlistement was 6 years but over the past ten, I worked a lot of active duty time.
I enjoy what I do and I plan to stay in as long as they let me.

**creagdhubh** · 3rd January 12, 09:59 AM

I am a former active-duty U.S. Marine, but shall always be a Marine! I served on active-duty/active-reserve, 1999-2008.

Semper Fidelis,

Sergeant Kyle A. Smith Macpherson, USMC

**BCAC** · 3rd January 12, 10:43 AM

I did 6 years in the RAF (71 to 77), 6 years in the British Army (77 to 83) and 19 years in the French Foreign Legion (83 to 02) leaving as a WO2 (equivalent) and don't regret a minute of it. Civvy life just ain't the same.

**EagleJCS** · 3rd January 12, 10:56 AM

I chose to vote 'other'.

I have not served in a law enforcement or military role, but I am very grateful to those who do and/or have served. My brother is currently a LEO, Dad is a dispatcher, and previous generations of my family have served in the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. (Dad, grandfather & ggf in the Army, one uncle each in the Army, Air Force and Marines, a great-uncle in the Navy. A gggf was with the US Army (24th WI) in the US Civil War. Probably other relatives have served in roles that I'm currently unaware of.)

As for my service role, I have been an active volunteer Scout leader with the Boy Scouts of America for the past 24 years. (With no children of my own, I'm a rarity - most adult leaders come into Scouting with their sons and usually only stick around for 10 years or so.) I've been teaching young men skills they can use for the rest of their lives and performing community service projects of various descriptions over the years.

I've also been Red Cross/American Heart Association CPR and first aid certified for 15 years (recertifying as needed), and have received CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training. That means I'm qualified to serve as a first responder in the event a disaster occurs and the 'regular' first responders (police/fire/EMS) can't arrive in a timely manner (when access to the area is blocked or they're overwhelmed with calls). I can also serve as a supplemental Search and Rescue team member. I don't think there's much awareness of CERT training in the U.S. - at least not in my area. Check out this website - http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/ - if you're interested in learning more.

**Woodsheal** · 3rd January 12, 11:06 AM

"Peace time"/"Cold War" (whichever!) US Army 1977-1983 (4 years active, 2 reserve). Served as a field artillery officer, and my various "close calls" came during training exercises - "friendly fire" (errant artillery and mortar rounds dropping too close), vehicle mishaps, and one exploding .50 cal machine gun....

**Carl** · 3rd January 12, 11:38 AM

Active Duty U.S. Army, Infantry (11B) with B co. 2/1 Inf. 172nd Inf. Brgd (Sep) FT. Wainwright, Alaska from 98 to 01, Honorable Discharge. We walked a lot, shot a lot, dug a lot of wholes, traveled to other countries and rarely slept or had a hot meal. I loved every minute of it and they let me blow stuff up and ride in helicopters from time to time. Why is the sky blue? Because God loves the Infantry! ;)