Have you served in the Armed Forces?

Today is Veterans Day! 

Here's a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who have served, or are currently serving, in the US Armed Forces. 

We would not be the greatest country on earth (yes... we still are the greatest) without people like you.  Thank You!

Tell us a little about your service experience.

EK

  Nothing special, was an operations specialist 2nd class when I left. (Fancy name for a radar operator)  One (of many) things I recall is, during the Iran hostage crisis we, the US sent 2 helos in for a rescue attempt, my ship, USS VIRGINIA CGN-38 79'-82' was in the Indian ocean and I was on watch in CIC and got to "Track " (on the long range air search radar sps-48) the two ill fated helicopeters over the water untill they dissapeared over landfall.
  Remember the movie "Top gun"  the guy at the radar scope at the beginning?  Thats what I did!

Ditto to what Big E said...

Mega thanks to all of you who have served!

I spent six years in the Marine Corps from 1993 to 1999. I was an airframer for AV-8B Harrier Jump Jets. Basically I worked on the composites, sheet metal, and hydraulic systems for the air craft. I was with the VMA-214 Blacksheep. Remember the TV show "Baa Baa Blacksheep" about Pappy Boyington in WWII? That is the same squadron I was in.

It kind of sucked while I was in, but I spent more than 2 years living at sea on board an amphibious assault ship and went all over southeast Asia, the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and a couple places in Africa. If I had it to do all over again I definitely would.

I joined the Marine Corps after giving up a full-ride scholarship with the Air Force after going to college for just one semester. I lacked the maturity to do what needed to be done to get through college. Six years in the Marine Corps gave me some good discipline and some great life experiences to work from. When I got out and went back to college I was able to go all the way through an undergraduate and a master's degree in 5 years with only two B's, both in my undergrad (calculus).

While it isn't for everybody, I would definitely recommend the military, and particularly the Marine Corps. As a young kid with no real direction, the Marines helped me get my crap in one bag so that I could be successful in college and get a great career going.

I agree, all veterans deserve a grateful salute today.

A little known fact about me: I wanted to join the Navy when I was 19 (took the test and everything), but my dad wouldn't sign the necessary papers (had to be 21 to do it myself).

Janice aka Big J

Remember that show well.   Loved watching the "live" gun camera shots they used during the shows.

Amen EK ! A big salute to all that served 

Back in da day, I considered joining but my knee problems put a stop on being a field soldier. As  a young lad in the P.I., my uncle taught me the finer points of sharp shooting - I MISS THOSE DAYS!!! I was all about the stealth and the one shot kill

Army aerial photographer, primarily in South Vietnam. I was initially strapped (legs and arms to the doorway of a Chinook helicopter and leaned out to take pictures of the terrain but that ended quickly after losing three cameras due to the "pretty lights" (tracer fire). Also took pictures of visits by celebrities visiting troops in the combat zone. I actually wanted to serve additional time in South Vietnam in order to get an early discharge but made the mistake of saying that I liked it there and was promptly sent to VIRGINIA!!! Eventually got an early discharge anyway. Never had to carry a gun and did plenty of stupid things that should have gotten me killed. But, here I am, trying to stay afloat on a kayak!!

Army, I did 10 years active duty as a Lance Missile crewman working with host nation armies in NATO.  We kept the warheads they had the rocket motors, it was a good arrangement. I worked with the Italians, Germans, Dutch and a few exercises with the Brits.  I got out during the draw down in 92, and was an inactive reservist for 6 months and missed wearing a uniform and the camaraderie but not the BS of doing it everyday, so I joined the Guard and have been with them for almost 17 years. I have been on a couple of Hurricanes, and a trip to a not so lovely sand box.  One thing I learned in Iraq, if there is a way of making life more difficult then it has to be, the Marines have discovered it, and if there is a way to get over the Air Force invented it. 

And thanks for taking the time to remember those who are no longer with us!

Ok, did I serve.....yes, but not in the US armed forces. Even though I'm an American borne citizen, I was conscripted into the (old) South African Defense Force...2nd South African Infantry Battalion Group, Walvis Bay.

 

Fishin-jay.....you don't wanna tell the story about trolling for Mahi-mahi from a military vessel doing 25knts, no stopping on hookup?
BTW...to all that have served , and all still serving THANK YOU!!!!
I may question decisions made in Washington, but i am ALWAYS grateful to those who have served and the sacrifices of their loved ones!!

thanks to ALL the vets and those still active. You've made life here in the USA, the BEST in all of the world!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH

4 Years U.S. Navy 3 of serving as a Minesweep Electrician  on the USS Gallant MSO 489. We were home ported on the south dock of Treasure Island. Never found any mines in the S.F. Bay but we trolled up a lot of other interesting things.

I went fishing last week at Holland tract and low and behold there was a old decom Mine Sweeper sitting high and dry. I asked at the Marina office about it and it belonged to some one who had tried to fix it but it looks in pretty bad shape now.

Shifty

Fishin-jay.....you don't wanna tell the story about trolling for Mahi-mahi from a military vessel doing 25knts, no stopping on hookup?

LOL! We had fishing gear on board from the MWR locker and would occaionally troll if we had the opportunity from the fantail. Especially when we were in Somalia we spent a lot of time burning circles in the ocean. Guys would have lures sent from home, or if we were stopped we could get hot dogs from the galley and bait fish. Nothing big was ever caught, because as Sharky mentioned, the Captain didn't see landing a fish as a priority, not to mention were were several stories from the surface  A few small dorado are all I ever saw that were interesting, but it sure was a lot of un when something would hit and rip line before breaking off! 

Mechanist Mate 2nd Class (or know as a snipe) aboard the USS Constellation CVA-64 air craft carrier. Served from 76-80. I was on a ship that had twice the amount of people on it than in my home town! I too was in during the Iran Hostage crises in the middle of the Indian Ocean. And I too say, thanks to all vets for what you have done.