After the recent post about the passing of Mr. Doss, a Medal of Honor recipient. One of the "dissenting post" got me thinking about all of the millions of unheralded people that do their duty, serve their county, return to civilian life and get on with their lives.

Several of the post in that thread caught my attention of the service of our Vintage members. That got me thinking of what the experiences of our Vintage Veterans where? At least answer the poll as to which Branch of the military you served in. If you care to share a story or more feel free.

I will start: I was drafted into the U.S. Army in June of 1970 after pulling number nine in the first (modern) Draft Lottery. (see my latter posts for more)

What is your story as a veteran?

 

sounds funny because im only 25 but, 7yrs. air force. OIF veteran, member of DAV.
3months pre war, 3months after war started, communications support for the beginning phases of the war, worked on predator unmanned aerial vehicle video feeds, supported U2 ops, navy harrier (sp) and various other segments of the CAOC, combined air operations center, Prince sultan Air Base, Saudi arabia. does that count?

my career field was overmanned so, they told me, change jobs, or you have 90days to seperate from the air force, now. i do the exact same job (fiber optic techinician), on the exact same installation and make double the money. go figure.

 

Spent 4 years in the AF after growing up as an AF brat. It was good for me - got an education, a new '72 240Z, saved $, and with my GI bill, a masters degree. My number was 59 in '71...

 

Enlisted in the AF in 1960 and never had any regrets. It gave me the confidence to succeed and to realize what really matters. After six months in Texas it was on to Evreux, France for 3-1/2 years.

 

Yeah, Go figure?

When I ETS'd from my last duty station (Dept of the Army, Hqts, Pentagon) I was the first in a newly created MOS 91G. I received The Army Commendation Medal for Outstanding Performance. I liked my job, and went to the BG that I worked for to see if I could stay on as a civilian. A few days latter he called me into his office. He said: I am not sure exactly how to tell you this, but you are not qualified for your job as a civilian. It requires a minimum of a BS in Physcology.

I guess that the wording on my Army Commendation Medal Citation says it all. In a nut shell: I could grasp technical and complex concepts and think during a crunch period when the group that I was assigned to had thirty days to come up with a world wide program. As a Spec Four, I did that well. But, as a civilian, I was not qualified? Go figure.

 

Enlisted in the Air Force in May of 1973. The Paid Liar, er, Recruiter told me I couldn't go overseas in my first 4 years in the Air Force. When did England become a state? The country was great once you got 20 miles away from the base. Great beer.

My AFSC was 67151, Accounting and Finance. I got to authorize the spending of approximately $3,000,000 per year. Not bad for a 22 year old.

Would I do it again? Yes, but I would choose a different AFSC.

 

Over qualified. No question about it. You didn't have chance.

 

Looking back on my life. It is difficult for me to imagine how much different my life would have turned out if I had not been drafted.

It gave me the confidence to succeed and to realize the leadership skills, native intelligence and perserverance to achieve that was not nutured previously.

 

Enlisted in the Army in 1972. I stay for 7.5 years and I'm very lucky 'cause i have been station in 7 different places, europe and asia. My MOS 71P (flight ops). If I have to do it again I will do it but in the different MOS.

 

I got a letter to report for a physical late in 1964 so I enlisted in the Air Force Jan '65. Got my 2nd Lt. bars in '69 and retired Jan '85. Flew in B-52s the last ten years as an EWO. Stationed at Lackland AFB, Okla. St. U, Holloman AFB, Mather AFB, Castle AFB, Dyess AFB, Carswell AFB, Guam, Thailand, S. Korea and brief stays in England, Fort Churchill, MAN., Santa Monica, Manila, Bergstrom AFB and March AFB.