Military or ex-military?

[Charger1973]

Just wondering who here has served or is currently enlisted?  I have been out for about 2 years now, I was a Cavalry Scout in the Army.

[hemi68charger]

I've been active duty for 5+ years from '87 to '91 and then again for a year after 9/11....  Still in the Air National Guard and getting ready for another Iraqi deployment.. I'm going on my 18th year.....  When I got out from active duty, I used my GI Bill to get my BS degree.......

TSgt. Troy

[mikepmcs]

US Navy
Combat Aircrewman
20 years in about 2 months.....retiring.

Wouldn't trade it for the world. Had alot of fun and some not so fun, but i'm still here and proud to have done the deal.  I remember when i joined like it was yesterday, and now it's over.

[Charger1973]

I was in from Jan 03 until Mar 05.  There is alot of times I miss it, and alot of times I am just glad to be home. 

[Charger71]

I was in the USMCR from 1991-1998. Was recently told I was too old to rejoin the Corps.  Whatever...

Charger71

[BLACKWOLF]

I was a 5 ton wrecker driver and light wheel vehicle mechanic in the Missouri Army National Guard from nov. 83 to nov. 89 in the HQ 135th in Sedalia, Mo. . I got a medical discharge. Because, i blew a disc in my lower back which required surgery.

[Afflyer]

I was a proud member of the Indiana Army National Guard from June 15th, 1985 through December 26th, 1988.
On December 27th, 1988, I left my hometown of Muncie, Indiana and went to Lackland AFB in Texas where I began my Air Force career.  That was just over eighteen years ago. 

I am making plans on putting in my retirement paperwork on the 16th of July, and forecasting my retirement out one year from then.  That will put me right at twenty years of faithfull, steadfast and proud service to our country.  I will be 42 when I hang my flight suit up for the last time next summer of 2008.

I salute all who have served our proud nation before and those who still do to this day- and lastly to those who will serve after I retire.

Bradley

[Guns N Rotors]

I was an aeroscout/observer (93B) in P Troop 4/107th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the
Ohio Army National Guard. I enlisted 07 DEC 89 and ETS 12 DEC 99. We were based at
the Akron/Canton Airport (CAK) in North Canton, Ohio.

We flew scout missions with AH-1S Cobras as a part of Scout/Weapons team.
I logged almost 2500 hours in the left seat of an OH-58 Kiowa. Most of my time
was dedicated to drug interdiction missions over northern Ohio. "You grow it and we will come."

In 1999, the 107thACR was disbanded and my MOS was gone. I miss flying everyday
and I still dream about it.

I checked my log book on this OH-58A+ and I had 79.4 hours in this aircraft.
She is now in a museum at CAK.
http://www.mapsairmuseum.org/kiowa.htm

It's sad when you see your airframe retired to museums or scrapped.
Makes you feel old.

Scouts out!

[69-DodgeCharger]

I just turned 18 a couple months ago and Im thinking about joining the Army after high school. Would anyone recommend it or should i just stick with college?

[Mean 318]

I'm in the same boat! I have a massive respect for all who have and who do serve our country! I would like to join, but I have a free college education now and am not sure if I should give that up after I finished my first semester "18 credits and working 40hr weeks"... That and my dad is against the idea... I got lots of thinkin to do!

[AKcharger]

Air Force 23 years, Aircraft Maintenance, currently in Korea and just put on Chief this month (E-9)..."It's a Great way of life"

[charger490]

US air force 1950 to1954 loaded bombs and ammo on b 26 airplanes .1 year in korea at pusan k-9 i loved every min. of it and would go agian. charger490

[doctorpimp]

6 1/2 years Canadian Army Reserve - Infantry Section Commander
10 Years Canadian Army Regular - Vehicle Technician



"T.V. Hill" Kabul, Afghanistan Sept 2005

[tomonty]

Started off in the Marine Corps Reserve and currently have 1 1/2 years left of my contract with the dirt sailors, aka Seabees, as a Construction Electrician. I think it is funny when I tell people I am in the Navy, but I have never been on a ship Still a Marine at heart and always will be though. Just got back from Iraq in October and hoping to get in college this spring

Mike

[Charger74]

Army,

Was a weapons specialist on the Cobra.  Unfortunately my knees didn't like all the running as much as I liked being in. Otherwise I would have been working on the Apaches instead.

As for the two thinking about joining, I would personally recommend it.  Not because we are at war, but due to the experience you will get.  Not just work, but life experiences.  Mean 318, you can always join after school and then you will also be a higher rank when you go in.  Let the decision be yours, no one else's....

[d72hemi]

Active duty Air Force since 25 Sept. 2001. I am a Ground Radio Technician (2E153), and just put on SSgt (E-5) in 1 Dec 06. Since tech school, I have been in an "unusual" unit, the 729th ACS (Air Control Squadron), and have spent more time in the Middle East than any of my USMC, Army, or Navy friends from high school, and I am often TDY (deployed) to various locations within the US. I have had the opportunity to see places and meet great people from both the US and around the world. I would not trade my experiences for anything. The best part is that I can spend the next 14 years doing what I love, and retire at the age of 38 in 2021. Then I can do whatever I want.

I just turned 18 a couple months ago and Im thinking about joining the Army after high school. Would anyone recommend it or should i just stick with college?

I'm in the same boat! I have a massive respect for all who have and who do serve our country! I would like to join, but I have a free college education now and am not sure if I should give that up after I finished my first semester "18 credits and working 40hr weeks"... That and my dad is against the idea... I got lots of thinkin to do!

If you can go to collage now, I would recommend it. Do your best to go to a school with ROTC. I suggest that you talk to recruiters from all branches, and talk to officers and enlisted people from all branches and from different ranks, junior enlisted (E-1 to E-4), NCOs (E-5/6), SNCOs (E-7 to E-9), and officers. You will find that the different ranks, thereby more time in and experience, will tell you different thing about the branch they are in. It is common to talk to junior enlisted personnel with only a little time in who will tell you "how much it sucks", but that is only because training for new recruits always sucks, but after that, I bet you will enjoy it. I gave my little brother (21 years old) the same advice, and now he is happily in the USAF, training as a medic. I am still trying to get my BS so I can apply for OTS to earn my commission.

On a side note. If you either of you two get a commission and put on your "butter bar", remember that even if your enlisted troops may not have a degree, they probably know more about your job than you do. Take advantage of their knowledge, by learning from them and with them. I have seen the officers what worked hard with their enlisted troops, and those troops would go the extra mile for that officer. I have had the privilege to work with leaders like that first hand. If you take my advice and choose to talk to the different ranks in different branch, and want to talk to a member of the Air Force with a just few years in send me a PM, I am more than sure that other members of this site will be willing to answer you questions about their respective branch.

Ian

[69-DodgeCharger]

I am looking to be a police officer after Im done with college and soemone told me that going into the Army and training as an MP would look awesome on an app for a police officer. I agree but I wanna go to college, is there a way to do both or should this be discussed with a recruiter?

[Magnumcharger]

Military.....Canadian Air Force to be exact.
1983-90 Photographic technician

1990-98 Civilian (Multiple trades)
1998-04 Aviation Systems Technician
2004-Present  Non-Destructive Testing Technologist

"There's no life like it"!

[d72hemi]

I am looking to be a police officer after Im done with college and soemone told me that going into the Army and training as an MP would look awesome on an app for a police officer. I agree but I wanna go to college, is there a way to do both or should this be discussed with a recruiter?

One thing you can do is join the reserves or guard. You will want to look at the deployment rate for the MP/SF carrier field. Also the other braches have MPs (the USAF call it Security Forces, SF). I know that most active USAF SF personnel are pulling 6 months at home station then 6 months TDY. I don't know the deployment rates for the guard or reserve units. I have a friend that got out of the USMC about 6 months ago, as an MP, but his IQ is about the same as the stereotypical "jock", and can't pass the tests to get into any of the local PDs (So Cal).  Talk with the recruiters, and see what they have to offer and see if it is what you want.

Ian

[RD]

United States Army, Sergeant.  9 years active, 1 National Guard.  MOS: 14S, Avenger Crewmember

ADA all the Way!  It flies, it DIES!  (sorry AKCharger hehe)

Served:  Ft. Hood, Texas 1st Cavalry Division, 4th Battalion 5th Air Defense Artillery
Ft. Bliss, Texas C Battery, 1-34 ADA
Ft. Riley, Kansas C Battery 1-4 ADA & 3rd Brigade HQ

Deployments:  3 Foal Eagle exercises in Korea and 3 Reforgers in Germany

Greatest Moment:  ETS'ing

Worst Moment:  Falling out of a Helicopter   

[mikepmcs]

I am looking to be a police officer after Im done with college and soemone told me that going into the Army and training as an MP would look awesome on an app for a police officer. I agree but I wanna go to college, is there a way to do both or should this be discussed with a recruiter?

One thing you can do is join the reserves or guard. You will want to look at the deployment rate for the MP/SF carrier field. Also the other braches have MPs (the USAF call it Security Forces, SF). I know that most active USAF SF personnel are pulling 6 months at home station then 6 months TDY. I don't know the deployment rates for the guard or reserve units. I have a friend that got out of the USMC about 6 months ago, as an MP, but his IQ is about the same as the stereotypical "jock", and can't pass the tests to get into any of the local PDs (So Cal).  Talk with the recruiters, and see what they have to offer and see if it is what you want.

Ian

I totally agree with that one, do em both at the same time!  I've been associated with the reserves for the entire 20(although i'm active) years and I know plenty of Reserve/Police Officers/Law enforcement.

I also agree with the 2 gentlemen wanting to join specifically the one who said college first.  I'm a Navy Chief and although my CPO brethren would not agree with me, I say go officer if you get the chance.  Example, I'm out in a couple months with no college degree, plenty of credits, but no degree.  How do you think my job search is gonna go???  Exactly, get that education brother if you can.

Good luck and thank you all who have served and are still in.

and big congrats to CMSGT AKCHARGER.   Well done sir, err i mean "Chief"  My dad was USAF 32 years, also a 9.

v/r
Mike

[HITMAN 149]

USMC!!!!!!!! HOOOOO-RAAAAA!!!!!!! 89-91!!!!!! some good ole times down in South Carolina!!!!!!
bill & mary's?!?!?!? anyone...anyone!?!?!?!
heheheh"e
"C-Dog" aka "hobobbum149"

[69-DodgeCharger]

Alright thanks for all the advice, Ill get in touch with a recruiter soon, ill let yall know what happens!

[Mean 318]

I am meeting with a Marines recruiter at 1:00 tomarrow!

[Steve P.]

MM2 / USN  79' - 83'     MM is not even a rating anymore. They got rid of it once gas turbine  became the IN THING..


Hey AK,, Congrats brother..