WHO SERVED

[H Richard]

Cold War USAF 59-63. Learned a trade (jet engine mech) that I never used again. Spent 3 years in England & France. Wouldn't trade that time for anything. I also think every High School graduate should spend at least 2 years in service of their country. There are a lot of things in addition to the military that could be done and they would all learn a lot that you don't get from books. There would be a much better appreciation of the country from all.

 

[phulklip]

USMC 69 - 71

 

[Valistar]

USN 1986-2007. Initially I was going to serve one enlistment and go back home to Dallas to be a LEO. They cut me orders to Subic Bay Philippines for my first duty station and I was there till they closed the base....I dam near didn't make it out alive!!

Valistar

 

[susieqz]

my family has also served.
but viet nam has taught the govt the limits of the citizen soldier.
we are great when the country is attacked.
but wars of convenience, following stupid washington philosophies
[domino effect] require professional soldiers.

 

[Drm50]

My family has been well represented in the Wars clear back before the War for Independence. There is a statue of one of my
Great Uncles on Rt 40-Wheeling WVa, where he jumped a horse
off a clift to escape Indians. The only war we can't find a family
member in, is the Spanish American War. Had kin on both sides
of the War of Nortern Agression. Since WW2, we were sliding to
the Navy. I thought I broke this up by being in Army, RVN. Didn't
work,the Navy has been winning out for the last 45 yrs. in our
family.

 

[steelslaver]

Here it is very common to have served. 9.73% of Montanans are veterans, 2nd highest percentage behind Alaska.

 

[CATI1835]

What is also interesting to me is the breakdown by state for current enlistees. Draw your own conclusions.

This Map Shows Which States Enlist the Most Young People in the U.S. Military

 

[STCM(SW)]

Not much military in my family, 2 uncle's in the army in WW II.
I served from July, 1960 till April, 1992.
Covers several conflicts and interesting times.

 

[KPWants]

My 6 times great grandfather fought in one of the early French Indian Wars in approx. 1715. Many of my 4 times great grandfathers fought in the Revolutionary War. My great great grandfather fought in the Seminole War and the Civil War along with his son who also spent some time in Andersonville Prison. There were multiple others who fought in the Civil War on both sides. My grand father was a Corporal in WWI. My father was a Sgt in WWII spending over 20 years in service and retiring as a Chief MSgt. I was in Vietnam Aug 1964 to Jul 1965. I also spent 2 years in Germany.

 

[Roadtrash]

We've had family in every conflict since we started coming over from England.
GGGGGrandfather's Rev War
Several relatives fought Indians from South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia
GGGUncle in Spanish American War
Two GGrandfathers in War Of Northern Aggression one died the other wounded
Uncle in WWI
Several Uncles in WWII
Lost a cousin in Vietnam, Marine
and of course myself US Army 65-69
All were proud to do their part and would do it again if needed.

There are a few other conflicts we were in but I can't think of them right now.

 

[vonn]

1966 -1968 82d,173d,101st Airborne. Spent 14Dec67 to 14Dec68 up around Hue no base camp just small fire bases during my time. NVA didn't get me but maybe Nam got me with Agent Orange,at least the VA thinks so and sends me a thank you that I am very glad to get. My family has had many soldiers and sailors and even a few fly boys. One Civil War Medal of Honor winner that I didn't even know about until I told my grown son the the stories my great uncle told me as a kid and he did some research and what do you know the stories were true and even more fantastic than my uncle told me. Nam was baby stuff compared to them old boys fighting against family,friends and neighbors on both sides. Had to be hard to know which side to take and maybe even harder to attend church after it was over.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Many family members in WWI, none in WWII (none on active duty- too old or too young), a couple in Korea, one in Vietnam (non-country) and myself on active duty on 9/11. Now I support the effort as a DoD research contractor working on various weapons and counter terrorism efforts.

 

[coltle6920]

We have a lot more people now.

WW2 population 132,164,569
1970 population 205.1 million
2000 population 282.2 million
2010 population 309.3 million

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

You read my mind...Also with modern weaponry we don't need as many "boots on the ground".

WW2 population 132,164,569 x 11.2 = 14.7m
1970 population 205.1 million x 4.3 = 8.8m
2000 population 282.2 million... just over 1 million
2010 population 309.3 million... ^ ^ ^ ^

 

[Frank46]

Just graduated high school so dad had to sign my navy enlistment papers for me. USS Franklin D Roosevelt CVA 42 was my home for the next 3 years or so. 2 med cruises and one westpac cruise. Was on my 3rd med cruise when my enlistment was due to end so back to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard waiting for my separation papers to come through. Got to see the USS New Jersey in drydock as she was getting refitted for viet nam service. Probably the best or smartest thing I did in my life. Frank

 

[JimBianchi]

22.5 years total federal military service

2.9 USCG (1980 to 1983)
19.6 USAF (1983 to 2002)

 

[opoefc]

My ancestors came from England in the early 1700s and fought in the Rev. War, then Indians in Kentucky. Then the Civil War on both sides and every war since. My Dad was WW1 in France. My war was Korea with the US Army. Five cousins are on the Viet Nam Wall. However, I have advised my sons and grandsons to stay out of the military unless we are attacked.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

28+ years (enlisted: March '72; retired: August '00)

Started out in USAF Security Service as a Chinese Comm Analyst. Retrained after Nam ended to be an air traffic controller. Had 14 duty assignments, including two Army Posts, and a 3-year stint on the European Headquarters staff (it was supposed to be a 4-year tour, but the boss let me jump ship and transfer to the local unit -- where there's personal satisfaction to be had!). Earned BA and MA degrees in aeronautical science. Considered applying for a commission, but decided I probably couldn't be politically correct. Had the absolute honor of being invited to sit on the Chief Master Sergeant promotion board one year. I lived and breathed Air Force and loved every minute of it. Many wonderful opportunities to do really special things, and still carry wonderful memories of great people and places.

 

[Evil Dog]

Enlisted in the Air Force late 1964. Bien Hoa, RVN Jun '66 to Jun '67. Retired the first of '88 as an E-7. Would do it all over again in a heart beat.

Had a couple of uncles at the Normandy landing in WW2..... no, they were on the other side. Other than that don't know much about them.

 

[crazyphil]

1963 - 1968 USAF Security Service, 6950 Security Group....i was a spy and intercepted Russian and Chinese communications.....

I was in the same line of work. AFSC 29250 USAFSS 1952-1955
& NSA 1955-1956. Honorable discharge 3/5/56. Can't believe
that was 61 years ago. At that time NSA meant no such agency.

I had 2 uncles in WWI, 2 uncles and 3 cousins in WWII 1 KIA,
and several cousins serving since.

 

[steelslaver]

I will say this about my service. It did more for me than I did for my country. I was a young kid that was constantly in some kind of trouble. Drinking, fighting, poor student etc. On probation and the judge suggested that as I was soon to be 18 and if I wanted to stay out of jail I should enlist. Actually kind of common in those days. Joined the Marines 10 days before my 18th birthday. Recruiter knew about my legal problems and said I would fit right in. I found many in the Marines in those days were there for similar reasons. Lots of troubled young men ended up there for some odd reason. I learned about discipline, how to manage within the rules, and how I needed to at least to display the needed appearance of obedience. It taught me about honor and honoring myself. I think without going through the Marine Corps I would have made my life miserable. Plus, many times afterward during times of difficulty I thought at least its not Marine Corps boot camp. LOL.

Maybe instead of thanking me for my service, it should be the other way and I should thank the Marine Corps for what it helped me become. I needed the Marine Corps more than the Marine Corps needed me.

Semper Fi

I am disturbed by the fact that now to get in the service kids need a clean record and a HS diploma. Lots of guys during my time had neither and proved to be outstanding Marines and made a lot of improvements in their lives. I believe that sometimes the best thing that could happen to troubled kids is military service. Should still be an option.