WHO SERVED

O

OLDNAVYMCPO

US Veteran, Absent Comrade
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There are a lot of veterans on this forum. I found these statistics to be interesting but of no great surprise.

During WWII, 11.2% of the nation served in the military. During the Viet Nam era, 4.3% served. Since 2001, only .45% of the population has served in the Global War on Terrorism.
 
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I went in the Air Force a few days after my 17th birthday between Korea and Viet Nam. Best move I ever made as I saw the world, learned a trade as an aircraft mechanic and worked at that for a major airline for 33 1/2 years before taking early retirement 21 years go.

These percentages are disheartening.

I believe that their should be 100% conscription as, Nothing will teach an unmotivated boy discipline better than having to obey orders in the military.


Art
 
Great Grandfather - Civil War
Grandfather - WWI
Father - WWII, Cold War
Aunt - WWII
Uncle (3 of them) - WWII
Uncle - Korea, Cold War
Brother - Vietnam, Cold War
Me - Cold War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom

That's it for our family
 
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Both of my brothers died serving our country. Daniel was a Green Beret serving with 5th Special Forces at camp 333 near Cau Song Be with Hoot Gibson when he was KIA. Steven was an Air Force Captain whose plane crashed in Iceland during a training mission. Me-I just showed up for muster for six years and fixed stuff on my ship. I actually feel guilty when someone thanks me for "my service".
 
I submit the point might have been they call it the Global War on Terrorism but there is not much global war going on. I remember when the phrase was first coined and the money was taken from many other programs to fund it. All of a sudden everyone had a "global war on terrorism" program just so they could get funding for their pet project. Orders for pens and paper had "need these desperately to prosecute the global war on terrorism" stamped on the requisition.

Just a little "GWOT" humor.
 
OLDNAVYMCPO said:
There are a lot of veterans on this forum. I found these statistics to be interesting but of no great surprise.

During WWII, 11.2% of the nation served in the military. During the Viet Nam era, 4.3% served. Since 2001, only .45% of the population has served in the Global War on Terrorism.
Click to expand...
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
 
Arik said:
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
Click to expand...

I think a lot of that 50% population growth between 1970 and 2010 is from immigration...legal or otherwise. I believe it is high time that we institute a compulsory military service term for immigrants. If you love this country, then by god, you should be willing to serve it!
 
Great great grandpa rode with Quantrell and the James Boys. Other side fought with Stand Watie and the Cherokee Volunteers. Grandfather was in a "vital industry" and they wouldn't let him enlist in WWI or WWII (He was a farmer). Maternal uncle (second) served in WWI. Grandfather (other side) was Cornish and served in the British Army. Dad was a ground crewman in Burma with the re-patriated Flying Tigers. My brother was on the "Connie" (USS Constellation) in the 70's and I was a lowly office clerk 1971-72.
 
I served from Aug. 1966 to Oct. 1986 USAF. I was lucky enough to be assigned to the Strategic Air Command, SAC stood watch 24 hours a day seven days a week. I worked on a team, our job was to pack up the War Reserve Material and go to a forward base and set up to recover the surviving aircraft and relaunch them for a second strike at the Soviets. Those of us that were realistic knew when to horn went off there would be no aircraft survivors and all of the SAC bases would be dust in the wind. You got up in the morning put on that uniform and fought the good fight. because maybe just maybe...

I love my country and would do it all over again.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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