Have you served in the military?

[Delano]

Poll question: Have you served in the military?

Have you served in the military?

[Lestat]

1. No...and I never will.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. Brazilian Army

1 year, as a precondition for attending IME (Military Institute of Engineering)

[SoDesuKa]

3. I Hated the Army

I didn't serve voluntarily. The experience left me bitter.

[TheDebbieDee]

5. I served voluntarily and the experience left me bitter.......

Just kidding. I have very fond memories of most of my time in the Army.

[SoDesuKa]

77. You Weren't In Vietnam

I don't remember Vietnam with any fondness.

[wadestock]

85. If you still have your marbles....

Consider yourself lucky. I have a lot of friends that went. I was #289 and missed it. Most of them never came back the same. Something they really don't want to talk about.

You'll see in Iraq a similar effect. The depths of the slaughter won't be known for some time. Actually there is a built in time lag of a year or two before it really hits some of the soldiers....then they are changed forever.

The fact that Kerry went and came back mentally together and actually used the experience to help propel him onward is a real tribute to the character that the man has.

[Walt Starr]

4. Okay, I'm going to break my deep dark family secret to you.

I was nominated for both the United States Military Academy at West Point AND the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis when I was 17 by none other than...


...


...


...


Wait for it...


...


...


...


...


...


Scroll just a bit more...


...


...


...


...


DICK (HEAD) CHENEY!!!!

[wellstone_democrat]

7. That's OK, you were young and foolish

we all make mistakes
:evilgrin:

[Walt Starr]

9. I repaid the "man" the following year (1982)

BY VOTING AGAINST HIS EVIL ASS!!!

I was an honor student in High School and a member of Junior ROTC.

[azmesa207]

8. Deep dark Secrete

Did you accept

[Walt Starr]

13. Actually, I turned it down.

Went into the Guard as an E-3 instead. Ended up in ROTC in college, too. Figured I should get a taste before committing to it as a career.

I can honestly state without reservation, the military was NOT for me

[underpants]

10. Really? That is pretty cool

Did you go?

[Walt Starr]

15. Nope

Went to enlisted BCT and later was in ROTC.

The military really was not for me. fortunately I was smart enough to take the part tiome approach and got out when I could.

That was almost two decades ago.

[bahrbearian]

64. Hey ! did you pick up the slack for him ?

Did you donate to Kerry even if you "figgen dispise him"? I dodged the Draft in 1969, I knew "war was wrong when I was 17 " I quess you would have never been a grunt.

[Walt Starr]

73. I donated $100 less than a week ago to Kerry

Sent $50 to Barack Obama.

[nose pin]

65. Alert! Alert!

}(

[StaggerLee]

6. USN 1985-1990

Then sailed as a merchant marine for Military Sealift Command from 1991-93.

[newscaster]

22. i WAS IN THE AIR FORCE FOR 20 BIG ONES

I got my commission thru ROTC. Went to flight school, qualified for multi engine aircraft and flew those Dr Strangelove SAC nuke missions to a spot over the Bering Sea and then turned back. Thank God I never got a signal to continue on to my target. Served over Nam and Cambodia and retired as a Lt Col. Flying during the cold war was not unpleasant but when sent to Nam, I rapidly learned to detest war.

[woofless]

34. Howdy Colonel, I worked Incirlik Airways in the early 70's

Did you ever get over there?

[newscaster]

62. Sorry. Never made it to Incirclik.

I flew out of K.I. Sawyer AFB just outside Marquette, Mi. First in 47s and then 52's.

[SpiritsDad]

39. Another 20 year guy

I did two years in the army, got out and finished college, then back to the Air Force for 18 more years. I was selected for Colonel but declined and retired on the day I had 20 years. I couldn't stand it one more day!

[underpants]

11. US Army Cav Scout

Bradley gunner

[Delano]

12. I was in the Navy 1988-1990

The only fun part was boot camp. I hated being on a ship. Half of the people there were lowlifes.

I wouldn't let my kids serve unless there was a foreign invasion of this country.

[arbusto_baboso]

14. US Army, 1987-1994

Probably still be there if I hadn't lost most of my lung capacity during ODS.

And I'm a liberal BECAUSE of my experiences in the Army!

[Worst Username Ever]

16. Nope not unless you count ROTC

Which does NOT count. Oh, but Navy ROTC taught me my hobby, how to sail. At least I got one good thing out of it.

[Walt Starr]

18. Did you sign a contract with ROTC?

If so, you were in the Reserves.

Generally, the contract only gets signed if you're under scholarship or in your Junior year of college.

[Worst Username Ever]

24. "College Program"

I was accepted for scholarship after my first year and then decided it was not for me and declined. I enjoyed it, but not enough to leave for 4 years after college. Come to think of it, if I had followed through with it, I would just be getting back from my service about now...

[Wickerman]

17. Air Force

84-90. The best job I never loved.

[rfranklin]

19. Dropped out of ROTC...

after they told me that it was not possible. Became a "war protester," got drafted, failed the physical (with a little help from a doctor) and have always felt guilty about all those who didn't have the opportunity to do the same.

[Speck Tater]

20. Enlisted in the Air Force to avoid Viet Nam draft.

Spent the war in San Antonio Texas instead of Hannoi.

[salonghorn70]

23. San Antonio

I hope that you enjoyed my town. Did you like the mexican food?

[northofdenali]

70. I did basic at Lackland, and I LOVED San Antonio.

The River Walk and the food............... 1974 - 1980 USAF.

[TahitiNut]

51. Did I ever see you at Hemisfair Jun-Dec '68??

I was at Ft. Sam then.

[salonghorn70]

21. Army

Got drafted in August 1970. Actually, I spent 13 pretty good months in Baumholder, Germany. I was a Medic and worked at a Dispensary and drank a lot of beer.:) I got out five months early when Tricky Dicky came up with his early out program for draftees. The only thing Tricky ever did that I approved of.:)

[luaneryder]

25. Yes during Reagan's reign

Army, 1st Special Operations Command, Ft. Bragg, as a photojournalist. The job was good most of the time because it wasn't what one would typically think a soldier did. We could use all the film we wanted and had a great darkroom. Another soldier and I were developing a roll of our sergeant's film and lo and behold he had taken a shot of his wife in front of the Christmas tree baring her breasts! We made a bunch of copies and kept sending them to him with no return address for about three months. It kept us amused.

[Worst Username Ever]

26. That

is absolutely hilarious. I love stories like that.

[ieoeja]

36. "That's why chicks dig a man in a uniform."

"It's the stories," he says in a reference to Stripes.

Spent a year in Marine Corps ROTC at Auburn. A large group of individuals in the dorm really despised me. Looking back on that year with greater maturity and understanding ... I still have absolutely no f--king idea why they hated me. When they finally pushed me into hurting a few of them -- I was alone against six of them; forgive me if I don't feel guilty about it -- I decided it was time to transfer colleges. I switched from the ROTC program at Auburn to the PLC program and Indiana U. After a couple weeks at Quantico, I dropped out when my idealist bubble burst (Marine Corps Office Candidate School was a LOT easier than I anticipated).

[Roon]

27. I tried to join the Army when I was 18

You get retirment after 20 years? I thought that was a hell of a deal!! But my hearing impairment disqualified me. :-(

[MrSlayer]

28. No. I couldn't get by the shaved head and idiots screaming at me thing.

No way would I ever shave my head. But if I did the drill sergeant would probably kill me when I told him to go fuck himself. I've always had a problem with authority, military and me just wouldn't work.

[Mountainman]

57. He wouldn't have killed you, he'd make living hell for you.

I always said that the worst thing the Army could do to you was give you more Army.

[BrotherBuzz]

29. Just a dumb draftee

that added "no value, no advantage, really, to the United States Armed Services over any sustained period of time." - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, 08 Jan 03.

On edit: Did I mention that I'm very mad at that a**hole Rumsfeld?

[Outlaw420]

30. I served

at Ft Hood TX and loved it

[VOX]

31. No. Had a very high number in the 1970 lottery.

Just dumb luck.

[leftofthedial]

32. I'm not a vet.

I'm a military brat.

Thanks to all of you who are vets and those of you who are active duty.

[TN al]

33. Army '87-'97 I was a 68N...

...it was avionics mechanic then. I wonder if it is still the same now.

[mr_du04]

47. I was 68 N too...

but, I joined in 91 out in 97. Also I googled our MOS its 15n now.
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/arjobs/bl15n.htm

[TN al]

81. I wonder if we met...

...I was at Carson, Katterbach, and Campbell

[mr_du04]

83. Nope I was ....

In korea and then fort hood.

[doni_georgia]

35. I actually thought about it while in college,

but my dad (retired Army) talked me out of it. He said, "You don't have the right personality for the service." I asked him what he meant by that. Suffice to say kind of was like the joke that says that the devil won't have me cause he's afraid I'd take over. Honestly, I don't think my Da liked the idea of his little girl going into the service, much less the Navy, which is the branch I was considering.

[lapfog_1]

37. No...

BUT, I was named and accepted into the Naval Academy... but before
I could start my brother was killed (in the Navy). My mom made the
decision (over my dad's objections), and no military service for
me. Worked out OK, I don't know that I was cut out to serve anyway.
I've always had a passive/aggressive reaction to authority figures.

[wellstone_democrat]

38. USAF---Fought the Vietnam War from North Dakota!

Didn't see much action but did see a lot of snow. And wheat.

Most boring single period of my entire life.

[beanball]

67. The Air Force

Winter in NoDak,combat at the VanDome Bar in Minot.

[Kimber Scott]

40. US Army 1981 to 1990. 64C (Now 88M)

Aaaaaaoooooooorrraaaaahhhh!

P.S. I'm glad I never had to go to war, and even more glad I didn't have to sit behind G.W. for one of his speeches. Gawd! That constitutes torture right there!

[Rebellious Republican]

41. Navy Aircrew Photographersmate/Combat Camera Team 78-88

Was part of the Naval Expedionary forces in Beirut in 83, thats when I decided war was not a good thing. Scared the hell out of me, can not even begin to describe the gauntlet of feelings and emotions I experienced. Got out as soon as my time was up, on my second hitch.
No, the yellow and blue ribbon is not an Air Medal, it is a Navy Expedtionary Medal, I have been asked a couple of times here.

[luaneryder]

48. Were you a

DINFOS trained killer?

[Rebellious Republican]

60. Nope, I am not an Alumni of the prestigious DINFOS..........

I chose a different route from the JO's, my specialties included Aireal Recon, intell photography, processing and photographic support. On the ground I escorted French patrols occasionally photographing basically whatever the French General pointed at. My photos were mainly used for military information, targeting or historical preservation. Not for release to the news media. Here is a website that explains the various jobs performed by Navy Combat Camera.

http://usmilitary.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediacen.navy.mil%2Fvi%2FCOMCAM.htm

[libhill]

42. Got lucky -

graduated highschool in `72, tried to get into the National Guard to avoid getting drafted. They wouldn`t take me (I didn`t have the right connections)so I resigned myself to my shitty fate of being drafted. As luck would have it, it didn`t happen. Nixon ended the draft a while after that, which probably saved me, along with a high random sequence number. No regrets, either.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

43. Navy: 1976-1981.

[sampsonblk]

44. Other...

Army and Air Force both.

[Wwagsthedog]

45. UASF, '61-65

Spent most of that time as a Titan II missle engine mechanic. Really wanted to fly. Completed my degree after finishing service and would have rejoined with an appointment to flight school in hand except my loving wife said "no way". She flapped a newspaper headline in my face which told of 3 planes being shot down in VN. I was lucky because I had a choice many others didn't have. Ironically, the flight school I was supposed to go to was Vance AFB in her home town, Enid, OK. She really didn't want to go back there.

[kymar57]

46. No

Went through the process of joining the AF and came within a day of signing. But couldn't stand the thought of being away from my wife.
So I backed out. Unfortunately said wife had no problems being away from me and left 6 mths later. Cest le Vie.:shrug:

[TahitiNut]

49. How about the United States Coast Guard???

If you want to call it a "service," then the term is more appropriate for the Coast Guard than any other branch of the military. The Coast Guard is not only used for drug interdiction but for aids to navigation, search and rescue, and a host of other extremely useful peacetime functions.

As a person who went for two years to the Coast Guard Academy and spent just shy of two years (one in Vietnam) as an Army draftee (SP-5), I was disappointed you didn't mention the Coast Guard nor ask how many people served in "two of the above."

[arbusto_baboso]

50. Salute to all Coasties, current and past!

You guys and gals do necessary, grubby, unglamorous, dangerous work on a daily basis, and get the short end of the stick when it comes to glory and/or gratitude.

As a former US Army 18a who's had his butt fished out of the ocean by Coasties, I say thanks a lot, and good on ya', mate!

[luaneryder]

56. Coasties are cool!

I trained at Ft. Harrison with all services to include CG. I could never figure out their rank so just saluted all three of them.

[TahitiNut]

61. Even though I found it impossible to do the "military" thing ...

... I still have far, far more respect for the Bathtub Navy than any other service. It's even noteworthy when you visit a USCG vessel or station - the enlisted and officers get along so well and have such a teamwork attitude that it shows. They're typically not sadists or martinets like one often sees when visiting other military units.

Coast Guardsmen actually know something about seamanship ... usually having to operate their vessels in weather that the Navy runs from. Whether it be a Coast Guard helicopter pilot or the Captain of a ship, they really know how to handle it in the worst conditions. (The only time I see Coasties less than comfortable with their equipment is when the equipment is a rifle or ship's gun.)


Coast Guard: That hard nucleus around which the Navy forms in time of War.

[libhill]

74. And as I said -

folks under the delusion that the Coast Guard is exempt from combat/overseas service, should read the stories of the combat record of the U.S.C.G. in W.W.2. They also served in Nam and are serving in the Persian Gulf and off the Coast of Iraq as we speak. I`d not advise any one who enlists in that branch, to think they`ll spend the whole tour Stateside.

[libhill]

59. It is a Service -

and more important now than ever, with their work in Homeland Security, and all that that involves. People tend to forget that Coasties also get snet overseas in droves during wartime. To people who don`t consider the Coast Guard a branch of the military, you`re doing these men and women a diservice.

[Mnemosyne]

52. no

but I made several vietnam veterans very happy in the late 70's and early 80's!!





edit> Thank you all though, seriously, for all you have gone thru and done for the rest of us.

[Mountainman]

53. I was drafted into the Army in 1966

I was sent to Vietnam in April 1967 and left in March 1968.

FTA "fun travel adventure" also "fuck the army".

[LWolf]

54. No, but

I've been the wife of someone who served in the army, and the wife of a civilian support crew member, regularly deployed overseas. Including Bosnia and Kuwait.

[Qanisqineq]

78. me too

wife of a soldier in the army

[CBHagman]

55. I seriously considered the Air Force.

Two classmates and I were on our way to meet a fourth and then to see a recruiter when we got the car stuck on a dirt road. We got to the recruiting office eventually -- much too late. As it happened, none of us enlisted.

I've often wondered what my life would have been like if I'd actually sat down with a recruiter and discussed the possibility. My father (U.S. Army, WWII) had already given me the unromanticized view of the service, and I think I knew my heart wasn't really there. But who knows?

[Toots]

58. Drafted into Army in 67

Sent to Nam in Mar 68 assigned to 1st Cav Div , 12nd of 12th Bravo Co. Same unit Max Clelland was in though I never met him and don't recall his accident. I'm not sure what Co he was with. Took a burst of three and became a gunner in 227th AHB. Requested another tour for reassignment to 281st AHC attached 5th SF. I don't wish for anyone else to be drafted. I would not trade my experiences for any thing in the world but I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy either.

[Peregrine]

63. Army Counterintelligence

Did 4.5 years. If I hadn't gotten married to Satan, I probably would have stayed. I had a lot of options when I packed up and left. I was offered Warrant Candidate School followed by my pick of:
1. Being an agent handler
2. Counter electronic surveilance
3. stay a field agent

or get a direct commission and go to law school.

[LDS Jock]

66. no, my kind not encouraged

Even though they didn't ask, I still told.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

68. Any other 91C's out there?

MKJ

[stavka]

69. Frankly, I'm amazed 60% responding said they have!

I think that's great! - and I thank you for your service to our country!

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

71. If you look at the Legislative branch...

Far more Democrats than Repubs have served..I've always wondered why the Democrats allowed the "patriot" theme to be hijacked. MKJ

[Raskolnik]

89. Good point.

And we should be enormously proud that the ONLY member of the Senate with child serving in Iraq is a Democrat from the great state of South Dakota, Tim Johnson.

[ColdWarZoomie]

72. USAF

Served 1986-1990.

2 years in the UK were the best part of my "career."

Can't tell you what I was doing...wink-wink, nudge-nudge.

[Redleg]

75. Army Field Artillery

We make noise and break things. At least I used to when I was in.

[Raskolnik]

76. Does the KISS Army count?

[Delano]

79. This has got to be the least combative poll I've ever posted.

How refreshing!

Somehow I bet the percentage of freepers who've served would be MUCH lower. But then again, I bet they're twice as likely to lie and say that they have.

[Elwood P Dowd]

80. U.S. Army 1970-1972

Wound up with an assignment in the States and got the hell out of that
shit after my 2 years was up (E-5 and honorable discharge).

[TX-RAT]

82. US ARMY 69-72 Field Artillery.

[MattNC]

84. considering it

but these days I doubt I will.

[giant_robot]

86. USAF Nov '86 - Jul '91....

....the extra seven months were courtesy of the stop loss program, which I am still bitter about.

[Romulus]

87. Enlisted USMC 1990-1995

1991-92 2d Tank Bn
1992-95 3rd Bn, 6th Marines

[jerryvov]

88. enlisted at 18...

USMC 1956-1959
2nd FSR, 2nd division, Camp Lejeune
Med cruise 1958 - Beirut, Italy, Spain, Crete, Sardinia, Turkey, Greece...

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

90. Young & Dumb. Joined the Marines in '61.

Fresh out of H.S. without the grades or the money for college and on my own. Bought the big lie of "The Marine Corps Builds Men".

Went in as an apolitical, apathetic, but fairly well read kid. Emerged 4 years later as a budding socialist, embittered, anti-war, anti-military, peacenik.

My first bit of enlightenment came with introduction to the DI's. They would have fit in at Abu-Ghraib without further training in sheer sadism. Political awakening came in boot camp at one of those Rah-rah "why we serve" lectures, when some fratboy lieutenant told us we should look forward to killing Cubans because Castro had a beard. He was the flavor of the month enemy at that time. It didn't seem a good enough reason for murder to me.

In '65, just before I got out, I was "asked" to extend my enlistment so I could go to Vietnam and kill peasants. I declined, rather vociferously, and was rewared with 30 days of mess duty for my lack of "patriotism".

As we non-lifers used to say, "Eat the apple, fuck the corps."

[Bandit]

91. Yes I served in the Army ~ My serial # began with US

11 Bravo for a while then 67 November.