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I was wondering how many active service and vets we have hanging out here. I was drafted in the last draft our country had. That was 1972 my number was 34 and they were drafting up to 54 so I wasn't surprised. I was scared out of my mind but it turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened and for a lot of reasons probably saved my life. I ended up in the 534th MP company in Quarry Heights Canal Zone (Southern Command, Panama) I rode motorcycles all over that country and got to see parts that most other GI's missed. My main ride was Sportster but I also had an RD 350 Yamaha, and a 125 CZ dirt bike. I was only in for two years before we went to the all volunteer army and I got out in December of 1974.

Drafted 1972 #13.

72-76 Enlisted Infantry/Intelligence Analyst
76-96 Officer Special Forces, Airborne Infantry, Mech Armor Infantry
96-98 OSD Appointee- Acquisition, Procurement, RDT&E Armor Systems
98-01 Consultant NATO PFP
02-05 Consultant AT/CT Hostage rescue

The U.S. Military saved my life, made me a man, and gave me all I have.

You mean you guys were in the lottery? Sheesh (putting on old codger's voice, stroking mustache) in my day there weren't no lottery. And all the training we did was in the rain and all the marches were uphill, the whole way...

Drafted February 1969. Air Force brat up until 1966.

Thank you, gentleman.

It would be lovely to see all you Vets again.

We still have some forests that could do with being destoyed and our population has revovered from the 3 million victims of your foreign policy.
Anyoune for Dominos?

The U.S. Military ruined my life, made me a widower, and took away everything I had.

At least you have an Internet access point and the freedom to troll.

Thanks Men and Women who served.
I'm an Air Force ParaRescue Vet, seen and done some hairy stuff,
my wife is a Marine Vet...she keeps me in line.
Roger

thanks to those who've served/currently serve.

For some reason I couldn't add my vote to the poll. So I will add my 2 cents worth this way. I enlisted in the USN in 1971. Did 2 cruises on the USS Hull DD945 to the Western Pacific. In 1972 we unloaded over 20,000 5 inch rounds on enemy positions, and recieved fire in return. Good thing they were not as good at marksmanship as we were. Also it's not easy to hit a Destroyer zigging and zagging all over the ocean at 32 knots. I got out of the Navy in 1975, (Peacetime sucks, the Navy has to cause someone grief, and since there wasn't a war to wage, they waged war with the enlisted men) I went to work at a place where we were all considered to be Coldwar warriors. Been there for 30 years, even though the Coldwar is over, we still have a valuable mission to the nation. And ya, I still leak a few tears when I hear the National anthem, or hear about men who die in the service of our country. I had a very hard time with the attacks on the USS Cole, and the USS Stark. I was a Boilerman, who happened to have a boiler blow up on him on 12/21/73. Lucky for my crew, none of us were killed. However when I heard about the steam plant on the USS Iwo Jima exploding during the 1st Gulf war, and killing the Engineers, I was reminded that not all our service men die in attacks, some die in accidents. I couldn't be prouder of the men and women who serve today, none were drafted, all volunteered, and all deserve our respect. If it wasn't for those 4 years in the military, I wouldn't have matured into the man I became. I will never post on this board and whine, or complain, and not even have the walnuts to sign in. I am proud of who I am.
Don

Great post Don.
Thanks.

1979-1980: Navy Officer's Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island

Commissioned March 1980

Active Duty Navy Surface Warfare Officer with Intelligence Subspecialty in Northern Arabian Sea and Southeast Asia 1980-1984. Home ported in San Diego during those years, where I kept San Diego Suzuki in business by buying a new bike every year or so.

Civilian service for DOD and Dept of State in several war zones, 1984-2000. This was a much more hairy period than anything I ever did on active duty!

owldaddy wrote: Did 2 cruises on the USS Hull DD945 to the Western Pacific. In 1972 we unloaded over 20,000 5 inch rounds on enemy positions, and recieved fire in return. Good thing they were not as good at marksmanship as we were. Also it's not easy to hit a Destroyer zigging and zagging all over the ocean at 32 knots. Don

Hey Don - I was on the decommissioning crew of the Hull in San Diego in 1983! A great old ship. After decommisiioning they towed her out to sea and used her as a harpoon target. What's left of her is at the bottom of the ocean off the Southern California coast.

BRAKECHECK Here...

I'm retired USN, 1975 - 2000. Spent most of my time in San Diego, Subic Bay RP, Yokosuka Japan, Okinawa, and Pearl Harbor. I served on five ships: The USS Monticello (LSD-35), USS Bradley (FF-1041), USS MIDWAY (CV-41), USS Schenectady (LST-1185), and USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) (STAFF). I had a great career but thank God it's over because they work these kids to death these days!!