Veterans, what did you do in the military?

[ah64aviator]

I have seen quite a few profiles here indicating military service, so much so, that I thought I'd start a thread to find out what everyone did during their military service. I'll start the festivities and look forward to reading what others' backgrounds.

I started my service in 89 in the Marine Corps as an avionics technician on EA-6B Prowlers/A-6E Intruders (MOS 6333) at MCAS Cherry Point and an Aviation Electrician A-school instructor at NAS Pensacola. Notable deployments include: Desert Shield/Storm, Joint Endeavor/Decisive Edge, and Northern Watch. After 12 years, I had gotten the urge to fly and found out that the Army had a program to become a Warrant Officer and fly helicopters and I did just that. I started out flying the A model Apache, transitioned to the Longbow D model. I flew combat missions for OIF I & III over the skies of Iraq. After retiring from active duty in 09, I now work as a military contractor training active duty pilots on the D and E model Apaches and live vicariously through the young bucks still serving our country.

So, what was your MOS/Rating? What cool deployments did you do? Share your stories please.

 

[Milchuck]

Enlisted in USAF in 1984 and stayed 20 years, retiring in 2004 as a MSgt. Was Security Forces during my entire active duty time...Law Enforcement Specialist until they combined career fields with Security Specialist and started calling it Security Forces. Been to the Middle East twice (Saudi Arabia and Qatar), Korea twice (Osan and Kunsan), GITMO twice for the Haitian boat crisis and Cuban boat crisis, Panama for three years (beautiful place), and hopped around bases in NC, NM, ND and AL during the remainder of my time in. Got out in 2004 and went to work for a big box store in East TN (where I'm from), initially as Loss Prevention and later in Management. Did that for 15 years and then retired completely when I was 55.

 

[ah64aviator]

Enlisted in USAF in 1984 and stayed 20 years, retiring in 2004 as a MSgt. Was Security Forces during my entire active duty time...Law Enforcement Specialist until they combined career fields with Security Specialist and started calling it Security Forces. Been to the Middle East twice (Saudi Arabia and Qatar), GITMO twice for the Haitian boat crisis and Cuban boat crisis, Panama for three years (beautiful place), and hopped around bases in NC, NM, ND and AL during the remainder of my time in. Got out in 2004 and went to work for a big box store in East TN (where I'm from), initially as Loss Prevention and later in Management. Did that for 15 years and then retired completely when I was 55.

Retired, retired. Nice! I went to Al Udeid for work a few years ago and stayed in Doha. I enjoyed visiting there a lot. Hell, come to think of it, I never hated going TDY to Air Force bases

 

[Eric]

Cold war duty. 2 years in the M60A3 and 2 years in the M1A1. They were a little heavier that the RHO .

 

[Frenzy]

2003-2017; Crew chief on A10s and C17s

 

[ah64aviator]

2003-2017; Crew chief on A10s and C17s

Brrrrrrt!

 

[Irongoats]

Well well well soooooo;
85-90 George AFB - F4G WW
90-91 Murted, AFD - Turkey
91-94 Soesterberg AB, Netherlands - F15s and lots of beer
94-05 Nellis AFB - A10, HH60 and F16s

WEAPONS!!

 

[Chieffreeze]

2003-2017; Crew chief on A10s and C17s

A10 is my favorite, then SR-71

 

[ah64aviator]

Cold war duty. 2 years in the M60A3 and 2 years in the M1A1. They were a little heavier that the RHO .

I got lucky and got a joy ride in an Abrams once. The ground shook under my feet as he drove that monster over to where I was standing. That thing is the definition of beast mode!

 

[BucsFan]

Much respect and gratitude to all of you who served. If we ever meet up, drinks are on me.

 

[Chieffreeze]

Enlisted Army 1982, retired as a Signal Systems Maintenance Technician (Warrant Officer). Continued working for the Army as a contractor and DA Civilian mostly supporting Aerial ISR until recently retiring again.

 

[frogjbm]

92-96 and reserves until 03; NDSTC - ND (Panama City & Pensacola); then to Naval Station Guam; assigned as MDSU ND to EODMU 5, floated around here and there.

 

[Irongoats]

A10 is my favorite, then SR-71

I loaded the phuck out of those planes for weapons school here at Nellis

 

[kem12993]

Mobility Pilot in the KC-135R in ALCOM. 14 years in and 9 to go for an AD retirement. Been in the Air National Guard the whole time so I have some inactive duty days sprinkled in.

 

[Air’d outSRT]

Combat retired Army and Department of Defense, 5 MOS’s on the books, 8 countries in that time not including conus, none of them were great, lost a few, took a few.

 

[Power Wagon]

Enlisted ’66, selected for student leadership and served as student squadron commandeer while completing two tech school courses. Graduated with dual afsc - one aircraft, the other missile, both phneudraulics. First assignment was Vandenberg Minuteman missiles, next was Edwards AFSystems Command experimental aircraft. While there, volunteered for Nam - got my orders mid ’68 and was assigned to a C-130 unit. While there volunteered for multiple TDY’s in country(AC recovery), as well as Thailand(ABCCC) and Korea ’69(over the Pueblo incident). Discharged Norton ’70. In today's lingo, its been a bit.

 

[mb805]

I was a Cav Scout turned officer.

Iraq invasion w/ 2/3 ACR. Was a Bradley driver and gunner.

RSTA PL 09-10 w/ 5th SBCT 2ID in Afghanistan.

Had a command in 11th ACR.

After that I opened my dumb mouth about some injuries from AFG and got a medical retirement.

No regrets.

 

[Chieffreeze]

I loaded the phuck out of those planes for weapons school here at Nellis

I'm guessing you probably got tired of being around them.

 

[Chieffreeze]

I was a Cav Scout turned officer.

Iraq invasion w/ 2/3 ACR. Was a Bradley driver and gunner.

RSTA PL 09-10 w/ 5th SBCT 2ID in Afghanistan.

Had a command in 11th ACR.

After that I opened my dumb mouth about some injuries from AFG and got a medical retirement.

No

Were you part of the Thunder Run in Bahgdad?

 

[Chieffreeze]

Sorry I meant Baghdad