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Earlier today I was reading a post by Jeremy and found out something I did not know. Jeremy is a veteran.

 

Now call me shallow if you wish but knowing someone served, in whatever capacity, in our nation's forces gives them a little more credibiity with me when it comes to what they say. It sort of says they've walked the walk, not just talked the talk.

 

Does service make you a smarter individual? Does it make you better than other Americans? Do you deserve to be pampered and praised? Nah, none of the above, but it does show a certain dedication and experience that "may" be lacking in others, and in my humble opinion, it is their loss, not mine.

 

So I was wondering how many others might have served and not bothered to mention it, maybe because you don't really think it's any big deal, or you weren't in for that long, etc., or it just never came up. I think it would be interesting, at least to me, to know who has served in the military, and where, and in which service. (and yes, before anyone gets smart alecky, the Coast Guard counts...sheesh) icon_biggrin.gif.

 

No politics, no "support the troops", no pro-war, or anti-war, just state your service and maybe when you served. My roots in Geocaching come from my service in the military, where I was first introduced to GPS technology. So it does tie into our little sport, at least for me.

 

My service was spread over the years 1975 to 2002. I served on active duty in the U. S. Navy for four years (Electronics Technician), two years in the Texas Air Force National Guard (Security Police), 13 years in the Texas Army National Guard (Armor Crewman and Armor Officer), and six years in the Army Reserve (Staff Officer). In there somewhere I managed to have a total of 23 months where I wasn't in for one reason or another. I retired from the Army Reserve last July mainly thanks to a detached retina in my left eye that makes me inelible to be deployed, so there you have it. My reserve unit was activated in January and is at Fort Hood as we speak.... and I'm missing it, sigh.

 

So, that's all that's needed, no chest thumping, no bragging, just state your service and when it was and allow those who care to, to just say thank you for your service.

 

I certainly thank you, that's for sure.

 

icon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gif

 

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"Trade up, trade even, or don't trade!!!" My philosophy of life.

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wow, I can't believe I remembered this old thread.

BTW, I was in scouts, but a fear of heights and flying was a major reason I didn't follow in my father or uncle's military footsteps. When I got older, and learned to face my fears, I actually tryed to enlist, but today's miltary is a young military, and I was too old.

 

Tae-Kwon-Leap is not a path to a door, but a road leading forever towards the horizon.

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icon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gif

 

MAN!!!! Markwell'ed right out of the box!!!!!

 

No mercy.....

 

I'd forgotten that one, but I did remember there had been one about being in scouting, and how old everyone was, etc, etc....

 

Oh well, heck, either never mind or go ahead and tell us.

 

I'm still game...LOL.

 

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"Trade up, trade even, or don't trade!!!" My philosophy of life.

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US Army Aviation, Gulf War 1. Active duty Army '83 to '92. Staff officer (Assisant S4 12th Aviation Bde during Desert Shield/Storm. Primary aircraft was the OH-58D. Loved the military and miss it. Wish I was in Iraq to finish the job, then again maybe I don't. God Bless the troops and the USA. icon_smile.gif

 

DeltaKiowa

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26.5 yrs (2 yrs Army and 24.5 yrs USAF and Air National Guard). Enlisted 13.5 yrs, commissioned 13 yrs. Retired 2000. AFSC/MOS included (enlisted) Army MP, Procurement and Contracting, USAF Law Enforcement, Security Police. Commissioned assignments - NBC unit chief, civil engineer, and Security Forces Commander. Great time. Did things and went places I never would have been able to do. I miss it.

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I know there is another similar post out there, cause I've mentioned my experience on here before...But if you all dont mind hearing it again, I dont either icon_smile.gif

 

I was in the Corps 85-89 as an Avionics (Electronics) Technician, working on Comm/Nav systems (same as an AT3 in the Navy). At various times I was stationed at:

MCAS Cherry Point, NC

NAS Training Center, Memphis, TN

MCAS El Toro, CA

MCAS Yuma, AZ

MCAS Iwakuni, Japan

ROK Airbase, Yechon, Korea

and spent a month on an aircraft carrier,

CV-A 61 USS Ranger, sister ship to the USS Forrestal

 

I think the overseas and travel experiences were my favorite part of serving.

I got out exactly a year before the Gulf War, and had friends who went to Saudi. Wished I could have gone... icon_frown.gif

I KNOW that the time spent traveling to different cultural regions of the US, and to other countries overseas has given me a great appreciation for other cultures and definately a different perspective on the US itself. I wish more people had this opportunity instead of being so arrogant and closed minded about world views and opinions.

 

I remember my first experience with GPS.. It was in about 1988, when we got this new-fangled piece of equipment in the shop.

It was HUGE! About 2.5-3ft long, about 1.5ft wide, and about 1ft high, weighing about 80lbs.

The display in the test equipment for it (same as what the pilots have), had the multi-layered wire LEDS... icon_smile.gif

Turns out it was a GPS receiver out of the KC-130 refuelers that the Corps has.

Once I learned what it did, and how it worked, I was fascinated!

 

Art

 

www.yankeetoys.org

www.BudBuilt.com

http://www.ttora-ne.mainpage.net/

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U.S. Army. 1975-1995. From the end of Viet Nam through Somalia +.

 

I was in Germany for Granada. I was in Texas for Panama. Gulf war 1 found me in the 18th Abn Corps area, (24th ID mech) doing what I could to keep it all together. For Somalia I was assigned to Texas again, but doing special ops for multi-agency counter-narcotics, so I missed it. Retired in 95. Today my son is a Cavalry Scout, forming up with the 4th, and looks like he will pick up where I left off..... Somewhere near Baghdad, against the Nebuchtaneezer Division.

 

Its the circle of life.

 

Mike. Desert_Warrior (aka KD9KC).

El Paso, Texas.

 

Citizens of this land may own guns. Not to threaten their neighbors, but to ensure themselves of liberty and freedom.

 

They are not assault weapons anymore... they are HOMELAND DEFENSE WEAPONS!

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I haven't served, but I'm in a turning point in my life and considering airforce, haven't made a decision yet though. A good friend of mine is in S. Korea Airforce right now, but since the war began, I haven't been able to email her anymore. I hope to hear from her soon.

 

"The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the Creator."

- Louis Pasteur

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This is one Thing I Am Deeply Dedicated To.

 

Without The Ones That Did Serve, Some Of You Would Not Be Able To Voice Your Words.

 

NAM VET, Here, 67-68, 9th Infantry, Corps Aviation Com.

 

Freedom Does Not Come, From Protests.

 

Spit On Me, I Am Use To It, Being A Nam Vet.

 

GOD Bless The Troops Now Giving Their All For Your Freedom.

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The better part of two decades in the Signal Corps of the Canadian Army (left in '96 as a Warrant Officer). In addition to serving in various units that saw me spend uniformed time in over a half dozen different countries (including 3 years with the Canadian Special Service Force [the pointy end of the stick]), I also did a couple of 6 month tours of military UN peacekeeping duty (Lebanon '78 / Cyprus '84).

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USAF 1987-1990 Mountain home Air Force base working on F-111's and EF-111's as an airframe repair specialist. I got out during the big military reduction so I could go on to use my Engineering degree at a big aerospace company in the Seattle area.

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Originally, I was in the Army Security Agency. They decided later on to call us Military Intelligence. (now there ... is an Oxymoron !

 

Traveled to many parts of the world. Saw some nice places ... saw some not so nice places.

 

Favorite Assignments:

National Security Agency

Field Station Augsburg

856th ASA

 

--------------

ASA/MI Veteran ... Geocaching for Uncle Sam ... we just didn't realize it at the time!

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USAF, Jan 78 - Sept 99, Aircraft Electrician. Stationed or temporarily overseas 11+ of those years. 4 years of weapons testing and development that was the most interesting of the stateside years, and when I learned about and devloped an interest in GPS. Currently a DOD employee uprgrading military aircraft.

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Army National Guard, June 1986-Present.

 

I originally enlisted in the Montana National Guard as a 91A, Combat Medic, then served as a SMP Cadet (Simultanious Membership Program--kind of dual membership in ROTC and Army National Guard). Commissioned as an Infantry 2LT in the National Guard in December, 1989, as part of the now defunct Early Commissioning Program (where one can get Commissioned without a degree if they were Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty). As an officer, I served as an Assistant Battalion S-3, NBC Officer; Mechanized Infantry (M113A3) Platoon Leader; Infantry, and later (due to reorganization) Artillery Detachment Commander. Since I needed a degree to get my railroad tracks, and I don't have one, I resigned my commission and recieved an Honorable Discharge from the Montana Army National Guard and moved to Minnesota. I was out for four months, and two things made me go see a Minnesota Army National Guard recruiter--first of all, if I grow a pony-tail, I'd end up looking like Mick Fleetwood or George Carlin or any number of bald guys with pony-tails; and secondly, I was at a county park for a function and a Guard unit was having their post-AT picnic at the next pavilion over, and I realized how much I missed the Guard. So I enlisted as a 96B, Intelligence Analyst, and served as an MI Battalion Ops NCO, Analyst with the All Source Production section, and I'm currently The S-2 NCO for the 34th Aviation Brigade.

 

"People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."--Calvin

 

MnGCA-Button.gif

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USMC 1969 - 1972 Where at doesn't matter.

 

For you military guys and gals who miss the comraderie of a group of great people, enjoy a little Civil War history, and might be tempted to compete with muzzleloaders, mortars, revolvers, and yes, even cannons, check out the N-SSA site at:

 

N-SSA (North-South Skirmish Association)

 

"The hardest thing to find is something that's not there!"

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U.S. Navy 1975-1979 Electronics Technician (Radar). USS Spiegel Grove LSD32, now an artificial reef off the Florida Keys, and TAD on USS Recovery, repair and salvage ship, while on Med cruise. Did Bermuda cruise, two trips to Gitmo, one trip to Panama City Florida and one Med cruise.

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The male half of the Geo-Johnsons team served in the USAF from 1982-1986 in tropical Grand Forks, North Dakota. B-52 maintenance. The female half of the Geo-Johnson's team served from 84-86 as a dependant. icon_wink.gif

 

As far as differences from those that served and those that didn't. At this stage in our lives, there is no difference. But I do remember when we returned home after his discharge, and it seemed all of our friends were still rather immature and irresponsible. Obviously they've grown up now, but I think service people tend to grow up alot faster.

 

Children are natural mimics who act like their parents despite every effort to teach them good manners.

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My father served fifteen years in the Army, Korea and two years in Germany.

 

I graduated high school, 17 years old in 1973. Viet Nam was over, the draft ended. I decided to attend college. I worked for NASA for 9 years on the Space Shuttle External Tank project and Peace Keeper Missile Systems. I guess that is serving but I didn't risk my life other than driving to work every day.

 

South Cache

 

"To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the tops." Robert M. Pirsig

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i feel that somehow this thread attempts to make the opinions of veterans more valued than other people's opinions.

 

no matter whether you intent is to politicize a thread, it's been done from inception.

 

maybe that's why jeremy didn't mention it here. this is a recreational site, and service in the military is not a prerequisite. this isn't even about US citizens; this is a world wide sport.

 

i'd appreciate it if we kept our topics more to our common points, rather than what divides us.

 

i'm playing games here. i'm singing and dancing and laughing and playing pranks, and by golly, that's important work.

 

it doesn't matter if you get to camp at one or at six. dinner is still at six.

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I am a retired disabled veteran (Army). I was military intelligence, worked crypto. My favorite duty station was Berlin, Germany. I was there when the wall came down.

 

My husband is former Army National Guard.

 

I wondered how many former military have been attracted to geocaching. Quite a few by the looks.

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quote:
i feel that somehow this thread attempts to make the opinions of veterans more valued than other people's opinions.

 

I guess I didn't consider that. It just looked to me like everyone was getting to know each other a little deeper than "what do you carry while caching"

 

quote:
no matter whether you intent is to politicize a thread, it's been done from inception.

 

I also don't see any politics going on.... They were all government employees true, but no one is say.......comparing which branch of the service is the best.......That just doesn't happen amongst military personnel. icon_wink.gifhe he he!

 

quote:
i'd appreciate it if we kept our topics more to our common points, rather than what divides us.

 

Okay okay........So what do you guys carry when you're geocaching?

 

quote:
i'm playing games here. i'm singing and dancing and laughing and playing pranks, and by golly, that's important work.


 

That IS important work!! Carry on soldier!

 

Children are natural mimics who act like their parents despite every effort to teach them good manners.

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quote:
service in the military is not a prerequisite. This isn't even about US citizens; this is a world wide sport.

 

I don't think anyone said service in the military was a pre-requisite. This thread shows what some members have in common, and that's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

Do you think being in the military creates a division? Why? Members of the armed forces are no different than those who choose other profession. They all come from the same towns as you and me.

 

quote:
No politics, no "support the troops", no pro-war, or anti-war, just state your service and maybe when you served. My roots in Geocaching come from my service in the military, where I was first introduced to GPS technology. So it does tie into our little sport, at least for me.

 

That's it, no one is attempting to make anyone feel inferior...

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quote:
Originally posted by South_Cache:

I worked for NASA for 9 years on the Space Shuttle External Tank project


 

Wonder if you know a friend of mine, Alan Baker of Plymouth GB. He was called to WSMR several times for something to do with the tank recovery system. Just got an E-mail from him a few days ago. Also Thomas Brad Smith, control room operator.

 

Mike. Desert_Warrior (aka KD9KC).

El Paso, Texas.

 

Citizens of this land may own guns. Not to threaten their neighbors, but to ensure themselves of liberty and freedom.

 

They are not assault weapons anymore... they are HOMELAND DEFENSE WEAPONS!

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quote:
Originally posted by Dawgies:

I'm not a military person, hated every moment of it, but am still proud to have served my country.


 

Now that is serving!

 

Mike. Desert_Warrior (aka KD9KC).

El Paso, Texas.

 

Citizens of this land may own guns. Not to threaten their neighbors, but to ensure themselves of liberty and freedom.

 

They are not assault weapons anymore... they are HOMELAND DEFENSE WEAPONS!

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quote:
Originally posted by flask:

i feel that somehow this thread attempts to make the opinions of veterans more valued than other people's opinions.


 

You do have a point. I would certainly feel much more comfortable geocaching or wilderness hiking with a veteran than I would with someone who is critical of veterans. So there, I said it.

 

Nobody said you need to be a veteran to geocache. Just like nobody said you need to usa a certain GPS, or a certain backpack. What this is - is a group of people who have experienced a like situation, sometimes life-threating, and for a larger purpose, and are telling about it. And just so you do think about it, you are welcome to protest it. You have that right. And the folks on this thread made sure you have that right. Just like you having a thread about your kayaking adventures. I could similarly put down your non-geocaching thread about kayaking, as I have never had one. Hard as hell to paddle them in the desert I am told.

 

Sorry you didn't get the point of this thread. Glad you have the right to say so. You're welcome.

 

Mike. Desert_Warrior (aka KD9KC).

El Paso, Texas.

 

Citizens of this land may own guns. Not to threaten their neighbors, but to ensure themselves of liberty and freedom.

 

They are not assault weapons anymore... they are HOMELAND DEFENSE WEAPONS!

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quote:

Now call me shallow if you wish but knowing someone served, in whatever capacity, in our nation's forces gives them a little more credibiity with me when it comes to what they say. It sort of says they've walked the walk, not just talked the talk.


 

it's this line that got me. i am resolutely determined to allow all people to have credibility based on their records of word and deed rather than their military records. i know plenty of idiots in and out of the military. and i know plenty of upstanding, thoughtful people both in and out. i reserve the right to have valid opinions regardles of service. and i reserve the right for everyone, too.

 

did i tip my hand here? i am a full-on CIVIL LIBERTARIAN, and i do understand the rights of US citizens and the birthright of world citizens.

 

we're all people, by golly.

 

and now that i've said that, i'm not against the sharing of common experiences. i don't want anyone to be excluded as having a voice simply on the basis of never having served in the military.

 

and carry on. the best thing we can so is talk to each other. free exchange of ideas is of capital importance.

 

it doesn't matter if you get to camp at one or at six. dinner is still at six.

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From this:

 

quote:
I'd appreciate it if we kept our topics more to our common points.

 

To this:

 

quote:
I reserve the right to have valid opinions regardles of service. And I reserve the right for everyone, too.

-Thanks by the way!

 

And then:

 

quote:
I don't want anyone to be excluded as having a voice simply on the basis of never having served in the military.


 

No one is excluding anyone here. I think there was a posting by one member, stating he wasn't in the military but had a father who was. Great, a common thread had been made!

 

If you have an honest axe to grid with members of the military, grind it. Don't pretend to be one way about an issue only when it serves your interest and then back paddle when someone offers a logical counter-arrgument. I know you will probably feel like I'm personally attacking you, and I'll tell you upfront, that's not the case.

 

quote:
The best thing we can so is talk to each other.

 

Exactly, which is what this forum is all about. We all like to Geocache, which is the common bond we all share. Some people are in the military and have a military background or interest while others have other backgrounds and other interests. But, it's main theme of Geocaching that drives all of our topics.

 

On that note, please feel free to check out:

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=60601

 

[This message was edited by OlyHippy on April 03, 2003 at 07:22 AM.]

 

[This message was edited by OlyHippy on April 03, 2003 at 07:23 AM.]

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Obviously, being Canadian... I didn't serve icon_biggrin.gif

but having said that, I feel I am qualified to speak on the subject of this thread being inappropriate... I think it's great reading what people do or didn't do in the military... and enjoy getting to know a little more about all of you. And on a personal note, IF I had served... I would be proud to post in this thread what I did and where I did it icon_eek.gif

 

Lysa

 

Si judicas... Cognosce

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quote:
this isn't even about US citizens; this is a world wide sport.


 

As to this, I dont believe I have read ANYTHING in this thread specifying it was for US military only (including the thread title).

I personally would be more than happy to hear about ANYONE's military service for their country.

A couple of Canadians already responded. What about you Aussies, Brits, Spaniards, Saudi's, whomever? I would like to hear what they do as members of their services, too.

 

Art

 

www.yankeetoys.org

www.BudBuilt.com

http://www.ttora-ne.mainpage.net/

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13 years in the Navy. Enlisted Nuclear trained Electrician 86-88, made EM2 before earning Navy ROTC scholarship. In college from 88-92, so missed GW1. Surface Warfare Officer, Tomahawk shooter, Boarding Officer, Gunnery Officer on Antietam for 3 years. Eighteen months with ANGLICO Marines, jumping out of anything that flies and blowing things up with combined arms. Got out in '99 before they chained me to a desk. Absolutely no regrets. My screen name "Blackshoe" refers to my status as a Surface ship driver. Navy aviators wear brown shoes and call everybody else a blackshoe or just a "shoe". Because I am also an Expert Naval Parachutist, and Airborne troops refer to everybody else as "legs", you may consider me a "shoe", but not a "leg". ha ha

 

SVT + GPS = fast cache

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Yes, even I was in the US Army from '85 to '89 in Germany & Georgia...Proud to say that I was part of the 3rd ID at Ft. Stewart as part of the MLRS unit. I still wish I was there in Iraq with my old unit too! We need to clear that country of the mines, so it'll be safer for any cachers to hide some there and for all the people who are finally able to check out the history of the country and find a few caches along the way...

 

The Buzzard's: ZiggyStardust

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I had a nieghbor who spent 20+ in the Army. When I was younger I told him I wanted to join. He looked me straight in the eye and told me that I could be all I could be outside the Army.

 

I didn't serve in the Armed Forces but I fully support these men and women out right now and those who have served in the past. Thanks guys!

 

Where you all at? violent-smiley-081.gif

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Served 8 months - the minimum - of mandatory military service in the artillery regiment of the Karelian Brigade (Finland). Was commissioned twice. Hated every minute of it. Now I know how to shoot with various cannons, big deal.

 

- All you need is a sick mind and a healthy body. -

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USAF 1981-1985 Electronic Countermeasure System Technician F-4E & OV-10A aircraft, worked flightline and in shop. Stationed at George AFB in Victorville, CA my whole tour, The base has been closed since 92. I don't really consider myself a veteran, since there was no combat the whole time I was in, so I got more from my service than they got from me, but I did fix a whole lot of F-4s.

 

_________________________________________________________

If trees could scream, would we still cut them down?

Well, maybe if they screamed all the time, for no reason.

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