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How did you serve?

Breaktrack
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Elminster7781

+Elminster7781

Posted
Posted

31U (now 25U) - Signal Communications Specialist.

 

2000-2004 AD Army 3rd ID Ft. Stewart GA

 

2004 - Present Army Reserve - Punxsutawney PA

 

No kidding - part of my reserve unit's duty is to help do security on groundhog day.. :)

 

Was with 3rd ID during the initial ground invasion into Iraq in March of 2003, went back again a few year later, and I maybe leaving in a few months to go back again. :wub:

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Team_DDNight

+Team_DDNight

Posted
Posted

Army Assignment rundown:

 

Nov 90 - Feb 91: OSUT (19D Basic Training), Fort Knox KY

Mar 91 - Mar 93: C Troop, 1/11th ACR, Fulda Germany

Apr 93 - Aug 93: A Co, 2/1 INF, Fort Lewis WA

Aug 93 - Dec 94: K Troop, 3/2nd ACR, Fort Polk LA

Jan 95 - Aug 95: 74G Reclass Training, Fort Gordon GA

Sep 96 - Oct 96: 1st US Support BN, MFO Sinai Egypt

Oct 96 - Oct 00: Electronic Proving Ground, Fort Huachuca AZ

Nov 00 - Jul 03: Parkersburg WV (Recruiting Duty)

Aug 03 - Jul 07: 516th Signal Brigade, Fort Shafter HI

Jul 07 - Present (still serving): US Army Armor Center, Fort Knox KY

 

Traveled to Japan, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Kuwait, Indonesia, Malaysia, Israel and (soon) Iraq as a part of official duties. I just wish I had been caching since it all began, but I have a lot of years left in me to make up for lost time! :rolleyes:

 

Thanks to all who have served and are serving!!

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Royalott

+Royalott

Posted
Posted

Earlier today I was reading a post by Jeremy and found out something I did not know. Jeremy is a veteran. <BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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<!--graemlin::unsure:-->.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>I certainly thank you, that's for sure.<BR><BR> icon_biggrin.gif<!--graemlin::rolleyes:--> icon_biggrin.gif<!--graemlin::ph34r:--> icon_biggrin.gif<!--graemlin::unsure:--><BR><BR><A HREF="http://www.texasgeocaching.com" TARGET=_blank><IMG SRC="http://www.texasgeocaching.com/images/texasgeocaching_sm.gif"> </A><BR>"Trade up, trade even, or don't trade!!!" My philosophy of life.

 

1957-1960 USMC

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TeamThom

+TeamThom

Posted
Posted (edited)

National Guard, Army. 19th Special Forces 1970-1976. You would never know it to see me now.

 

Oops, I submitted this post from my Pocket PC and sometimes it stutters, which is why I have two posts here. Moderator, feel free to delete this copy of the post. Thanks.

Edited by ThojeCasal
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combatnurse2003

+combatnurse2003

Posted
Posted (edited)

Been there done that. I actually have a T-shirt too. I've been in since 1999, my wife since 2001. I'm a vet of Kosovo and Iraq 2003. Jen is a vet of Iraq 2003/ OIF I and Afghanistan 2007, less than three months after she had our son. :ph34r: According to her profile/ or duty restriction, she wasn't even deployable yet. But they need her skill set so she went. Plus it was only a 2 month deployment (though she didn't know how long at the time), more of an open-ended TDY in a combat zone. Don't know how she did that. We're currently apart for a year, me stationed in Texas her in Washington. But we have friends who are in the desert for 15 months, so our sacrifice pales in comparison. We talk every night, I hear my son growing up, and I see her every three months. Like I said, we have it good comparatively.

Edited by combatnurse2003
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knowschad

knowschad

Posted
Posted

What has this got to do with geocaching, aside from naming "Jeremy"?

 

Vietnam war vet here. Navy. Been there, done that. This thread doesn't belong here despite its seemingly patriotic trappings. War kills. War is ugly. It has zero to do with geocaching. I don't care how heroic you or I might have been, it doesn't belong here... let's keep it out of here. This should have been flaggged as 'off topic' a long time ago.

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Polarbz

+Polarbz

Posted
Posted

Ah, maybe we could slant the topic to Geocaching in war zones! I know for a fact that there are some in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was not really into Geocaching when I was there and I regret that I didn't get some while I was.

 

So, that being said...

Active Duty, US Army, Captain, Signal Corps

Before that I was an enlisted 11B.

 

Visited Samarra, Baqubah, Muqdadiah, Tikrit and Ad-Dawr. Chased Al-Duri around the country for awhile too.

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knowschad

knowschad

Posted
Posted

Ah, maybe we could slant the topic to Geocaching in war zones! I know for a fact that there are some in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was not really into Geocaching when I was there and I regret that I didn't get some while I was.

 

I've heard that as well. Actually, I've seen posts here about it. It amazes me that its allowed, considering the IED's, but I would imagine that clear containers are pretty much the rule (at least, I'd certainly HOPE so!)

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bflentje

+bflentje

Posted
Posted

10 years in the Naval Reserves. Travelled the world protecting our great nation. Spent time loading war ships in the Philippines during Gulf War v1.0.

 

- Both brothers served in the Navy.

- Sister served in the Navy.

- Father served in the Navy.

- Father-in-law served in the Marine Corp.

- Wife is an RN at the Minneapolis VA Hospital and wouldn't work anywhere else.

- Middle daughter is an American Flag nut (ok, she's just a nut).

 

Don't confuse me with someone beating the war drum. War is evil but sometimes necessary. Maybe or maybe not in our current case.. will be debated for years to come.

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Camo Cacher

+Camo Cacher

Posted
Posted (edited)

I decided to choose a military type geocaching name due to my service. I geocache in a 1946 Jeep Willys and wear BDU's when on the hunt.

I spent five years in the US Army as a combat medic and was stationed in Korea and Fort Ord. I volunteered for deployment to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield/Storm. I left the Army in 1992 remain active in the Civil Air Patrol.

Edited by Camo Cacher
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majormajor42

majormajor42

Posted
Posted

Catch-22 is one of my favorite books, thus my name, but I sadly would never hold the rank of Major since I was in the Navy Reserves. I went to the USMMA in the Ninties and worked on ships for several years before settling down in civilian life. I am grateful for my reservist and merchant marine experiences because I learned a trade that has provided me with a good living and job security. Militarily though, I was more interested in the machinery ("toys") of warfare such as ships and planes when I was younger, which led me down this path of engineering. As I get older, however, I respectfully admire those who primarily tackle great challenges on the ground and the machinery are the people of the team.

I’ve tried to get my good friend who was in Iraq with the Army interested in Geocaching. But I understand that for him, hiking in the woods recreationally holds about as much interest for him as pleasure boating did for me when I worked on ships, not much. And now, boating is one of my favorite pastimes. So you never know what the future might hold.

I’m happy to be involved in an activity that attracts so many veterans. Hope to meet some of you along the way. Thank you all for everything.

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Team_DDNight

+Team_DDNight

Posted
Posted

Yeah, maybe the admin should move this thread to the "Off Topic" forum so people will stop whinning about this being off the topic of geocaching.

 

Some people just look for things to whine and complain about.....unbelievable.

 

By the way, I am heading to Iraq in January and I WILL BE GEOCACHING IN A WAR ZONE. Some may seem to think this is something unheard of, but if one would do a search for caches in Iraq, that same person would see that there are over 100 caches in the country.

 

I am pretty sure Soldiers are smart enough to look for the ones on Camps within Theater instead of trying to find caches hid amongst IEDs throughout the region. C'mon, give us more credit than that!!

 

Some may have 'been there, done that' in the military, but if you haven't cached in a combat zone, keep the comments to yourself (which are, by the way, 'off topic' for this thread).

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fatblokecaver

+fatblokecaver

Posted
Posted

British Royal Marime Commando 1977 - 1983

 

Northern Ireland

Hong Kong

5 times to Norway

New Hebrides rebellion? (now Vanuatu)

Sardinia

Greece

Crete

Special Boat Section :D

 

Medically discharged (Gutted)

Member of the Royal Marines Association

 

Once a Royal Marine Always A Royal Marine

 

Royal Marines don't die they re organise in hell

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steve638

steve638

Posted
Posted

"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."

- General George Patton Jr

 

Sep 02 till present

1-4 CAV

1-15 CAV

1-13 CAV

5 - 4 CAV very soon.

 

"Just drive down that road, until you get blown up"

- General George Patton, about reconnaissance troops

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Sand-Man

+Sand-Man

Posted
Posted

USAF 1975-1982 Machinist E-5

 

I tried to reenlist a few years ago right after 9/11. I could tell a pretty funny story about this but it would take a big space in this forum....... To make a long story short, a young Army spc5 at the medical center reminded me of why I got out in the first place....

 

My oldest son is in the Army National Guard and has just been activated. he goes to NJ for special training and then to Camp Buca in Iraq. I just put out a cache in his honor....

 

Standing On the Wall

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Blue Roads

+Blue Roads

Posted
Posted

Just found this thread yesterday. And spent two days reading through it.

 

Drafted in Nov. '65. Spent the entire two years at Ft. Carson, CO.

HHQ Battery, 5th Bn., 4th Arty., 5th Inf. Div. (Mech)

Left as a Spec. 4, 13E20

 

I got out several months before the unit went to Viet Nam, so Viet Nam era vet.

Can't say I was happy to get that letter from my "Friends and Neighbors", but the idea

of running to Canada was REALLY repugnant. It was an interesting time. I'm glad to have done it.

More glad when it was over.

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HopsMaltYeast

+HopsMaltYeast

Posted
Posted

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

 

US Navy 1970-1972 active 1973-1976 Active Reserves

 

Quartermaster - that's Navigation in the Navy - different than the Army - think quarters of the compass/quarters of the wind for a sailing ship - it was extremely rewarding to learn to navigate by map, compass and sextant across thousands of mile of ocean. Learned the stars and constellations. Served pre-GPS - had to navigate the old ways.

 

Loved it and hated it. Mostly on Destroyers (small ships by Navy standards). Violently seasick at the beginning of every voyage, but never missed a minute of duty. Carried a sick bucket with me for first 2 or 3 days of every cruise and kept on keeping on - then all was fine for the rest of the trip. Few of us in the populated, smoggy, light-polluted developed areas have ever seen the beautiful star filled canopy like you see it out in the middle of nowhere in the ocean.

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palser

+palser

Posted
Posted

National Guard '70-'76.

 

Freedom is something that seems assumed by our culture, especially when you figure someone like Hanoi Jane is still alive and well. (and ranting) Will she ever figure it out?

 

Thanks for this thread..

 

Thanx to all that are still paying the price!

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sumajman

+sumajman

Posted
Posted

US Army 1977-1986

1977-1979 - Tank Platoon Leader, 4/37AR, Ft. Knox

1979-1980 - Flight School, Ft Rucker

1980-1983 - 8th Combat Aviation Battalion, Mainz, Germany

1983-1984 - Armor Officer Advance Course, Ft Knox

1984-1985 - Aviation Directorate of Combat Development - Ft Rucker

1986 - Co. B, 82nd Aviation Bn

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Cav Scout

+Cav Scout

Posted
Posted

US Army MOS 19ZD3P5X(Cavalry Scout) 1986-present

 

Germany, Colorado (2 tours), Korea, Kentucky (3 tours), Alaska, Washington.

 

Iraq 2005-2006.

 

Places visited, Japan, France, East Germany, Canada, Kuwait, Italy, and there are places I can't remember.

 

Been all over the world and been reading maps and using GPS's way longer than I been geocaching.

 

And all thanks to the Army!

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Cache Liberation Front

+Cache Liberation Front

Posted
Posted

Yeah, maybe the admin should move this thread to the "Off Topic" forum so people will stop whinning about this being off the topic of geocaching.

 

Some people just look for things to whine and complain about.....unbelievable.

 

By the way, I am heading to Iraq in January and I WILL BE GEOCACHING IN A WAR ZONE. Some may seem to think this is something unheard of, but if one would do a search for caches in Iraq, that same person would see that there are over 100 caches in the country.

 

I am pretty sure Soldiers are smart enough to look for the ones on Camps within Theater instead of trying to find caches hid amongst IEDs throughout the region. C'mon, give us more credit than that!!

 

Some may have 'been there, done that' in the military, but if you haven't cached in a combat zone, keep the comments to yourself (which are, by the way, 'off topic' for this thread).

 

I agree this thread clearly belongs in an "Off-Topic" board (and yes, yes, I, too, "served my country," though in a diplomatic position where I carried pens, good will and handshakes, not weapons).

 

MrW.

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Breaktrack

+Breaktrack

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah, maybe the admin should move this thread to the "Off Topic" forum so people will stop whinning about this being off the topic of geocaching.

 

Some people just look for things to whine and complain about.....unbelievable.

 

By the way, I am heading to Iraq in January and I WILL BE GEOCACHING IN A WAR ZONE. Some may seem to think this is something unheard of, but if one would do a search for caches in Iraq, that same person would see that there are over 100 caches in the country.

 

I am pretty sure Soldiers are smart enough to look for the ones on Camps within Theater instead of trying to find caches hid amongst IEDs throughout the region. C'mon, give us more credit than that!!

 

Some may have 'been there, done that' in the military, but if you haven't cached in a combat zone, keep the comments to yourself (which are, by the way, 'off topic' for this thread).

 

I agree this thread clearly belongs in an "Off-Topic" board (and yes, yes, I, too, "served my country," though in a diplomatic position where I carried pens, good will and handshakes, not weapons).

 

MrW.

 

I understand your dismay, as well as the other poster. Fortunately for those who actually don't take themselves so seriously, this thread predates ANY of you joining our fair "sport", please just accept it for what it is, and not try to make something political out of it. To both of you, I'd be happy to discuss it more by email on in another venue, this isn't the place for it.

 

Thanks,

 

Mac McKinney aka Breaktrack

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Breaktrack

+Breaktrack

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ah, maybe we could slant the topic to Geocaching in war zones! I know for a fact that there are some in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was not really into Geocaching when I was there and I regret that I didn't get some while I was.

 

I've heard that as well. Actually, I've seen posts here about it. It amazes me that its allowed, considering the IED's, but I would imagine that clear containers are pretty much the rule (at least, I'd certainly HOPE so!)

 

C'mon, this thread started like four years ago....sheesh. It neither glorifies war or anything to do with war. If that is what you get out of it the problem is yours not the threads. Many of us started our use of GPS in the military back when they were the size of small suitcases and were so complicated you needed an engineering degree to make use of the silly thing. But that's how many started in the world of geocaching, through our military affiliations. I know I did. So the thread was to see how many of the geocachers out there were also military veterans, back in the day when there were still under 50,000 of us and there wasn't that much being posted.

 

Things have changed now, granted, but this thread was grandfathered in a long time ago, and is accepted by the powers that be. Not much more I can tell you, except have fun Geocaching, and don't sweat the small stuff, and as they say, it's ALL small stuff.

 

Happy Geocaching,

 

Mac McKinney aka Breaktrack

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Cache Liberation Front

+Cache Liberation Front

Posted
Posted
Fortunately for those who actually don't take themselves so seriously, this thread predates ANY of you joining our fair "sport", please just accept it for what it is, and not try to make something political out of it.

 

The fact this thread predates my joining geocaching plus $2 will buy you a cup of coffee. How more irrelevant can that factoid be? Either way you slice it, this thread is "Off-Topic," by definition.

 

I come to the "Geocaching Topics" forum to discuss geocaching, not service to one's country. If I start a thread in "Geocaching Topics" about "Donkey Breeding and How You, Too, Can Make Millions!" I'd also expect it to get moved to the "Off-Topic" board. Seems pretty simple to me. Nothing political about it.

 

MrW.

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knowschad

knowschad

Posted
Posted

I can't believe that this thread is STILL active and one the main forum.

 

How I served... I served several hundred hungry sailors while on mess duty in 1971. It was very exciting and I'm proud to this day that I served them. Now... about geocaching...

 

Moderators... can't we please, and finally get this syrupy piece of ridiculous self-serving trash moved to off topic? I am very glad for those that serve our country to protect it and keep it safe, but this is NOT a military or patriotism form. This is a geocaching forum.

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RickSampson

RickSampson

Posted
Posted

I served in the Washington Army National Guard, 1974 until 1978. Finished OCS and was an active duty Infantry Officer/Foreign Area Officer - Middle East from 1978 until 1992. Tours in Germany, USA (Georgia, California, Washington State, Florida) and in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (before the war and then throughout). Participant of Desert Shield/Storm. Inactive Reserves until 1998. Retired.

 

It was an honor to serve.

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