How many have been or are in Military

[Bear4570]

I was a Navy Corpsman 5 years, last three with FMF 1st Marine Brigade

My youngest has been in Army Active Reserve for 16 years Staff Sargent in Supply just returned from Afghanistan and has re-enlisted again.

My oldest did 2 yrs with the Marines, 8 with the National Guard and is now being commisioned after getting his masters degress as a Physicians Assistant.

Darn proud of them both

[hua man]

Started off as Infantry for 4 years at Schofield Barracks, HI from 94-97. Not the cakewalk everyone thinks. Went to Reserves after I couldn't stay still for very long. Eventually ended up as Armorer for my unit. Or as they called it "Evil Arms Room Nazi" They didn't know what a clean weapon was. Even kicked back E6's+ weapons.

Training and Thinking tactics have helped shape my ideals on prepping. Still have to laugh at movies that get it wrong.

[baldsith]

Never was in, no doubt that military training delivers a huge batch of knowledge. It sounds like a common theme here is the overall experience of teamwork, cameraderie, discipline, duty, sacrifice etc. One of the things I wonder about is, since the military experience is structured and supported to the degree delivered by Uncle Sam, how does that transfer to the civilian world that doesn't provide the same type of support? Is this why so many LEO's are veterans? Is there a school of thought devoted to this problem? Is it a problem? Hats off to you all!

Well I joined Uncle Sam's Misguided Children in 87...was straight outta high school and 17...college wasn't even a thought as money was tight and I am not big on book learning...was raised alot by my Grandpa (former USMC Iwo Jima) who was a hands on guy...dad was away alot in the military (28 yrs ARMY, by the way he broke tradition..LOL)...so I figured if I didn't go into the service I would just end up getting in trouble or wind up in a dead end job...was the best thing I ever did...gave me discipline, structure and a purpose. After a short stint, ended up blowing out my right knee...I got out..had to do a lot of rehabilitaion and as this was a reoccuring injury (from track and football in HS) didn't get much from uncle sam. But I felt like I had a calling here...so my Uncle was a Deputy Sheriff in SC at the time...Talked alot to him so after I got my knee straight (still hurts today and gets worse in cold spells) I decided to get into LE...started there as a State Constable....since then I am out West as a LEO...military service and LE service gives you alot of skills, everyday is new, every situation is different, you have to learn to adapt to sometimes a really quick, good to bad scenario in the blink of an eye...so to answer your question...all the things I have done and still do help me.
Also gave me really thick skin!!!

[rice paddy daddy]

We had a saying at the time:
"We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, in the name of the ungratefull,
Have done so much, for so long, with so little,
That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing."

I've heard this saying all my life. Does being an Army brat of a 20 year vet who did 2 tours in Viet Nam and 1 in Korea count for much?

Yes, indeed, it sure does!

[jmc7104]

Jan. 1956-Jan. 1959, Army AAA & GM School Fort Bliss Texas. 38 weeks Radar fire control Schooling. Graduated in top group of 28 Members and Army decided to keep me on as Cadre Instructor for the 75 mm radar fire control training program. Got Knees messed up, eventually winding up in Fitszimming Army Hosp. in Denver Colorado. Spent 8 months there and two major surgery's, then back to Ft. Bliss Tx. and worked in school brigade as a maintance teck. on 90mm Artillary. Cannot say that it really had much to do with prepping. That had been instilled in early child hood with the depression and surving during the 30's and 40's.

[Irish Jaeger]

4 years in the Air National Guard as a Firefighter. Still in. Planning on staying in for as long as they'll let me. The training has benifited me alot.

[ssbn642blue]

11.5 years total. 10 years active US Navy, 5 years on the USS Kamehameha SSBN 642, nuclear submarine as a Missile Tech. LMET Instructor for shore duty.

1.5 years as a Reserve Instructor for an Air Wing at Whidbey Island, WA. Don't ask how.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

11.5 years total. 10 years active US Navy, 5 years on the USS Kamehameha SSBN 642, nuclear submarine as a Missile Tech. LMET Instructor for shore duty.
1.5 years as a Reserve Instructor for an Air Wing at Whidbey Island, WA. Don't ask how.

LOL I hope she was worth it! LOL

[coyotewhisperer]

USMC active duty 92 to 98, I had a six year contract. 0311 (which is infantry) went to 1st LAR BN straight out of SOI. was a scout been to Iraq, somalia. Also was with the first US troops to ever train with the Jordanians and got to see the ancient city of Petra in person. After 9/11 went to the national guard recruiter and told him not to let the war start without me LOL. had a three year contract that ended up going alittle longer due to another deployment to iraq causing a stoploss for me for the deployment. I worked at a county jail at the time and alot of the guys were in the guard so thats why i went that route to be around friends from work. I have fond memories of my infantry days.

[CLT46910]

12 years in the USAF as a Air Traffic Controller (1967 to 1979), Never knew what one was until they told me I was going to be one...LOL Got out of the Air Force to take a overseas contract job with Lockheed. Then spend another eight years as a Air Traffic Controller before changing careers.

I got to get to see a lot of countries and the planet. Was a great experience and very interesting life.

[kilowhiskey]

21 years in the Marines. Although it played a big role in how I developed as a man, I continue to learn a lot about prepping and life from those who weren't in the military.

-KW