Did you serve in the military of any given country?

I'll start on July 3 in Fort Sill (basic training) in the U.S. Army. Can't wait!!

 

Currently a PFC in the U.S. Army. Nothing spectacular..should make Staff Sergeant by the time my 6 years in the Massachusetts Army National Guard are up.

 

Ahhhh, yes, I remember it well.....

There I was once, a young boy growing up on "Combat", the t.v. show, "Rat Patrol", "Twelve O'Clock High", and "McHale's Navy". Plastic green Allied soldiers and gray Axis ones from the Sears Christmas catalog. G.I. Joe dolls dotted about.

A few years later, model World War II airplanes hung from the ceiling with care, suspended by my mother's sewing thread. German tank models on my window sill.

Even later, age 17 and a half, enough credits to graduate high school, and after signing up for the U.S. Air Force, I too couldn't wait to get in. That is, until the D.I.'s began their scream and shout, in your face, 0500, get 'em up cheerleading routine!

Yeah, I couldn't wait either. But you know what? I wish you nothing more than hot chow, dry socks, toothpaste, a cleanly shaved head, and the opportunity to have the memories of a lifetime.

Bill

 

Hello Bill,

Thank you for your support, I really appreciate it.

 

Good luck, V-slav!

Stay safe!

 

National Guard, is that like a full time job? Or is it more like the reserves?

 

Stevin -

It's more like the reserves. Usually, or at least during my younger years, a young man would sign up for the National Guard, and still have to go through basic training, and trade school to learn his job. Then, he would be allowed to go back to his area in which he lived. One weekend a month, he would have to "become a soldier", and two weeks or so in the summer. If one carried through with this for twenty or so years, they could also receive retirement benifits.

Normally, the Nation Guard units are called up in time of war, or civil unrest such as was seen in the United States during the 1960's. The Blacks wanted equal rights, so the Civil Rights issue was going on, and as the Vietnam war became increasingly unpopular, National Guard units from varying states would be called up to quell the unrest and prevent looting, and other destruction of public and private property.

So, you are correct when you think of them as a reserve military force. They probably have something like that in Holland too.

Bill

 

Unless I'm mistaken, I believe our National Guard and Reserve units are larger than our Active Duty branches. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but the National Guard units make up more of the Combat Arms units than do Reserve units.

 

Thanks for the clarification guys!

Bill, yes, we do have such units; it is called the National Reserves (NatRes) and you can join without having to have served in the Armed Forces 'proper'. What they do is protect strategic places in Holland in times of tension or war. They won't be sent abroad and incorporated in the regular Army like the US and Britain do. They also help out in case of disaster.

The last time they were deployed was protecting US Weapon transports from Germany to the port of Vlissingen en route to Iraq a few months ago.

I read that in the first Gulf war the British SAS had men of their 21 TA Regiment (British equivalent of National Guard) going on actual operations in Iraq. Some regular 22 SAS Regt. squads sat out the war or were deployed much later in the conflict, while these 'weekend soldiers' (with ALL DUE RESPECT) were in the midst of Special Ops!!!

There was some pissed offishness about that within the rank and file of the 22nd...as I can well imagine...

[ 17. June 2003, 11:30 AM: Message edited by: Stevin Oudshoorn ]

 

Stevin, I heared about that, frankly anyone in 21 squadron SAS is good enough to be SAS, weekend soldier or not. The TA is being used quite a lot these days, I know a couple of chaps who have done tours or are currently away with the TA. The SAS an RMC units have a far higher attendance requirement than other units and their training is harder. Apparently someone my friend knows is a member (I wouldent swear to its truth, you know how people can exagerate) and he is 'away' at the moment, cookie for guessing where.

 

My dad served in the USN. I also have family in other conutries armed forces namely France and the Philippines.

Wil the differnence between national guard and army reserve is that the national guard is controlled by their stste governments. A result of this is people who join the national guard for college money get screwed, because after their first semester the state runs out of money. At least that's what a marine corp recruiter told me. I still don't know whether I should enlist or try to become an officer?

 

OFFICER!!!!!

 

Thanks for the advice I checked out the USNA and VMI websites, and i would qualify. The reason I'm struggling with my decision to enlist or go to a military school(I'm even having trouble deciding which school to go to ) is because I want to get into the action ASAP.

[ 19. June 2003, 12:44 AM: Message edited by: reddog2k ]

 

Joined the British Army in Oct 1990, as part of the Royal Anglian Regt. Went to Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in May 91, stayed until April 95, transfering to the Korbr during that time.

Moved to Catterick as part of an Armoured Inf Battalion and been there ever since. During that time i've done one six month tour in West Belfast, winter 96/97, and two tours in Bosnia. Winter 97/98 and summer 2000. In April 2001 my Battalion left UK, but i stayed on attached to 1 Kings, and have recently started a tour in Iraq, were i am now.

My jobs have included MILAN operator, Int Collator, Warrior gunner, and i'm currently the Coy 2ic's Warrior Driver.

 

Warrior...........our equivalent to the Bradley IFV???

 

The Warrior APC is similar (in general apperance, before I get hounded by those that know better, ) to the Bradley, yes.

 

Glad to see you here Bish--I hope the Army has changed it's plans and that you ain't going to sandland after all.

I'll still be mailing a package to you if you don't have to go.

 

I'm already here Carl.

And would you believe in, net access in the middle of the desert. My IM to you should put you in the picture better.

 

Hi Bish, hows things? Hope you are keeping well, Ben from wwiitech sends his best wishes as well. All the best.

 

Got your PMs Bish and--i'll be postiong to let the guys know a few things.

Think ice--mate--think of ice.