Hi everyone,

As I was doing a bit of interviewing, I began to realize just how many military personnel belong to Polite and Friendly.  I was wowed and in awe as many people said, "Yep, served.... yes, serving..."  I would like to pay an homage to all the military personnel we have on Polite and Friendly, in my interview, using only your user names.  E92 made me laugh when someone said, "You're in Afghanistan?  What are you doing there?"  His reply?  "I'm on holidays!!!"  That somehow encapsulates the spirit of the men (and women) protecting us.

If you would, it would be great if you could tell me your gaming name, how many years of service you put in, and anything else you might like to share.

Thank you, and thank you for your service!!!

Thanks for your support and thanks!

I myself did 8.5 years in the US Army Reserves with 10 months on 'vacation' in Iraq.

4 years stateside during Vietnam.

4 years served with USMC attached to the USAF 727 Tactical Air Command as Recon for Air to Ground Support during the last months of Vietnam.

Four years in the USNavy - served during the Cuba blockage and the Berlin crisis (1959 - 1963) . Two years shore duty & two years sea duty  ( served aboard the
USS Marc A. Mitcher DL-2  and the USS Thomas J. Gary DER 326)

Although I am not the age of joining the military, I have family members who have.

My Step-Uncle served 2 years in the US Navy

My Grandfather did some radio stuff in Vietnam

And my Great Grandfather fought in WW2 and is still alive today!

Thank you all for your service!

4 years (79-83) in the US Navy as a Boiler Tech, On the commissioning crew for the USS Pelelui LHA-5, Home port  Long Beach, CA.

The ship in my sig below is the USS Pelelui. Our slogan was PAX PER PROTENS ( Latin phrase meaning "Peace Through Power")

Well, I am certainly learning a lot about you all and I remain in awe.  I will wait until a few more may answer and then I'll write something up to be part of my article.

"Thank you" is not enough.  Yet, thank you!

BK also has some Canadian veterans. I served in 2 branches of service, Air Force as an Aero Engine Technician at CFB Chatham on the McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo (1984-1985) and with 32 Service Battalion as a RCEME (Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineering) corps Vehicle Technician (1986-1994)

I am also a Canadian Veteran having served with the Lord Strathconas Horse at CFB Calgary as an armored crewman.as well as witth 28 Service Battalion as a RCEME Vehicle Technician. I earned the rank of Master Warrant Officer and became the CSM of Maintenance Company before retiring and becoming a High School Teacher.

I served 4 years (89-93) in the US Army.  EOD specialist during the First Gulf War and was in Kuwait helping "cap off" all of the oil rigs that were lit on fire.  I have had family (uncles, grandfathers, great-uncles, great-grandfathers, etc..) that we could trace back all the way to the US Civil War.  So, I signed up before I was even 18 and out of high school!!!  My mom hated the fact I wanted to join the military, but reluctantly signed the papers letting me join.  Funny thing, I wanted to be an MP (Military Police), but that job skill was backed up for 2 years.  I had scored high enough on my ASVAB test that I could take any job skill I wanted.  The recruiter worked with me and we started going down a list of jobs that I was highly qualified for.  I saw Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist and asked what that was.  The recruiter said "you get to blow &%#$ up for a living"...I said "SIGN ME UP!!!".

I am sure many of us could tell you stories from boot camp (basic training) through AIT (Advanced Individual Training), all the way to our field job!!!

Taz

3 years USN 96 thru 99. I was an electronics tech. Navagation division aboard USS Dallas 688 class fast attack submarine stationed out of Connecticut.  Joined at 17 with my parents permission. I missed out on graduating high school but got my GED while serving.

Hey Crim3 - I was an ET also !

I served 32 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 63 to 95 and did tours of duty in Middle East in 75, again in 88 with the 101st Airborne, 90 in Central America, and 92/93 in Somalia. Great spots for sun and fun