Have you served in the military?

[Cant trust em]

Just out of curiosity.

I have not.

[noamnety]

1. Yes.

active duty, reserves, and then army civilian, then a short spell as an army contractor.

Spouse still works as an army civilian.

I had a crap day at work today, he mentioned my old civilian job is still open (starting pay over twice what I make now). Not going back, though.

[Cant trust em]

4. Thank you.

[flvegan]

2. Nope. Far from brave enough to do so.

Hearing my father's tales from the Navy and multiple wars and then my father-in-law's tales of infantry in Vietnam ruined any shot I'd ever consider it.

I have all the respect in the world for anyone that served.

[Bluebear]

3. I'm not welcome, so I have to say no with an asterisk.

[name not needed]

66. Same.

Can't have us faggin' up the barracks I guess:shrug:

[treestar]

5. No

When I was that age, the US was not threatened by anything.

[Bigmack]

65. When the hell was that?...

I'm as old as mud, and I can't remember when the pols weren't telling we were being threatened by the:
Russkies, Koreans, Cubans, Vietnamese, Cambodians, Laotians, Iraqis, Iranians, Afghans, Grenadans, commies, gays, hippies, Ay-rabs.... did I miss anybody.

[hardtravelin]

6. Yes. Still am... 15 years of active duty

And I leave for AFG next week.

[Cant trust em]

8. Thank you and good luck.

[VenusRising]

14. Be careful out there.

Keep your head down and come back to us safely.

:hug:

[hardtravelin]

19. Thanks, all

My mission is exactly what President Obama spoke about. I'll be working with and training the Afghan National Army. It can get a bit dicey at times, but I believe in the mission.

[ZombieHorde]

95. Please keep us posted with what ever you can tell us. nt

[sarge43]

15. Stay down, stay frosty. n/t

[hardtravelin]

21. Roger that. n/t

[sarge43]

31. If you can, when you can, let us know how you're doing.

We worry.

[hardtravelin]

38. I'll try, but I won't be at the bigger FOB's

I will make the effort. Keep the home fires burning.

[sarge43]

41. Will do. And a twelve pack in the fridge. n/t

[B3Nut]

97. And a bottle of good bourbon in the cupboard.

Never served myself, but my dad (USMC 'nam) and his dad (Army WW2/Korea) did. Stay safe.

[dgibby]

50. Thanks for your service.

Stay safe. I have a great nephew there with the Marines. Hope both of you get home safely.:patriot:

[cliffordu]

7. Yes.

[Arugula Latte]

9. Never have, never would.

It's used to enrich the military-industrial complex, and that has been the case for decades. When was the last time the military was used for "defense" of this country?

[WonderGrunion]

25. If it makes you feel any better, private security contractors mean

that the MIC no longer needs to rely on the Military or official declarations of war to profit from conflict around the globe.

[Thothmes]

30. Exactly which portion of the United States Constitution

reserves the military for the "defense" of the country.

[Arugula Latte]

99. The Department of "Defense" is in charge of the military

What a fucking joke. "The Department of Bombing Brown People for Corporate Profit" would be a more accurate description.

[Thothmes]

109. The "Department of Defense" was a congressional creation

The Constitution of the United States is silent as to the employment of the Armed forces of the United States.

[Arugula Latte]

110. I didn't mention the Constitution in my post. You did.

It doesn't change my position.

If you're okay with the U.S. military consistently being used as an offensive tool to fill the coffers of the corporate elites, I think that's pretty fucking pathetic.

[slackmaster]

10. No, I wanted to go to the Naval Academy but am not physically qualified for active duty

Vision problems.

My brother is an officer in the Navy. He's doing very, very well.

[yurbud]

11. I have had many students who served in the military, and I would like to see them outlive me

[sarge43]

12. Yes

1962 to 1983

[trof]

13. A long, long time ago, but in a universe very much like the current one.

Viet Nam era.
:-(

[Cerridwen]

27. :(

:hug:

Welcome Home.

[Arctic Dave]

16. Yes, but would not rejoin if asked.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. 4 years of doing absolutely nothing of benefit to anyone. Marine Crotch '61 - '65.

I'm always perplexed when people "thank" me for my "service".

[C_Lawyer09]

36. Wow!

You just might be the only Leatherneck I've witnessed that doesn't seem in some way proud of their service. I'm proud for you, and thank you for your service!

[5thGenDemocrat]

106. My former father-in-law was the same way

He was one of 1200 or so very unlucky draftees ever inducted into the Marine Corps (I think in 1966). Wound up serving two tours in Vietnam. When I commented to him once that he didn't seem a very "Semper Fi" type of Marine, he replied "Most Marines weren't drafted."
John
What kind of shitty luck does it take to not only get drafted, but then get pulled from the pool by the USMC?

[Caliman73]

39. I think that people tend to thank soldiers because of their willingness to serve.

Not necessarily because of their duties. As I said in a post above. My dad served in the 60's. I felt that it was something I should do, because of the romantic ideas and because my dad had never talked much about what he did and what happened there. I wanted to defend my country against the "4th largest army in the world". The battle hardened Iraqi military. I bought into the rhetoric and was determined to go until my father intervened and set me straight.

Ostensibly my dad said the same thing as you. His service did not benefit anyone and he felt betrayed by the military during and after his tour. I don't think that he nor you should feel as though your service was pointless because the leadership of the military was stupid and the politicians were to scared or corrupt to see that we had no place in that war, the first and Second Iraq wars nor Afghanistan at this point.

I know there are probably a bunch of reasons why people join the military, and I know that some have no desire to "serve their country", but I imagine that the majority of people who join up, do feel like they are doing something in service of their community and to the nation. Whether or not the military leaders and politicians utilize soldiers to actually defend the nation or serve the community is not the fault of the soldiers. You should be thanked. It is the military leaders and politicians who should bear any shame brought on by misuse of our citizens (and non-citizens) who volunteer to serve.

[Graybeard]

18. I was drafted in 1963.

In those days it was a 6 year commitment. 2 yrs active service. 2 yrs active reserve. 2 yrs inactive reserve. My Commander-In-Chief was JFK...for less than a month. He was murdered when I was in Basic Training.

[Bobbie Jo]

20. Yes.

[Bobbie Jo]

96. U.S. Army '87 - '93

Ft. Campbell - 101st Airborne

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Thothmes]

23. twenty five years in our Navy

four years enlisted, 21 years as an officer. 1969-1994

[Cerridwen]

24. Nope. My mother conspired with my 2 uncles who were career

Air Force (now retired) to talk me out of it. This was back in the day when long distance wasn't part of your calling package and she called both of them (costing money we didn't have) and had them tell me why enlisting in the service, Air Force specifically, was a bad idea. My mom thought the discipline would do me good but that I'd spend far too much time in trouble.

[Prism]

26. Disallowed

As a senior in high school, I was very interested in military intelligence, spoke with the recruiter at length, and together came up with a course of action. However, I knew my sexuality would ruin it in the end. I was afraid it would all be for nothing, was afraid I'd be found out. So I gave up on it and went to university instead.

[Caliman73]

28. No

In my youth I was planning to sign up to "fight for my country" during the first Gulf War. My dad had fought in Vietnam so I was ready to go and thought he would support me. He did not. I was threatened with being disowned or being dragged to Mexico or Canada. My dad never talked too much about his service, but at that time he sat me down and explained his decisions and their consequences. I would fight if there was a real threat to my community or to the nation, but that does not seem to be how the military and politicians operate these days.

[YOY]

29. No but I did serve my country in another way.

n.t.

[rwheeler31]

32. I was a Navy wife for years and felt the military owned

our family.

[dgibby]

53. Hardest job in the Navy!

Thank you and your family for your service.

[Mugu]

33. USN, USS Constellation CV-64. n/t

[demosincebirth]

34. Yep, '56-'60. Big influence on my civie life

[Lyric]

35. Not allowed to.

Lesbian and herniated spinal disc. So I intend to serve as a teacher instead.

[C_Lawyer09]

37. 1988-2009

USMC and USA

[slater71]

40. Yes, USAF

My grandfather served in the Army WWI, My dad in the Navy WWII and me in the USAF Viet Nam.

[Synicus Maximus]

42. 5 years. 1965-70

[elocs]

43. Nope, joining the service during the Vietnam war in the 70s didn't seem like a good idea.

I was in the second draft lottery and my number was 358, so I consider that I won the lottery many years ago. Besides, since my father was a 100% disabled veteran I attended college on the GI Bill (ironic that).

[ThomWV]

44. Yes, US Army, 1966-1970

[Brother Buzz]

45. I was just a dumb draftee that added no value, no advantage, really...

to the United States armed services, or so Rumsfeld, the asshole boor, informed me. :shrug:

[walldude]

46. No.. When I look at the four folded flags on my mantel

I figure my family has given enough.

[hfojvt]

47. Yes

as a civilian I was part of the war machine for a whole year.

[Shrek]

48. Yes. U.S. Navy n/t

[bigwillq]

49. No

never had the urge to. I also disagree with Don't Ask, Don't Tell and would never be able to serve under those conditions.

[Adsos Letter]

51. Yep. US Army 1972-75.

3/2 Armored Cav.

[imdjh]

52. In a manner of speaking, I have been in the military.

[Crabby Appleton]

54. Yes, '68 - '69 Active Duty US Army Vietnam, '70-74 Inactive Reserves

[Elwood P Dowd]

55. Drafted in 1970.

After Basic and AIT, I spent the rest of my 2-year hitch in Washington, DC.

[dgibby]

56. Yes,

US Navy Nurse Corps, '69-'91

[TexasObserver]

57. Yes.

[TexasObserver]

72. USAF 1968-1972

[MineralMan]

58. Yes. USAF 65-69.

[Sinistrous]

62. Good heavens ! USAF 66-70 for me.

[MineralMan]

82. Geezers, ain't we?

[NYC_SKP]

59. I'd just like to take this opportunity to Sincerely Thank all of you who Served our Country...

And glad that you lived to reply to this thread!

Thank You!

:toast:

:patriot:

[grantcart]

102. +1

[JohnnyLib2]

60. Army 69-74

[Iggo]

61. Nope.

[michreject]

63. Yes

United States Army.

[knightinwhitesatin]

64. Yep still serving

7.5 years in getting out in 18 months. Stayed another enlistment hoping Obama would fix all the damage Bush did, not make it worse. Getting out now as soon as possible after this Afghanistan mess he announced.

[JVS]

67. I am not buying this! There's no fucking way that half of DU has been in the military.

[Cant trust em]

68. Yeah. something smells funny here. nt

[Libertas1776]

69. What's hard to buy that

out of 150,000 user registrations, a measly half of about 180 persons polled were in the military?

[Iggo]

70. It's not half of DU. It's half of the people who voted in the poll. (n/t)

[dbmk]

78. It will never be a survey of the entire forum population.

The people who have served are more prone to enter this thread and answer the poll, than people who have not.

If you asked "have you fallen on your bike and hurt yourself" or "have you won in the lottery" - the people who have actually done so would be more attracted to such polls as well.

[JohnnyLib2]

81. Makes sense to me

I recognize some of the names from previous threads along this line.

Hell, JVS, you know there are a few fakes at any time. I once met a fake major who had faked his way to RVN. Of course, I was working with the psych ward.....

[noamnety]

83. I don't think the chicken hawks on DU

are too eager to make a point of saying they haven't served.

[sarge43]

85. So, what proof is acceptable?

Not going to scan the 214 on line, but I can tell you how to compute a TAFMSD or which AF personnel regs and manuals circa 60's and 70's applied to officers, enlisted and both, how to break down an AFSC of that period, in the day how the AF rank insignia differentiated between a SrA and a Sgt (both E-4) or speaking of DD Forms 214, how to prep one. Good enough?

This isn't Freeperville; we don't get any points for lying about military service and we can put down the money where the mouth was.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

71. I'm assuming non-US armed forces count, so yes.

Brazilian Army. One year mandatory service.

[old mark]

75. Why not - everybody's army is a pain in the ass, all pretty much the same

Although I bet your food was better.

mark

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

87. Better food? HA! We were served things Man was not meant to even look at, let alone eat! -nt

[sarge43]

90. Well, so long as those things didn't snap and growl when you stuck a fork in 'em. n/t

[old mark]

93. The only hot meal I can remember served in the field featured

mashed potatoes with gnats - the sergeant called them "Army pepper".

Stir 'em right in there......

mark

[sarge43]

100. Offutt Plane Patch Chow Hall special - chicken soup ala ants.

"Ya need your protein, Airman."

[old mark]

104. Yeah, but it's still walkin'...........nt

[sarge43]

107. So? At least ya know it's fresh. n/t

[LooseWilly]

73. No.

I wanted to learn to kill people, but couldn't get past the imperialist uses the the military tends to get used for in this country.

Maybe having family in Iran, which was fighting Iraq, which was being supplied with weapons (conventional and chemical) by the US... when I came of age, had something to do with my perspective.

[old mark]

74. Yes - back in the late 1960's.

I had no real choice, so I enlisted to get a better (safer) job, then at the last minute signed up for Airborne.

Oops.

mark
Former Sp4, 1/504 PIR

[Iggo]

84. LOL...oops. (n/t)

[old mark]

94. An old buddy enlisted in the Marines for 4 years - he realized he had made

a really terrible mistake as soon as he got off the bus at Parris Island for boot camp. Another oops.....

mark

[1badjedi]

76. Navy corpsman

85-89

[MrScorpio]

77. USAF 1983-2005

Yep!

[HillWilliam]

79. Army 75-78

Then almost a year after I got out I went back into active Army Reserve and finished up. Extended both times.

ASA all the way.

[5thGenDemocrat]

105. So YOU were the guy reading over my shoulder

Unless there's some other ASA I don't know about.
John
72E20 Communications Center Specialist
US Army Communications Command
Fort Monroe, Virginia
1974-76

[sarge43]

108. Hey nephew, welcome back. n/t

[tinymontgomery]

80. 23 Years Navy

they were the best of times and the worst of times, just like every other job I've held. I must say I loved traveling in the Med and visiting all the ports.

[Freddie Stubbs]

86. I enlisted in the USMC when I was 18

I was given a medical discharge against my will before I completed boot camp due to a hearing deficiency in my left ear.

[MilesColtrane]

88. Nope, but did work for the DOD on a couple of tours.

[Overseas]

89. Let's look at the military service of some prominent Republicans

* Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY - did not serve
* Senate Republican Conference Chairman Jon Kyl, R-AZ - did not serve.
* Senate Republican Conference Vice Chair John Cornyn, R-TX - did not serve.
* National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair John Ensign, R-NV - did not serve.
* House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-OH - did not serve.
* Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani - did not serve.
* Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney - did not serve in the military but did serve the Mormon Church on a 30-month mission to France.
* Former Senator Fred Thompson - did not serve.

http://www.awolbush.com/whoserved.html Info on prominent Democrats (as of a few years ago) is at the beginning

Look at the military service of other prominent warmongers here:

http://www.nhgazette.com/chickenhawks/

A sampling:

Rush Limbaugh -- Did not serve.
Sean Hannity -- Did not serve.
Jeb Bush -- Did not serve.
Joe Lieberman -- Did not serve.
Scooter Libby -- Did not serve.
Bill Kristol -- Did not serve.
Karl Rove -- Did not serve.
Wayne LaPierre -- Did not serve.

[tosh]

98. K&R Overseas' reply.

That is just shameful. Sheesh! I'm not surprised at all.

[oldlib]

91. Military Service

I served in the USAF for 4 years beginning in 1952. I qualify as a Korea war vet, although I was still in training when that war ended. I was in SAC under Curtis Le May and he was a loon, who wanted to bomb anyone and everything. I oppose wars as a national pastime and we should not aggressively help Afghanistan.

[kctim]

92. Yep

USAF: 87-97

[FSogol]

101. Nope, too young for Vietnam and too old for Desert Storm. n/t

[noamnety]

114. I know for a fact it was possible to enlist between those two conflicts.

I'm not at all hassling you for not enlisting, I tend toward counter-recruitment (excepting those cases where someone's advocating sending others overseas in the military).

Just saying the age thing isn't a good explanation or excuse, it's better just to say you didn't want to, without apologies.

[Union Yes]

103. Yes. Army '91 - 95.

[Brooklyns_Finest]

111. Yes

USMC 1996 - 2003. I am actually going to start rereading the book Making The Corps.

[onethatcares]

112. couldn't help myself

someone had to do it. If I knew now what I didn't know then and all that.

Peace

[Rhythm]

113. Not permitted under pre-DADT regulations

I considered enlisting in the Army after graduating high school, but could not make myself lie on the questionnaire... could not sully my honor by lying about who i was.

[laughingliberal]

115. No but Mr laughingliberal did

Viet Nam 173rd airborne brigade, seperate. Was there when the war ended. 173rd deactivated. Brought home colors of the 101st and served remainder at Fort Campbell.

Lost 1 cousin to Viet Nam.