Veterans, where did you serve?

[Slippy117]

C Company, STB, 1/1 AD, Elpaso Texas.   2009-13
OIF-OEF 09-10

[Bicycleman]

Tom, does the PX have any air guns or pellets?  Just wondering.  When I was in, they had some excellent fishing gear - in fact I still have a reel and two rods that I bought in 1967 or '68.

[oldnamvet]

A quick search showed a lot of air soft but only a few pellet rifles mixed in.
https://www.shopmyexchange.com/browse/sports-outdoors/hunting-shooting/air-demonstrator-guns/_/N-118095?No=30&Nrpp=30

Digging more through the web site might uncover some other things.

[Bicycleman]

Thanks Tom.

[jp_over]

I've seen this in various forms (Marine, Soldier, etc.) and though it would be appropriate to post here.  To our brothers and sisters stationed overseas and here at home: Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Poem (from the 21DEC2017 AUSA e-mail).

’Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a Soldier, once I could see clearly.

The Soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone, curled up on the floor in this one-bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States Soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these Soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the Soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
“Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice;

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more, my life is my god, my country, my corps."

The Soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
and we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the Soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered,
"Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure."

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right. "Merry Christmas, my friend, and to all a good night."

OIF 04-05
OEF 2010-11 and 2013

[Bicycleman]

I heard Andy Griffith narrate a story about soldiers in trenches during WWII.  A German boy started singing Silent Night [in German, of course.]  An American boy joined in {English}.  They were face to face across a short battle field.  Others on both sides joined in and for just a little while, the War stopped. 
Very touching.

[Danny5691]

USAF Security Police. I was stationed at Minot, ND,( A SAC base and during the cold war) "B flight" Security. Had my basic and Security Police school at Lackland, AFB and went to ABGD (Air Base Ground Defense) at Camp Bullis which was just up the road from Lackland. I still hate Minot to this day! Lol!

P.S. Although I love the state of ND and SD. I was born in Rapid City, SD while my father was stationed at Ellsworth AFB, which is just up the road from Rapid City. Cheers to all my brother Vets, and have a Happy New Year!

[md_shooter_rick]

USAF, enlisted 1987
Tech school, Keesler Ms, computer operator
Shaw AFB, SC, Com Center, 1987-1992
Tech school, Keesler Ms, Computer Programmer, 1992
Kelly AFB, Tx, Air Force Electronic Warfare Center, 1992-1996
Osan AB, ROK, 607th Air and Space Communications Squadron, 1996-1997
Ft Meade, Md, 94 Intelligence Squadron, 1997-1998
<break in service>
Tech school, Shepard AFB, tx, Munitions Systems, AMMO
Andrews AFB, Md, 113th MXG, DC AFNG, AMMO, 2003-retired

[dustin dees]

Apologies for my typing, doing this on a touchscreen. Heavy equipment mechanic 52nd engineers 555en bde 2010-2014, communications 2014-2016 529 signal, 75th fa bde, 114fa 214fa bde, switched to national guard - present. Benning, Leonard Wood, Gordon  training,Carson and Sill stations. 1 tour Bahrain (pecekeeping, non-combat) 11-12. And many other stops and minor training along the way. This is only post 2 for me. Still learning everything I can.

 *edit* Oh yeah, all this is army time in.

[HunterWhite]

I served in the U.S.Navy, 1969 to 1973.
I was stationed on the USS Cone, DD866.
The ship was named after Hutch I. Cone.
There are some descriptions of the ship and Rear Admiral Cone on the web.
Have a look at "http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/866.htm".
Toward the bottom you will find a photo of nine ships.
There were 5 destroyers and 4 aircraft carriers.
I was actually on the "Hutch I" when this photo was taken.
The Hutch I Cone is the lower right corner.
We were returning from the firing line in the Tonken gulf.

[Bicycleman]

Hunter, thank you for your service.


Michael Guidry
ER18706656
1965-71

[HunterWhite]

Thank you!
I could not decode ER18706656, sorry, perhaps I should know,  but I don't.

[Bicycleman]

OOPS!
That is ER for Enlisted Reserves.
In the Army back then, there were:
RA = Regular Army (Volunteered)
US = Army inductees (Drafted)
NG = National Guard (State Home units)
ER = Enlisted Reserves (If called to active duty, we would become like Regular Army.)
The 18706656 was my first "Dog Tag" number.  Later all Army personnel had their ID Number changed to their Social Security Number.  So some of us have two Army ID Numbers.

[chwillbill68]

U.S. Army Jun 1987 to Jun 2007. 20 great years with many great brothers and a few sisters along the way. I miss it and them everyday!

N-Troop, 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment (Texas)
D-Troop, 5th Squadron, 17th Calvary Regiment (Korea)
C-Company, 2-25 Attack Helicopter Battalion (NY)
D-Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Calvary Regiment (Korea)
C-Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Calvary Regiment (KY/TN)
C-Company, 2-22 Aviation Regiment (training REGT in VA, DS time)
C-Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Calvary Regiment (NY)
A-Troop, 6th Squadron, 6th Calvary Regiment (NY)

It's great to see so many military family on here. Thanks for all you guys and gals have done to make this such a great country!
Bill C!

[jp_over]

Active duty army 68w 2010-2016
Fort Stewart 3-15IN
Wardak province OEF 13

We must have served together; drop me a PM to confirm.

[HunterWhite]

Okay,  Sir B755302 Sir!
Yes, my number changed as well.

[HunterWhite]

About the time that photo was taken I went up to the signal shack to talk to my friend Van. Van was a signalman second class(E5). It was just after dark and Van was signaling with the super bright signal light. I looked around,  I said "Van there's nothing out there". He replied it's over the horizon. Van, how can he see your transmission? He said " were bouncing off of a cloud." I then could see a cloud 15 miles away flickering.
So yeah, I-phones are impressive,  but communicating beyond the horizon with signal lights is REALLY IMPRESSIVE.

[Sfttailrdr46]

Okay,  Sir B755302 Sir!
Yes, my number changed as well.

I believe that the change to using the SS# happened in the early to mid 70's I had two ID numbers also. The first when I enlisted in 1964 and the second my SS# after a two year break when I joined the Army reserves in 1974 and became an 11B small arms instructor and 81mm mortar

[marty2]

I went RA end of January 1970 and only had 1 number, my SS number.

[RobertMcC]

Up here we just use a service number. I think they switched it from our Social insurance number.

Still 5 years after I been released, I'm still using that service number. D11 652 485