To all the former & current military people

[cntryboy0531]

One thing I noticed as an enlisted man and did my best to avoid after I was commissioned was that officers tend to "talk at" enlisted people rather than "talk to" them. There are times you have to give orders and there is no time nor place for discussion, but not all the time. I also knew from the get-go to solicit and listen to advice from NCO's. I did my level best to always make sure the NCO's in my platoon knew that at the end of the day, I was in charge and with that, I would take responsibility for whatever went wrong. But I valued their experience and judgment and they got credit where it was due. It was my job to get them back alive, but it was also their job to get ME back alive too!

One of the problems I had when I was enlisted was that my brother was an Army captain. I knew him and his shortcomings. Therefore it was hard for me to swallow the idea they tried to instill in me in basic of how I should hold officers in awe. My brother was as much of a goof as I was.

In reality, money not withstanding, if I had the choice between being Command Sgt. Major and a full colonel, it would be a tough decision. CSM's make the Army go 'round. And at the end of the day, I wonder which one really has the power.

A very good friend of mine from the Academy spent the first couple months while in the Academy on Terminal Leave. He was a Sgt. Major in the Army, and done some time in Iraq. His stories were amazing. Since he was still collecting his full duty pay while on Terminal Leave, plus his salary from the Sheriff's Office while in the Academy, he was banking BIG money. He told me of his salary and benefits from the Military and it was absolutely staggering, he earned every bit of it though.

I remember one day a girl in our class was a reservist with the Army, an MP. She was having some problems with personel issues within the army in regards to some matter, can't remember what it was. He over heard it, and asked her to let him see what he could do. A couple of phone calls later off in the distance he came back and said the problem had been resolved.

[Trip]

which branch do/did you serve in

The Space Marines

[/COLOR]

Could someone cut manahmanah off...he's obviously been celebrating too much in the past few weeks, lol....

[TSOC357]

A little late in the thread but here goes.

Which branch do/did you serve in?
Currently serving US Army as a 31B (MP)

What age did you enlist?
17 but went in 5 months later after I graduated HS.

What has been your favorite duty station as of now?
Where I am now, Schofield Barracks, HI. Fort Hood TX sucked/sucks.

What are the 3 things you like/liked about the military?
1. Service to country.
2. Traveling cheaply flying AMC flights and being able to see the world.
3. Camaraderie with your fellow soliders and seeing some of them growing into great leaders/NCOs.

What are the 3 things you don't like about the military?
1. Deployments to the ME for the 3-4 times
2. Not the best Law Enforcement training in the world and not being able to work the Road at times.
3. Promotion BS.

How many years have you been in......how many years do you plan on serving?
I've been in 16 years and plan on going till I don't get promoted anymore or miss a cutoff. Thus far, I am ahead of my peers, so who knows what will happen. I am proabably going to do 25 and be done with it. I will still be young enough to find another job for a while then finally retire for good.

If you were able to be an officer in the military instead of enlisted, would that influence you staying in until you retired?
I like being Enlisted as I love being a NCO and have no desire to become an Officer. I like to be a worker bee and not a manager.

Can you stack money while in the military?
Yes. Just don't go spend silly when you get back from the ME and buy toys that you can't really afford.

If someone has had the itch to join the military for many years, and the have the opportunity to go in as an officer, what would you tell them?
Go for it.

Can a person in the military have a successful relationship?
Depends. I know guys/gals on 2/3/4 marriages while others are still on number one and have been so for over 20 years. It takes a special person now days to put up with all the deployments, training, and TDY's that we do.

[mcsap]

which branch do/did you serve in USAF

what age did you enlist 17

what has been your favorite duty station as of now Malmstrom AFB Montana

what are the 3 things you like/liked about the military made me grow up , got far away from home and helped me get where I am today.

what are the 3 things you dont like about the military low pay, being an E-1 , basic training

how many years have you been in......how many years do you plan on servingactive 4 ys, N Guard 3 yrs , active duty 1978-82

if you was able to be an officer in the military instead of enlisted, would that influence you staying in until you retiredprobably

Can you stack money while in the militaryif you WANT to

If someone has had the itch to join the military for many years, and the have the opportunity to go in as an officer, what would you tell themgo for it

can a person in the military have a successful relationship

Lots of military brats out there so something is working

[Roshambo]

branch of service : Air Force, currently active duty.

what age did you enlist : 19

what has been your favorite duty station as of now : Only duty station.. Dyess.

what are the 3 things you like/liked about the military : PT, TDY's.

what are the 3 things you dont like about the military : BS, BS, More BS.

how many years have you been in......how many years do you plan on serving : Nearly 3 AD, soon to be indefinite Reserve.

if you was able to be an officer in the military instead of enlisted, would that influence you staying in until you retired : Depending on the type of officer, a commission is prestigious and a good career, if you like that sort of thing.

Can you stack money while in the military : If you deploy.

If someone has had the itch to join the military for many years, and the have the opportunity to go in as an officer, what would you tell them : To do what he or she thinks best, thats in their ball park.

can a person in the military have a successful relationship : I know many married military men and women, but that lifestyle is not for me.

[Trip]

A little late in the thread but here goes.

Which branch do/did you serve in?
Currently serving US Army as a 31B (MP)

What age did you enlist?
17 but went in 5 months later after I graduated HS.

What has been your favorite duty station as of now?
Where I am now, Schofield Barracks, HI. Fort Hood TX sucked/sucks.

What are the 3 things you like/liked about the military?
1. Service to country.
2. Traveling cheaply flying AMC flights and being able to see the world.
3. Camaraderie with your fellow soliders and seeing some of them growing into great leaders/NCOs.

What are the 3 things you don't like about the military?
1. Deployments to the ME for the 3-4 times
2. Not the best Law Enforcement training in the world and not being able to work the Road at times.
3. Promotion BS.

How many years have you been in......how many years do you plan on serving?
I've been in 16 years and plan on going till I don't get promoted anymore or miss a cutoff. Thus far, I am ahead of my peers, so who knows what will happen. I am proabably going to do 25 and be done with it. I will still be young enough to find another job for a while then finally retire for good.

If you were able to be an officer in the military instead of enlisted, would that influence you staying in until you retired?
I like being Enlisted as I love being a NCO and have no desire to become an Officer. I like to be a worker bee and not a manager.

Can you stack money while in the military?
Yes. Just don't go spend silly when you get back from the ME and buy toys that you can't really afford.

If someone has had the itch to join the military for many years, and the have the opportunity to go in as an officer, what would you tell them?
Go for it.

Can a person in the military have a successful relationship?
Depends. I know guys/gals on 2/3/4 marriages while others are still on number one and have been so for over 20 years. It takes a special person now days to put up with all the deployments, training, and TDY's that we do.

Just noticed you were with the 25th ID at Schofield, TSOC. I was with those annoying Air Force people across the street from you at Wheeler years ago It was our squadron's job to make sure the Air Force didn't take out any of you Army guys on the ground when flying close air support. We always played war games with you in Korea, so think of us like cousins. We might've even dressed like you at times.

[clark7]

Which branch do/did you serve in?
Active duty Army, Military Police (31B), then CID Special Agent (31D)

What age did you enlist?
24

What has been your favorite duty station as of now?
Absolutely where I am now, Monterey, CA... I can echo the above "Fort Hood TX sucked/sucks."

What are the 3 things you like/liked about the military?
1. Camaraderie. (For the most part... There are people that are great to work with and not so much. If you've got a good group of people to work with you, there is nothing like it in civilian life)
2. Time off. We get more vacation time then anyone else out there.
3. Benefits. Don't have to pay medical, dental, anything!

What are the 3 things you don't like about the military?
1. Getting paid the same as a supply clerk who does nothing all day, and goes home at 3... while I balance multiple felony level investigations and get called in "after hours" on the regular.
2. Time off. At least in my current job, if you're not on vacation (leave), you're working or on call 24-7. Gotta burn leave to really be "off the job."
3.Deployments. Yeah, had to know it was going to happen coming in, but doesn't make it suck any less.Deployments to the ME for the 3-4 times Oh.. and benefits... Military doctors suck. That last one was extra, no charge.

How many years have you been in......how many years do you plan on serving?
Been on active duty for 6 years, got another 2 to go, then I'm out.

If you were able to be an officer in the military instead of enlisted, would that influence you staying in until you retired?
If I could do the exact job I am now at officer pay, I may consider it. Probably not, though.

Can you stack money while in the military?
Yep, just be smart. And get a job that sends you TDY often.

If someone has had the itch to join the military for many years, and the have the opportunity to go in as an officer, what would you tell them?
Don't do it just because you itch. You had better have better reasons than an "itch"

Can a person in the military have a successful relationship?
Absolutely. I echo it over again, it has to be with that special person, who can be self-sufficient and survive without being coddled... needy people need not apply.

[TSOC357]

I was with those annoying Air Force people across the street from you at Wheeler years ago

AF is gone from there other than a commo site or two (I think). Army took it over in the 90s and it's now Wheeler Army Air Field. MPs/DOA Police patrol it and DOA Security Guards work the gates. A few AF/Navy folks live in the housing areas. The rest of the folks are Army. Nice post but apparently not what it use to be like from what others have told me. This is my first tour here.

[Trip]

Yea, Hawaii has changed a lot since I lived there. I lived in Mililani back then and it was just a new little developing town then. Good luck with your tour there TSOC

(We did have the cobras there when it was AF, so I guess those are still there, btw...).

[retdetsgt]

AF is gone Army took it over in the 90s and it's now Wheeler Army Air Field.

That's what it was when the Japanese attacked in 1941, wasn't it? Deja vu all over again....

[studentcj]

thanks everyone very interesting stuff in here

[TSOC357]

Yea, Hawaii has changed a lot since I lived there. I lived in Mililani back then and it was just a new little developing town then. Good luck with your tour there TSOC

(We did have the cobras there when it was AF, so I guess those are still there, btw...).

A lot has changed from what I have been told about around here. We just moved into brand new barracks on the back side of Post and they seem to be building stuff all over post everytime you turn around.

Avn BDE is still there plus HING. Just no AF assests from what I have told and seen.

[TSOC357]

That's what it was when the Japanese attacked in 1941, wasn't it? Deja vu all over again....

Yes Sir it was. There are still bullet holes from Aircraft over there, at Hickam, and at Ford Island.

Hopefully, no one will be attacking place anytime soon.

[hjajck]

which branch do/did you serve in
Army Reserve

what age did you enlist
20

what has been your favorite duty station as of now
Denver, CO

what are the 3 things you like/liked about the military
Meeting new people, learning new things, traveling

what are the 3 things you dont like about the military
Hurry up and wait, sexual harrassment, weight control

how many years have you been in......how many years do you plan on serving
Was in seven years

if you was able to be an officer in the military instead of enlisted, would that influence you staying in until you retired Probably not.

Can you stack money while in the military
Yes, if you are responsible

If someone has had the itch to join the military for many years, and the have the opportunity to go in as an officer, what would you tell them
That depends on the person. Being an officer is very political.

can a person in the military have a successful relationship
That also depends on the rank of the people involved.

[Trip]

That's what it was when the Japanese attacked in 1941, wasn't it? Deja vu all over again....

Excellent historical knowledge, RDS! Or were you actually there at the time, LMAO? j/k

Actually speaking of the attack and Wheeler - the Japanese came in from the northwest, unlike what the movies show you - and they first appeared coming between two mountain tops (ok hills to the rest of us) that were just in front of Wheeler's runway. They came to take out the P-51 Mustangs that were at Wheeler first.... so our base had been the first to get attacked on the day of Pearl Harbor. I'd forgotten all about it, but there were still big bullet holes in our Oak Club building and some of the other buildings close to the runway. Same is true down at Hickam. Anyway, anytime I was hopping a ride in the back of something out of Wheeler and we were taking off on our northern vector toward those two hills, I could just imagine the fear of seeing all these Japanese planes appearing out of nowhere as they were starting to strafe the runway. It got your blood a litle pumped, LOL. Kind of excting, lol. I know, sick, I know....