Drafted Jan. '71, BCT at Fort Polk, LA. Upon completion of Basic received orders for CASPP (Civilian Acquired Skill, Permanent Party) as an 83F20 at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

Spent the balance of two years there in a Field Printing Unit and the balance of the six year commitment as inactive reserve.



At the range

Not a VN Vet God bless all of you.

Was at the local farmers market last Sunday and saw a VN Vet in a wheelchair enjoying the scene He was wearing a cap denoting service in 1964 and 1965. He was surprised when I engaged him and then thanked him for his service. He was a very cool dude. Thank God for the service of these men.

One more thing. My wife asked me what I was doing and I explained that these men were spit on, when they returned from serving their country, and that I will honor them every time I have the opportunity. She gets it.

And thank you, to every single Viet Nam Vet that reads this. We love you.

Thats it.

After 2nd trip to "induction center (MKE)", joined USAF, Nov'68 - Apr'80

Lackland, Tx

Feb'71- Feb'72 Cam Rahn Bay, RVN

Sep'72- Jan'73 Korat, RTAFB

Mar'74- Mar'75 Ubon & Korat, RTAFB

USAF 1958-1970
Basic at Lackland
Finished basic + 14 weeks of tech school at Sheppard (Wichita Falls, TX - wiring panels and operating IBM machines)
Seymour Johnson AFB NC
Wheelus AB Libya
England AFB LA
Back to Sheppard as instructor - programming supervisor
Burroughs offered job couldn't refuse in compilers, after I taught their equipment for two years
There were no positions in SE Asia for my rank and skill. Knew quite a few who did go while I was attached to 1st Air Commando Wing in LA (no,I was not a commando. The commando training was at the swamps around England AFB).

Enlisted, November 1968, first hitch until May of 1972, US Army.
Basic-Fort Leonard Wood, MO
AIT Fort Devens, MA, Two Rock Station, Petaluma Ca.
12 months in Thailand, 13 months in Korea, another 1 1/2 months in Fort Hood, Kiline, Tx. I spent the last month and a half as CQ, because they didn't know what to do with me. I went on leave before getting there, called the Pentagon and got papers for an early out. Took me about 15 minutes on the phone. It took a month and a half for them to get confirmed at Ft Hood.

And yes, we didn't get a warm welcome. When I came back from 2 years overseas, I was asked how many babies I killed more than once while in uniform on the day I went home, going from Seattle to Detroit.

Joined May 1, 1967, U.S. Army. Basic at Ft. Polk, Louisiana in the heat and humidity of May, June and part of July. Then on to Ft. Wolters, Texas for Primary Flight Training.

I remember getting harassed by the Hari Krishnias, spit on in San Francisco, Spit on returning through the east coast. What a load of crap. As Bobofbone stated, the questions never stopped. The worst things were the VA not being supportive of the VN vets and the American public basically turning their backs on us that in large part was the result of the Commie press and hippies.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldrider:
Drafted May 1969, took basic at Ft. Dix NJ. 63C20, E-5 hard stripe sgt. AIT was Ft. Gordon. Was stationed Long Thong for 14 months; got through two Tet offensives.

I learned real quick not to mention military service when I got back to the world in '71. Only way I seemed to be able to get hired. I'm still pissed about that treatment. Exceedingly glad that returning vets now get treated with the respect they earned.

Welcome home...

This may be a long post, I'm not going to edit/delete.
When anyone but someone I know is a vet, tells me "Thanks for your service" I get a nauseous feeling in my gut. I'm sure some are sincere. Others are being P.C. And maybe I'm being a prick.

For those who really want to make these young guys coming back from the Mideast (or anywhere)feel welcome, I'd like to suggest you ask them over a beer or coffee just what they did. Some will not want to talk. Others will relate mundane everyday life ocurrances influenced by being in a combat zone, or stuck on a spit 'n polish base somewhere. The idea is for them to know you care and am glad somebody did something.
And for any high muckie-muck reading my drivel, you better get your act squared away and get those departments below you in motion NOW. Sandbox vets especially are bringing a lot of problems (mental as well as physical) back and from what I've seen you're catching up, but still behind the curve.

Air Force ROTC, 1966-1970. Commissioned 2nd Lt.
Security Police Training at Lackland AFB, TX., 1970.
Active Duty 1970-72 Loring AFB, ME.
Inactive Reserves, 1973-78.
Active Reserves, 1979-1997.
Retired from AFOSI Reserve program as Lt. Col., 1997.

Salute all those who served during the Vietnam War Era.

Serving in the military was a defining experience and the GI Bill allowed me to further my education.

Joined the Navy in 1963 and did twelve years. Joined the Army and did ten years, retiring as a Warrant Officer in 1985.

Drafted 6/65, Basic at Ft Dix, AIT at Ft Sill.

USAF-BMT Lackland AFB,59, Det. 1, 67th Air Rescue Squadron,Spangdahlem AFB-60, Pacific Air Rescue,Udorn RTAFB-62-63, Hon Discharge-63

Joined 1975 USAF. Basic @ Lackland. Tech school @ Chanute IL. Aircraft Electrician; 52nd TFW Spangdahlem AB Germany. Hon. Discharge 1979

Very good thread.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobofbone:
And yes, we didn't get a warm welcome. When I came back from 2 years overseas, I was asked how many babies I killed more than once while in uniform on the day I went home, going from Seattle to Detroit.

My wife served as a OB nurse. When she was in Germany they had a sick baby that needed a Nightingale flight to Walter Reed. She specialefd the baby through the entire flight. Returning to Germany she changed planes in LaGuardia. It was there a bunch of dipshit war protesters ganged up on her with cries of "baby killer." A buck Sergeant with a green beret pulled her out. He waved her on while he pointed out that he had just gotten back from Vietnam and was willing to discuss it. Singly, or as a group.

USAF basic ROTC summer training at Amarilllo AFB, TX
Commissioned June 1968, Norman, OK
Assignments at Moody AFB, GA; Ramstein AB, Germany; Carswell AFB, TX; Brooks AFB, TX; Auburn Univ, Auburn, AL, and Pentagon (OSD HA), Washington DC
Retired Oct 1990

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Oday450,

Joined Navy 1965,boot camp at San Diego, then to VR-21 at NAS Barbers Point, Hi,11/67 to NAS North Island to VS-33, went aboard USS Bennington with VS-33 for west pac. in 68.

1972-1975 got draft card. Joined USAF and proud to have served. Went to Germany.
Basic at Lackland in San Antonio.
USA all the way.
Thanks to all who have served.

Tried to join the Air Force and went to the induction center twice, but my MOS was shut out. Got drafted, basic and AIT at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. 11B MOS, Small Arms Infantry. Went to "Shake and Bake" instant NCO School at Ft. Benning and was cadre for a cycle of AIT at Fr. McClellan.
Went to Vietnam in May 1969, Served in the 1/12 Infantry, 4th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands as a squad leader and platoon sergeant.

USN 1968-1972
Basic: Great Lakes (in September)Last Company in wooden barracks.
MR2
Submarine Tenders in San Diego.