October 1972, for Old Calif. C-2-2 Training company

41 years ago I stood on those yellow footprints outside the bus at Parris Island, SC......and thought.......WTF did I get myself into??? lol

Bunch of young soldiers! 76 years ago June 4 ,1944 I signed up and still getting retired pay every month

36 years ago wow! 1984 Fort dix NJ
Retired in 2009 after 2 deployments(Iraq 04-05& Afghanistan 2008. Happy I did and do miss the boys sometimes, and think about those we lost frequently.
I am happy I did my time to retirement. My father always regretted not staying in ( he was in just after WWII with service in Korea, always said he wished he’d stayed guard/reserve long enough to retire) and think I sort of fulfilled his dream

41 years ago this November to Great Mistakes. The memories- I wish I could remember them.

It was 51 in July for me. Scenic Ft Bragg in July. Anticipated Ft Polk where Most of my company went but ended up at Ft Sam Houston for combat Medic training a draftee who extended.,

quote:

posted September 23, 2020 02:02 PM Hide Post
Bunch of young soldiers! 76 years ago June 4 ,1944 I signed up and still getting retired pay every month

OLDUtahskibum

Thank you for your service Sir

52 years ago, next January, I took the train from Green Bay, Wis to Great Lakes for Basic followed by MM A school. Darn, it was cold in Great Lakes in January and February. I remember standing at attention on the grinder in swimsuit and boots because some asshat screwed up. Seemed like hours.

Then short stints on the USS Jason and USS Klondike waiting for nuclear power school in Vallejo followed by nuclear power training in Idaho Falls for 3 years. Wrapping up on the USS Truxton (DLGN-35). Loooong 6 years but it was just what I needed at the time.

Fifty five years ago next month I joined the USAF. Lackland, TX WW II barracks with S/Sgt Brewer as our DI.

Joining the USAF rather than being drafted was the correct decision; the experience I received has led to a lifetime career. I still have occasional work related contact with young men and women who are joining the military. I tell them if they allow it to be, it is the best decision they will ever make.

The most different recruit I have run across recently was a Jamaican Citizen, not a young man, who was joining one of the the Army Bands as an E-5 recruit. He obviously had skills that they needed. The vetting process he went through to be a band member was quite extensive.

Was introduced to Parris Island July of 1977 and graduated 13 Oct 1977. Little did I know that one day I would be going back, this time as a DI.

My USAF coreer essentially started 65 years ago. When I entered Wayne University (not yeat a "State U") in Detroit, Michigan as a Freshman I also signed up for AFROTC and took 4 years of it at that institution (by then Wayne State U) and was commissioned a 2LT when I graduated in Feb 1960. In Mar 1962 I accepted a "Regular" commission, signifying an intent to become a career USAF officer. In September 1974 I failed my last attempt for promotion to O-4 Major and was separated 6 months later, in March 1975. I immediately enlisted as an E-4 Sergeant to serve out 5 more years and retired in April 1980 as a Captain O-3. It was a good career, even with the bumps, and my enlisted time gave me a skill that I used for 26 more years as a civilian.

flashguy

29 years ago for me this past July: 26 July 1991

I was 18 years old and was taken to the Philadelphia airport by my recruiter and put on a plane for Fort Jackson, SC (Columbia). Was the first time I’d ever flown in an airplane and I remember it like it was yesterday!