The military service thread

infernalis · 10-23-11, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZARADOZIA

I know all my neighbors, most of us are retired military and get along wonderfully. But there is always that one that is ALWAYS around and whining about their life. Those are the ones that aggravate me to no end. Normally, I love having a cup of coffee on my front porch while reading a book (I get up at 0430) but had to stop because one neighbor decided that since I was outside I wanted company....every morning...

I Love the pic of your son testing the leaf blower. That's awesome!

0430 yep miliary blood.

Most of my family served, I was born with a heart defect, back in the day that was grounds for "not eligible" , shame too, I would have grown up faster and had discipline before I was 35.

Another huge disappointment, I was six foot four by age 15 and was flat out told by the air force recruiter that I would never fit in the cockpit of a fighter jet.

So I took a factory job soon after I graduated. Spent most of my younger life being irresponsible and reckless.

ZARADOZIA · 10-23-11, 09:58 AM

Same here, My husband's family are all Navy, including our Nieces and Nephew. My son is probably going to join as well and gain free ride into John's Hopkins Bio-cellular programs. I did tell him that the Army and Marine Corps are off limits. They wouldn't let him make it to the science sector; he's built like a defensive back.

Personally, I think everyone should serve at least 3 years. There are enough much positions within the military that everyone could do something, even if there are "defects." Not all the positions require great physical exertion.

Wow you are taller than my husband and he towers over me. Don’t regret being young and foolish, you lived, learned, and are now passing that information onto your children. Sometimes, some of us learn best by attending the School of Hard Knocks. I graduated at the top of my class with Honors…LOL

My biggest dream is to ride in one of the Fighter Jets. Mmmm Spppppeeeeeeeed. It’s possible; I’m just waiting for the opportunity to arise! That is certainly a very way cool profession!

blindfireak40 · 10-23-11, 10:08 AM

I have a cousin in the Air Force and an Uncle who was an Air Force pilot; if I had gone in that's what I'd have done, but I'm colorblind

. They won't let me within 20 feet of a cockpit hahahaha

infernalis · 10-23-11, 10:27 AM

My family history of military goes all the way back to the Wallace clan in Scotland..

I did not know that until my uncle died, it was told in his eulogy.

Nothing wells up my eyes faster than a group of young marines folding a flag and a 21 gun salute.

Then they pass out the spent rounds to the family members.

Both grandparents had siblings stationed at Pearl when the bombs fell. My great aunt (Grandmas sister) hated everything Japanese until the day she died.

Spent one summer at Norfolk when I was 14 at my uncles place.

Lankyrob · 10-23-11, 10:34 AM

My father was the first non serving generation but was brought up by an Army sergeant (Drill instructor/Army Driving Instructor/Gunnery Sergeant) so i was brought up with a military discipline in the household (including getting the belt - but only when i deserved it and never in anger).

We are hoping to take the good things from the discipline but to add in lots of love and cuddliness in bringing up our daughter.

I personally think that anyone leaving education who doesnt have employment within 6 months should be drafted into the forces for a 3 year period as in my opinion this will cut down on the amount of antisocial behaviour in society, whilst also giving then self esteem and something to do rather than sit around drinking and getting into drugs etc.

infernalis · 10-23-11, 10:36 AM

Sadly my father was messed up in Vietnam, so he was a poor example of a parent.

blindfireak40 · 10-23-11, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

I personally think that anyone leaving education who doesnt have employment within 6 months should be drafted into the forces for a 3 year period as in my opinion this will cut down on the amount of antisocial behaviour in society, whilst also giving then self esteem and something to do rather than sit around drinking and getting into drugs etc.

OMG THIS!!!!

The only issue with actually doing that is this: The vast majority of the non-employed grads are in various liberal arts fields, and would almost indubitably "conscientously object" to service...in today's political climate, there would be no way whatsoever to actually get them to serve if they didn't want to.

I like the idea so much though...reminds me of Starship Troopers (the politically charged, excellently written book. Not the gross-out, gore-fest, poorly adapted and acted movie). Say what you want about Science Fiction as a genre, some of the greatest commentaries on humanity (and greatest ideas for government) were penned by the likes of Heinlein, Asimov, and Le Guin.

Lankyrob · 10-23-11, 10:43 AM

Its very simple to stop the conscientious objectors - if you object to combat then you do office work but still for the military - they still have to learn the drill, comply with the rules, be disciplined but never pick up a weapon.

ZARADOZIA · 10-23-11, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindfireak40

I have a cousin in the Air Force and an Uncle who was an Air Force pilot; if I had gone in that's what I'd have done, but I'm colorblind . They won't let me within 20 feet of a cockpit hahahaha

Don't feel bad, I'm partially colorblind as well. My hubby just LOVES picking on me about it. It’s the funniest when we play “Punch Buggie” (I think it’s called “Slug Bug” for the Yanks), because some of the colors, I can’t tell what they are so I roll out with, “Punch Buggie weird shade of possibly blue, grey, or green” yea…hubby laughs at me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

My family history of military goes all the way back to the Wallace clan in Scotland..I did not know that until my uncle died, it was told in his eulogy.

That is very cool!

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Nothing wells up my eyes faster than a group of young marines folding a flag and a 21 gun salute. Then they pass out the spent rounds to the family members.

It is beyond hard. I went to Arlington when we moved back here in 09 and visited my friends (paid my respects) and there was this one young woman lying on top of her husband’s grave crying. I started crying with her and shared my tissues, hugged her, kissed her cheek. I still tear up remembering her and thank the Good Spirits I wasn’t her. Then I went to the 9/11 memorial and cried some more. I make sure I take extra stones with me too, just incase if at the last minute one of my friends ask me to drop a few for them.

I never understood the importance of saying the Pledge when I was growing up. It held no true meaning to me, same for Independence Day. It was just a day to party; the true meaning escaped me until I met my son’s dad.

I was 19, pregnant, and my husband took me to D.C. for the 4th of July. That is when I finally began learning the importance of both. I was surrounded by Vets, POW survivors, active duty etc. The Star Spangled Banner began playing, my husband began singing (he has a great voice) and I join him, fireworks begin going off and then I understood. Next thing I know both of us are singing and crying, I look around, and so is everyone else. There was such a deep feeling of family, love, loss, pride, strength, determination, and perseverance in the air that night. And 17 years later I still cry on the 4th of July, more so now since I have buried some of my friends.

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Both grandparents had siblings stationed at Pearl when the bombs fell. My great aunt (Grandmas sister) hated everything Japanese until the day she died.
Spent one summer at Norfolk when I was 14 at my uncles place.

I can relate. I went through my phase of anger too.

**lady_bug87** · 10-23-11, 11:06 AM

The only Military History my family has is my great grandfather served in the Italian Army (all males had to do service for 5 years once they hit 18) and him and his brother were both serving during WWI and were in service to the Pope

I am only a second generation Canadian

Snakefood · 10-23-11, 11:32 AM

My gramma served in WWII, overseas and just behind the lines as a nurse. She witnessed EXACTLY what war is. And to this day at (almost) 92 years old, she is still very sensitive about it. One rememberance day we took her to the movie "saving private Ryan", she cried through most of it, but watched it. Then on one of our family dinners, we turned on "Pearl Harbour", Gramma LOST IT!! she demanded it be turned off and for the next half hr kept muttering to herself and us "That's NOT what war is"

My Uncle served in Vietnam, he won't speak of it to ANYONE, ever!! It affected him badly. I never even knew he had been to war until one summer when I wore thongs into the barn. The sound of the "flip flops" sent him into a flashback and i found him curled up in the fetal position in the corner of the barn. Scared the hell out of me!! After running to get Aunty, she pulled me aside and explained what had just happened. I have NEVER worn thongs to my uncles since then.

I know I never want to go to war myself, although I am sure there are reasons in which I would willingly (but heavy-heartedly) go. I have the utmost respect and gratitute for those who put themselves in danger so my son and I can sleep safe in our beds. Veterans day and rememberance day (and all others like them) are imperative in our world, for if the world forgets what happened, that is when it will be allowed to happen again.

infernalis · 10-23-11, 03:46 PM

A true love story...

My Grandfather on my biological dads side was a serviceman during WW2 and his unit liberated one of the Nazi death camps, He fell for Anastasia (My grandmother) who was scheduled to be gassed.

Her only crime was being Estonian. They got married in Europe and she was automatically granted US citizenship.

I used to love listening to her talk, she had the sweetest accent, the way she rolled her R's was really cool to listen to.

They were together all the way to the end.

infernalis · 10-23-11, 03:50 PM

Since this discussion has taken off on it's own, I spun it off to it's own thread.

Jenn_06 · 10-23-11, 04:27 PM

I been around the Army almost all my life, my dad was in the army until late 2008 was in Iraq in 02-03, I was going to go in 02 but had a change of heart when i met my husband who is in the army now for 8 years and going overseas early 2013

Snakefood · 10-23-11, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

A true love story...

My Grandfather on my biological dads side was a serviceman during WW2 and his unit liberated one of the Nazi death camps, He fell for Anastasia (My grandmother) who was scheduled to be gassed.

Her only crime was being Estonian. They got married in Europe and she was automatically granted US citizenship.

I used to love listening to her talk, she had the sweetest accent, the way she rolled her R's was really cool to listen to.

They were together all the way to the end.

Aww, that's awesome!!

My grandad was in love with gramma since they were kids, she was pretty much clueless to his feelings until he followed her to war. Unfortunately, she was stationed overseas and he was stationed here in Canada. They married as soon as they came home after the war. They used his captians pay for the wedding and his boat, and her seargents pay to buy the house they raised mamma in.