Thread: Military Service

Captain, USAF. Active Duty pilot. Disagree that pay and fun are an inverse relationship.

94-97 obligatory service Israeli army, infantry Combat medic and then AC battalion's Chief combat medic, finished as a first Sargent.
97-present IDF reservist (as manah said-a month a year) in recon and fire direction , back to team combat medic and marksman where I like it. First master sargent, with 3 years to go unless I volunteer for more. Don't tell SWAMBO volunteering is even an option, she thinks I'm too long in the tooth to be running around with the kids in my team as it is...

Grizli

Originally Posted by Ricecold

Active duty US Navy LT here. I've been a P-3C pilot for the past 4 years or so after spending two years getting my wings. A few deployments under my belt in that time. To some sandy places and others. Currently on shore duty flying the P-8A

I spent some time in P-3's. 3000+ hrs. as a Flight Engineer. Started in P-3A's up through the P-3C update II. VP-23, VP-44 and VPU-1. Flying 200 feet off the water rigging ships was the most fun you could have with your clothes on. Finished my career as the Maintenance Masterchief in VPU-1.
Good luck to you. VP duty was great.

Originally Posted by karlej

I spent some time in P-3's. 3000+ hrs. as a Flight Engineer. Started in P-3A's up through the P-3C update II. VP-23, VP-44 and VPU-1. Flying 200 feet off the water rigging ships was the most fun you could have with your clothes on. Finished my career as the Maintenance Masterchief in VPU-1.
Good luck to you. VP duty was great.

That's awesome! It's a small world. I finished up my first tour with 1200 or so hours. It seems that the only guys who are lucky enough to get upwards of 3000 these days are the FE's.

There really is no other feeling like flying 300 knots at 200 feet and wrapping up some tight turns.

As an FE, I won't ask your opinion of the P-8 Thanks for your service!

USN 2009-2013 MA3 (SW)

USN '71-'77. Got out an AO2. Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class, "BB stacker/f'n ORDY/red shirt. etc. Stationed at NAS Cecil Field, JAX, FL. June '72 VA-82, and the rest of CAG-8 aboard the CVA-66, USS AMERICA WESTPAC '72-'73. VA-82 was an A-7C outfit. Air to Mud. Petty officer in charge of the fuze crew. Did CAG arming/de-arming. ( last guy to mess with the ordnance before launch, first guy to touch the plane after recovery. Lost a lot of my hearing due to that job, but HEY, the VA gave me hearing aids after 35 years.

VA-82 had the honor of finally putting the Than Hoa bridge out of commission for good. There were over 100 Air Force, Marine, and Navy planes shot down trying to drop that bridge. Our guys rolled in and dumped it with Mk-84's ( 2,000 pounders) and got out without a scratch. Lt Brister and LtCdr "Leighton, "Snuffy" Smith did the honors. Snuffy later made Admiral and was the HMFIC during Bosnia until he fed up with Bill Clinton and retired. Snuffy was good people and one of the only two officers in our that the red shirts would take to the enlisted men's club. He was a party animal just like we were.

Helo'd into Da Nang to salvage out a shot up bird one afternoon. Landed during a rocket attack. Stripped what we could off the bird. Got loaded up to fly back and Charles lit us up again. Helo had some extra ventilation, but no issues. Made it back to the boat with some interesting stories and memories.

Tried to get transferred to VP-49 at NAS Jax. Made several flights with them but couldn't get a transfer.

Got out of the "regular" Navy in '74 and went to VF-201 at NAS Dallas, TX. At that time they were still flying F-8 Crusaders.

Wasn't exactly a "squared away sailor". Stood before the Skipper a couple of times but never got busted.

Enlisted in U. S. Navy in 1965 on a 3 year enlistment. Boot camp at Great Lakes, IL, Co. 603, reported to USS Sandoval APA 194, (Attack Transport). Ship was in Pacific in WWII and was in the movie Away All Boats starring Jeff Chandler. Moved to East Coast and was used to train Marine officers in amphibious landings, made med cruises and swapped out the guard at Gitmo, Cuba. Ship was also in the movie Anzio in the 60's. I was in ONI, Operation, Navigation and Intelligence Division and was a Yoeman. Made two Med cruises, went to Cuba twice and ran up and down the east coast. After making Petty Officer I was assigned to Shore Patrol in Port and stood my watches in the Radar room at Sea. When i left i did not miss the circus but i missed the clowns.

Active duty Army 2006-present. 5 years and two Iraq deployments with the glorious 3rd Infantry Division. Currently in the 4th ID and I just want to go back to 3 ID

Originally Posted by GTIwarrior

Active duty Army 2006-present. 5 years and two Iraq deployments with the glorious 3rd Infantry Division. Currently in the 4th ID and I just want to go back to 3 ID

I have a buddy who did a tour in Iraq in 2010 with the 3 ID, I think he's still at Stewart... Great unit with a proud heritage.

Are you at Carson now?

Originally Posted by RMarsh

I have a buddy who did a tour in Iraq in 2010 with the 3 ID, I think he's still at Stewart... Great unit with a proud heritage.

Are you at Carson now?

I may know your buddy then, do you happen to know what battalion? Yes I am at Carson now, I love Colorado but I'm not too sold on 4 ID