Ok--here goes. Im not sure if this is a brief military bio, or a long story. But its mine, and im proud of it either way. First off i was a military dependent (AKA- military brat).Step-dad was a Maj. in the Air Force. I have lived all over the world both as a kid and a active duty member. Some good places, some,--not so good. by the age of 10 or 11 i had lived in Germany, France, and Spain, that much i recall for sure. My memory isn't what it once was--but I'll attempt to at least give some year dates. I never attended the same school more than one year except in Germany (2 Years) and my High School Junior/senior year. Back in my time it was a simple system in school, pass or fail, no passing them on just to get rid of them--lol. Anyway--i was set back once--and with my birthday being in Jan. I was 20 when i got out of High School. i had a total of 33 schools from 1st thru 12th grade. And BTW, i still can't spell. But most of the time i get my point across (or so im told). The year was 1967--Vietnam was going hot and heavy--i was classified 1A, so i knew my fate, short of going to college etc. Having been around other branches of the militay, seeing how each lived. I figured i wasn't Marine Material (Ok--u Marines, I do respect you--(if im being held hostage, or in a big jam. I want to hear "U.S. Marines here to rescue you") but darn it--lets be honest, not all of us are cut out to be a Marine. I saw enough Army guys to know i didn't want to follow that path either. I thought about the Navy, but their recruiter was out of the office the day i visited them. SO--i joined the Air Force in 1967 (wanted to be a cop)
1967--Basic Training--Lackland Air Force Base Texas
1967-1968--Paine Field, Washington State
1968-1969 -- Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colorado
1969--1969 Lackland AFB Tx. Combat Security Police school/traing course
1969-1970 Cam Ranh Bay Air Base Republic of South Vietnam
1969-1970 Army In-country Heavy weapons school at that time located at Phan Rang Air Base
1970--Barksdale AFB, La. (was only home less than 4 months total b4 going back to Nam by my own choice)
1970--Lackland AFB Tx, Combat Security police course
1970-1970--Cam Ranh Bay Air Base Republic of South Vietnam
1970-1971- Phan Rang Air Base Republic of South Vietnam
1971-1973- Malmstrom AFB, Montana, Missile Security
1973-1975-Ramstein Air Base Germany (Also temp duty assignments 89 days or less to Isreal, Turkey, Greece during this time)
1975-1981 Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, Missile Security
1981, Discharged with a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions (It sits next to my 3 Honorable ones--LOL) in lieu of Trial by Court Martial. (its a long story--maybe for another time) Lets just say the Government, or anyone else, for the most part--knew a hell of a lot about PTSD, Agent Orange, or anything else, many of us Career NCO's were going thru at that time. Nor in my opinion, did they really care. (but again,thats just my opinion, and i respect the right all of u have to disagree with me on this matter).
So--thats as short as i can make it--i left out several dozen military schools, both army and Air Force. One of which was a Rape prevention/and investigation course given by the Army at Ft Gordon Ga. which i really liked, and all of which helped me later in life.
Like someone else in this group said in a post i read.I miss the spirit, closeness, and discipline of the military.I miss my brothers and sisters in arms, many of which gave their lives for me and you. FREEDOM isn't FREE, but then, im sure all of u know that. Thanks for starting this Thread--i'll be reading it often. And im sorry this is so long winded--but i know no other way to say it in less words.
NamVet
Bookmarks