For those that have served

[Hog Killer DS0048]

 
I remember the day I found out I got into West Point. My mom actually showed up in the hallway of my high school and waited for me to get out of class . She was bawling her eyes out and apologizing that she had opened up my admission letter . She wasn't crying because it had been her dream for me to go there . She was crying because she knew how hard I'd worked to get in, how much I wanted to attend, and how much I wanted to be an infantry officer . I was going to get that opportunity.
 
That same day two of my teachers took me aside and essentially told me the  following: Nick, you're a smart guy . You don't have to join the military . You should go to college, instead.
 
I could easily write a book defending West Point and the military as I did that day, explaining that USMA is an elite institution, that separate from that it is actually statistically much harder to enlist in the military than it is to get admitted to college, that serving the nation is a challenge that all able-bodied men should at least consider for a host of reasons, but I won't.
 
What I will say is that when a 16 year-old kid is being told that attending West Point is going to be bad for his future then there is a dangerous disconnect in America, and entirely too many Americans have no idea what kind of burdens our military is bearing.
 
In World War II, 11.2% of the nation served in four years.
In Vietnam, 4.3% served in 12 years.
Since 2001, only 0.45% of our population has served in the Global War on Terror.
 
These are unbelievable statistics.
 
Over time, fewer and fewer people have shouldered more and more of the burden and it is only getting worse .
 
Our troops were sent to war in Iraq by a Congress consisting of 10% veterans with only one person having a child in the military.
 
Taxes did not increase to pay for the war .
War bonds were not sold.
Gas was not regulated .
In fact, the average citizen was asked to sacrifice nothing, and has sacrificed nothing unless they have chosen to out of the goodness of their hearts.
 
The only people who have sacrificed are the veterans and their families . The volunteers . The people who swore an oath to defend this nation.
 
You stand there, deployment after deployment and fight on . You've lost relationships, spent years of your lives in extreme conditions, years apart from kids you'll never get back, and beaten your body in a way that even professional athletes don't understand.  Then you come home to a nation that doesn't understand.
 
They don't understand suffering.
They don't understand sacrifice.
They don’t understand why we fight for them.
They don't understand that bad people exist.
 
They look at you like you're a machine - like something is wrong with you . You are the misguided one - not them.
 
When you get out, you sit in the college classrooms with political science teachers that discount your opinions on Iraq and Afghanistan because YOU WERE THERE and can't understand the macro issues they gathered from books, because of your bias.
 
You watch TV shows where every vet has PTSD and the violent strain at that. Your Congress is debating your benefits, your retirement, and your pay, while they ask you to do more.
 
But the amazing thing about you is that you all know this . You know your country will never pay back what you've given up.
 
You know that the populace at large will never truly understand or appreciate what you have done for them.
 
Hell, you know that in some circles, you will be thought as less than normal for having worn the uniform . But you do it anyway . You do
what the greatest men and women of this country have done since 1775 - YOU SERVED . Just that decision alone makes you part of an elite
group.
 
"Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few." – Winston Churchill
 
Thank you to the 0.45% who have and continue to serve our Nation.

[czuch]

Thank you, and youre welcome.
One of the guys here said it best when thanked for his service,
" I didnt do it for you. I did it because its the civic duty of every American and it was the right thing to do". Not an exact quote.
When I got back it was the same. I couldnt talk about it and still wont. All I say is I was a Photographer and I rode in Phantoms.
It was one of the greatest times of my life.
 I met some of the most awesome folks walking the planet.
Ride PGR. Ride safe.

[PAVALKER]

 
I remember the day I found out I got into West Point. My mom actually showed up in the hallway of my high school and waited for me to get out of class . She was bawling her eyes out and apologizing that she had opened up my admission letter . She wasn't crying because it had been her dream for me to go there . She was crying because she knew how hard I'd worked to get in, how much I wanted to attend, and how much I wanted to be an infantry officer . I was going to get that opportunity.
 
That same day two of my teachers took me aside and essentially told me the  following: Nick, you're a smart guy . You don't have to join the military . You should go to college, instead.
 
I could easily write a book defending West Point and the military as I did that day, explaining that USMA is an elite institution, that separate from that it is actually statistically much harder to enlist in the military than it is to get admitted to college, that serving the nation is a challenge that all able-bodied men should at least consider for a host of reasons, but I won't.
 
What I will say is that when a 16 year-old kid is being told that attending West Point is going to be bad for his future then there is a dangerous disconnect in America, and entirely too many Americans have no idea what kind of burdens our military is bearing.
 
In World War II, 11.2% of the nation served in four years.
In Vietnam, 4.3% served in 12 years.
Since 2001, only 0.45% of our population has served in the Global War on Terror.
 
These are unbelievable statistics.
 
Over time, fewer and fewer people have shouldered more and more of the burden and it is only getting worse .
 
Our troops were sent to war in Iraq by a Congress consisting of 10% veterans with only one person having a child in the military.
 
Taxes did not increase to pay for the war .
War bonds were not sold.
Gas was not regulated .
In fact, the average citizen was asked to sacrifice nothing, and has sacrificed nothing unless they have chosen to out of the goodness of their hearts.
 
The only people who have sacrificed are the veterans and their families . The volunteers . The people who swore an oath to defend this nation.
 
You stand there, deployment after deployment and fight on . You've lost relationships, spent years of your lives in extreme conditions, years apart from kids you'll never get back, and beaten your body in a way that even professional athletes don't understand.  Then you come home to a nation that doesn't understand.
 
They don't understand suffering.
They don't understand sacrifice.
They don’t understand why we fight for them.
They don't understand that bad people exist.
 
They look at you like you're a machine - like something is wrong with you . You are the misguided one - not them.
 
When you get out, you sit in the college classrooms with political science teachers that discount your opinions on Iraq and Afghanistan because YOU WERE THERE and can't understand the macro issues they gathered from books, because of your bias.
 
You watch TV shows where every vet has PTSD and the violent strain at that. Your Congress is debating your benefits, your retirement, and your pay, while they ask you to do more.
 
But the amazing thing about you is that you all know this . You know your country will never pay back what you've given up.
 
You know that the populace at large will never truly understand or appreciate what you have done for them.
 
Hell, you know that in some circles, you will be thought as less than normal for having worn the uniform . But you do it anyway . You do
what the greatest men and women of this country have done since 1775 - YOU SERVED . Just that decision alone makes you part of an elite
group.
 
"Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few." – Winston Churchill
 
Thank you to the 0.45% who have and continue to serve our Nation.

Very well stated.  Thank you, you're welcome,  and thank you for putting this all into perspective.
I would hope that those telling you that "you don't have to join the military" were only doing so with your personal safety in mind.  It would (and does) make me sick to think that some disturbed individuals or groups might believe military service is only for those less educated, less fortunate in life overall,  or just for those that are undecided in their future endeavors.  That kind of thinking is old and unwarranted.   Those that hide, or evade military service, are from my perspective, more than likely the less fortunate in life from a rewarding experience perspective.   I believe that we as a nation should only elect our leaders that have served in the Military, but most importantly that a prerequisite for becoming the Commander In Chief should in fact be Military Service.   But let's not make this a political post....

Thank you......

[Jess Tolbirt]

for years and years I wouldnt and didnt want to talk about nam..i was in a helicopter support squadron,, I wore a hat to West Virginia 2 weeks ago to pick up the grand kids,, it was my viet nam vets hat.. i forgot i had it on because when i do wear it people like to thank me for my service.. I didnt get the thanks then and i dont want it now,,,but this guy said nam huh? i said yep,, he said what branch? i said navy,,, he said combat support? i said yep...he finished pumping his gas, hung up the nozzle, walked over to me and threw his arms around me and said,"God I sure was glad to you in '72!" I looked at him, he had tears in his eyes, and he got in his RV and drove off.. I was speechless,, now I want to know who this guy is worse than a cowboy needs a horse,,,I know down deep inside that he was one of my rescues,,, but who is he?

[Dubsvalk]

I was drinking coffee beside my bike outside a MacDonalds in Sweetwater, TN Monday morning when I heard a voice coming from a van parked beside me.  My hearing, not so good anymore, I sais I'm sorry I couldn't hear you.  The older couple sitting in the van repeated "Thank you for your service".  I had forgotten that I had my vest on with the Vietnam Veteran patch on the back.  I thanked them for caring and had a most wonderful ride through the mountains.
The draft should be reinstated and every male should have to serve a two year hitch. IMHO!
Dubs

[sandy]

Every citizen should serve at least a one year service to America. Some in the military and some in a Federal service position. National Park Service; clerk in an office or anything the Feds need done. Four weeks of basic training and then on to your service calling. If it's military, then more basic and AIT.  Think of how many small jobs could be done without long term pensions being paid. The office/service jobs could lead to careers too. Lots of our youth have no direction out of school.

USAF '67-'71
Support function for Titan II ICBM's

[R J]

I'll 2nd the Draft for a minimum of 3 years.     It take that long to decide if ya want to go for 20 or not.    We need more career vets in this world.

Dats all in my Humble Opinion.

[old2soon]

Yeah-bring back the draft fer sure. :coolsmiley:I volunteered for the Navy ahead of the draft notice i knew was coming after i quit school. I'm here to tell you it made a better person out of me. I was DEFINITELY headed in the wrong direction prior to signing up. Anybody that went thru boot in the 60s will know what i mean-one worm watch was enough. And i lost count of the pushups!! The Navy and 2 tours off Nam didn't kill me. And the last little over 2 years in direct support of operations off Nam. RIDE SAFE.

[Reb]

Proud to be apart of that .45%

[Russell Rice]

Both of my Sons joined the military. My oldest did 4 years in the Army and my youngets Son is in the Navy. He joined for 6 years and has 5 more to go.
I had the honor to be in the Marine Corps for 23 years, Semper Fi!

[old2soon]

Both of my Sons joined the military. My oldest did 4 years in the Army and my youngets Son is in the Navy. He joined for 6 years and has 5 more to go.
I had the honor to be in the Marine Corps for 23 years, Semper Fi!

   What you said about it being an Honor to be in the U S M C is exactly how i felt about being in the U S N. Well said and thank you and your young men. They quit being boys the moment they signed up. RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

Hey, every vet I ever met called the front pockets Air Force gloves.  

What's up with that?

USAF 84-92.

[Jokeamo]

Thanks, and thanks to those who have served before us. They left big shoes for us to fill.

[Reb]

Hey, every vet I ever met called the front pockets Air Force gloves.  

What's up with that?

USAF 84-92.

  No need for military bearing when your photo is getting taken.

[BigChris99]

My 17 year old son is waiting for his MEPS date. He is enlisting in the USAF. We are very, very proud of him. Very responsible, focused young man. He will probably enlist for 6 years, and thinks he wants to stay in for 20.  If any of you met him, you'd have faith in our youth again.

[shooter64]

I was in the National Guard for 21 years. Served in Desert Storm. Retired in '92. Didn't even realize it back then but that extra retirement money and the tri care insurance that started when I turned 60 bridged the gap to let me retire at 62, 3 years ago.

[BigBod]

Well, Im 47 now and the second best day of my life (after my little girl being born) was the day I got on that train at 16 heading down to Plymouth to join the Royal Navy. That day my life changed forever and I then went on to have the best 8 years of my life. Would have been longer if I hadn't been discharged on medical grounds.

I met some of the best people on this planet in that 8 years and am very fortunate to still be in touch with a good number of them.

I'm a Falklands vet and a Gulf vet from when Iran and Iraq where having a go at each other, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

[Jabba]

I loved my time in the Navy... but left skidmarks when it was time to get out. 

I actually received an appointment to the USAF academy in Colorado Springs to play football, and declined it.  I didn't want to be in the military then.  4 years later... I was a college drop out, and not getting anywhere but into debt, and went to the Navy to learn how to run nuclear power plants as an enlisted man.  Ended up riding submarines.  The USS Omaha (SSN-692) out of Pearl Harbor.  Broke my back on board, and ended up getting out 14 months early.  I was in from 8-89 thru 2-94. 

I got a good basis in engineering that serves me today... but more than anything, I learned how to get up when I didn't want to.  How to go to work EVERY DAY even when you felt like crap, and how to man up and take the heat for whatever you did.  When you're running a $1B sub... you don't want someone that's gonna try to hide something they did wrong... you want guys that say.. "Hey ya'll... I REALLY messed this up.  Someone help me fix it!" 

Ya'll are right.  Most people don't understand WHY we did what we did.  I love the USA more than anything.  I got a face full of tears as I type this out. 

I say thanks to each of you... especially you guys serving in the combat theater.  That is a tough draw... and I personally appreciate it.

One of the best weeks of my life was in December of 1991.  I was stationed in Pearl Harbor, and had the pleasure of interacting with and spending a lot of time with survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Those men were the REAL DEAL.  sometimes... we are what circumstances make us.  I think a lot of us have the metal to do it... but are not dealt that hand. 

Again... to those of you that saw that combat... Thanks for your metal.

Jabba 

[solo1]

I was drafted in 1952.  I served only two years.  The Army saw fit to send me through infantry basic, then medical aideman basic, then Xray school at Ft. Sam Houston, then 1953 in Korea in the 618th Medical Clearing Company.  I was a support troop that didn't see combat.  I could never figure out why they invested all that time and money in me so I could drive a truck in my medical outfit. 

However, after basic training, I was proud to serve.  I went where the Army wanted me.  If I would've been placed according to my secondary MOS, medical aideman,  I would've been scared s###less but would've done what I was told and trained to do.

The discipline was a big help to me and it was a tremendous experience.

[Rams]

Thanks for posting this.

Last year of the draft, my # was 38, I was a sophomore in college.  Didn't want to be drafted so, I went to see my local Marine Recruiter.  Was headed to recruit training a month later.  Missed Viet Nam by less than two weeks, the class before mine got orders for units in Viet Nam, then Nixon stopped it and declared no more troops going there.  Our orders were changed and I didn't go there.  Regardless, served for two years, got out and went back to college.  I served with many coming back from Nam but didn't get there myself.  Got my degree and then joined the Army, I wanted to fly helicopters and if you want to do that, the US Army has more helos than any other entity on the planet so, I figured that would increase my odds.  It worked out well for me.  Served another 13 years after that.  I had my reasons for leaving after that, some personal, some political but, I cherish everyday I served, those I served with and those that served before me.  I honor them at every opportunity.  
The baton has been passed to a new generation. my son went to Iraq, my daughter is now deploying to Kosovo.  I can't begin to espouse my pride in those two.  
I thank Veterans when I know and curse those who show no respect or gratitude to them.   But, I always remember, they simply don't understand, the unfortunate part is, they never will.

[old2soon]

Wayne Jabba hence the "honor" part about serving. Those that didn't try but will never begin to understand. Those of us that have served do understand and always will. And believe me i am not talking down to antbody that hasn't served. Kinda like trying to explain why we ride. To all those that have served to all those that will serve and to all that are serving right now and those that have made the ultimate sacrifice-THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[shortleg]

   Send them here for the day
         Shortleg[Dave]

[Ice]

My time in the Army (8 years) is a fond memory for me, even though I was deployed more than I wanted to be seeing how I was newlywed and all, but the memories and camaraderie I found was worth all the pain and hassels that come with serving.
Thanks for posting and thanks to all that have served.

[Sergeant D]

I did 22 years in the Air Force 1986-2008.  Loved every tour!  Boots on the ground in Desert Shield/Storm (better known as Gulf War 1) , Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq & Afghanistan (Gulf War 2).  I was an Air Force Cook with a Bachelor's Degree.  Serving the country served me far better than a college education has.  I actually dropped out of my Master's Program just because of the liberal minded Professors who made me sick with their rhetoric.  

I am still amazed by the positive attitude of the "kids" joining the military today.  They keep my hopes high that this country still can be great.  God Bless Our Troops!

My eldest grandson (my wife is 61 for those doing the math) just joined the US Naval Academy this morning.  A third generation now serving!  I couldn't be prouder!

[PharmBoy]

The U.S. Army provided the pivital point in my young life.  After a divorce and flunking out of college, I received my draft notice on my 26th birthday.  That was Dec of 1966.  After basic & AIT I spent a few months at Ft. Hood, Texas which used up 1967.  Then I spent 1968 running up and down the Cambodian border with the 4th Inf. Div.  The Tet Offensive was going on and I got a lot of my priorities changed in a hurry.  Thankful to have survived, I returned to an ungrateful nation, but I really didn't care.  I was so glad to be alive, young, and healthy.  I had gained the confidence that I could accomplish anything that I wanted to do.  One last try was all it took to get that elusive degree and pass the state board exam.  At last I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I was 30 years old and on my way to the rest of what has been a challenging & exciting life.  Although it was not all "fun & games" I will be forever grateful to the U.S. Army for giving me that "I can do it attitude"...Jim

[czuch]

God, I love you guys. Fellow brothers in arms.

[BigChris99]

Thank you one and all for your service to our country.

[shooter64]

Seeing this thread reminded me of drill instructors. No matter what branch of service you went to basic training for. They were all kind of like "Gunny" in Full Metal Jacket.
When my youngest son said he wanted to join the Navy, I told him to be sure to choose a Navy specialty that will help you in getting a job when you get out. So what does he choose? Surface ship torpedo man. While it didn't directly help him get a job it does look good on a resume and a potential employer knows a military man has had discipline shoved down his throat. He has never had a problem getting a good job in today's tough job market.

[HayHauler]

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU one and all for your service and sacrifice for this great country.

Hay

[Karen]

Thanks for the wonderful posts on my anniversary. 51 Years ago today I walked out of the house carrying my suitcase, trumpet case, and golf clubs. The recruiting sergeant asked me what I was doing with golf clubs. "You said there was a golf course on post", I replied. He said "I think you should wait until after basic". "What's basic?" was my response. He said it was just a little training that everyone had to go through... Yeah, right... Spent 8 years at lovely Fort McClellan Alabama, except for 6 months at the Navy School of Music in Little Creek. Hardest was Taps at the funerals, best was traveling all over the country playing to appreciative audiences, White House, Mike Douglas show. Grateful I had that much direction at that time in my life. No combat, women were in the WAC then. Different times. Thank you all who have made it possible for me to do exactly what I want to do.

[3fan4life]

It never ceases to amaze me how many members of the VRCC have served, are serving or have children that have chosen to serve.


Maybe that's part of the reason that this is such a great club.

Among other things people in the military learn how to watch their buddies backs.



I'm proud of the time that I spent in the US Army, 1982-85 Active Duty / 1985-1992 Reserve


Atop an Iraqi tank in Kuwait 1991





I have never been more proud of my son than when he decided to join the Air Force.




Military service does change a person.

A few years in the military teaches many valuable lessons that most will never learn in an entire lifetime.

Every citizen should serve at least a one year service to America. Some in the military and some in a Federal service position. National Park Service; clerk in an office or anything the Feds need done. Four weeks of basic training and then on to your service calling. If it's military, then more basic and AIT.  Think of how many small jobs could be done without long term pensions being paid. The office/service jobs could lead to careers too. Lots of our youth have no direction out of school.

USAF '67-'71
Support function for Titan II ICBM's

I've said for years that every young man should have to serve at least 2 yrs in the military.

The benefit to them and to our country would be priceless.


For those that just aren't cut out for the military then 2 yrs of service in public service like the Peace Corps would suffice.


For these 2 yrs of service the person could then attend 4 yrs at any public university of their choosing.

A win / win as far as I'm concerned. 



Everytime that I have visited one of these, I have found myself overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the sacrifice that others have made to keep our nation free.




I'm reminded of these words: "All Gave Some......... Some Gave All"







Thank God for both of them.