Forty-six years ago

[Willow]

2 5 0 3 3 9 5

Forty-six years ago the U.S.M.C. the seven digit service number and began to identify instead using the SSN held by each member.  I was in for a few years before that.  2503395 was the number assigned to me in boot camp and replaced later by my SSN.  This morning I'm not sure why but something must have reminded me to recall that number.

Does anyone else remember his original style service number?

[Jess from VA]

Mine was always my SSN.

I have before me my dad's Certificate of Service with the USMC (DD form 217 MC, Jan 51)

It says SSgt Richard Henry's number was 1168436 - 7 Feb 51 to 6 Feb 54.

I came along in Mar 53.  But have little recollection of my time at Camp Lejeune.

Like many, I also have a wall of old family photos from times gone by, a number of which include dad in uniform, including his official boot graduation class picture.  Sixth Recruit Battalion, MCRD, Parris Island SC, Platoon 150 "Honor Platoon", April 1951. 

Careful inspection shows not one of those 70 guys was smiling.    

[Skinhead]

I enlisted in the Army in '74, and it was always my SSN.

[Chrisj CMA]

I enlisted in the Army in '74, and it was always my SSN.

Same here except I enlisted in 77. Retired on Y2K day. Anyone remember that?

[bassman]

Absolutely remember mine when issued Jan 18, 1965.   NOT my SSN but rather an “RA” (Regular Army) number permanently carved into my memory.  Can almost recite it in my sleep to this day.  Multiple threats if we didn’t learn it ASAP and told never forget it.  One “threat” I remember was to have to get all my shots again if I didn’t know it EXACTLY and with confidence when asked.  Doubt they would actually complete the proposed threats but it certainly provided ample incentive to get it right. 

[old2soon]

           Ah yup! My Service Number was issued to me in Feb of 1964. NOT repeat NOT my SS#. Regular Navy-774 79 94. And after Separating from Active Duty in Feb. 1968 the 7# was the # I left with. It appears on my DD214. To this day when I put on a button closure or snap closure shirt I Make cursed Sure the gig line is lined up properly and no bags left at the waist line. The no bags thingy a mite harder to take care of these days!  And whether I shave my neck or my gourd to this day IT IS an inspection shave.  Some of those instilled traits refuse to be broken. RIDE SAFE.

[carolinarider09]

Mine was BXX-XX-XX (at least that is what it looks like on my hat but have not checked the DD214)  I enlisted in 67 and was discharged in 1973 (Nuclear Subs).

I don't know if I can find my Dad's from WWII in the Marines.  

As for Y2K, I was in a conference room in the corporate office building with a bunch of the execs and some other supervisors waiting for the time change.  Nothing happened.  But that was because we fixed some of the software before the time change. 

[signart]

I never enlisted, but spent the first 12 years of my life living on base. Born in Shreveport, La. on base. After dad returned from Korea, we were stationed in Savanna, Ga. I started school on base when transferred to Plattsburgh, NY. They shipped the whole family when transferred to Laon, France. When we flew over, they issued everyone a dog tag to wear and told us to memorize the number. We returned on the SS United States, took 5 days.
Don't remember ever seeing the dog tag again, but I can't seem to forget the number AF14026333

[VMODON]

Parris Island 1967, 2282284.

[Jess from VA]

I did the gig line for many years too Dennis.

Until there came a time I just stopped tucking my shirt in anymore.  And untucked shirts always hang clean and straight anyway.  

Admittedly, this is the male version of maternity wear.  

[sandy]

USAF 1967-71 Af11818631 before the SSN change.

[Highbinder]

""RA" number here, issured in '63, something I never forgot... especially when going into the gas chamber, name , rank, and serial number or do it again.

[DIGGER]

I enlisted in the Army in '74, and it was always my SSN.

Same here except I enlisted in 77. Retired on Y2K day. Anyone remember that?

Yepper.....I was a electrician in a 32 story bldg downtown Houston.     The management paid me double time and a half to give up my New Years Eve all night to be there in case things went South on their computer floor......ha  Nothing happened.    Biggest ck I ever made

[old2soon]

""RA" number here, issured in '63, something I never forgot... especially when going into the gas chamber, name , rank, and serial number or do it again.

      Coughing gagging eyes drippin burnin snot drippin everywhere and shouting it out no matter How Much yer throat hurt. Now that you mention it I duz recollect it. RIDE SAFE.

[John Schmidt]

Mine was issued Jan 6, 1957 and was a USAF serial number. I do remember it, strangely enough my former wife also remembers it. I'll not show it here however. My tenure never did involve my SSN.

[shadowsoftime]

I tried my damnest  to get in all branches , each time my hearing flunked me. I WANTED to enlist .
Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force.

[vanavyman]

USN 1977-2002 Always my SSN
Dan

[Skinhead]

I wonder if they changed after abolishing the draft?  I was still in HS when I enlisted (delayed entry program) I was 17 and reported for active duty the day after my 18th birthday.  The change may have occurred on Jan 1, 1974.  To end the guessing game I just GTS:

1 July 1969
Service numbers were eventually phased out completely by the social security number; the Army and Air Force converted to social security numbers on 1 July 1969, the Navy and Marine Corps on 1 January 1972, and the Coast Guard on 1 October 1974.


I guess I was wrong (first time for everything) about the draft thing.

[indybobm]

I joined the Navy in the summer of 1968. The number that was issued to me was B52-XX-XX. It is still easily read from my original peacoat hanging in the closet.  Before i got out of boot camp (Great Lakes), it was replaced by my SSN.

[old2soon]

            As I stated earlier in this thread. My Service # remained my Service # after Separation from The Navy. I recall when I needed copies of my DD214 they wanted both my Service # and my SSN along with the dates I was Active Service. Seems as if even after Service your life-well mine anyway-is STILL being determined by numbers.  RIDE SAFE.

[shortleg]

   Looking at my dad,s DD 214 there is only a 7 digit number.
  He served from 1940 to 1968.

[sheets]

Joined the USN in `71 (NTC San Diego). Still have my dog tags w/ service # (#DXX XX XX) hanging from my desk lamp.

[98valk]

I never enlisted, but spent the first 12 years of my life living on base. Born in Shreveport, La. on base. After dad returned from Korea, we were stationed in Savanna, Ga. I started school on base when transferred to Plattsburgh, NY. They shipped the whole family when transferred to Laon, France. When we flew over, they issued everyone a dog tag to wear and told us to memorize the number. We returned on the SS United States, took 5 days.
Don't remember ever seeing the dog tag again, but I can't seem to forget the number AF14026333

people are still trying to do something with the historical SS United States

http://www.ssusc.org/
https://www.abandonedamerica.us/ss-united-states

[da prez]

  I was drafted in 1966 and my dog tag number started with US54XXXXXX. I enlisted after a week or ten days. My service number was RA54XXXXXX. U S un voluntary service. R A regular army.
  I got out in 1969 and didn't mind the extra year.

                                               da prez

[Chrisj CMA]

I only had my SSAN for s service number. I understand why we don’t put that on line. What is risky about posting the service number?  Not criticizing, just wondering.

[indybobm]

I only had my SSAN for s service number. I understand why we don’t put that on line. What is risky about posting the service number?  Not criticizing, just wondering.

Why give someone more to work with. It can be a nasty world.

[Art708]

 
   My service number was 483 42 79....before they went to SSN.

[Ron Baker]

Mine was 68039179. I enlisted in 1968 USAF. Don't think it was too long after that they switched